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The Plastic Man Archives
The Plastic Man Archives, Vol. 1
Bursting onto the comic-book scene in 1941, Plastic Man was a bright spot in a Golden Age of heroes, standing out as one of the most unusual and innovative creations of the time. A reformed criminal turned do-gooder, Plastic Man stretched the definition of the strong-jawed, straight-faced super-hero to its absolute limits. Pitted against an equally odd and colorful group of foes and paired with the indescribably strange sidekick Woozy Winks in the pages of Quality Publishing's Police Comics, "Plas" quickly gained in popularity and soon graduated to his own title. Collected here for the first time are the Plastic Man features from the third issue of Plastic Man Comics, and issues 41-49 of Police Comics, all written and drawn by Jack Cole, Plas's creator and one of the most highly regarded talents in the history of comics. This volume also includes an insightful foreword by international comics historian Andreas Knigge.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published February 10, 1999
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About the author
Jack Cole
158 books12 followersJack Ralph Cole was an American cartoonist best known for creating the comedic superhero Plastic Man, and his cartoons for Playboy Magazine.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 16 reviews
March 7, 2021
Plastic Man Archives Volume 1 contains the Plastic Man stories from Police Comics 1-20.
I've read a few of the later Plastic Man Archives but after a couple misfires, I found this for a cool $25 still in shrink wrap.
Jack Cole was still working the kinks out for most of this volume but Plastic Man is the Quality era Plastic Man from the very beginning, stretching and busting criminals. The book doesn't really come together for me until Woozy Winks is introduced. Up until then, the cops provide the comic relief to the straitlaced Plastic Man. Plas spends a helluva lot of time as Eel O'Brian in this one, something that is completely phased out in the other volumes I read.
Cole's style is dynamic and has an animated feel. Plastic Man doesn't do as much novel shapeshifting as he does in later volumes, but like I said, Cole was still working out the kinks in this volume. The stories are 8-12 pages in length so they feel a little rushed by today's standards and there are some racist depictions of foreigners but that's hard to avoid in comics from this time period.
The Plastic Man Archives Volume 1 is a great introduction to Plastic Man even though the strip wasn't in its prime just yet. Four out of five stars.
I've read a few of the later Plastic Man Archives but after a couple misfires, I found this for a cool $25 still in shrink wrap.
Jack Cole was still working the kinks out for most of this volume but Plastic Man is the Quality era Plastic Man from the very beginning, stretching and busting criminals. The book doesn't really come together for me until Woozy Winks is introduced. Up until then, the cops provide the comic relief to the straitlaced Plastic Man. Plas spends a helluva lot of time as Eel O'Brian in this one, something that is completely phased out in the other volumes I read.
Cole's style is dynamic and has an animated feel. Plastic Man doesn't do as much novel shapeshifting as he does in later volumes, but like I said, Cole was still working out the kinks in this volume. The stories are 8-12 pages in length so they feel a little rushed by today's standards and there are some racist depictions of foreigners but that's hard to avoid in comics from this time period.
The Plastic Man Archives Volume 1 is a great introduction to Plastic Man even though the strip wasn't in its prime just yet. Four out of five stars.
February 7, 2024
While not one of my favorite heroes this was a good collection of the early stories. fun read. Recommended
February 28, 2023
In reading quite a bit of Golden Age fare over the past few years, it is clear to me that much of it was the product of an industry in its infancy: rudimentary, formulaic and created for the day without much thought to tomorrow. Continuity would vary from month to month, as would creators, costumes and supporting casts.
Perhaps the most shining exception to all of that is Jack Cole's Plastic Man, which was one of many features in the new Police Comics in August 1941. Within a few months, Plas went from having his headshot in the margin to being the cover feature, and soon had the covers to himself (as the headshots of the other features were removed). He was a bona fide hit, and justifiably so.
That's down to Jack Cole, who wrote, penciled and inked the feature. It is obvious that Cole not only enjoyed his work, but wanted a quality product (and thus gave his publisher, Quality Comics, something to point to in that regard). The plots, unlike most Golden Age stories, were clearly outlined prior to penciling; they have many beats and there are very few instances of rushed endings. The stories mix action, drama and humor. They vary widely in theme, are somewhat unpredictable and have an internal consistency. In short, they're interesting (even poignant; there is one tale where Plas and three men are facing certain death and it turns into a brief but thoughtful commentary on redemption). What is most compelling is that there is a continuity to the lead character, which is developed amid the stories. And then there's Cole's art, which is lively, unconventional and cinematic. Cole was not just producing work; he was building a readership, which is probably why Plastic Man lasted longer than most of the Golden Age heroes (until 1956).
Quality comics, indeed!
Perhaps the most shining exception to all of that is Jack Cole's Plastic Man, which was one of many features in the new Police Comics in August 1941. Within a few months, Plas went from having his headshot in the margin to being the cover feature, and soon had the covers to himself (as the headshots of the other features were removed). He was a bona fide hit, and justifiably so.
