Plastic Man vs. Mister Fantastic

[Kevin Scrivner]

We've done Superman vs. Thor and Batman vs. Captain America to death. But what about the other guys? I've always loved metamorphs, the squishy fellows. So what about Plastic Man vs. Mister Fantastic? Both men can stretch like rubber bands and mold themselves into all sorts of unlikely shapes. Both think fast on their feet and pack a powerful kinetic wallop. But their backgrounds and personalities couldn't be more different.

Plastic Man, a reformed gangster, gained his abilties after being shot full of holes and dumped in a vat of acid. He maintains his underworld contacts, has a good knowledge of organized crime, and is notable for his wacky sense of humor.

Reed Richards, a wealthy physicist and inventor, gained his powers after being bombarded by cosmic rays during the test flight of an experimental spaceship. He's as logical and serious as Plastic Man is goofy. Richards is used to battling world-threatening menaces with his super-powered family.

When villains are about to bend your world out of shape, who ya gonna call?

[Blue]

I vote for Stretch-Dude, partner of Clobber Girl:

Stretch Dude & Clobber Girl (http://www.finalesimpsons.de/stuff/grab_pics/stretch_dude_and_clobber_girl.gif)

(From Treehouse of Horrors X)

[Hermit]

It was a close call for the poll... I actually LIKE the Elongated Man, but in the end I had to go with "Stretcho" Mr. Fantastic himself. :)


I am the only one in my group who likes playing stretching characters. One of my players thinks they have "the silliest looking power I've ever seen."

As for Reed against Plastic Man? I go with Reed. I never really liked Plastic Man (didn't hate him) but Mr. Fantastic. Well, if he can't solve your problem, it can't be solved by Science

[Derek Hiemforth]

I think Plastic Man's abilities are much powerful than Mr. Fantastic's, but Reed's brain makes up the difference. Tough call. I guess I'll go with Plastic Man, just 'cause I follow DC more. ;)

[Nucleon]

As with most DC heroes, Plastic Man is the Pro from Dover of his domain, stretching/shifting. He also comes with the comedy relief associated with such powers, of course.

Mr. Fantastic's stretching is often used to fetch one of his numerous gadgets -a variable pool- which can be far more dangerous than the stretching itself.

[ZootSoot]

Originally posted by Kevin Scrivner
We've done Superman vs. Thor and Batman vs. Captain America to death. But what about the other guys? I've always loved metamorphs, the squishy fellows. So what about Plastic Man vs. Mister Fantastic? Both men can stretch like rubber bands and mold themselves into all sorts of unlikely shapes. Both think fast on their feet and pack a powerful kinetic wallop. But their backgrounds and personalities couldn't be more different.

Plastic Man, a reformed gangster, gained his abilties after being shot full of holes and dumped in a vat of acid. He maintains his underworld contacts, has a good knowledge of organized crime, and is notable for his wacky sense of humor.

Reed Richards, a wealthy physicist and inventor, gained his powers after being bombarded by cosmic rays during the test flight of an experimental spaceship. He's as logical and serious as Plastic Man is goofy. Richards is used to battling world-threatening menaces with his super-powered family.

When villains are about to bend your world out of shape, who ya gonna call?

Richards may have the advantage in taking on high-powered cosmic threats (having the others on his team and his gadgets). But no one is better than Plastic Man at the use of his powers, and he has a considerable physical edge in his limits over Reed. Plastic Man was the original and his adventures were some of the most mindblowing ever in comics, until DC obtained ownership of his character . . .

[Lord Liaden]

I wasn't aware that Plastic Man's powers had become that much greater than Mr. Fantastic's. If that's the case, given Plas's experience, I could see him taking the first round from Reed Richards, although Reed is a great tactician himself.

But then, Mr. Fantastic's main power has never been stretching; it's his incredible intellect. Reed has been beaten many times, but then he retires to his lab, whips up some gadget to even the odds, and returns to kick butt. So, I would grant the first battle to Plastic Man, but Mr. Fantastic wins the war.

