Who would have imagined that one of the most invulnerable heroes of the Justice League could be neutralized with such a common product?
The elasticity that corn starch can stop
Plastic Man, known for his incredible elasticity and resistance, is one of the most difficult characters to stop in the DC Universe. However, in issue #4 of the series No more plastic men!an unexpected twist reveals that this member of the Justice League can be neutralized by no less than corn starch. Yes, that ingredient you probably have in your kitchen.
In the plot, Patrick “Eel” O’Brian is facing an existential crisis: your body is literally falling apart on a molecular level. As he desperately searches for a solution, it is revealed that corn starch can temporarily reduce his elasticity powers, preventing his body from functioning as it should. The scene is as absurd as it is effective, proving that something as simple as a supermarket product can be more efficient than Batman’s more elaborate plans.
The science behind Plastic Man’s weakness
Does this weakness make sense from a scientific point of view? Curiously yes. Corn starch contains starch molecules, specifically amylose and amylopectin, which form a rigid network when mixed with certain materials. Put simply, this could reduce the elasticity of a polymer, and since Plastic Man is essentially a living polymer, the theory is plausible. This detail adds a touch of scientific credibility to the comic, though it’s still a hilariously simple weakness for such a powerful hero.
Batman is famous for his contingencies for each member of the Justice League. Because the brutal methods used in Tower of Babel at the most precise plans, the Dark Knight always has an ace up his sleeve just in case. In Plastic Man’s case, his original plan involved freezing him with liquid nitrogen and then tearing him to pieces, an effective but tremendously traumatic method.
Now, with this new discovery, corn starch could be a less cruel and more convenient option. A simple injection or constant drip system of corn starch would be enough to negate Plastic Man’s abilities for a limited time, avoiding the devastating consequences of more extreme methods.
Between humor and horror
The series, written by Christopher Cantwell and drawn by Jacob Edgar, Alex Lins and Marcelo Maiolo, has been described as a mix of comedy and horror. In this issue we see a desperate Plastic Man trying to save himself through a nuclear explosion, a method that would put not only his life at risk, but also that of his son Luke, with whom he shares his elastic physiology. When Luke refuses to cooperate, family tension rises, leading Eel to kidnap him to carry out her plan.
However, Luke, as elusive as his father, manages to evade his attempts, forcing Eel to resort to cornstarch as a last resort. This detail makes the series a story as funny as it is absurd, balancing moments of comedy with ethical and family dilemmas.
What does this mean for the future of Plastic Man?
The revelation of this weakness could change how readers and the DC Universe itself perceive Plastic Man. While his elasticity makes him unique and virtually invulnerable, we now know that a simple supermarket product can neutralize him. This not only makes him more human and vulnerable, but also opens the door to new comic or dramatic stories and situations in the future.
The idea that one of DC’s most indestructible heroes could be defeated with something as mundane as cornstarch reminds us that even the most powerful characters have vulnerabilities, and that they can be as simple as they are surprising.
No more plastic men! continues to prove that superhero stories can be creative, exciting and, above all, a lot of fun. If you haven’t read this series yet, now is the perfect time to discover it. The latest episode is now available in comic shops!