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| Art by Emily Jayne Weber AKA Zimeta |
Comics are a relatively frivolous expense, and comics readers should certainly appreciate the frivolity of many of these characters. We're a bit silly ourselves! It's probably not the power most readers would name as the one they'd like to have, but it is fun to look at and multi-functional. It's a power kids can play at having, by simply stretching their arms out while holding their sleeves. And perhaps short people think of those of us over six feet as having a version of this power we simply can't switch off. I know I've used my powers of Reach to help people before. Often, even.
It's rather unfortunate that gutter-minded fans have had fun imagining or describing the sexual possibilities associated with stretchable heroes (but not surprising). Maybe that's why the archetype is so under-used today. Do writers shy away from characters who invite such ridicule? And yet, Mr. Fantastic is one of the most respected characters in the Marvel Universe. Ralph Dibny has many fans despite his continued non-existence in the New52. Plastic Man, blessed with the greatest longevity, is one of the few heroes to get his own solo cartoon series. And Elastigirl proved the power wasn't too grotesque for a woman, nor did it marginalize her in The Incredibles. So wash your mouth out with soap, Bendies are awesome. They reach for the stars, they're great multi-taskers, and guess what, those stones you throw at them bounce right off. Because they are literally "rubber", and you might just be "glue".
Do YOU have a soft spot for soft taffy heroes? Why or why not?
Comments
At any rate, that stretchy hero stuck out to me, and though it never quite carried over to a ton of love for the likes of Plastic Man or Mr. Fantastic (I mean, I like them fine, but they're not my favorite characters or anything), I still think of that random analogue for a moment whenever I read a Plastic Man, etc. story.
Buryak: You're a credit to the archetype.
Michael: I never thought of Elongated Man as a serious character, although if that was seriousness, I like the idea that Reed's and Ralph's powers didn't really define them. They were a scientist and a detective who just happened to have stretching powers. They had more to offer the world than long limbs. And yet, I also love the goofy guys.
Flexibility and resilience?
Probably what I'm responding to is the characters' willingness to embrace their powers in really creative and crazy ways; disguise themselves as unlikely objects, etc.
I do like that Reed and Ralph aren't defined by their powers (and Mrs. Incredible too), so I like them just fine for what else they bring to their comics, but it seems like I like them in spite of their powers, not because of them.
Always liked Ralph and Sue... I actually cried in Identity Crisis #1, before being filled with insane rage by #2.
Mr. Fantastic is one of two super-hero whose powers are an almost negligable part of the character (the other is Black Canary). His super-genius is more important and more central to the character than his stretching. Honestly, you could take it away and his adventures would be virtually identical.
- Mike Loughlin