Ralph Dibny is the newest hero on the scene in the CW’s The Flash. While Dibny’s super-stretching powers have graced him with the heroic moniker of Elongated Man, it turns out he’s still got some ways to go before he’s ready to get out there and save the day. What’s one thing every superhero needs before they can engage in an exciting career as a crime-fighting vigilante? A costume, of course.
A new photo released by the CW provides just that — or, at least, it would be if it weren’t so… drab? Dibny’s costume is clearly a prototype drummed up by Cisco Ramon in a hurry, but just because it doesn’t look like much doesn’t mean it’s not impressive. A recent trailer for an upcoming episode of The Flash revealed that the suit is capable of stretching just like Dibny, and can even crumple up into the size of a tennis ball. Hopefully Ralph doesn’t need that latter feature any time soon.
Created by John Broome and Carmine Infantino, the Elongated Man first debuted in The Flash #112 back in 1960. Elongated Man has a pretty unusual backstory, even for comics. Dibny was obsessed with contortionists when he was a child, and even went as far as to find out the drink they all consumed to keep up their flexibility. He used his science know-how to brew up a distillation of the drink, which gave him his super-stretch powers.
RELATED: Killer Frost Is Ice Cold On New Flash Poster
Dibny’s origins are much more sedate on the show, as he gained his powers when he was bathed in dark matter particles upon Barry Allen’s departure from the Speed Force. He later discovered his super-stretching powers at S.T.A.R. Labs. Barry has been tutoring Ralph ever since, showing him the ropes on how to become a superhero.
Starring Grant Gustin as the Scarlet Speedster, The Flash airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on The CW. The series also stars Jesse L. Martin, Tom Cavanagh, Carlos Valdes, Candice Patton, Danielle Panabaker, Keiynan Lonsdale and more.