Comics / Comic Reviews / DC Comics

Review: Plastic Man #3

By Philip Schweier
August 10, 2018 - 12:49

I’m enjoying this weird and whacky series, because anyone who is tired of the “dark and gritty” DC Universe now has an alternative. Plastic Man makes a welcome counterpoint. But this issue started off a little confusing, as Plas disguises himself as Harley Quinn. I suppose the white goggles were suppose to make it clear it was Plastic Man in disguise but it failed for two reasons: 1.) Plas has never demonstrated such chameleon like qualities before; and 2.) Harley Quinn is not above swiping Plastic Man’s goggles, mostly on a whim.

But in a showdown with the Cabal, Plastic Man is able to rescue his young, gender-ambiguous sidekick with the help of Man-Bat. The child makes mention of the him/her dilemma, saying “You keep calling me ‘her’ and I haven’t even decided yet.” Really? Is that even germane to the story. He or she is a kid in a comic book, fer cryin’ out loud. Now we have to portray gender-confusion?

Meanwhile, Eel O’Brian’s life continues to spin out of control: accused of murder, his former crime boss looking for a little payback, and no doubt Johnny Law is in hot pursuit, if only the could find him. Thankfully he disguised as DC’s first stretchy super-hero.

I’ll continue enjoying this series, if writer Gail Simone can leave the social commentary out of it and simply tell a nice, funny story about a criminal-turned-super-hero trying to reform, and have fun doing it.

But Adriana Melo’s is fabulous. More please.

Rating: 4/10

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12