Human Cannonball: Difference between revisions

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{{trope}}
In fiction, particularly video games, the [['''Human Cannonball]]''' act is, not much like [[Real Life]], a popular way for a character to choose to travel instantly (or, if they're really unlucky, unwillingly). However, [[Did Not Do the Research|unlike in real life]], fiction treats being shot out of a cannon in a very, '''very''' literal way. Unlike in actual acts, cannons used for this purpose in fiction are never powered by a large spring or compressed air, but by literal gunpowder and lighting the fuse. (Any explosions you might see in circus acts are just for show.) Expect characters to be shot really long distances too, on the country wide or even interplanetary scale. Expect them also to make a sudden stop via wall or solid piece of ground (or [[Soft Water|water]]) at the other end. In some works, there will not even be any apparent effects on gravity on anyone in mid flight, meaning their flight path will be a completely straight line from point A to B. May also be done with a large medieval catapult in some comical settings.
{{examples}}
 
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* Subverted in ''[[Schlock Mercenary]]'', in the Barsoom circus arc.
* Variant in ''[[A Miracle of Science]]'': A one-man pod is shot into space with a giant cannon, design courtesy of a mad scientist. When it fails, [[Ludicrous Gibs]] result. (Fortunately the failure rate isn't very big...)
* In ''[[Sluggy Freelance]]'' Zoe dated a professional [[Human Cannonball]] for a while. They met after he crash landed on another guy Zoe was trying to chat up.
* In one ''[[User Friendly]]'' story arc, Pitr is launched to the moon by trebuchet.
* In ''[[8-Bit Theater|Eight Bit Theater]]'', the main characters have once to use a cannon to travel to their next destination. Of course, the first test is with [[Butt Monkey|Black Mage]] and the explosion happens, but Black Mage isn't sent on the way.
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