[gewing]

The awesome Intellect of Reed Richards gives him a good chance against just about ANYONE. However, Plastic man (from what little I've read) is very adaptable, even flexible.

Sorry.

As LL said, Plastic man might win first round, but... I can just see Reed hitting him with something that turns him into a normal person again. ;) or hardens him. What would good old liquid Nitrogen do?

[Hermit]

Originally posted by Lord Liaden

But then, Mr. Fantastic's main power has never been stretching; it's his incredible intellect. Reed has been beaten many times, but then he retires to his lab, whips up some gadget to even the odds, and returns to kick butt. So, I would grant the first battle to Plastic Man, but Mr. Fantastic wins the war.

Good point. Ironically, that makes Reed sort of the Batman of the Marvel Universe. There's a comparison I didn't think I'd see :)

[Southern Cross]

Good point-but the Black Panther is the real Batman type of the Marvel Universe.They're both "old money",have similar powers & origins,& the Black Panther is being written the way Batman should be.If anything,Reed Richards is the "Tom Strong" of the Marvel Universe,though their powers are quite different.

[Hermit]

Afraid I don't know enough about Tom Strong to really compare, but it does sound interesting-Thanks :)

[death tribble]

Reed Richards. No contest.

I loathe Plastic Man. Elongated Man qwas good in the Justice League so he would be my second choice.

[Klytus]

I gotta go with Plastic Man. Plas wasn't always a goofball, and the old-timer in me simply has to go with the original as the sentimental favorite.

[Bartman]

Richards. Although Plas could out-stretch and out-deform him, Richards is far more than just his stretchy abilities.

[JmOz]

I had to go with Mr Fantastic, I would RATHER of gone with Plas, but I did not view it as a popularity contest, and Reed's brain power makes up for Plas's extra power, and then some

[JohnOSpencer]

I have to go with Plas. He is sooo much more powerful than reed richards. He is sooo much more skilled in the use of his powers. And he as street smarts, which kicks the crap out of book smarts any day of the week.

John Spencer

[Pattern Ghost]

You're all wrong. Stretch Armstrong is clearly the superior combatant.

[ZootSoot]

Where are Metamorpho and Machine Man on this list?

[Super Squirrel]

Inspector Gadget rocks. He has that self-destruct button that can take out anyone on the list! Why is it then, I am the only one who voted?

[Enforcer84]

I've gotta give Mr F the props here, but my heart almost went to Elongated Man. Bear in mind that Plastic Man has in my opinion the most power of any the mentioned save for the Metal Men, and he comes in about 3rd on brain power.

But I would love to see Reed and Ralf work together to solve a case.

[Hermit]

Originally posted by Enforcer84


But I would love to see Reed and Ralf work together to solve a case.

Wow... talk about the unstopable team when it came to mystery solving :)

Darn it, 'I' want to own a comic book company. :)

[Derek Hiemforth]

Originally posted by ZootSoot
Where are Metamorpho and Machine Man on this list? Don't know much about Machine Man, but Metamorpho is a whole lot more than just a stretchy guy. If he'd been on this list, I'd have voted for him in a heartbeat. He's a powerhouse.

[Catacomb]

Once Reed realizes everybody is basically equal he unevens the playing field by making an anti-everybody but him device and the day is won by Stretcho.:D

[Kevin Scrivner]

Originally posted by ZootSoot
Where are Metamorpho and Machine Man on this list?

Oops! Forgot about them. That's what the "Other" button is for.

[William Bushway]

I voted for Flatman (http://www.sysabend.org/champions/gnborh/text/Flatman-cr.txt) of the Great Lakes Avengers, aka "other."

[Enforcer84]

Originally posted by William Bushway
I voted for Flatman (http://www.sysabend.org/champions/gnborh/text/Flatman-cr.txt) of the Great Lakes Avengers, aka "other."

