Reviewer: Mathan Erhardt
Story Title: When Strikes Agent Morgan
Edited by: Joey Cavalieri
Published by: DC Comics
Everything Else by: Kyle Baker
Ok so Plastic Man’s former identity of Eel O’Brian has been framed for a murder that he didn’t commit. What’s worse, now the F.B.I. knows Eel and Plas are one and the same. What’s worse than that? Plas’ buddy Woozy sacrificed himself to save Plas from a diabolical trap set by the plots mastermind. Even worse is that Plas’ former partner in the F.B.I. is behind the plot and has also poisoned the Chief. So Plastic Man returned to the monastery where he first went after becoming Plastic Man.
And that is where this issue begins with Plastic Man trying to collect his thoughts. Unfortunately the other monks at the monastery also have amazing abilities. Mountain, Flaming Monk and Ephemeral Monk also happen to be practicing their powers, while Plas is trying to meditate. To make matters worse, a spy has come searching for Plastic Man’s whereabouts. Even though the monks try to hide Plas, he is still discovered.
Morgan sends in an assault squad to take down the monastery. The makeshift “Adequate Four†handle the team. But when Plas tries to take out the helicopters he ends up with a nostril full of nerve gas. Thus he becomes captured.
Once set in a horrible death trap, Morgan explains her motivation for destroying everything Plastic Man holds dear. But Plastic Man resolves the issue at hand, which leads to Morgan having a change of heart. The story ends with a happy ending that resolves all the loose threads very nicely.
On the art Baker is flawless. This book is loose and fun. Where some comics look like they are a labor of love, this one not only looks like a labor of love, but also that Baker had actual fun creating it. The “Stained Plas†on page 10 looks so cool. I know that Baker is taking next issue off, but I hope that he stays on this book for a long time.
Story wise this issue is like a throwback to a bygone era. It’s from a simpler time. This is a really fun story. And it concludes is in a very “Golden Age†fashion. Everything is wrapped in the climax. The nod to the Fantastic Four was a very nice touch.
