Conlon's Cavalcade: This Day In DC History- February 6

Cue up "Stand by Your Man", for DC's most loyal spouse...Sue Dearbon Dibny. Sweet Sue was introduced as the wife of the Elongated Man, Ralph Dibny, in The Flash #119 (Mar, 1961). John Broome and Carmine Infantino borrowed the archetype of Nick and Nora Charles (from the Thin Man film series), when forging their happy couple. Ralph was the stretchable sleuth, and Sue was the bored debutante looking for adventure. Together, they travelled the world solving mysteries, and helping those in need. Their stories (mostly scripted by Gardner Fox) were always charming, and quite a bit of fun.

I first read about the Elongated Man in the pages of the Justice League of America. He stood out immediately, because he was the only one I had never seen before. The rest of the team had at least shown up in a cartoon, a toy, or even a lunchbox. I wondered, why Ralph was a member, but not Plastic Man. I did enjoy his relationship with Sue from the very start, and gradually came to love both characters a great deal. Sue's role was expanded, when she became a part of the support staff for various incarnations of the League.

Then came Identity Crisis. I won't say I didn't like the story. Like most of the readership, I was deeply invested in the tale. However, now I see it more as the start of an era, I wish would draw to a close. Because, in this mini-series, DC took the first steps into complete overkill. Not only is Sue killed, she is torched with a flamethrower, while pregnant- and, after we just learned that she had been raped!!! I want to take a shower after just typing that. Eventually, Ralph would die as well. The two would be reunited as "ghost detectives", most notably in 52 and Batman and the Outsiders. But, were later spotted as Black Lanterns, and were dispatched.

I really miss them. You might notice, I can't talk about one without the other. When it comes to Sue, Batman said it best in Detective Comics # 343, "Whatever happens, nothing ruffles Ralph's wife Sue! Just looking at her makes you realize that everything's all right in the world--and probably always will be!" Here's hoping for a happy return.

On the 8th we sink our TEETH into the story of a very unusual hero...