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'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.
What we used to call life has very little worth these days. Welcome to the very edge.
--Prince Namor (Earth-616)
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.
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.
What we used to call life has very little worth these days. Welcome to the very edge.
--Prince Namor (Earth-616)
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.
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.
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!"