 | We analyze a collaboration network based on the Marvel Universe comic books. First, we consider the system as a binary network, where two characters are connected if they appear in the same publication. The analysis of degree correlations reveals that, in contrast to most real social networks, the Marvel Universe presents a disassortative mixing on the degree. Then, we use a weight measure to study the system as a weighted network. This allows us to find and characterize well defined communities. Through the analysis of the community structure and the clustering as a function of the degree we show that the network presents a hierarchical structure. Finally, we comment on possible mechanisms responsible for the particular motifs observed. |
“Pity the villains of the Marvel comics - they never had a chance against superheroes like Spider-Man. An analysis of the social webs within the fictional Marvel universe reveals that villains were banished to the periphery of society, while the superheroes were well connected. Physicist Pablo Gleiser of the National Council for Scientific and Technical Research in Buenos Aires, Argentina, studied the social web within the fictional universe of Marvel comics, comprising 6486 characters in 12,942 issues. Taking two characters to be linked if they appeared in the same issue, he found a superficially realistic social network. A small fraction of characters - notably the superheroes themselves - had far more links than most others, acting as key social hubs. ‘The Marvel universe looks almost like a real social network,’ says Gleise” (NewScientist, September 2007). See the paper’s figures HERE.
This is to go along Mary1in post about the X-Men Universe Relationship Map.
• Jun 24, 2009 link notes tagged: article network science society comic map design relation
