Plastic Man

Plastic Man is an uproarious, ageless animation series, produced by the reputable American production company, Warner Bros, in 1979. A product of the classic Saturday morning cartoon era, this animated series is imbued with tones of humor, action, and adventure. The series is established on the premise of the 1940's comic character - Plastic Man, created by Jack Cole for Quality Comics, and later acquired by DC Comics. The 1979 Warner Bros version endeavored to retain the vibrant spirit of these comics while incorporating a modern twist to appeal to the contemporary audience of its time.

The story revolves around a former crook, aka known as Eel O'Brian. In a chance encounter during a botched heist at the Crawford Chemical Works, he is doused with a cocktail of unidentified chemicals which subsequently imbue him with wondrous transformative capabilities. These newfound powers allow Eel to stretch his body out of proportion, shape-shift into anything he desires, from as small as a safety pin to as large as an airplane hence becoming the hero known as Plastic Man. Plastic Man uses these uncanny abilities in remarkably creative ways to uphold justice, making the show full of surprising visual gags and compelling storytelling.

Abed to the personality of Eel O'Brian is his characteristic quick-witted and fun-loving style, which intersperses the series with continual comic relief. Plastic Man's humor is indeed one of the standout aspects of the series. His one-liners and his interaction with friends and foes alike maintain the jocular subplot that threads throughout the complete series.

An integral part of the series is the band of characters that surrounds Plastic Man. The supporting cast includes his girlfriend, Penny, his adventurous Hawaiian sidekick, Hula-Hula, and his son, Baby Plas, each adding depth and texture to the narrative. Penny is Plastic Man's moral compass aiding him to navigate his double life while Hula-Hula provides the action, often finding himself unwittingly at the center of problems that Plastic Man needs to solve. Adding to the depth of the series is Baby Plas, the sprightly son of Plastic Man, who inherits his father's transformative abilities, bringing about an extra layer of charm to the series.

The primary antagonist of the series is an extensive, ever-changing rogues' gallery of villains. These villains challenged Plastic Man's elasticity not just physically but also intellectually. Each episode brought with it different challenges for Plastic Man to overcome. Wisely, the creators chose to feature some of the most intriguing villains that Plastic Man has encountered in his comic book history, including villains like The Weed and Doctor Dome. This variety of villains keeps the show refreshing and keeps viewers guessing what might happen next.

Warner Bros, through its production of Plastic Man, maintains a distinct and attractive art style, which is visually appealing, brightly colored, and perfectly captures the essence of a comic book brought to life. The animators do a commendable job of visualizing Plastic Man's unique abilities, making his shape-shifting feats the highlight of every episode.

In terms of narrative, the series consists mainly of standalone episodes rather than multi-episode story arcs. This episodic format allows each adventure to be unique, independent, and full of twists and turns. Despite the episodic nature, the consistent characterization and blend of recurring supporting characters provide a solid backbone to the series.

Also worth noting is the show's catchy title song, anchoring the opening and closing credits, which charmingly summarizes the main origin story of Plastic Man, leading kids to sing along enthusiastically.

In conclusion, the 1979 Warner Bros version of Plastic Man is a lively, engaging, and outrageous animated series that has managed to retain the lightness and humor that characterized the original Plastic Man comics. With its iconic humor, dynamic characters, imaginative storytelling, and stunning visuals, it has ensured its legacy in the annals of classic animation. Plastic Man infuses viewers with a sense of nostalgia and continues to retain its charm, making it a worthwhile venture for those seeking out classic animated entertainment.