
Plastic Man, also known as Eel O'Brian, is a DC Comics fictional superhero known for his elasticity and shape-shifting abilities. Created by Jack Cole, Plastic Man first appeared in the Golden Age of comics (1938-1954) as a small-time crook who gains his powers after being shot and exposed to an unknown chemical. O'Brian discovers that his body now possesses all the properties of rubber, allowing him to stretch, bounce, and mould himself into any shape. With his newfound abilities, he decides to fight crime and joins forces with his sidekick, Woozy Winks, becoming a prominent member of the Justice League.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause of powers | Exposed to an unknown chemical mixture that entered the body through a gunshot wound |
| State of being | Exists in a fluid state, neither entirely liquid nor solid |
| Control over structure | Can change density at will, alter bodily mass and physical constitution, and manipulate his body to become anything or anyone |
| Size alteration | Can shrink down to a few inches tall or become larger than a skyscraper |
| Superhuman agility | Stretching powers grant agility, flexibility, and coordination beyond human limits |
| Superhuman strength | Can alter strength by growing or adding more muscle |
| Invulnerability | Powers augment durability, enabling him to withstand corrosives, punctures, concussive force, and high-velocity impacts |
| Limitations | Cannot change color without intense concentration |
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What You'll Learn

Plastic Man's origin story
Plastic Man, also known as Eel O'Brian, was a small-time criminal who gained his powers after being shot during an attempted robbery and exposed to an unknown chemical. This chemical entered his bloodstream and caused a radical physical change, giving him all the properties of rubber and allowing him to stretch, bounce, and mould himself into any shape.
After acquiring his new powers, Eel O'Brian was abandoned by his gang and became a fugitive, frightening others with his new appearance and abilities. He attempted suicide, but was stopped by Woozy Winks, a former mental patient who wanted to be institutionalised again. Together, they decided to use O'Brian's powers for good and fight crime. O'Brian took on the name 'Plastic Man' after a reporter misheard his original intended name of 'Elastic Man'.
Plastic Man and Woozy Winks set up a detective agency in New York City and had various adventures together. Plastic Man became a prominent member of the Justice League, using his powers to infiltrate and combat evil organisations. He was known for his humour and lightheartedness, often using his powers to disguise himself as inanimate objects or other people.
Plastic Man's powers gave him near-invulnerability, allowing him to withstand attacks that would kill ordinary humans. He could alter his strength, density, and size at will, becoming as small as a few inches tall or larger than a skyscraper. He could also change his shape and appearance, moulding his face and body to disguise himself.
Despite his seemingly infinite power, Plastic Man's abilities eventually became his downfall. In the "Plastic Man No More!" storyline, his powers began to deteriorate and he lost control of his body, no longer able to maintain his form.
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His powers and abilities
Plastic Man, also known as Eel O'Brian, is a small-time crook who acquires his powers after being shot and exposed to an unidentified chemical. This chemical enters his bloodstream and causes a radical physical change, giving him all the properties of rubber and allowing him to stretch, bounce, and mould himself into any shape.
Plastic Man's powers include:
- Malleability/Elasticity/Plasticity: He can stretch his limbs and body to superhuman lengths and sizes. There seems to be no known limit to how far he can stretch his body.
- Size alteration: Plastic Man can alter his size, shrinking down to a few inches tall or growing larger than a skyscraper.
- Shape-shifting: He can contort his body into various positions and sizes, such as becoming entirely flat to slip under a door or using his fingers to pick locks. He can also change the shape of his face and body for disguise.
- Density control: Plastic Man can control his density, becoming as dense as a rock or as flexible as a rubber band.
- Superhuman agility: His stretching powers grant him agility, flexibility, and coordination far beyond the natural limits of the human body.
- Superhuman strength: Plastic Man can alter his strength by growing or adding more muscle.
- Invulnerability: His powers give him extraordinary durability, allowing him to withstand corrosives, punctures, and concussions without sustaining injury. He is resistant to high-velocity impacts and energy blasts, and is even said to be bulletproof.
