Stretching powers in live action: gross or cool?

We’re not going out on a limb to say this: Every example of super elasticity (also known as “stretching” powers) in live-action media falls into one of three categories — gross by accident, gross on purpose, or actually cool. While stretching powers can look awesome in comic books or in animation, it’s very difficult to make them look cool in live action due to all the… skin. Reed Richards would agree.

With Ms. Marvel Now streaming on Disney Plus. What better way to revisit the rich history of superpowered beings that stretch their bodies in strange ways than now? Kamala’s powers in the show are quite different from her powers in the comics, but some elasticity elements still carry over.

At the risk of sticking our neck out, Polygon’s team of expert elasticity scientists have categorized the following 11 examples of live-action super-stretchers. Enjoy.

Kamala Khan, Ms. Marvel

Image: Marvel Studios

Truthfully, I was skeptical when I found out the Disney Plus show would be diverting a bit from Kamala’s comic book powers. But as we’ve seen many, many times before (and as you’re about to see below): Most of the time, stretching skin in live action just looks really gross! Going instead with a starry, crystallized aesthetic for her powers helps build a layer of removal from stretchy skin, and still allows Kamala’s embiggened limbs an opportunity to shine. —Pete Volk

Verdict: It’s actually cool

Mr. Fantastic (Fantastic Four 2005).

Of all the much-maligned Fantastic Four adaptations, the 2005 one is probably the most “fine.” Attempting to follow the goofy but earnest path of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man franchise (but lacking in its strong character themes), Fantastic Four (2005) isn’t sacrilegious so much as just kind of boring. It captures the comic-book hero very well, and I agree with this:

Even in comics, stretch heroes are GROSS as HELL, and there’s no getting around it. It is impossible to morph the human body in this fashion without slipping into the Uncanny valley, as many long-limbed urban myth monsters (gray aliens and Slenderman) will attest. will attest. FF (2005) doesn’t try to lean in to how gross Mister Fantastic is at all times, or to disguise it. It simply has fun making Mister Fantastic a water slide in the middle of a combat sequence. —Susana Polo

Verdict: Gross cool!

Mr. Fantastic (Fantastic Four 2015).

Oh, wow. These muscle contractions, oh my! Visceral. The movie was a bit of a disaster but the sequence that follows is still good. You can use your gross stretching routines for medical purposes! Keep the rest of your stuff in your sleeves, boys! —PV

Verdict: Grosse on purpose.

Elongated Man (CWverse)

The Flash has absolutely played up the gross factor of Ralph Dibny’s uncomfortably long limbs, with many jokes at his expense. But the depths of grossness with this character don’t always match the aesthetic of the breezy show, and JUST LOOK AT THAT BABY-DOLL HAND. WHAT IS THIS? HOW DID THIS COMMUNIQUELY GO? HAS GOD FORGOT US ?!?!? —PV

Verdict: Gross, Sometimes by design, other times accidentally.

Rita Farr (Doom Patrol).

Doom Patrol is a show all about bodies and our relationships to them, and Rita’s character arc is one of the more evocative examples of this. Rita was a Hollywood starlet and has always been very conscious about her self-image. Her sometimes uncontrollable elasticity is what often causes her more problems than any other. This is especially evident when Rita’s face alters in response to emotional triggers. —PV

Verdict: The purpose was gross.

Lash (Sky High)

Props to the Sky High Team for finding a way to solve the disturbing sight of skin stretching: bold sleeves Bonus points to the edgy, boy-boy stripes of mid-2000s. —Petrana Radulovic

Verdict: It’s actually cool

Ezekiel (or Love Sausage)

The Boys This season is about grossness. Ezekiel was a part of the grossness in the original season. He’s the rare “gross two ways” character on this list: Ezekiel is a hypocritical anti-gay Christian fundamentalist while being a closeted gay man himself, and his stretching powers are heavy on the flesh and look absolutely unsettling. There’s also Love Sausage, who has similar powers that are… focused on one particular body part. —PV

Verdict: The purpose was gross.

Eugene Victor Tooms (The X-Files).

Eugene Victor Tooms was a villainous character in the first season. The X-FileAs the only stretchy villain on this list, s stands out. He’s supposed to be scary and gross, and guess what: He is! —SP

Verdict: Grosse on purpose.

We Can Be Heroes – Noodles

This is in fact so unnerving that “gross on purpose” was considered, but this child is clearly supposed to be adorable. —PR

VerdictBecause of the meat.

Michael Jordan (Space Jam)

Because it’s so horrendous, I couldn’t help but think about it. It is however the ultimate scene of the film, when Jordan plays Looney Tunes basketball with his team and wins. As such, this is supposed to be a cool moment. Instead, the man’s arm looks like angel hair pasta. —PV

Verdict: Grosses by accident

Gonzo the Great (Muppet Treasure Island).

Yes, Gonzo has stretched outside of our defined categorizations, but that’s because Gonzo is undefinable. Gonzo is unsolvable. Gonzo has the moment. Gonzo has… octopus limbs? —PV

Verdict: Absolutely adorable!