Summary
DC has finally admitted that aJustice Leagueicon’s powers are actually quite disturbing. For nearly 80 years, Plastic Man’s stretching abilities have made him one of comics’ coolest characters visually, and have come in handy in his battle with crime. Now, writer Christopher Cantwell, set to soon leave his mark on the character, has pinned down what makes the rubbery crime fighter’s powers so terrifying.
Christopher Cantwell has also writtenIron ManandDoctor Doomfor Marvel, as well asStar Trek: Defiant.
In an interview with Chris Coplan ofAIPT, Christopher Cantwell discussed his history with Plastic Man. Cantwell’sDC Black LabelPlastic Man No Morewill be released this September, and the writer candidly admitted the character freaked him out as a child. Cantwell acknowledged the character’s silliness and wisecracks, but also pointed out Plastic Man’s power carried with it a large body horror aspect. Cantwell toldAIPTPlastic Man No Morewill not only explore the character’s checkered past, but play with his body horror aspects as well.
Cantwell credited another stretchable character, Mister Fantastic, for inspiration on Plastic Man.
Plastic Man Was A Bizarre Golden Age Character Who Became a Cult Icon
Plastic Man Contains Some Horrifying Elements
Created by legendary artist Jack Cole, Plastic Man was Eel O’Brien, a former small-time hoodlum who received stretching powers after falling in a vat of chemicals. Deciding to walk the straight and narrow, Eel became Plastic Man. Plastic Man’s adventures, particularly under the direction of Cole, were some of the most memorable comics of the Golden Age, and it is thanks to his unique powers which allowed Cole to draw some truly bizarre, and even disturbing, scenes. Beginning as a Quality Comics character, Plastic Man would eventually work his way to DC, and the Justice League.
With Plastic Man’s powers on the fritz, Cantwell and his collaborators have a chance to go nuts with the character’s appearance, and lean heavily on the body horror elements.
Since Plastic Man’s introduction in 1941’sPolice Comics#1, he has used his stretching abilities to fight crime. Beyond being merely able to stretch and bend his body, Plastic Man can also use his abilities to shape-shift, which he has used to infiltrate organizations many times in the past. His rubbery body makes him practically invulnerable, but inPlastic Man No More, his powers begin to fail. With Plastic Man’s powers on the fritz, Cantwell and his collaborators have a chance to go nuts with the character’s appearance, and lean heavily on the body horror elements.
Plastic Man is the Perfect Example of Body Horror in Comics
Cantwell Will Tap Into These Elements inPlastic Man No More!
Plastic Man’s body horror elementswill be on full display in his new series. Elaborating further on this plot point, Cantwell stated that not only will Plastic Man has to grapple with his own powers failing him, but the possibility he may have passed these defects down to his son, Offspring. Plastic Man’s time in theJustice Leaguesaw him use his powers in new and exciting ways. However, Plastic Man’s abilities allow him to do some freaky things with his body, giving this seemingly happy-go-lucky character a truly disturbing dimension.
Source:AIPT
Plastic Man No More #1 is on sale September 4 from DC Comics!
