Plastic Man

Origin

Police Comics

Plastic Man had been a crook named Patrick "Eel" O'Brian when he was shot by a security guard and struck by a falling drum full of an unidentified acid, some of which entered Eel's wound. He was saved by a mysterious order of monks whose example cured his penchant for crime. The acid bath gave him the ability to change his shape. He wore dark glasses and a red-and-yellow costume as flexible as his body. Whatever shape he took, the colors remained the same, so there would be a red-and-yellow chandelier over a table full of plotting gangsters, or a red-and-yellow abstract painting hanging on the wall, but the villains never caught on until it was too late.

Plastic Man soon acquired sidekick Woozy Winks, a doofus who was originally magically enchanted so that nature itself would protect him from harm. That eventually was forgotten and Woozy became simply a dumb but loyal friend of Plastic Man, who tries to be cool.

Creation

Plastic Man was created by legendary cartoonist Jack Cole and was a signature character for Quality Comics " Police Comics". His adventures were often offbeat with large amounts of slapstick humour. In this version, Plas was a reformed criminal who worked with the FBI. When Quality Comics failed, Plastic Man was one of the characters acquired by DC Comics.

Character History

Father & Son

Plastic Man was asked to join the Justice League of America by Batman because they felt that he was more versatile than Elongated Man. Plastic Man thought of the plan to defeat Queen Bee since he knew that bees are blind to red. In "The Obsidian Age" Plastic Man was torn apart and left at the bottom of the sea for 300 years. Thanks to Batman, Plastic Man regained his shape and mind. Later, Batman helped Plastic Man get in touch with his son who has the same powers as his father. Plastic Man decided to take leave from the League to get in touch with his son. When Martian Manhunter turned into Fernus Plastic Man was the only one able to stop him, but Eel forgot all about his alter ego as Plastic Man. Eventually he remembered and defeated Fernus.

Recently, Plastic Man was badly wounded by both Prometheus and during the Blackest Night. He then appears in Justice League: Generation Lost, helping a large coalition of heroes on an unsuccessful mission to trace Maxwell Lord.

Plastic Man has a son known as the superhero " Offspring" who has inherited Plas' abilities. The child was illegitimately had with "Angel" McDunnagh.

Post Flashpoint

A possible candidate

Plastic Man appears as one of the heroes considered to be a part of the Justice League International. He was rejected as a possible member, and was stated as being "too wacko."

Powers

As a result of his chemical metamorphosis, Plastic man has near complete control of his body's elasticity.

Gets Knotted

He can elongate or compress himself into virtually any shape. He can also mimic people, animals, or objects to disguise himself. Yet, after six decades of pliant properties, he still can't readily alter his physical color.

Plas is shown to have a weakness to temperature extremes.

Other Versions

Earth-31

Batman: The Dark knight Strikes Again

Plas appears in Frank Miller's "Dark Knight" Universe. In Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again, set in a future timeline, Plas is one of the heroes held in captivity by Luthor. He is shown being contained in an egg resembling a silly putty container. having been locked up for so long has driven Plas insane. After a fight with the Elongated man, Batman punches some sense into him.

He later appears in All-Star Batman & Robin, the Boy Wonder as his younger self. he is shown as part of the Justice league, often making jokes to the annoyance of his fellow superheroes.

Kyle Baker's Plastic Man

Kyle Baker had a multi- Eisner Award winning series that ran from 2004-2006. Plas is depicted much like his original version and working for the FBI.

Flashpoint

Legion of Doom

Plastic Man is smuggled into prison by Cluemaster (under Heat Wave's instruction). In this timeline, Plastic Man appears to be a villain.

Other Media

Super Friends

Plastic Man appears in the episode "Professor Goodfellow’s G.E.E.C.". He is voiced by Norman Alden.

The Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Show

DVD cover

Plastic Man starred in his very own 1979-1981 Super Friends spin-off series voiced by Michael Bell.

Instead of his usual sidekick Woozy Winks, Plas partnered with a Hawaiian sidekick named Hula-Hula. He also has a girlfriend called Penny (whom he later married). Plastic Man villains Carrotman, Doctor Dome, and Doctor Honctoff were featured. Later, the cast was joined by their son, Baby Plas. The show was released on DVD in a complete series in 2009.

DCAU

Plas did not appear but In the Justice League Unlimited episode "The Greatest Story Never Told," Plastic Man was briefly mentioned as a member of the Justice League by Green Lantern John Stewart and Elongated Man.

Plastic Man Pilot

In 2006, a Plastic man pilot episode called "Puddle Trouble" was commissioned for Cartoon Network, produced and voiced by Tom Kenny. The animation style is similar to off-beat cartoons such as Ren & Stimpy. The show was never aired, however the pilot can be found on the internet, and also on the Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Show DVD.

Batman: The Brave and the Bold

Animated Plastic-Man

Tom Kenny (once again) comes back to the voice role of Plastic Man. Like in the comics, Eel O'Brian is a reformed criminal that is working with Batman to stay on the right side of the law. Before Eel became Plastic Man, Batman was onto the case that kiteman and his gang were stealing diamonds, Batman ended up knocking Eel into the vat of chemicals. Batman took full control over Eel, and told the judge he would keep him out of trouble. Plastic man is a recurring character in the series, and is always seen trying to get money, gold etc etc. He is the most comedic character in Batman Brave and The Bold.

He has a competitive relationship with Elongated Man. Both argue be better hero than the other.

Young Justice

Young Justice : Revelations Cameo by Plastic Man

He makes an unspoken cameo in Revelations, fighting the plant monsters that the Injustice League created and saving a falling civilian.

Videogames

Batman: The Brave and the Bold

He appears as one of the jump-in heroes. He appears clobbering every enemy in the screen as an elastic mallet.