Why was this proto-Deadpool character allowed in a DC Comic?

[Dolores - The Worst Poster Ever]

College kids didn't need safe spaces.

They did, they just weren't as readily available.

Safe spaces in Universities can be traced back to the 90s, but despite that most people that criticize safe spaces don't even understand what they are.

[Jokerz79]

They did, they just weren't as readily available.

Safe spaces in Universities can be traced back to the 90s, but despite that most people that criticize safe spaces don't even understand what they are.

I swear if I ever have a kid Safe Spaces is the deal breaker for me to pay for college. If the school has a safe space they can find other funding if they want to go there.

[dzub]

Why would WW lose to Plas?

Plas is near indestructible, can shift shapes and density.
Don't let that goofy smile fool you, if he had half the mentality and mind of say, Batman, he'll be a big gun for DC.
He just does'nt realize/doe'snt want to go to the full extent of his powers.

He's quite the opposite of Joker, his 'insanity' is what keeps the villains (or heroes) safe from him.

Heck why does'nt anyone write a story about him mind swapping with Batman yet??!
Bruce will have the powers he might crave for while Eel will have the life he imagines he had

I would say its an issue that he is a member of the JLA, mostly because, as I said before, is the only qualification to be a superhero and a member of the premier superhero group that you punch the right people? However that doesn't mean this type of character should be banned, if he did this in his own title, well then okay, I probably just won't go back and read it.

I would'nt welcome this even in his own title these days.
He's matured quite considerably since then and stories about him now are more about him trying to be a good father.

I guess it will make you feel better he has'nt been a JLA member for over a decade.
He has'nt appeared in the mainstream universe post Flashpoint but will be a part of Metal and form the Terrifics with Mr Terrific, Shadow Lass and Metamorpho.

[PyroTwilight]

I swear if I ever have a kid Safe Spaces is the deal breaker for me to pay for college. If the school has a safe space they can find other funding if they want to go there.

I mean OK. But essentially EVERY College or University has some form of safe space's.

[Assam]

He has'nt appeared in the mainstream universe post Flashpoint but will be a part of Metal and form the Terrifics with Mr Terrific, Shadow Lass and Metamorpho.

Phantom Girl, not Shadow Lass.

Still wish Ralph was on the team instead.

[Frontier]

Phantom Girl, not Shadow Lass.

Still wish Ralph was on the team instead.

I'm all for more Ralph love, but I think Plas is probably going to better fit the team, at least how they're currently envisioned.

[Jokerz79]

Honestly in retrospect and thinking about this given when the book was printed this was probably a good message for young readers which are the target audience.

It doesn't treat it as ok Diana catches him and puts Plastic-Man in his place and he's made to look like a pathetic loser which he was for doing it.

Now this was 2002 pornography online was mostly pics and grainy videos so print and home video was still the more prevalent ways of seeing it. I mention this to say seeing a nude woman was harder then for a curious adolescent. In many works of fiction up to that time from books to films would usually treat young boys peeping as a right of passage of adolescents. So showing a somewhat relatable character and not just the designated "pervert" as a peeper and pointing out how this is a creepy lowlife thing to do and you look like a pathetic loser for doing so is actually not a bad idea. Was it the intent or was it just a stupid joke? No clue but I think it does serves for it's time a decent message.

[Assam]

I swear if I ever have a kid Safe Spaces is the deal breaker for me to pay for college. If the school has a safe space they can find other funding if they want to go there.

Do you actually know what a safe space is? Because most critics of them tend not to. (Just by reading Ascended's post, I can tell you that THEY don't know) It's a place where, and I'm quoting this wording from someone who put it really well, "Basic manners are enforced and marginalized students can relax for five minutes." Most schools do have safe spaces now and I'm very happy about this. Anxiety and depression rates are high among people my age, and not having any escape from constant harassment only makes things worse.

[dzub]

Phantom Girl, not Shadow Lass.

Still wish Ralph was on the team instead.

