Ralph Dibny, the World Famous Elongated Man (original) (raw)

[The Elongated Man and his wife from Who’s Who]

Real Name: Ralph Dibny
Known Relatives: Sue (wife, deceased), Ken (brother), Jake (uncle), Jim (uncle-in-law)
Group Affiliation: Justice League
Occupation: Detective, adventurer
Base of Operations: Mobile
Hair: Red
Eyes: Blue
First Appearance: Flash v.1 #112, April–May 1960
Death: Killed by Neron (52 Week 42, February 21, 2007)
See Also: The Molder

(Yes, I know it’s an old costume. I’ll get a newer scan posted when I get a chance.)

Intrigued by the “Indian Rubber Men” he saw at carnivals throughout his youth, Ralph Dibny spent years trying to learn their secret. Eventually he noticed that many of the contortionists liked a particular soft drink called Gingold. He isolated the key ingredient—the juice of a little-known tropical fruit called the gingo—and distilled it. By drinking this gingold extract, Dibny gained the ability to stretch any part of his body to fantastic lengths.

World-Famous

Early in his career, he traveled to Central City, where a brief rivalry with the Flash became a lifelong friendship. The flamboyant Dibny never seriously hid his identity, craving the attention (and the fortune) that came with being the “world-famous Elongated Man.” He would have been very hard-pressed to keep his name secret after he married celebrity debutante Sue Dearbon.

Ralph and Sue have spent much of their time traveling the world, solving mysteries (Ralph cannot resist a good mystery) in small towns, sometimes settling down when Ralph has joined the Justice League. They spent a great deal of time in Paris and London, since they both worked with the European branch of the League (he as a hero, she as an administrator) from the beginning of the team to its end.

Crisis Strikes

Just over a year ago, Sue was tragically killed in the couple’s Opal City home (Identity Crisis #1, 2004). In his grief, Ralph quit drinking Gingold and gave up his powers.

Shortly after the Infinite Crisis, Sue’s grave was desecrated with the mark of a resurrection cult. Ralph investigated, hoping they might be able to bring her back. This led him on a quest for magic, guided by the spirit in Dr. Fate’s helmet. (52, 2006–2007) At the completion of the quest, the helmet was revealed as sorcerer Felix Faust in disguise... something that Ralph had known all along. His powers still active, he kept Faust busy until the devil Neron arrived, then goaded Neron into killing him. Without Ralph to release the bindings on the room, Neron and Faust were trapped. (52 #42, 2007)

Afterlife

[Ralph and Sue Dibny, Spectral Detectives]

Ralph and his beloved Sue have been reunited at last. Their spirits travel the world, investigating supernatural mysteries. (52 #52, 2007)

Text by Kelson Vibber. Do not copy without permission.

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Origin Tales

Profiles

Significant Silver-Age Flash Appearances*

Significant Legacy-Era Flash Appearances

Series Regular In...

Notes

* The Elongated Man’s early Silver Age appearances in The Flash (through 1963) and most of his run in Detective Comics have been reprinted in Showcase Presents: The Elongated Man Vol.1, a 560-page black-and-white collection. See Silver Age Reprints for more.