- Immortality: Plastic Man's powers grant him a form of immortality, allowing him to survive for 3000 years after being scattered into crumbs around the Atlantic Ocean.
Despite his goofy and comedic nature, Plastic Man is considered one of DC's most dangerous heroes due to the extent of his powers. He is a prominent member of the Justice League and has worked alongside other heroes such as Batman and Wonder Woman.
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Plastic Man's durability
Plastic Man's elasticity and shape-shifting abilities also contribute to his durability. He can stretch, bounce, and mold himself into any shape, allowing him to contort his body into positions and sizes impossible for ordinary humans. This includes becoming extremely small, such as when he shrank himself to fit into one of Batman's utility belt pockets. He can also alter his bodily mass and physical constitution, allowing him to withstand attacks that would harm others.
Plastic Man's powers grant him a high level of durability, allowing him to withstand various forms of attacks and impacts. While he is not completely immortal or invulnerable, his ability to survive and recover from extreme situations is a testament to his remarkable durability.
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How he got his name
The name 'Plastic Man' was coined by a reporter who misinterpreted the superhero's first choice of name, 'Elastic Man'. The name 'Plastic Man' is a nod to the plasticity of the character's body, which allows him to manipulate his body to become anything and anyone. Plastic Man can contort his body into various positions and sizes, granting him superhuman agility, flexibility, and coordination. He can also alter his bodily mass and physical constitution at will, creating virtually no limit to the sizes and shapes he can contort himself into.
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His relationship with Batman
Plastic Man, or Patrick "Eel" O'Brian, was a small-time crook who became a stretchable superhero. He is a member of the Justice League of America, alongside Batman. Despite Batman's scepticism towards reformed criminals and lack of a sense of humour, he and Plastic Man became good friends.
Plastic Man and Batman's relationship is one of mutual aid. On several occasions, Batman has saved Plastic Man's life. In one instance, Batman pulled O'Brian from a vat of acid and took him to the hospital. In another, Batman saved Plastic Man from Babyface's gang, who had left him for dead. Plastic Man has returned the favour, helping Batman defeat villains such as Gentleman Ghost, Gorilla Grodd, and Geryon.
Batman also helped O'Brian adjust to his new elastic powers. He assumed full responsibility for O'Brian's rehabilitation and vouched for him in court and in front of the parole board. Later, he helped O'Brian join the Justice League International.
In the "Rock of Ages" story arc, Batman recruited Plastic Man to infiltrate Lex Luthor's Injustice League in the guise of the Joker. Plastic Man was also present at the memorial service after this incarnation of the Justice League disbanded.
In one instance, Batman and Plastic Man's relationship became strained. After Batman devised methods to defeat his allies if they were compromised, Owlman stole his files and used a device to freeze Plastic Man. This traumatised Plastic Man, and when it was discovered that the assassins were following Batman's methods, Plastic Man voted him out of the League.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic Man is a fictional superhero and a member of the Justice League of America.
Plastic Man has a range of powers, including shape-shifting, elasticity, near-invulnerability, and immortality. He can stretch, bounce, and mold himself into any shape and has complete control over his structure.
Plastic Man, or Eel O'Brian, was a small-time crook who gained his powers after being shot and exposed to an unidentified chemical. The chemical entered his bloodstream and caused a radical physical change, giving him all the properties of rubber.
Plastic Man and Batman are both members of the Justice League and have worked together on several missions. Batman also helped reconnect Plastic Man with his son, Luke.
Plastic Man, or Patrick "Eel" O'Brian, was a criminal who, along with his gang, attempted to rob Cole Chemical. He was shot by the police and exposed to an unknown acid. After collapsing and awakening, he found that his flesh had become elastic. He was then saved by a group of monks, who cured him of his life of crime.











































