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Plastic Man, the fictional superhero with elastic powers, was first published in August 1941 in Police Comics #1 by Quality Comics. Created by cartoonist Jack Cole, Plastic Man was one of the stars of the Golden Age of Comic Books (1938-1954). The character has since been published in several solo series and has appeared in animated television series and films. DC Comics acquired the rights to Plastic Man in 1956 and has since published new volumes of the comic book series, with the latest incarnation being discontinued in 2006.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First Published | August 1941 |
| Publisher | Quality Comics |
| Creator | Jack Cole |
| Character | Patrick "Eel" O'Brian |
| First Appearance | Police Comics #1 |
| Publication Years | 1941-1950 |
| Acquired By | DC Comics |
| Acquisition Year | 1956 |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic Man's first publication in Police Comics #1
Plastic Man, also known as Patrick "Eel" O'Brian, is a superhero in American comic books. The character was created by cartoonist and writer Jack Cole, and first appeared in Police Comics #1, published in August 1941 by Quality Comics. Cole led an adventurous life, cycling across America at 18, before moving to New York in 1935 to pursue cartooning. In 1941, Everett "Busy" Arnold, the owner of Quality Comics, asked Cole to create a new hero for the upcoming Police Comics title, inspired by Will Eisner's The Spirit. Cole's creation, Plastic Man, was a super-detective who always got his man and had the ability to stretch his body into any form.
The first issue of Police Comics introduced Eel O'Brian as a criminal, cracking a safe at the Crawford Chemical Works. After being disturbed by a guard, O'Brian is shot at, and a chemical vat is hit, showering him with acid. This acid gives him his signature rubbery and stretchable body, and he decides to fight crime using his new shapeshifting abilities. The early stories of Plastic Man incorporated humour and became increasingly offbeat and surreal, with the introduction of his bumbling sidekick, Woozy.
Plastic Man was one of the stars of the Quality Comics lineup during the Golden Age of Comic Books (1938-1954). The character has been adapted into various media outside of comics, including animated television series and films. DC Comics acquired the rights to Plastic Man in 1956 and has since published new volumes and issues featuring the character. Plastic Man has also appeared in other DC properties, such as the Justice League, interacting with other popular characters like Batman.
Plastic Man's ability to stretch and shape his body has been a defining characteristic, making him a unique and memorable superhero. His powers allow him to turn into inanimate objects, animals, and even other people, adding a layer of creativity and humour to his stories. Plastic Man's first appearance in Police Comics #1 marked the beginning of a beloved comic book character who continues to capture the imagination of fans, even inspiring attempts at live-action adaptations.
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The character's creation by cartoonist Jack Cole
Plastic Man, one of the most iconic and beloved comic book characters, first appeared in print in 1941. The brainchild of cartoonist Jack Cole, Plastic Man was a departure from the typical superheroes of the time and introduced an element of humor and whimsy to the comic book world. Cole's creation of Plastic Man was a process of experimentation, refinement, and a bit of happy accident. By the early 1940s, Cole was already an established cartoonist, having worked on a number of comic book series for Quality Comics. It was here that he created a character named "Police Man," a rather unremarkable hero with the ability to stretch his body, who appeared in a single issue of Police Comics #1 (cover date Aug. 1941). The issue did not generate much interest, and the character was quickly forgotten. However, Cole became fascinated with the idea of a stretchy hero and began to develop the concept further.
Cole's initial idea for Plastic Man was quite different from the character that eventually emerged. In his early sketches, Plastic Man had a more monstrous appearance, with a bulky, misshapen body and a sinister expression. However, as Cole continued to experiment, the character evolved. He became more streamlined and elastic, able to contort his body into a variety of shapes. Cole also developed the character's humorous side, giving him a playful personality and a penchant for wisecracks. The final piece of the puzzle fell into place when Cole decided to give Plastic Man a colorful costume, complete with a bright red, form-fitting bodysuit and a yellow-and-black mask.
Plastic Man's powers were also unique and added to the character's appeal. Unlike other superheroes who relied on strength or invulnerability, Plastic Man's power was his ability to stretch and mold his body at will. He could extend his limbs to great lengths, squeeze through tight spaces, and mold his body into a variety of objects, from balls to springs to parachutes. This made him a highly versatile character, capable of escaping tight spots and defeating enemies in creative and unexpected ways.
Of course, Cole did not work in isolation, and the success of Plastic Man can also be attributed to the contributions of his colleagues at Quality Comics. In particular, editor Will Eisner played a key role in shaping the character and guiding Plastic Man's early adventures. It was Eisner who suggested that Cole give the character a more lighthearted and humorous tone, which helped to set Plastic Man apart from the more serious and violent superheroes of the time.
Plastic Man made his official debut in Quality Comics' Police Comics #1, cover dated August 1941. The issue introduced readers to Eel O'Brian, a small-time criminal who, after a brush with death, gains the ability to stretch his body and morph into various shapes. Adopting the name Plastic Man, he decides to use his powers for good and fights crime with his unique abilities and playful sense of humor. The character was an instant hit with readers, and Plastic Man soon became one of the most popular features in Police Comics.
