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Looking at the first two dozen or so issues of FF, we can see Kirby figuring out the best ways to show Reed's power. Very quickly he realized it was not a good idea to have Reed stretching his neck, for instance. That's more of a Plastic Man schtick.

But what Kirby also figured out was that Reed's stretching limbs should not be articulated -- no elbows and knees -- at least, not once he's gone beyond a certain point. In this drawing, I have Reed's right arm stretching about as far as it can an still have clear indications of muscle and bone. His left arm, tho, is the more familiar "tube" effect.