Patrick “Eel” O’Brian is back in the first issue of Plastic Man No More! Read our review.
Plastic Man No More! #1
Writer: Christopher Cantwell
Art and Main Cover: Alex Lins and Jacob Edgar
Colors: Marcelo Maiolo
Variant Covers: Michael Allred, Chris Samnee, Tyler Boss
Release Date: September 4, 2024
This review might contain spoilers
September sees the return of the cult-classic Plastic Man back in his first solo appearance since 2019, this time in a four-part DC Comics Black Label miniseries, Plastic Man No More!
For readers new to comic books and/or those less familiar with Plastic Man, this is an excellent place to jump in. The prologue gives a clear and concise retelling of his origin story: Patrick “Eel” O’Brian is a small-time crook until a freak accident turns his life around. With the help of the Justice League and the support of a forgiving family, he becomes an elastic-powered superhero, always quick with a quip. But can his newfound righteousness truly reparate his sordid past?
In Plastic Man No More! #1 O’Brian finds himself injured in the line of duty, face-to-face with his own mortality, and contemplating his past life choices – a morbid contrast to the usually bubbly fare of previous Plastic Man stories. When a doctor tells him that his abilities are undergoing a “rapid depolymerization,” effectively pulling him apart at the seams, O’Brian’s priorities shift from world-saving feats to more intimate acts of salvaging his back burner personal life… while he still has a life left.
Eisner Award nominee Christopher Cantwell (Doctor Doom, Halt & Catch Fire) explores the hidden depth of a character only seen in one light. Beyond his bold red costume and shiny goggles, O’Brian is an ex-con estranged from his wife and son, struggling to be taken seriously by his peers. Visually, this is represented by a bit of clever formatting in having O’Brian’s dialogue bubbles obscured by better-known heroes, literally symbolizing his diminished status.
Plastic Man No More! #1 features fewer action sequences and, instead, more conversation-based scenes, such as O’Brian being diagnosed by a doctor or having a failed heart-to-heart with his son, Luke. The seriousness of the dialogue is juxtaposed by the cartoonish artwork of Alex Lins and Jacob Edgar, who give Plastic Man No More! #1 the signature tone of its goofy lead. DC Comics’ Black Label imprint is usually reserved for more mature storylines, ones that benefit from wiggle room in depicting gore, language, and adult themes. But so far, issue #1 is largely devoid of a reason to be a Black Label title. Aside from an errant curse word and a gooey panel some might consider an entry into the “body horror” genre, Plastic Man No More! could just as easily be a main imprint story (ahem, without the prestige imprint’s heftier cardstock and higher price tag).
Plastic Man No More! #1 is an engaging entry into the miniseries, one that stretches our perception of the character into one well worth a four-issue investment
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