"Get A Stretcher"---DC's Plastic Man & Elongated Man (40's-70's)

Plastic Man / Patrick "Eel" O'Brian made his debut in "Police Comics"#1 (Aug. 1941) for Quality Comics. The rights to Plastic Man and many other Quality Comics heroes were acquired by DC Comics in 1956. Plastic Man was created by writer / artist Jack Cole, with quite a unique and humorous flair.

Patrick "Eel" O'Brian was originally a small-time criminal, who was shot by the police, during a chemical plant heist. At that moment, a large vat of unknown chemicals spilled over him. His buddies abandoned him to his fate, but he escaped on his own to a nearby mountain. He was found and restored to health by a compassionate monk. During that time, Patrick discovered that he could stretch to any shape, bounce for great distances, and mold his features to look like anyone he wanted. He reformed and totally abandoned his life of crime. He then made himself a red yellow & black stretchable costume with goggles and became Plastic Man. He soon took on a comedy relief side-kick named Woozy Winks. The early adventures of Plastic Man were loaded with comedy, as he battled "Dick Tracy-like" villains.

Plastic Man had a career revival in the mid-60's (He was the original Plastic Man's son, who underwent the same transformation his father had, and dressed in basically the same costume). During the late 60's and into the 70's, Plastic Man teamed with Batman in various issues of "The Brave and The Bold". In one of those teamings (issue #95), the story took on a more serious tone; with Batman not realizing that he was being helped by Plastic Man until the end of the story. Later teamings returned to the somewhat lighter approach.

His TV animated show appearances included---"Super Friends"(1973); "The Plastic Man Comedy Adventure Show"(1979-81); quite a few episodes of "Batman: The Brave and The Bold"; also "Young Justice" and "DC Nation Shorts".

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The Elongated Man / Randolph 'Ralph' Dibny made his debut in "The Flash"#112 (May 1960). He was created by John Broome (writer) and Carmine Infantino (great Flash & Batman artist). The Elongated Man won the 1961 "Alley Award" for 'Best Supporting Character'!!!

Ralph Dibny discovered a drink (used by contortionists) called 'Gingold'. He learned how to make a super-concentrated version, and after drinking it, discovered he could stretch and contort his body in most any way that he desired, as well as for great distances!

The Elongated Man made several more appearances with The Flash, during which he made his name in show business. He originally wore a mask, but later revealed his identity to everyone (especially to Sue, his loving bride-to-be).

The Elongated Man soon became very popular, and made an appearance with Batman & Robin (who were also drawn by Carmine Infantino, at that time) in "Detective Comics". He was soon given his own back-up feature series in "Detective Comics", in which he and his wife Sue solved crimes and mysteries. The Elongated Man joined the "Justice League of America" in 1973, and was seen mostly in that series through 1995.

His TV animated show appearances included---"Justice League Unlimited" and "Batman: The Brave and The Bold".

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Special Note: DC Comics also had another 'stretchy' hero during the 60's; Superman's Pal: Jimmy Olson as "Elastic Lad", who was a sometimes member of the "Legion of Super Heroes".
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Plastic Man & The Elongated Man both have their special place in DC Comics history. I have always wondered how they would do in competition and ability against each other and (of course) with Marvel Comics' "Mr. Fantastic / Reed Richards" of the "Fantastic Four" (all pictured above). What do you think???