# Plastic Man vs. Mister Fantastic **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 12, 2008, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-man-vs-mister-fantastic/437361 "2008-02-12T23:04:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![shy\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a6a055/32.png) [@shy\_guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shy_guy)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-man-vs-mister-fantastic/437361/21 "2008-02-13T03:37:13Z")
Plastic Man is the most powerful of the stretchy heroes, but Elastigirl is fucking _bad ass_. Plastic Man is (currently) a goofball (he was much cooler in the golden age, frankly), and Reed Richards tends to have his head in the clouds. Elastigirl is pragmatic, efficient, and ruthless. She also has an indestructible costume covering almost her entire body. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-man-vs-mister-fantastic/437361/22 "2008-02-13T03:42:53Z")
[QUOTE=CalMeacham] But Plastic Man was the original, and arguably the best. .. [/QUOTE] Ahem. [Not the first.](http://www.toonopedia.com/thinman.htm) . ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-man-vs-mister-fantastic/437361/23 "2008-02-13T04:06:32Z")
[QUOTE=RealityChuck] You’re forgetting […] [Elasti-Girl/Elasti-Woman](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elasti-Girl)… [/QUOTE] From Wikipedia: > [@](#): > > Rita Farr is a Hollywood actress who is exposed to unusual volcanic gases while shooting a film in Africa. When Farr recovers, she discovers that she can expand or shrink her body at will — from hundreds of feet tall to microscopically small. When she gains greater control of her powers, she is able to return to her normal size, or enlarge one limb at a time. > > Considered a freak and a menace, her Hollywood career is ruined. > […] > Rita can selectively shrink or expand parts of her body Being able to selectively make parts of your body grow/expand would ruin your Hollywood career? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-man-vs-mister-fantastic/437361/24 "2008-02-13T04:19:25Z")
> [@](#): > > Ahem. Not the first. . Not really – read your own link, please. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-man-vs-mister-fantastic/437361/25 "2008-02-13T05:18:34Z")
Y’know, normally I enjoy these “X vs. Y” threads, but this one is really a stretch. ---
**Author:** ![Lok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e8c25b/32.png) [@Lok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lok)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-man-vs-mister-fantastic/437361/26 "2008-02-13T05:48:38Z")
Folks are still forgetting one, [Offspring](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offspring_%28comics%29), Plastic Man’s son. He has Plastic Man’s powers, but squared. He can not only stretch and change shape, he can change his density and color. Batman considered Plas as one of the most powerful beings on the planet (He survived 3,000 years broken down into little pieces until the JLA managed to find and put the pieces together again.) and Offspring is even more powerful. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-man-vs-mister-fantastic/437361/27 "2008-02-13T06:01:46Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] How did it take 18 posts to bring kinky sex into this?! Yer slippin’, Dopers! [/QUOTE] The British comic Viz has Rubber Johnny, but I couldn’t find a picture. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-man-vs-mister-fantastic/437361/28 "2008-02-13T13:57:38Z")
[QUOTE=Jophiel] From Wikipedia: Being able to selectively make parts of your body grow/expand would ruin your Hollywood career? :dubious: [/QUOTE] Yes. You porn career, however. . . . Actually, at first, she could only grow and shrink (and for some reason, her clothes grew and shrunk with her), but kept the same proportions. In the origin story, she had no control over herself and grew too big and wrecked the set. But stretching superheros are very common in comics. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-man-vs-mister-fantastic/437361/29 "2008-02-13T14:14:55Z")
[QUOTE=shy guy] Elastigirl is pragmatic, efficient, and ruthless. **She also has an indestructible costume covering almost her entire body**. [/QUOTE] You say that as if it were a \*good \* thing… ---
**Author:** ![shy\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a6a055/32.png) [@shy\_guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shy_guy)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-man-vs-mister-fantastic/437361/30 "2008-02-13T16:43:45Z")
[QUOTE=DrFidelius] You say that as if it were a \*good \* thing… [/QUOTE] Well, it _is_ skin-tight. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-man-vs-mister-fantastic/437361/31 "2008-02-13T16:57:01Z")
