Wikipedia

Metamorpho

Metamorpho(Rex Mason) is asuperheroappearing inAmerican comic bookspublished byDC Comics.He was created in 1965 by writerBob Haneyand artistRamona Fradon.[1]

Metamorpho
Metamorpho smiling and standing on a periodic table
Metamorpho as depicted on the cover ofMetamorpho(Volume 2) #1 (August 1993). Art byGraham Nolan.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceThe Brave and the Bold#57 (January 1965)
Created by
In-story information
Alter egoRex Mason
SpeciesMetahuman
Team affiliationsOutsiders
Justice League Europe
The Terrifics
Seven Soldiers of Victory
Doom Patrol
Stagg Enterprises
Justice League
PartnershipsBatman
Black Lightning
Geo-Force
Tim Drake
Halo
Jade
Looker
Notable aliasesThe Element Man
Dyna-Man
Abilities

Metamorpho is a founding member of theOutsiders,and has also joined multiple incarnations of theJustice League.The character has been moderately popular since his introduction in 1965. Originally adventurer Rex Mason, he is converted into a man made of a shifting mass of chemicals after being cursed by an ancient artifact that he has retrieved.Anthony Carriganis set to portray the character in theDC Universe(DCU), beginning with the upcoming filmSuperman(2025).

Creation

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Fradon spoke on the character's genesis stating,

"Metamorpho wasGeorge Kashdan's idea. He had studied science when he was in school and he thought of a character made of fourelementswho could change himself into differentchemical compounds.He gave Bob Haney the idea, and Bob fleshed it out brilliantly. I believe George continued to supply the "scientific" details for Bob to use throughout the life of the feature.

Bob, George and I got together to figure out what the character should look like. He wasn't your average super hero so capes and masks didn't suit him. I tried a lot of those and finally decided that since he was always changing his shape, clothes would get in his way. So I drew him in tights, with a body made up of four different colors and textures that were supposed to indicate the four elements. "[2]

Publication history

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Metamorpho's creator,Bob Haney,had seen success with DC Comics in 1964 with the titlesMetal MenandDoom Patrol,featuring bands of superheroes exhibiting fantastic powers. Under the editorial management ofGeorge Kashdan,Haney was asked to capitalize on these titles' popularity with a similar character.[3]Metamorpho debuted inThe Brave and the Bold#57 (January 1965).[4]

As first conceived, Metamorpho was a parody of the fantastic characters that populated comic books in the 1960s.[5]ArtistRamona Fradonwas coaxed out of maternity retirement to illustrate Metamorpho's first appearances. The popularity of Metamorpho's appearances inThe Brave and the Boldled to a 17-issueongoing seriesbetween 1965 and 1968. Metamorpho also appeared in two issues ofJustice League of America(#42 and #44), but did not join the eponymous group and became a reserve member.

Metamorpho appears on the cover ofAquaman#30 as one of the pallbearers (along withBatman,Hawkman,andSuperman) at the "Sea King's Funeral".[6]Metamorpho also appears in a series of backup stories inAction Comics#413–418 andWorld's Finest Comics#218–220 and #229.[7]

In 1975, Metamorpho appeared in1st Issue Special#3, a brief anthology series consisting of one-shots. That issue was written by Bob Haney and illustrated by Ramona Fradon, Metamorpho's creators. Haney and Fradon had met at the 1974San Diego Comic-Con,and while reminiscing, it emerged that both of them regarded Metamorpho as one of the features they'd most enjoyed working on, leading them to ask DC if they could do one more Metamorpho story together.[8]Fradon later commented: "I think we both felt that Metamorpho was our baby. I never had an experience like I had working with Bob Haney onMetamorpho.It was like our minds were in perfect synch... it was one of those wonderful collaborations that doesn't happen very often ".[8]

After becoming a charter member of the Outsiders in 1983, and member of the European branch of theJustice League International,Metamorpho received his own four-issue mini-series in 1993. In 2005, DC Comics reprinted Metamorpho's earlyThe Brave and the Boldappearances and the entirety of the 1965 series as one of the company's volumes ofShowcase Presents.In 2007,Dan Jurgenslaunched the six-issue seriesMetamorpho: Year One.