My Bad..not too familiar with my LoSH
I agree Ralph would be a better fit than Plas here..Plas should be in Batman's JL Outsiders team..or go on adventures with Offspring

[Frontier]

My Bad..not too familiar with my LoSH
I agree Ralph would be a better fit than Plas here..Plas should be in Batman's JL Outsiders team..or go on adventures with Offspring

I don't think Ralph would fit as well in the role Plas will probably fill on the team.

Really, my only issue is that he's not wearing his colors for his Terrifics uniform...

[dzub]

I don't think Ralph would fit as well in the role Plas will probably fill on the team.

Really, my only issue is that he's not wearing his colors for his Terrifics uniform...

He's more Reed than Plas anyway XD

Ironically, it's the colors of his son

[Assam]

I don't think Ralph would fit as well in the role Plas will probably fill on the team.

While I think his JLE personality would work, overall, I do suppose that Plas fits the "Johnny Storm" type mold better.

And hey, it may be over a year since we've seen Ralph, but that's less time than a lot of others (Even though he was gone for nearly a decade prior to his return) and at least him and Sue are happy...still want a series with them and the two highly destructive teenage girls they care for now though.

[ed2962]

It's not.
Those pervy/creepy panels of him happened in the JLA.
Anyone familiar with Morrison's JLA knows he based the team off the Greek Pantheon.

Superman was Zeus.
Batman was Hades
Steel was Hepasteus
Huntress was Artemis
Oracle as Athena
So on and so forth

As i've mentioned here before, Plastic Man played the role of Dionysus
Dionysus the god of the grape harvest, winemaking and wine, of ritual madness, fertility theatre and religious ecstasy.
He's mad, he's a trickster and he's a fertility god.
Which explains his behaviour.

Post WW3 his 'Dionysus' personality was slowly written out and had more substance and maturity to him.
When Id split the heroes with their secret identity, it was Eel o Brien who got them back together.
He went to search for his son with Batman.
Post Obsidian Age, he quit being a superhero to spend time with his son.
He returned to JLA duty when Martian Manhunter turned evil, albeit his son had to convince him that he can be a dad and a superhero.



His perviness fit the role Morrison intended for him, see above.



The thing with Barda, WW and Circe has been shown in these thread.
Could you show the other instances of him perving around women with his powers?

But the thing is, you can be a fertility god and not be a peeper. You can be a wine women and song kind of guy without groping people. Heck, you can be a successful sleazy womanizer and not be on overt perv.

I mean, I'm not as bothered by these scans as the OP, but I can certainly see how someone might find it cringe worthy.

[ed2962]

Honestly in retrospect and thinking about this given when the book was printed this was probably a good message for young readers which are the target audience.

It doesn't treat it as ok Diana catches him and puts Plastic-Man in his place and he's made to look like a pathetic loser which he was for doing it.

Now this was 2002 pornography online was mostly pics and grainy videos so print and home video was still the more prevalent ways of seeing it. I mention this to say seeing a nude woman was harder then for a curious adolescent. In many works of fiction up to that time from books to films would usually treat young boys peeping as a right of passage of adolescents. So showing a somewhat relatable character and not just the designated "pervert" as a peeper and pointing out how this is a creepy lowlife thing to do and you look like a pathetic loser for doing so is actually not a bad idea. Was it the intent or was it just a stupid joke? No clue but I think it does serves for it's time a decent message.

As someone who was a kid during the 80's, it's never been that hard to get your hands on material that had nudity in it if you wanted it.

And not to speak for the OP but I'm sure part of the problem is that PM's peeping isn't treated with any real weight...it's treated as "Oh, that wacky Plas is such a horndog..wadda we gonna do with 'im!"

[dzub]

But the thing is, you can be a fertility god and not be a peeper. You can be a wine women and song kind of guy without groping people. Heck, you can be a successful sleazy womanizer and not be on overt perv.

I mean, I'm not as bothered by these scans as the OP, but I can certainly see how someone might find it cringe worthy.

well i'm sure we're both glad he did'nt go full bacchanalia mode XD
and that this peeping plas phase is just a blip in his long history