[QUOTE=shy guy] Well, it _is_ skin-tight. 😛 [/QUOTE] That would be the scariest camel-toe in the history of mankind. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-man-vs-mister-fantastic/437361/32 "2008-02-13T17:00:02Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] Stretchy smackdown! Golden Age comic-book hero [Plastic Man](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic_Man) goes up against Marvelite hero [Mister Fantastic](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mister_Fantastic) of the Fantastic Four. Who would win? [/QUOTE] I imagine it would devolve to name-calling: _I’m rubber, you’re glue…_ ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-man-vs-mister-fantastic/437361/33 "2008-02-13T17:08:23Z")
Plastic Man is tops, but only because most people are mistaken about what his abilities _are_. Not only is he pretty much indestructible and immortal, but(as The Batman figured out) his ability has nothing to do with stretching-his ability is _transforming_. When he takes on the shape of a lamp post, he actually lights up. When he takes on the shape of a hot air balloon, he floats. If this dude existed in the Marvel universe, he’d be an Omega-level mutant. ---
**Author:** ![Jolly\_Roger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/91b2a8/32.png) [@Jolly\_Roger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jolly_Roger)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-man-vs-mister-fantastic/437361/34 "2008-02-13T17:13:16Z")
[QUOTE=WordMan] In terms of the OP, aren’t Mr. F’s and Plas’ powers different? Mr. F can only stretch; I thought Plas can take different shapes that might involve more than just stretching? [/QUOTE] Actually, Reed can mold his body into diferent shapes just like Plas…you don’t see him do it too much in the comics, but it is one of his abilities. I’d have to go with Reed in this fight. His intellect has allowed him to defeat foes that outpower him in the past. ---
**Author:** ![Menocchio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@Menocchio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Menocchio)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-man-vs-mister-fantastic/437361/35 "2008-02-13T17:14:47Z")
Depends on which universe they fight in. In the Marvel Universe, Mr. Fantastic is inerringly right. Even if Plas somehow managed to get an upper hand, his adoring and obedient family would come through for Reed. In the DCU, the heroes usually manage to beat fascist villains. So Plas wins. ---
**Author:** ![ArizonaTeach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/45deac/32.png) [@ArizonaTeach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArizonaTeach)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-man-vs-mister-fantastic/437361/36 "2008-02-13T17:23:39Z")
[QUOTE=Menocchio] Depends on which universe they fight in. In the Marvel Universe, Mr. Fantastic is inerringly right. [/QUOTE] Tell that to Bill Foster. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-man-vs-mister-fantastic/437361/37 "2008-02-13T17:32:07Z")
[QUOTE=ArizonaTeach] Tell that to Bill Foster. [/QUOTE] That wasn’t Reed Richards-that was his Skrull impersonator. ---
**Author:** ![ArizonaTeach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/45deac/32.png) [@ArizonaTeach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArizonaTeach)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-man-vs-mister-fantastic/437361/38 "2008-02-13T17:38:37Z")
[QUOTE=Czarcasm] That wasn’t Reed Richards-that was his Skrull impersonator. [/QUOTE] DId you just spoil Secret Invasion? **shakes fist** ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-man-vs-mister-fantastic/437361/39 "2008-02-13T18:57:00Z")
[QUOTE=Czarcasm] That wasn’t Reed Richards-that was his Skrull impersonator. [/QUOTE] Impossible. I’m his Skrull impersonater. I only mention this because none of you will leave here alive, and– Well, never mind. I mustn’t monologue. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-man-vs-mister-fantastic/437361/40 "2008-02-13T19:08:45Z")
[QUOTE=Skald the Rhymer] Impossible. I’m his Skrull impersonater. I only mention this because none of you will leave here alive, and– Well, never mind. I mustn’t monologue. [/QUOTE] Since when? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-man-vs-mister-fantastic/437361.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-man-vs-mister-fantastic/437361.md?page=3)