Plastic Man #6 – Gail Simone, Writer; Adriana Melo, Artist; Kelly Fitzpatrick, Colorist
Ratings:
Ray – 7.5/10
Corrina: But I Want More!
Ray: Gail Simone’s long-awaited Plastic Man miniseries ends with Plastic Man #6, which is a lot of fun but has one major problem – it doesn’t actually end! I don’t know if this was originally planned as an ongoing or if there’s a sequel planned, but the final issue feels a bit rushed and leaves several major plot threads dangling.
When we last left off, Plastic Man was locked in battle with an evil Durlan doppelganger who was turning into much sharper versions of his tricks. After a brief aside for a strange inner monologue, we flashback to the battle where Plastic Man and his impostor fight across the local amusement park, using everything from giant mallets to shark teeth to do battle. They eventually fall into the water, with Plastic Man’s ally Obscura watching. Doctor Psycho, creepily toting cotton candy like a little kid, watches as the Durlan seemingly emerges alone and boasts that he killed Plastic Man.
Psycho seems to take him at his word, and they head up to the headquarters of the Cabal, where Psycho orders the Durlan tortured, sure it’s Plastic Man impersonating him. Where Plastic Man actually is is one of the most fun and clever twists of the issue, and the way Plastic Man eventually wins the day is perfect. But the best scenes of the issue involve Pado, the young orphan Plastic Man semi-adopted earlier (and I’m pretty sure they’re also the youngest trans character in comics history). The ending to that subplot is sweet, but the other major villain of the series – Granite Janet – is still lurking and about to go after Plastic Man. So Plastic Man is now a dad, he has a major villain after him, and this story will be continued…where exactly? It’s a good issue, but until we know that these plots are going to be resolved, it’s also rather unsatisfying. Hoping for a sequel announcement as soon as possible.
Corrina: Plastic Man is both a goofy character and one of the most powerful heroes in the DC Universe. I love that this finale played to both of those things, showing what makes Eel unique, even among heroes that stretch.
Eel started this series with a blank in his memory and an uneasy feeling that he was capable of some terrible things, especially when eyewitnesses reported that they’d seen him do said terrible thing. What makes him a hero is that he wanted to know the truth and, if it was the worst, somehow find a way to make amends. Now, given, his idea of making amends might not fit the law’s idea of making amends, but his heart is in the right place.
Which is why it was terrific to see that Eel had been the victim of an imposter. A Durlan is a great choice for the shapeshifter and, once he was revealed, it all made sense, especially with Psycho’s involvement. That Eel out-thought some of the major villains of the DC Universe is perfect. (Of course, they may also be concerned that he’s such a wild-card that it’s not worth messing with him.)
Now that he knows he’s not a killer, Eel can go back and became a dad again, making amends to Pado, and promising that he’ll do better.
Of course, Granite Janet may have something to say about that. I fervently hope there’s a sequel to this miniseries. But, in any case, the series was enjoyable, fun, poignant, and just plain weird. Everything you want in a Plas story.
To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.
Disclaimer: GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