As part ofWednesday Comics,Neil Gaimanwrote a 12-page Metamorpho story thatMike Allredillustrated.[9]In 2016, Metamorpho starred in the anthology seriesLegends of TomorrowalongsideFirestorm,Sugar and Spike,and theMetal Men.[10]

In 2024, Metamorpho received a new ongoing series,Metamorpho: The Element Man,as part of theDC All Ininitiative. It is written byAl Ewingand illustrated bySteve Lieber.[11][12]

Fictional character biography

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Rex Mason is an adventurer who is hired by Stagg Enterprises CEOSimon Staggto retrieve an Egyptian artifact, the Orb of Ra.[13]Shortly after hiring him, Simon Stagg learns that Mason has been dating his daughterSapphire Stagg.This and other incidents begin to fuel in Stagg a dislike for Mason that ultimately leads to a plot to kill him.

In an Egyptian pyramid, Mason is knocked unconscious by Simon's brutish bodyguardJavaand is eventually exposed to a radioactive meteorite from which the Orb of Ra was fashioned, transforming him into Metamorpho, the Element Man.[14]After transforming Metamorpho, the Orb proves harmful to him, and Stagg uses it to threaten him into compliance. Later, it is revealed that Ra created Metamorpho and similar beings to help him battleApep.[15]

Metamorpho, unlike most super-humanoids described in DC Comics, does not possess a fully human appearance. As such, he considers himself a freak and wishes only to be restored to his former human state, rejecting an offer of membership from theJustice LeagueinJustice League of America#42 because of this.Green Lanternattempts to change him back using his power ring, but is stopped by a "yellow" component of the meteorite radiation.

Metamorpho briefly has a crimefighting partner named Urania "Rainie" Blackwell, a woman who deliberately exposed herself to the Orb to gain its powers. She calls herselfElement Girl(nicknamed "the Chemical Doll" ) and works with him on a number of cases.[16]

Issues #16–17 were intended to show a new direction for the series, with Sapphire marrying a man named Wally Bannister and Metamorpho joining a mysterious Mr. Shadow to deal with an immortal queen. Bent on world conquest, the queen (an exact lookalike of Sapphire) marries Metamorpho. She later steps outside her mystic city and instantly ages 2,000 years. When Wally Bannister is murdered by Algon (a metamorph who has lived for centuries in a depowered state), Metamorpho is framed. Instead of coming to his defense against the false accusations, Metamorpho's colleague Mr. Shadow comes forth as an enemy. It is revealed that Mr. Shadow was attempting to enslave Metamorpho all along. Metamorpho is tried and convicted by a jury of rabble and is then executed.

Element Girl revives Metamorpho, and Algon, the real murderer, is killed by molten lava in an attempt to regain his burned-out powers. It is later learned that Mr. Bannister's murder was engineered by the villainous Prosecutor, who is then killed by an insectoid villain. At this point, issue #17 ends, and the story is never continued.

Metamorpho reappears years later inThe Brave and the Bold#101 (April–May 1972). It is revealed that Metamorpho had spent the period after the end of his own series immersed in a chemical bath concocted by Stagg in an attempt to cure his condition. Stagg retrieves him from this "cure" early because he needs Mason to save Sapphire. Metamorpho stars in a new backup series beginning inAction Comics#413 (June 1972). There is no reference in this revival series to the events or characters of the last two issues of his previous series.

Urania Blackwell, unreferenced since the end of the regular series, is later revealed to have ended her partnership with Metamorpho when her unrequited attraction to him became too much for her. Blackwell's powers are removed at her own request by Ra, resulting in her death; the episode, inNeil Gaiman'sSandman,involvesDeath of the Endless.Death mentions Algon's death in passing, trying to convince Blackwell that she will not live forever.[17]

Outsiders

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Metamorpho spends some time working with theOutsiders.While in the despotically ruled nation Mozombia, Metamorpho is subdued and disassembled. The tyrant's forces keep him inert with a constant application of radiation.[18]He is freed byKatana's indestructible sword, which had been latched onto a live electrical wire.[19]While leaving Mozombia, the Outsiders' plane is shot down by theBad Samaritan.Metamorpho and the others spend some time stranded on a deserted island, too far away from land to rescue themselves.[20]

InMillennium,Helga Jacebetrays the Outsiders and kills Metamorpho.[21]He is later resurrected inInvasion!when theDominators' gene bomb detonates.[22]

Justice League

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Metamorpho spends some time with the Justice League, includingJustice League Europe.During this period, he encounters Sapphire Stagg again.[23]He becomes involved in a battle with theMetal Men,who have been tricked by Simon Stagg. His League friends,Rocket RedandAnimal Man,are at the site of the battle, but are being detained by Java. After the battle, Metamorpho learns he had a son with Sapphire, but the baby boy's touch harms all but Sapphire and Metamorpho. When Java holds the baby, his arms melt. Metamorpho hands the baby over to Simon, who immediately fears he will be affected like Java was moments before and die. However, something in his genetic structure protects him, just as it did with Sapphire. Simon's stance softens and everyone is set free.Doc Magnus,the leader of the Metal Men, offers his services in creating new arms for Java. On the way home, Metamorpho's friends are puzzled as to how he knew Simon would be unaffected by the child. Metamorpho indicates that he hoped the baby would kill Simon.[24]