Dr Bennett. Yes, a powerful man.

I once created a gigantic team consisting of the GLA (or Lightning Rods as they called themselves for a while) and a bunch of other also rans (Captain Ultra, Frogman, Squirril Girl, Spider Kid, Demolition Dumphy, Fabian Stankowicz, and a few that I made up). Then I made them 450 point characters... scary indeed.

[Kevin Scrivner]

Originally posted by Enforcer84
But I would love to see Reed and Ralf work together to solve a case.

If they could get Plastic Man and Metamorpho to join them they could become the Flex Men.

[The Dude]

Plastic Man is groovy.

[DusterBoy]

I gave it to Plastic Man. Reed is smarter sure, and able to whip any gadget he needs, but Plastic Man once conned Wonder Woman into wearing him as a dress.

And you just can't beat that. :D

[Revenant]

Since the original question was who I'd want to save me, I chose the Metal Men. First off, they outnumber the others and have training as a team. Secondly I could actually see hanging out with them more so than the others. Finally, they got a very nice, very smart, very pretty female with them.

Also, they're one of the few robots I could buy as being alive, Johnny Number 5 from Short Circuit being the other. Transformers and Gobots I'm not sure about. Characters like Chi are just some real complex programming and thus expendable since their programming can be backed up and restored.

[DocSamson]

I voted other for Morph of the Exiles. I also like Elastigirl of the Incredibles.

However, the strongest stretchy-man has beaten the whole FF numerous times...The Impossible Man.

Minor props to Sandman, Hydro-Man, the Super Skrull, and Martian Manhunter.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Fictional_characters_who_can_stretch_them selves

[BNakagawa]

Monkey D. Luffy?

[Legatus]

Monkey D. Luffy?

Best Stretching powers ever! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

[Kenn]

I gave it to Plastic Man. Reed is smarter sure, and able to whip any gadget he needs, but Plastic Man once conned Wonder Woman into wearing him as a dress.

And you just can't beat that. :D

Except it didn't happen.

He conned BIG BARDA into wearing him as a dress.

Plastic Man's always been as much a shapeshifter as he is a stretcher. Stretching was just a side effect of his shifting shape.

Reed is the better scientist.
Ralph is the better detective.

The initial question is worded so that things will skew towards Reed because of his intellect.

Oh, and the original poster forgot Jimmy Olsen.

[Vestnik]

Inspector Gadget has Brain the dog, who is more intelligent than Mr. Fantastic.

[Grimble]

Plastic Man, Hands down. Aewsome power and witty banter. I always loved his kind of silly crime fighting.

[Hermit]

Wow. Thread Necromancy gives you a chance to look back. Clearly my vote was pre Civil War.

[DusterBoy]

Except it didn't happen.

He conned BIG BARDA into wearing him as a dress.

Plastic Man's always been as much a shapeshifter as he is a stretcher. Stretching was just a side effect of his shifting shape.
.

Sorry, my bad. It's been a long time since I read that story. :o

[Matt the Bruins]

Against someone who merely had the advantage of raw power that Plastic Man possesses, I'd give my vote to Reed Richards hands-down. But let's not forget that Plas is essentially a Looney Tunes-style cartoon character in a super heroic comic book world. Once he starts violating laws of physics, Reed's superior intellect would actually become a disadvantage.

[Shaft]

I guess Elastigirl isn't on the list because she'd blow everyone else away. :D

Also, where is Rubber Duck?

[Derek Hiemforth]

I guess Elastigirl isn't on the list because she'd blow everyone else away. :DActually, Elastigirl isn't on the list because the original post pre-dates The Incredibles movie. :)

But I agree... if the poll included Elastigirl, I would change my vote to her. She may not be as powerful as the others, but she kicks eleven kinds of butt.

[Log-Man]

The poll is pre Elastigirl and pre civil war. Amazing how things change in a few short years.

Voting then? :think: Probably Reed.

