Though it started off on a weak note, I found that this opening story arc evolved into something clever and just slightly dark while maintaining its irreverences at the same time. This concluding chapter, though, throws all of that right out of the window and embraces a nonsensical storytelling approach that's fun and silly on the one hand but ultimately frustrating. New characters pop up out of nowhere and contribute nothing to the plot itself, and a strong one is belittled. Baker's art is inventive and captures the title character's inherent zaniness, and the colors are vibrant and fun. But ultimately, the plotting can only be described as awkward at best.
Eel O'Brien, AKA Plastic Man, is hiding out at the monastery where he first developed his powers, and he's hanging out with three other would-be monks who have also developed amazing abilities. That comes in handy, as the corrupt Agent Morgan and FBI assault force have tracked Plas down. The fantastic foursome fends off the attacks, but Morgan's arsenal of tailor-made, anti-Plas weapons proves to be too much for them. Just as he's about to be torn apart for good, Plastic Man finally learns why Morgan framed him for murder, and why she hates him so much.
The cover shows off just how well suited Kyle Baker's art is to bringing the shape-changing abilities and goofiness of the title character to life. One of the more inventive shapes the character takes on in this issue is a stained glass window, and it marks one of my favorite visuals in the issue. Baker's tribute to the Fantastic Four brings a lot of energy to the book as well. The incredible vibrancy of the colors is enough to set this book apart visually from just about anything else on the stands today.
It's just a shame that the strength in the art isn't matched in the writing. The plot took a couple of interesting and clever twists last month, and I appreciated the greater depth of character that popped up as well. But those directions are abandoned here. The one aspect of the plot that brought a smile to my face was the Chief's late arrival and ironic instigation of the very events he was trying to prevent.
The Fantastic Four as monks? The late Woozy Winks just... gets better? I realize Baker is purposefully being silly here, pointing out that it's just a goofy cartoon story, that we should roll with the punches. After all, it makes little sense that Wile E. Coyote would order all of that Acme gear just to snag a rather swift meal. But throughout this story arc, Baker kept shifting gears, playing things straight at times. Morgan's reduction of character from a strong-willed woman to one who defines herself through a long-dead relationship is frustrating as well.
