Justice League’s Most Indestructible Member Exposed: Surprisingly Simple Weakness Revealed

WARNING: This article contains potential spoilers for Plastic Man No More #4!

The legendary Batman is well-known for his meticulous contingency plans designed to neutralize even the most formidable members of the Justice League. Recently, DC Comics revealed a surprisingly straightforward vulnerability of one of the League’s most resilient heroes, Plastic Man, that could be easily exploited—requiring only a quick dash to the grocery store.

As it turns out, the scientific premise backing this non-lethal method of incapacitation adds credibility to Batman’s strategy, allowing him to readily include it in his arsenal of contingency tactics for Plastic Man.

The ongoing horror-comedy series Plastic Man No More!, crafted by creators Christopher Cantwell, Jacob Edgar, Alex Lins, and Marcelo Maiolo, takes readers on a thrilling journey alongside Patrick “Eel” O’Brian, also known as Plastic Man, who discovers he’s deteriorating at the molecular level and races against time to avert his impending demise.

In a dramatic turn, an expert scientist informs O’Brian that his only hope for survival lies at the heart of a nuclear explosion. While Plastic Man is willing to embrace this unconventional solution, his son Luke, who shares his father’s unique capabilities, is understandably apprehensive about being included in such a perilous situation.

Cornstarch: An Unexpected Weakness for Plastic Man

The Known Weakness: Extreme Temperature Variations

In an act of desperation due to his son’s reluctance to participate in the catastrophic plan, O’Brian resorts to kidnapping Luke. However, the youth proves just as elusive as his father, thanks to their shared elasticity powers. To keep Luke from escaping before the impending detonation, O’Brian and his allies must neutralize his extraordinary abilities.

This is a challenge, since both O’Brian and Luke are typically deemed nearly indestructible heroes within the DC universe, with their primary susceptibility being extreme temperature changes. However, generating sufficient heat or cold on demand is not always feasible during crises.

In a comedic twist, Plastic Man No More! issue #4 unveils that a mundane household item—cornstarch—can effectively neutralize the heroes’ elasticity. In this episode, O’Brian’s team administers cornstarch to Luke, drastically impairing his powers. The revelation is amusing, suggesting that one of the Justice League’s strongest members can be subdued with a grocery item costing mere dollars. Yet, the cornstarch’s effects are temporary; to maintain Plastic Man’s incapacitation, a continuous IV drip of cornstarch would be required.

Assessing the Science: Does Cornstarch Really Work?

Cover Art by Alex Lins & Marcelo Maiolo for Plastic Man No More! #4 (2024)

Comic book cover: Plastic Man grimaces as a countdown is reflected in his white goggles.

While it’s entertaining to contemplate cornstarch as a weak point for Plastic Man, the scientific legitimacy of this idea is worth exploring. The answer? It indeed checks out. Cornstarch can reduce elasticity when integrated into polymer-based materials, which align with Plastic Man’s unique biological structure. The starch molecules within cornstarch, composed of long chains of amylose and amylopectin, create a solid framework when mixed into other materials, resulting in decreased flexibility and increased rigidity, thus impairing elasticity.

Explore JLA Secret Files & Origins #3 (2000) for Insights into Batman’s Contingency Plans

Comic book art: Batman in black and white looking sad with the Justice League screaming in red behind him.

Mark Waid and Howard Porter’s pivotal storyline, Tower of Babel, shines a light on Batman’s secretive contingency plans for his fellow Justice League members. This shocking revelation not only sparked a significant breach of trust but also backfired spectacularly when Ra’s al Ghul managed to manipulate these strategies against the League. For those keen to learn more about these intricate plans, JLA Secret Files & Origins #3 delves deeply into Batman’s tactical approaches for each member, including Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Green Lantern, Superman, Martian Manhunter, The Flash, and, of course, Plastic Man.

In a notable incident, Eel was frozen with liquid nitrogen—Batman’s expected strategy for him—and subsequently shattered by one of Ra’s henchmen. While Plastic Man eventually recovered, the experience left an indelible mark on his psyche. Thus, Batman might find it prudent to consider cornstarch as a more humane and less traumatic alternative for future contingency methods against this stretchy member of the Justice League.

Plastic Man No More! #4 is currently available from DC Comics!

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