WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for PLASTIC MAN NO MORE! #1!DC is using a C-listJustice Leaguemember to take shots at some of the publisher’s most iconic characters, with evenSupermanandWonder Womannot spared from the verbal roast. True to form, though, Batman manages to dodge the savagery entirely, once again affirming the Dark Knight’s undeniable cool factor.
Christopher Cantwell, Jacob Edgar, Alex Lins, and Marcelo Maiolo’sPlastic Man No More!#1offers an insider look at the Justice League’s team dynamics through the eyes of Plastic Man (Patrick “Eel” O’Brian).
In a key battle, the usually indestructible O’Brian is hit with a death ray that leaves his elasticity in a somewhat melted state. When he shares his concerns with the team, they laugh it off, virtually ignoring him. Frustrated and feeling dismissed,Plastic Man heads home, where he launches into a rant, roasting his fellow heroes.
“Arthur Smells Like the Worst Section of the Grocery Store.”- Plastic Man inPlastic Man No More!#1
At home,O’Brian reflects on his teammates’ lack of regard and starts imagining the comebacks he could have said.Recalling Wonder Woman’s laughter and her remark that he was"too much,“Plastic Man speaks to his empty home, saying,“You know what you are, Diana? A snot. Yeah, why don’t you ask your lasso…” From there, he insults the entire roster: “And Hal needs to be some kinda handsome green god…Which Superman doesn’t like, because he’s supposed to be god… Barry’s a jock… Arthur smells like the worst section of the grocery store.”
Plastic Man’s insults leave something to be desired, particularly his weak jabs at Wonder Woman, Flash, and Green Lantern. However, his roast of Aquaman was downright hilarious, delivering a true"Boom. Roasted.“moment that even Michael Scott would applaud. Surprisingly, his insult toward Superman cuts deep, touching on the hard truth that Superman holds himself to an impossible standard while alsocalling out what O’Brian perceives as Man of Steel’s vanity for thinking he can match the status of a god.Whether Plastic Man’s jabs have any real bite is up to readers to decide, but it’s undeniably interesting to hear a C-Lister’s take on the Justice League.
This Justice League Hero’s Body Horror Transformation Will Haunt My Nightmares
In his DC Black Label series, Plastic Man’s powers get a horrifying, grotesque new drawback that I already know will keep me up at night.
Batman Is Spared From Plastic Man’s Roast Session Because“He’s Just Really Cool”
Even a Scorned Patrick O’Brian Can’t Bring Himself to Roast the Dark Knight
When Plastic Man finally gets to Batman, he hesitates, then admits,“And Batman is… I mean, he’s just… really cool. He’s actually very cool.”Not only does Bruce dodge the roast, but he even earns a compliment. It’s refreshing to see Batman escape the jokes, especially since DC has recently taken several shots at him, with even the Bat-Family and heroes likeJohn Constantine poking fun at the Dark Knight. While occasional humor atBatman’sexpense can be entertaining, too much undermines the hard-earned respect that has defined his character for decades and set him apart from his peers.
