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