That's down to Jack Cole, who wrote, penciled and inked the feature. It is obvious that Cole not only enjoyed his work, but wanted a quality product (and thus gave his publisher, Quality Comics, something to point to in that regard). The plots, unlike most Golden Age stories, were clearly outlined prior to penciling; they have many beats and there are very few instances of rushed endings. The stories mix action, drama and humor. They vary widely in theme, are somewhat unpredictable and have an internal consistency. In short, they're interesting (even poignant; there is one tale where Plas and three men are facing certain death and it turns into a brief but thoughtful commentary on redemption). What is most compelling is that there is a continuity to the lead character, which is developed amid the stories. And then there's Cole's art, which is lively, unconventional and cinematic. Cole was not just producing work; he was building a readership, which is probably why Plastic Man lasted longer than most of the Golden Age heroes (until 1956).
Quality comics, indeed!
May 27, 2007
I've been looking for Jack Cole's Plastic Man since I read an article about it my Art Spiegleman (which he apparently expanded into a book, which is now out of print). What is most amazing about Plastic Man (among many amazing things) is the shere efficiency of the story telling. More will happen in a single panel than would happen in a couple pages of your average comic. And what is is particularly remarkable about this is that, for the most part, Cole has not crammed the panels through with text and action (though occasionally he does). Instead he has a totally unerring sense of what does and does not need to be seen in order to move the story along. If you step back and look at it, different panels may seem disjointed, given the amount of important things that happen *between* panels, and yet while reading through it, it feels more fluid than any comic I have yet read. Now, there's a lot more that's brilliant about this book: Cole makes Plastic Man originally the gangster Eel O'Brian (great name or what!) and he keeps up his old persona as a criminal in order to better fight crime; the humor is hilarious and silly, with just the right amount of edge; the action is perfect; the stories work both as parodies and sincere reworkings of Golden Age Superhero stuff at the same time; etc., etc. But what is most amazing to watch and interesting to study is the sheer level of craft that Cole has put into the story telling. Its a shame that these collections have already gone back out of print because everyone who wants to better understand comics should read them.
June 1, 2017
Having read archive vol. 3, I started out assuming that the first volume would be inferior, Jack Cole probably not having hit his stride yet or something. However, a few stories in I found myself enjoying this even more than I remembered enjoying vol. 3. Every time I read Cole, Barks, Briefer, or Sagendorf, I am amazed and wonder why I waste time on anything less. This is so far above what other companies were putting out in the 1940's. Marvel and DC's Golden Age stuff is gerbil cage liner compared to Plastic Man.
April 22, 2023
Jack Cole's ability to infuse visual gags into his comics is unparalleled. There are Jack Kirby levels of imagination going on towards making these comics that it's a shame his name isn't recognized to even a fraction of the same degree. The stories don't all read easy - there's definitely some clunkiness in the script. But so much of these early Plastic Man stories rely on great visual bits to work, and boy does Jack Cole figure out so many unique ways to twist the main character around. The origin of Plastic Man, as told in Police Comics #1, tells the story of Eel O'Brian, a career criminal who is reformed once he gains superpowers from a quick dip in acid. Instead of engaging in further criminal pursuits, his outlook on life changes when someone shows him kindness. It's the kind of simplicity that works well for a comic from the 1940's, but there is definitely an enduring quality to the type of stories told here. I'm also a huge fan of the compressed storytelling from older eras, and I found the stories found in these early issues of Police Comics to be very economically told. There are some racist caricatures found in these comics, though they aren't quite so prevalent as one might expect from comics of this period.
Mainly, I'd recommend checking out some of Jack Cole's Plastic Man for the highly dynamic artwork and hilarious visual gags. I'd love for a bigger sized edition of these comics one day, since I imagine Jack Cole's artwork can only look grander at scale.
Mainly, I'd recommend checking out some of Jack Cole's Plastic Man for the highly dynamic artwork and hilarious visual gags. I'd love for a bigger sized edition of these comics one day, since I imagine Jack Cole's artwork can only look grander at scale.
June 29, 2024
The story of Jack Cole, creator of Plastic Man, is every bit as interesting as the character itself. (Google it and see for yourself.) While among the most popular characters from the Golden Age of Comics, Plastic Man has not aged as well as, say, Batman or Superman. Cole's artwork has a cartoony feel to it, but it works for this series. I love Golden Age comic books.
The stories are simple and charming, a quaint snapshot of this bygone era. Once supporting character Woozy Winks is introduced, things change for the worse. He's unnecessary and does not provide the comic relief that was intended.
The restoration is a tad crude by today's standards but is mostly excellent. The paper has nice, creamy off-white color to it that I like a lot. Nice paper weight and texture, sewn binding, all of the production values that make my OCD alarms turn green.
The stories are simple and charming, a quaint snapshot of this bygone era. Once supporting character Woozy Winks is introduced, things change for the worse. He's unnecessary and does not provide the comic relief that was intended.
The restoration is a tad crude by today's standards but is mostly excellent. The paper has nice, creamy off-white color to it that I like a lot. Nice paper weight and texture, sewn binding, all of the production values that make my OCD alarms turn green.
