Plastic Man – The Complete Collection DVD

Written on November 3, 2009 by Marc Eastman in Television

One of the greatest Saturday morning cartoons ever, and the forerunner of countless camp and/or satirical efforts, Plastic Man, is now available in a 4-disc, 35 episode complete collection.

A superhero like no other, with possible exception of Freakazoid!, Plastic Man and his unique adventures are a treasure of the odd world of vintage television. With girlfriend Penny, sidekick Hula Hula, and the Plastijet, there is no danger too great, and no goofy barb too small. You never can tell what incredible feat of stretchitude is in store for you next, and don’t forget the short-segment format that includes Mighty Man & Yukk, Fangface and Fangpuss, and more.

They don’t make them like this anymore, and the combination of superhero theory mixed with Scooby Doo-esque zaniness is just as fun as ever, and truly brilliant wacky adventures are as sure a win for kids today as they ever were.

The show was co-produced by Hanna Barbera and it really shows. There’s a good deal of the craziness of such things as Wacky Races and Yogi Bear mixing together with Space Ghost and Johnny Quest. The adventure is built around the solid ideas of fun you expect from anything associated with Hanna Barbera.

He can spring, stretch, fly, bounce and even change his shape; there is hardly anything that this superhero can’t do! Joined by his girlfriend Penny and his Polynesian sidekick Hula Hula, Plastic Man travels the world, preventing the proliferation of evil. Plastic Man’s adventures are quirky, offbeat and filled with slapstick humor. Classic animation fans and kids alike will love this compilation of one of DC Comics’ most endearing characters.

The Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Show is based on the DC Comics superhero, which originally appeared in comic books in 1941. The original Plastic Man discovered his powers after he was sprayed with an unidentified substance that entered his bloodstream, causing a radical physical change that allowed his body to acquire all of the properties of rubber. Produced by both Ruby-Spears Productions and Hanna-Barbera Productions, The Plastic Man Comedy Adventure Show first aired in 1979 Saturday mornings on ABC, right after Super Friends.

The set also includes the Plastic Man Animated Series Unaired Pilot Episode, and an incredibly fun Retrospective Featurette. The featurette is really above-and-beyond all things considered. It’s a trip back in time that puts the show into perspective, and sits you back in front of the tube on your shag carpeting.

A great set and a great show, this would be one of my top picks for kids even among more recent efforts.