Gail Simone reimagines the origins of one of DC Comics’ most versatile characters, with the first issue of a six-issue Plastic Man miniseries!

Plastic Man 1
Written by Gail Simone
Pencils and Inks by Adriana Melo
Colors by Kelly Fitzpatrick 

I’ve been really looking forward to this first issue, combining two of my favorite things. It’s Plastic Man, written by Gail Simone, who never seems to disappoint when she takes on some of the company’s less prominent characters.

While Plastic Man (kind of) played a role in the DARK NIGHTS: METAL event and is a part of THE TERRIFICS – another fun new series – this is the first time Eel O’Brien is getting a shot at his own solo story since the 20-issue run by Kyle Bake from 2004-2006. Simone wastes little time tossing us into the heart of the story, as Eel’s former mob partners are beating ever-loving hell out of him after they discover he’s still alive.

Eel sells the beating, even laying in a heap while a random kid comes up and checks on him, but then he suits up and becomes Plastic Man to go after his former partners in crime to find out what they’re up to.

The issue was a lot of fun, and reminded me a lot of a well-done story about THE SPIRIT, another hero who came back from the dead. I don’t think the comparisons to The Spirit are coincidental, either, as the series title is incorporated into the art of the title page, a Spirit standard.

I’m a little disappointed that the book is only a six-issue miniseries, but if it means Simone can focus her story and then maybe come back for more later, like she did with her SECRET SIX team, I’ll take the limited run.