Posted By Dan Greenfield on Jul 25, 2025 | 2 comments

FRANCO FRIDAYS Meets FANTASTIC FOUR WEEK!

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It’s FANTASTIC FOUR WEEK! Because there’s a big ol’ movie out! Click here for the COMPLETE INDEX of columns and features! Flame on! — Dan

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By FRANCO

In space, no one can hear you burp. Because you can’t.

I heard that somewhere. So I had to look it up. And it’s true… somewhat. But essentially you can’t burp in space.

For those of you who might be a bit squeamish, you might want to look away for the next paragraph:

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum website explains it like this: “In space, astronauts are in a constant state of freefall, so gravity doesn’t help separate gases from everything else in their stomachs. This means that the gases don’t naturally stay near the top of the stomach, while the heavier liquids and solids settle to the bottom. Without the effect of gravity, the gases, foods, and liquids stay floating together. So if an astronaut tries to burp in space, a little bit of everything comes up (solids, liquids, and gases). Basically, burping in space means throwing up a little.”

Further research yielded this little gem: Some astronauts refer to this phenomenon as “space vomit” or “bomit.”

OK. So, if you haven’t figured this out yet, my brain tends to wander and there is a constant story workshop happening in my skull. My wife says that my mind is always doing something.

I saw that awesome Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer and lo and behold, they showed Galactus! Days later, my thoughts drifted to Galactus. Yes, the so-called Devourer of Worlds. This guy consumes entire planets! Heck, if you left him alone, he could eat an entire galaxy in one sitting. That’s like if you were to bring me to a buffet and inadvertently seated me next to the soft serve ice cream machine. It would not work out well for any of us in that restaurant.

Why does Galactus have such an attitude? My theory: He hasn’t been able to burp in a while. Takes time traveling from one planet to the other. He’s gotta send out heralds to make reservations in advance. He might have some bomit situation going on there. You devour a planet or two, or an entire galaxy, and then you have to space travel to the next meal.

Then I thought, “Why do we burp babies?” Because releasing the trapped air makes the babies feel better.

In the Fantastic Four comics, did we need the ultimate nullifier? I submit that it was just a burping device. Was Reed that smart and figured it out? I say yes. The Marvel Universe has almost been destroyed so many times because it was a literal buffet.

Then I thought, “What is the equivalent in the DC Universe?” Although in the DC Universe this might not be a problem if they had Mr. Terrific’s gastro nanobots so he doesn’t have to fart. (It’s a real thing — as far as these make-believe things we do in comics go.)

Anyway… something to think about the next time you’re out to dinner with friends and want to bring up an interesting topic of conversation. Or after you just ate a huge Thanksgiving dinner. Or when you go see Fantastic Four: First Steps.

Happy Friday!

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MORE

— The Complete FANTASTIC FOUR WEEK INDEX of Columns and Features. Click here.

— The TOP 13 Greatest GALACTUS HERALDS. Click here.

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Franco and his forehead have traveled the world and he writes and draws stuff. Franco is the creator, artist and writer of Patrick the Wolf Boy and Aw Yeah Comics! Franco has worked on books/comics, including Tiny Titans and Superman Family Adventures. Franco was also a high-school teacher and is one of the principal owners of Aw Yeah Comics retail stores. Dan made Franco add that he has won three Eisners.