History ComicBook / ElongatedMan

A close friend of the (second) [[TheFlash Flash]] in whose series he appeared often. He got his own series in the backpages of ''Detective Comics'', lasting from issue #327 to #383 (May, 1964-January, 1969) with several new stories appearing in the same magazine during the [[TheSeventies 1970s]], though at irregular intervals. The series formula was to have Ralph and Sue traveling the globe, investigating crimes along the way. Don Markstein, a comic book historian, described them as a superhero version of [[Film/TheThinMan Nick and Nora Charles]].

* VitriolicBestBuds: With the third [[TheFlash Flash]], Wally West. While the two were definitely friends, Ralph loved to poke fun at Wally by comparing him to Barry Allen (the second [[TheFlash Flash]]).

Ralph also joined the Franchise/{{Justice League|of America}} in [[TheSeventies 1970s]]. Along with Sue he was an important part of the [[ComicBook/JusticeLeagueInternational League's more comedic period]]. Sadly, he's remembered today more for the fact that his wife was both raped AND murdered in ''ComicBook/IdentityCrisis''. He died shortly afterwards in ''ComicBook/FiftyTwo'' while trying to find a way to resurrect her (at least he brought down an evil sorcerer and a major demon in the process). [[spoiler:Sadly, the demon escaped later, despite the trap seemingly being absolutely inescapable]]. They have both reappeared as ghosts since, with the ability to possess people for short periods of time, a la Deadman.

Ralph also joined the Franchise/{{Justice League|of America}} in [[TheSeventies 1970s]]. Along with Sue he was an important part of the [[ComicBook/JusticeLeagueInternational League's more comedic period]]. Sadly, he's remembered today more for the fact that his wife was both raped AND murdered in ''ComicBook/IdentityCrisis''. He died shortly afterwards in ''ComicBook/FiftyTwo'' while trying to find a way to resurrect her (at least he brought down an evil sorcerer and a major demon in the process). [[spoiler:Sadly, the demon escaped later, despite the trap seemingly being absolutely inescapable]]. They have both reappeared as ghosts since, with the ability to possess people for short periods of time, ala Deadman.

* UglyGuyHotWife: According to Sue, he's a 7. Note that she was a DeadpanSnarker. However, according to Ralph in ''ComicBook/IdentityCrisis'', Sue was only attracted to ''him'' and not the more conventionally attractive superheroes like Barry Allen at a party.

The character is currently set to appear in the fourth season of Creator/TheCW's ''Series/{{The Flash|2014}}'', portrayed there by Hartley Sawyer. This iteration of Dibny will be a fast-talking private investigator who, upon gaining his stretching ability, assists Team Flash in their crimefighting..

He appeared in ''[[WesternAnimation/BatmanTheBraveAndTheBold Batman: The Brave and the Bold]]'', where he spent his time lamenting ComicBook/PlasticMan's fame.

* ShooOutTheClowns: Has not reappeared in the ComicBook/{{New 52}}.

* GreenLanternRing: Ralph's shapeshifting can be surprisingly versatile.

* StuffedIntoTheFridge: [[spoiler:Sue, in ''ComicBook/IdentityCrisis'']].

* UglyGuyHotWife: According to Sue, he's a 7. Note that she was a DeadpanSnarker.

* BadassBoast: "[[ComicBook/PlasticMan]]'s the clown. I'm the ''detective''."

* AddictionPowered: He drinks a lot of Gingold soda and gets super-stretch powers.
** The drink can apparently increase flexibility in most people who drink it, but you have to go to serious overdose levels to get actual stretching abilities, which can then be maintained by regular drinking of the normal product. A significant section of the human population is allergic to gingold extract, and thus unable to take advantage of the herb's special properties.

* PutOnABus: [[spoiler: The last appearance Ralph and Sue had were as [[ComicBook/BlackestNight Black Lanterns]], and were killed off fairly early in the series.]] Following ''ComicBook/{{Flashpoint}}'' neither of them have appeared or been mentioned anywhere.

* BirthdayEpisode: A number of ''Elongated Man'' stories were set on his birthday. As her regular birthday gift for Ralph, Sue would customarily craft an elaborate mystery for him to solve.

Ralph also joined the Franchise/{{Justice League|of America}} in [[TheSeventies 1970s]]. Along with Sue he was an important part of the [[ComicBook/JusticeLeagueInternational League's more comedic period]]. Sadly, he's remembered today more for the fact that his wife was both raped AND murdered in ''ComicBook/IdentityCrisis''. He died shortly afterwards in ''ComicBook/FiftyTwo'' while trying to find a way to resurrect her (at least he brought down an evil sorcerer and a major demon in the process). [[spoiler:Sadly, the demon escaped later, despite the trap seemingly being absolutely inescapable]]. They have both reappeared as ghosts since, with the ability to possess people for short periods of time, ala {{Comicbook/Deadman}}.

Ralph Dibny a.k.a. Elongated Man was created in TheSixties to be a CaptainErsatz of ComicBook/PlasticMan because the people at Creator/DCComics didn't realize that they technically already owned Plastic Man. In a way, this makes him the first SilverAge LegacyCharacter not to share a name with the character he was inspired by. He first appeared in ''"The Flash''" #112 (April, 1960). His wife and partner Susan "Sue" Dearborn was introduced in #119 (March, 1961). Notably, he was the first SuperHero to drop his {{Secret Identity}} and marry his {{Love Interest}} (in her first appearance, too!).

They've recently, after many years, finally reappeared in two separate comics from DC. They've been in ''{{ComicBook/Convergence}}: Justice League of America'', a two-part book that focused on the Detroit League and had the Dibnys alive, married, and very much in love. In the main DCU, Ralph has appeared under another name: [[spoiler: Big Shot in ''SecretSix''. Sue has reappeared in the same book as well]].

* TheBusCameBack: In [[spoiler: ''SecretSix'']] For [[spoiler: ''both of them'']].

They've recently, after many years, finally reappeared in two separate comics from DC. They've been in ''{{ComicBook/Convergence}}: Justice League of America'', a two-part book that focused on the Detroit League and had the Dibnys alive, married, and very much in love. In the main DCU, Ralph has appeared under another name: [[spoiler: Big Shot in ''SecretSix'']].

* TheBusCameBack: In [[spoiler: ''SecretSix'']].

* WidowerHero

Ralph also joined the JusticeLeague in [[TheSeventies 1970s]]. Along with Sue he was an important part of the [[ComicBook/JusticeLeagueInternational League's more comedic period]]. Sadly, he's remembered today more for the fact that his wife was both raped AND murdered in ''ComicBook/IdentityCrisis''. He died shortly afterwards in ''ComicBook/FiftyTwo'' while trying to find a way to resurrect her (at least he brought down an evil sorcerer and a major demon in the process). [[spoiler:Sadly, the demon escaped later, despite the trap seemingly being absolutely inescapable]]. They have both reappeared as ghosts since, with the ability to possess people for short periods of time, ala {{Comicbook/Deadman}}.

* ObfuscatingStupidity: He's actually a very efficient [[JusticeLeagueOfAmerica JLAer]] and its second best detective after Franchise/{{Batman}}.

-->'''Elongated Man''': ... [[NonAnswer Do y'know he has a bald spot]]? That's why he wears that little hat.