Voting now: Elastigirl, hands down. :thumbup:

[Tech]

Since I haven't read DC or Marvel for awhile, I vote for jello. :)

[Kenn]

Hey. There's always room for jello.

[Pariah]

Absolutely Elastigirl. I originally voted for Reed Richards, but now that someone mentioned Elastigirl, I have to go with her. Smart, dedicated, respected, and she can fly a jet!

[Hyper-Man]

E-Man (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-Man)

From Wikipedia:

Fictional character biography

E-Man is a sentient packet of energy thrown off by a nova. Traveling the galaxy he learned about life, how to duplicate the appearance of life, and good and evil. Reaching Earth, he met exotic dancer/grad student Katrinka Colchnzski, also known as Nova Kane (novocaine), and formed himself into a superhero he called E-Man, with a civilian identity he dubbed "Alec Tronn" (electron). His emblem was the famous mass-energy equivalence formula "E=mc2", and his powers included firing energy blasts from his hands, changing his appearance, and transforming part or all of his body into anything he could envision (e.g., turning his feet into jet engines so he could fly).

Nova would later be caught in a nuclear explosion and gain the same powers as E-Man and become his partner; later still, she would lose her powers and become a normal human being again, only to regain her powers sometime afterward. During their early adventures they picked up a pet koala named Teddy Q, whose intelligence grew to the point where he had a job waiting tables in a cafe.

http://media.comicvine.com/uploads/0/4/67622-11432-100620-1-e-man_large.jpg

[LoresLost]

Well then you also have Elasti-Girl, A size changing stretching heroine from the Doom Patrol. (Which I believe (rumour) gave Disney IP Lawyers fits and Warner/DC some Incredible funds) :D

[bigbywolfe]

Power wise I have to say Plastic Man beats Reed hands down. Strategy, long term outcome, I'd say Reed has the advantage. I personally can't stand either of them anymore. I voted for Inspector Gadget.

[GoldenAge]

...let's not forget that Plas is essentially a Looney Tunes-style cartoon character in a super heroic comic book world. Once he starts violating laws of physics, Reed's superior intellect would actually become a disadvantage.

This is the crux of Plastic Man's real power.

Ever see Plas turn into a dirigible or a hot air balloon, seen him soar as a plane or rocket or witnessed him actually hover in mid air as a question mark??? Where does all the energy need to carry him (and often others) aloft come from?

He's stood up to Fernus, a being that absolutely thrashed the entire Justice League's big hitters. During the massive battle between the two giants entire buildings crumbled under his might.

Plas spent 3000 years on the bottom of the ocean during the Obsidian Age and was subsequently revived, proving that he was immortal and, as Plastic Man puts it, unkillable. He can take punches from the Shaggy man, eat massive explosions, take a long distance hammer throw from Steel's kinetic hammer and is untouchable by telepathy (though he allows J'onn's mind link to work)...

Plastic Man can become a fully functional tank that blasts red beams of energy (BOOM - HEY!!! Where does that energy come from again???). Plas can create two heads (maybe more), each capable of utilizing all of his senses and speech.

Plastic Man's become a working lamp, streetlight and crossing sign (is that natural bioluminescence???). He's made incredibly sharp scissors and razor claws mimicking (and mocking) Wolverine (snikt).

Plas is fast! He's stretched quick enough to catch a running Impulse.

Plas has safely stuck his finger through Wonder Woman's ear and into her brain (to remove an alien bug).

Plas is perfectly at home in the vacuum of space (he can even talk? HOW??? - He does it underwater too). He's totally unaffected my magnetism too (just ask Dr. Polaris).

Plas has become microscopically thin (thin enough to slip between molecules and into Superman's Fortress of Solitude).

He can gain super hearing and telescopic sight by modifying his goggles and ears.

Plastic Man has even hypnotized himself to forget his hero life so he could be a good dad.