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Plastic Man's superpowers and shapeshifting abilities
Plastic Man, also known as Patrick "Eel" O'Brian, is a superhero with a range of superpowers and shapeshifting abilities. He first appeared in Police Comics #1, published in August 1941 by Quality Comics and later acquired by DC Comics. Created by cartoonist Jack Cole, Plastic Man was one of the first superheroes to incorporate humor into mainstream action storytelling.
Plastic Man's powers are derived from an accident in which his body was exposed to an unknown industrial chemical mixture that entered his bloodstream through a gunshot wound. This chemical bath caused a body-wide mutagenic process that transformed his physiology, granting him a range of superpowers.
One of Plastic Man's most notable abilities is his shapeshifting or stretching power. He can stretch his limbs and body to superhuman lengths and sizes, with no known limit to how far he can stretch. This allows him to contort his body into various positions and sizes impossible for ordinary humans, such as becoming entirely flat to slip under a door or using his fingers to pick conventional locks. He can also shrink himself down to a few inches tall or grow to the size of skyscrapers.
Plastic Man's stretching powers grant him heightened agility, flexibility, and coordination beyond the natural limits of the human body. He can alter his strength by growing or adding more muscle, allowing him to easily lift heavy objects. Plastic Man's powers also augment his durability, making him resistant to corrosives, punctures, concussions, high-velocity impacts, energy blasts, and bullets. He can withstand attacks that would be fatal to ordinary humans and can regenerate lost or damaged tissue much faster than a normal person.
Additionally, Plastic Man does not appear to age or does so at an incredibly slow rate. In the "Obsidian Age" storyline, he was discovered to have survived for 3000 years, indicating his immortality or extended lifespan. Plastic Man also has some degree of control over his molecular structure, as he can change color, although this requires intense concentration, so he usually sticks to his signature red, black, and yellow color scheme.
Plastic Man's shapeshifting abilities and superpowers make him a unique and powerful superhero, contributing to his popularity and longevity in the world of comic books and superhero fiction.
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The character's acquisition by DC Comics
Plastic Man, the fictional superhero, was first published in August 1941 in Police Comics #1 by Quality Comics. Created by cartoonist Jack Cole, Plastic Man was one of the stars of the Quality Comics lineup of superheroes in the Golden Age of Comic Books (1938-1954). Cole led a colourful life before creating the character, cycling across America at the age of 18 and then moving to New York in 1935 to pursue cartooning.
In 1956, Quality Comics closed down, and Plastic Man was one of the characters bought by National Comics Publications (now DC Comics). However, DC did not feature Plastic Man in any comics until 1966, starting a pattern of reviving the character once or twice a decade. In the 1960s and 1970s, DC published ten issues of a Plastic Man comic, and the character also appeared in the anthology series Adventure Comics in the early 1980s.
In the late 2000s, DC attempted another revival of Plastic Man, choosing Baker as the writer and illustrator due to his previous experience with similar characters and his manic style, which matched Plastic Man's inherent wackiness. This incarnation of Plastic Man was critically successful and won awards, but it only lasted twenty issues and was discontinued after 2006. Despite this, most comic book historians have evaluated Baker's efforts as the best of several attempted revivals of Cole's character.
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Plastic Man's appearances in other media
Plastic Man, the fictional superhero created by cartoonist Jack Cole, first appeared in the 1941 comic book Police Comics #1. The character has since been adapted into various media outside of comics, including animated television series and films. Here is a look at some of Plastic Man's appearances in other media:
The Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Show (1979-1981)
Plastic Man appeared in this Ruby-Spears Saturday morning animated series, which featured live-action segments between animated shorts. The show included various adventures of the superhero, alongside characters like Baby Plas, Plastic Family, Mighty Man, and Yukk. Mark Taylor portrayed Plastic Man in the live-action segments, while Michael Bell voiced the character in the animated portions.
Super Friends
Plastic Man made a cameo appearance in the Super Friends episode "Professor Goodfellow's G.E.E.C.", voiced by Norman Alden.
DC Animated Universe
Plastic Man has made several appearances in the DC Animated Universe, including in the animated series The Brave and the Bold. He has also been featured in the animated films Injustice: Gods Among Us and Injustice 2 as a member of Batman's Justice League Task Force.
Teen Titans (2006)
A young man with similar powers and appearances to Plastic Man appears briefly in the 2006 DC Comics crossover storyline "One Year Later". This character is later revealed to be Plastic Man's son, Offspring, who also appears in costume in the 2006 weekly series 52.
Plastic Man, with his ability to stretch his body into any form, has become a well-known superhero in the DC Universe, often interacting with other iconic characters like Batman. His appearances in various media have helped solidify his popularity and cultural significance.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic Man was first published in 1941 by Quality Comics.
Plastic Man was created by cartoonist Jack Cole.
Plastic Man first appeared in Police Comics #1.
