io9 Roundup of Superhero, Political and Futurist Articles, Part 7

Today we've got a roundup of recent, relevant, and few just really cool, articles from the science, science fiction and fantasy blog io9.com. Stay tuned for all the parts.

• A world map of average life expectancy by country. How does your nation rank?
• Harry Houdini’s incredible book about home science experiments — free online!
• Mapping Nobel Prizes and Notable Laureates
• Christopher Nolan originally approached Heath Ledger to play Bruce Wayne
• Here’s Stan Lee’s latest sad superhero-based project
• These creatures live in a lake that’s been sealed beneath ice for 2,800 years
• Why we all secretly want the apocalypse to happen
• Watch Dan Harmon’s surprisingly inspirational keynote speech on the death of television
• Name that pair of Superhero underwear
• Science Fiction Under Totalitarian Regimes, Part 2: Tsarist and Soviet Russia
• No, the North Korean government did not claim it found evidence of unicorns
• The Hostess Fruit Pie ad Sandman and the Endless never made
• Serbian village council issues warning that a vampire may be on the loose
• The original Batmobile is going on sale January 19th
• DeLorean taxi takes you to your appointment across town and half an hour ago
• Find out when your house will be overtaken by rising seas