Plastic Man totally aced (and almost killed) Batman in a matter of seconds (isn't he pretty smart???).

When Plas becomes a tennis ball he's as light as a tennis ball... When he becomes a whale, he's as heavy as a whale... Where does all that extra mass go/come from??? This guy is much more than a shape-shifter!

As for smarts... Plas might act like a goof but during World War II he became an F.B.I. agent and liaison between the government and the All Star Squadron.

Now, I know he's had some low showings as well... But his highs are pretty darn high. So, if the world were at risk... Sure, I'd want Reed Richards at the helm of rescue operations... But I'd sure hope that Reed had Plastic Man's telephone number!!!

One-on-one... Plastic Man would turn poor Reed into half-mad piece of salt water taffy!

[GoldenAge]

Except it didn't happen.

He conned BIG BARDA into wearing him as a dress.

Plastic Man's always been as much a shapeshifter as he is a stretcher. Stretching was just a side effect of his shifting shape.
But he ALMOST got to see Wonder Woman naked by becomming a wall sconce (lamp) in her private quarters... So close (darn that *Hestia!!!!!!!!!)



*Hestia, Goddess of the hearth, granted Diana Sisterhood with Fire. This power makes it almost impossible to lie to her. By using this gift, Diana can see through mirages, illusions and other forms of deception (such as shape shifting), and is highly resistant to telepathic attacks.

[Lord Liaden]

I doubt it would upset Diana much if he did, anyway. Paradise Island seems to follow Greek cultural traditions, without a real taboo against nudity. It helps that the climate there is perpetually tropical, so clothing isn't really necessary much of the time.

[GoldenAge]

I doubt it would upset Diana much if he did, anyway. Paradise Island seems to follow Greek cultural traditions, without a real taboo against nudity. It helps that the climate there is perpetually tropical, so clothing isn't really necessary much of the time.

Actually, you'd be mistaken: ;)

[Cinniuint]

Nobody has mentioned Warlock of the New Mutants, who was way more powerful than The Impossible Man, though only his equal in shapeshifting. Of course it is difficult to call on someone who is dead for help. Jimmy Olsen doesn't stretch anymore, but his wristwatch does make him very powerful.

Speaking of Supes, can Metamorpho become Kryptonite?

[Log-Man]

Speaking of Supes, can Metamorpho become Kryptonite?
The answer: It depends upon the writer. Sometimes he can, sometimes he can't, and other times he can become an analog of kryptonite. He can't make up his mind.

[Balabanto]

I'll take Reed any day. "This device can molecularly freeze you into the shape of a helpless cereal box."

And Reed is creepily intelligent enough to make the cereal box fill with tasty cereal.

Then he just goes, pours some milk, and enjoys his crispy crunchy victory.

[Nagisawa Takumi]

I chose other for Mrs. Incredible. >.>

But Richards would win in a straight Plastic Man vs. him fight. For turning Plasty into a cereal box. Permanently.

Although, I'm sure Plasty would ask to be turned into ladies underpants. >.>

[Korvar]

I'll take Reed any day. "This device can molecularly freeze you into the shape of a helpless cereal box."

And Reed is creepily intelligent enough to make the cereal box fill with tasty cereal.

Then he just goes, pours some milk, and enjoys his crispy crunchy victory.

Repped for "crispy crunchy victory" :)

[bubba smith]

i wonder who'd wina an elastigirl vs elasti-girl match?
for the bout in question i'd say

[Balabanto]

Uhh, that's an easy one. Lesbians everywhere! And you know, there are a lot of guys who would get off on that too.

[Hugh Neilson]

Repped for "crispy crunchy victory" :)

Let's look to the continuity...

Reed would hypnotize Plas into believing he's a cow and remaining in that form. Plas would get even by bringing that up in numerous major events in the future, culminating in a huge crossover event where the Plastic People invade the earth.

[Nagisawa Takumi]

Repped for "crispy crunchy victory" :)
Yeah, agreed. :D