Review – Plastic Man #1 (2018)

Since we're covering E3 2018 on the podcast, and it's all about video games this week, I decided to write TWO reviews this week.  Since DC had two titles I had been looking forward to forever, it only seemed natural to talk about them both.  Talking about Plastic Man certainly isn't a stretch when you see that Gail Simone is involved.  It's also no secret from listening to our podcast that I'm a huge Hawkman fan, so here we go!  First up, Plastic Man #1.

Right away I loved how this book felt like it was going to be a old school mobster/organized crime type of story.  Then I found out that it's set in the present day, but with the same kind of vibe, I almost didn't need to read another page to know I'd love this.  Anxiously reading on we find out that the story is about Eel O'Brian, and things definitely aren't going his way right now.  When everyone thinks you're dead though, even this is probably better.  So naturally he wants revenge, but at the same time, kind of just wants a life in general.  We see him get confronted by someone from an agency you will definitely know, and that adds a whole other element to the story.  Whether that played a role in what happens to Plastic Man at the end of this first issue is a matter for you to debate once you read this book.

One thing I definitely expected was for this book to have plenty of humor, and I was not disappointed.  The jokes definitely landed for me, and the art from Melo had a lot to do with that as well.  I feel like a real underdog vibe was sort of created here.  Maybe that's not the right word, but I found myself really rooting for O'Brian to find out what happened to him and get what he wanted.  That's not easy, since we're still talking about a reformed (or not so reformed) criminal here.  The story could have easily taken a back seat to focus on a fun character, but it's legitimately interesting in a way I was really hoping for.  The art throughout does not disappoint, and was a really strong point for when Plastic man is doing his thing.  I was REALLY hoping to enjoy this book, and I was not let down one bit.

RATING:  PULL / BUY