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After the release of the first Superman trailer, fans are more excited than ever for the birth of a new DC cinematic universe. The first chapter of the DCU is full of peculiar characters as well as some constants like Batman and Superman. Yet, throwing in characters like Frankenstein, Booster Gold, and even Swamp Thing shows that the DCU is willing to explore strange and odd characters. This is reminiscent of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s recent willingness to bring Deadpool into the fold and give him the spotlight. Deadpool is certainly an odd character and has had runaway success on the screen. If the DCU was looking to replicate this success, then one character is the perfect solution.
DC Comics has a massive catalog of characters, even if most fans only see Batman and Superman. There are probably a few different options of which character could step up and take the spot as the DCU’s version of the Merc With a Mouth. Yet, in a recent interview with Comicbook.com Ben Schwartz expressed interest in Plastic Man, even describing him as the Deadpool of the DC world. This makes perfect sense and it would be easy for DC to implement this character into the larger world that is being created on screen.
Who is Plastic Man in DC Comics?
TRIVIA
Plastic Man was first created in 1941 by Jack Cole, appearing in Police Comics #1.
Plastic Man was created by Quality Comics, who later were absorbed by DC Comics.
Despite a lack of mainstream recognition, Plastic Man has been around almost as long as Batman, he was created only 3 years after Batman.
Patrick O’Brian was a small-time crook before he became a superhero. As with most characters created in the early days of superhero comics, O’Brian got his powers through an accident involving chemicals. While breaking into a factory, O’Brian was shot by a security guard and fell into chemicals. These chemicals gave him the fantastical abilities that allowed him to become Plastic Man. Plastic Man can stretch his body, and even transform into entirely different objects. His powers are actually quite dangerous and powerful, but he is a woefully underutilized character. His powers have led him to become part of powerful teams, but much like Deadpool, he is never taken seriously because of his own personality.
The DCU has already made significant steps to introduce many of the characters that Plastic Man has been on teams with before. Most recently, Plastic Man was on a team with Mr. Terriffic and Metamorpho called The Terriffics, which had significant interactions with Stagg Industries. All of these characters and corporations are already present in the first trailer for Superman and that doesn’t even take into account Plastic Man’s relationships with Batman from when he has been on the Justice League. The DCU is practically begging for Plastic Man to make an appearance and the MCU has already shown that there is a powerful audience for a wise-cracking slick hero.
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Plastic Man may not be as crude or vulgar as Deadpool, but he is still just as much of a jokester and fun-loving guy as Deadpool. While those may be superficial similarities, their pathos has a lot of connections. Both characters consider themselves failures, they know they annoy people and that they mess up almost everything they do. They use humor as a defense to prove that the world can’t hurt them and that nothing will hold them back. They both are criminals who found a bigger meaning in the life of a hero rather than the life of a criminal. These characters are easy for the audience to empathize with because even the audience shares similar experiences. Having these characters that instantly connect with the audience leads to not only success on screen but with the box office as well.
With the right actor attached to the role, such as Ben Schwartz or John Mulaney, Plastic Man could become a flagship character for the DCU. He is powerful enough to go toe-to-toe with Clayface or Martian Manhunter, but relatable enough that the audience will feel like he is an “everyman” who they can have shared experiences with. Deadpool helped revitalize both the Fox Universe and the MCU and Plastic Man could become an incredible launching pad for the DCU.
“}]] Deadpool has done wonders for the Marvel brand onscreen and DC can easily have their own version of the Merc With a Mouth. Read More