Read
February 1, 2023Plastic Man is a lot of fun. The older style of comics is more of a drag to read, a higher ratio of text to image, but the visual gags do still really hit. Lots of fun shapes from Plastic Man. He's got good jokes too. Invulnerability makes him laugh off his setbacks.
Latter half of the book, after the US has entered World War II is largely American propaganda, including a surprising issue about a Native American revolution being planned during the war. Very racist issue.
Latter half of the book, after the US has entered World War II is largely American propaganda, including a surprising issue about a Native American revolution being planned during the war. Very racist issue.
April 4, 2024
Golden Age comics do not get better than this.
January 1, 2016
Gangsters break into a factory. One is tossed into a vat of chemicals. He survives, and recovers in a monastery. Upon waking he learns that he now possesses the power to contort his body into any shape imaginable, and inspired by the monks’ altruism he vows to use his abilities to fight crime. He uses his original face as Eel O’Brian to infiltrate the underworld, and smooths himself into Plastic Man to catch crooks.
I really enjoyed this book. Best comic from the 1940s I’ve read so far, including Batman, Superman and Eisner material. Slapstick and grotesque characters abound in these pages. The most memorable episode involves a mad scientist rolling over American cities inside a gigantic eight-ball, complete with blueprints drawn by Cole. In another issue, a stuttering Jack Cole makes a stuttering cameo in a dream sequence. Plastic Man’s sidekick Woozy Winks, resembling Huckleberry Hound and the exact opposite of the biblical Job, deserves his own series. I say opposite of Job, because a mystic’s blessing has placed him under the guardianship of Mother Nature. The weather protects him from any danger, to the point that suicide is an impossibility for him.
I must warn that there’s racism in this book, and it was written during the Second World War you can expect xenophobic stereotypes of Axis powers. One insensitive story concerns Plastic Man infiltrating a Native American tribe whose chief wants to support Germany, although I appreciated the sheer creepiness with which the chief would appear in mirrors and command innocent people to commit crimes. And for some reason, a higher than expected portion of the police force are Irish stereotypes. This seems common in 1940s media, like that old radio show where Arch Obelor broke the fourth wall and was mocked by two detectives for writing all his policemen as Irish.
I’ve decided that DC needs to make a film about this character. He’s relatively obscure, so he lacks the cultural baggage of Batman or Superman. The main theme of the screenplay would be duality and change. You’ve got the Plastic Man/Eel O’Brian dichotomy, as well as the natural opposition of law and crime. The change theme would obviously related to his contorting power, and less obviously his transformation from criminal to hero. With the practical and CGI effects they’ve got now such a film would be pretty cool.
In short, if you see any book written about Plastic Man by Jack Cole, you should read it.
I really enjoyed this book. Best comic from the 1940s I’ve read so far, including Batman, Superman and Eisner material. Slapstick and grotesque characters abound in these pages. The most memorable episode involves a mad scientist rolling over American cities inside a gigantic eight-ball, complete with blueprints drawn by Cole. In another issue, a stuttering Jack Cole makes a stuttering cameo in a dream sequence. Plastic Man’s sidekick Woozy Winks, resembling Huckleberry Hound and the exact opposite of the biblical Job, deserves his own series. I say opposite of Job, because a mystic’s blessing has placed him under the guardianship of Mother Nature. The weather protects him from any danger, to the point that suicide is an impossibility for him.
I must warn that there’s racism in this book, and it was written during the Second World War you can expect xenophobic stereotypes of Axis powers. One insensitive story concerns Plastic Man infiltrating a Native American tribe whose chief wants to support Germany, although I appreciated the sheer creepiness with which the chief would appear in mirrors and command innocent people to commit crimes. And for some reason, a higher than expected portion of the police force are Irish stereotypes. This seems common in 1940s media, like that old radio show where Arch Obelor broke the fourth wall and was mocked by two detectives for writing all his policemen as Irish.
I’ve decided that DC needs to make a film about this character. He’s relatively obscure, so he lacks the cultural baggage of Batman or Superman. The main theme of the screenplay would be duality and change. You’ve got the Plastic Man/Eel O’Brian dichotomy, as well as the natural opposition of law and crime. The change theme would obviously related to his contorting power, and less obviously his transformation from criminal to hero. With the practical and CGI effects they’ve got now such a film would be pretty cool.
In short, if you see any book written about Plastic Man by Jack Cole, you should read it.
April 12, 2015
There's no doubt that these stories were wildly ahead of their time. I've read enough Golden Age comics to know there's nothing else like them. The art isn't spectacular, but the storytelling is miles ahead of what else was happening during that period.
November 18, 2008
to put it simply, really great stuff within these pages
August 29, 2012
Worth reading for Plastic Man and Jack Cole fans.
May 28, 2015
The art is a great fit for the tone and, although I never really laughed, the stories are amusing.
May 10, 2011
Like an old cartoon, or Mad magazine. Funny, but no great.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 16 reviews