Later, Metamorpho has a romantic relationship withCrimson Fox,which is cut short by her apparent murder. His personal investigation of the incident uncovers multiple layers of lies and deceit. During his time with the team, while fighting the planet-smashing aliens called The Family, Metamorpho is hit by a powerful energy blast that destroys his body. He later reforms his body with a new appearance.[25]

Third death and return

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InJLA#1, Metamorpho sacrifices himself to rescueNuklon,Obsidian,andIcemaidenfrom the destruction of the Watchtower. He is temporarily resurrected by theCathexisand permanently resurrected by Sapphire Stagg using the Orb of Ra.[26][27]

Shortly thereafter, an accident with one of Simon Stagg's experiments turns Simon, Sapphire, and Joey into an energy being, and causes Metamorpho to take on the form and personality of Java. "Java" kidnapsBlack Canary,asking for her help in rescuing the others. With Canary's help, he becomes Metamorpho again and returns the others to their normal forms.[28]

Outsiders

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At the same time, Metamorpho has seemingly been appearing in theOutsiders(vol. 3) series, but Rex Mason informs the team that their "Metamorpho" isa regrown fragment of his own body.[29]

Metamorpho continues to serve on the Outsiders whenBatmantakes over, and after its further restructuring following Batman's apparent death. He is apparently killed yet again alongside the rest of the team in a satellite explosion orchestrated byTalia al Ghul.[30]

The New 52

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In 2011, "The New 52"rebooted the DC universe. One story reveals that the Outsiders are revealed to have survived. It is stated that Metamorpho was able to save the team by the same technique he previously used to rescue the Justice League duringHyperclan's attack.[31]He is also shown as one of the candidates for the newJustice League International,but is ultimately not chosen.[32]

DC Rebirth

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InDoomsday Clock,Metamorpho is featured on the news as an apparent example of the "Superman Theory", in which the government is thought to have been experimenting on humans to give them superpowers.[33]

InThe Terrifics,Metamorpho is a member of the eponymous team, consisting of himself,Mister Terrific,andPlastic Man.They travel into the Dark Multiverse and discoverPhantom Girl,who is trapped in her intangible form. Metamorpho is temporarily returned to his human form, but chooses to be transformed again and becomes Stagg Industries' chief security officer.[34][35]

Powers and abilities

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Metamorpho can transmute his body into a wide variety of elemental compounds and form them at will. Originally, he was limited to elements that were naturally found in the human body. Somehow, this limitation seems to have disappeared. He can stretch, bounce, elongate, and reform himself like rubber or plastic. Rex is able to alter the consistences of thesechemical elementsand combines them into complex compounds. Metamorpho could reshape parts or the whole of his body. Rex's body provides him with natural armor, offering damage resistance from blunt and energy attacks.[36]He is also a skilled martial artist, archaeologist, and detective.

Enemies

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Besides dealing with Simon Stagg and Java, Metamorpho had his own rogues gallery in his comics:

  • Achille La Heele– A casino owner who claims Metamorpho from Simon Stagg.[37]
  • Ahk-Ton– A priest during the time of Ramses II who had the same powers as the Orb of Ra.[38]
  • Algon– A Metamorph from Ancient Rome.[39]
  • Cha-Cha Chavez– A South American playboy and dictator of his unnamed homeland.[40]
  • Doc Dread– A costumed criminal and gang leader.[41]
  • Edifice K. Bulwark– An architect, chemist, engineer, and self-proclaimed "Big Builder" who Simon Stagg once transformed into a Metamorpho to use its abilities to build a special building.[42]
  • El Matanzas– A dictator who used his futuristic robots to rule a South American valley full ofcavepeople.[43]
  • Franz Zorb– A scientist assigned to restore Metamorpho back to Rex Mason only for his experiment to be a cover for the manufacturing of his Chemo-Robots.[44]
    • Chemo-Robots– Six elemental robots created by Franz Zorb, consisting ofHalfnium,Osmium,Selenium,Strontium,Tantalum,andThallium.[44]
  • Jezeba– The Queen of Fury from the hidden African valley of Ma-Poor who is familiar with Algon's history.[45]
  • Jillian Conway– An archaeologist and former colleague of Rex Mason who was also exposed to the Orb of Ra which made her appearance less human.[46]
  • Kurt Vornak– A former lab assistant of Simon Stagg who was turned into a being of pure atomic energy in a plot to finish an experiment by Stagg that went wrong.[47]
  • Maxwell Tremaine– A criminal scientist and former Nazi.[48]
  • Nicholas Balkan– A criminal who sought to use the Telstar satellite to assist in his criminal empire.[49]
    • Gunther– One of Nicholas Balkan's sons.[49]
    • Lothar– One of Nicholas Balkan's sons.[49]
    • Siegfried– One of Nicholas Balkan's sons.[49]
  • Otto von Stuttgart– A criminal who captured Simon Stagg and 11 vulcanologists with plans to threaten the world with a neutron dissolver.[50]
  • Phantom of Washington– Achille Destinee is a French soldier who worked for Napoleon andBenjamin Franklinbefore being killed during the American Revolution. His ghost took on the alias of the Phantom of Washington who appeared before people likeAbraham Lincoln,Woodrow Wilson,andFranklin D. Rooseveltever since he came in contact with an Egyptian artifact.[51]
  • Prosecutor– A fanatic criminal who framed Metamorpho for Wally Bannister's murder.[39]
  • Stingaree– A criminal mastermind who is the leader of the Cyclops Organization.[52]
  • T.T. Trumbull– An entrepreneur and engineer who plotted to destroy Metamorpho and blackmail the United States of America from his secret Science Station Alpha in theGrand Canyon.[53]
  • Thunderer– A pint-sizedemagoguefrom another dimension.[54]
    • Neutrog– The henchman of Thunderer.[54]
  • Vrag-Kol– A criminal who led his gang into posing as invading aliens.[55]

Other versions

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DC: The New Frontier

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An alternate universe variant of Metamorpho makes a cameo appearance inDC: The New Frontier#12 as a member of theJustice League.[56]

JLA: The Nail

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An alternate universe variant of Metamorpho appears inJLA: The Nail#2.Jimmy Olsenbrainwashes an unstable Metamorpho into helping him spread anti-metahuman propaganda by threatening to kill his family. As part of Olsen's plans, Metamorpho is forced to kill theThinkerand attack aLexCorptower inMetropolisuntil he is stopped byJ'onn J'onzz.Metamorpho attempts to warn him of Olsen's plot, but dies due to Olsen's brainwashing.[57]

Justice

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An alternate universe variant of Metamorpho appears inJustice#7 as a member of the Justice League.[58]

In other media

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Television

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Metamorpho as he appears inJustice League Unlimited.
  • In the 1960s, due to the success of the showThe Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure,Filmationproduced a Metamorpho pilot, which also includes a concept drawing, but the plans were cancelled whenCBSsecured the animation rights toBatmanin the wake ofABC's recent success withBatman(1966).[59]
  • Metamorpho appears in series set in theDC Animated Universe(DCAU):
    • First appearing in theJustice Leaguetwo-part episode "Metamorphosis", voiced byTom Sizemore,[60]this version is a formerMarineand old friend ofJohn Stewartwho is engaged to Sapphire Stagg. After discovering the two's relationship, Simon Stagg mutates Mason into Metamorpho using mutagens that were originally intended to increase workers' resistance to hostile environments. Simon manipulates Mason into fighting Stewart under the belief that he stole his fiancée until Sapphire clears up the misunderstanding. Mason later joins forces with Stewart and theJustice Leagueto stop a monster inadvertently unleashed by him and Simon.
    • Metamorpho makes non-speaking appearances inJustice League Unlimitedas a member of the Justice League.[60]
  • Metamorpho appears inBatman: The Brave and the Bold,voiced byScott Menville.[60]This version is a teenager and member of theOutsiders.
  • Metamorpho appears inBeware the Batman,voiced byAdam Baldwin.[60]This version's powers were the result of his being exposed to mutagens. Additionally, he goes on to become a founding member of the Outsiders.
  • Metamorpho appears inYoung Justice,voiced byFred Tatasciore.[60]This version is a member ofBatman Inc.who experiences constant pain as a side effect of using his powers, though he has learned to live with it.

Film

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Miscellaneous

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References

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  1. ^Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Korte, Steve; Manning, Matt; Wiacek, Win; Wilson, Sven (2016).The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe.DK Publishing. p. 201.ISBN978-1-4654-5357-0.
  2. ^"Ramona Fradon Reflects on Metamorpho," Brenda Starr, "Creates A" Fairy Tale "".24 September 2013.
  3. ^Wells, John (2015).American Comic Book Chronicles: 1960-64.TwoMorrows Publishing. pp.178–179.ISBN978-1605490458.
  4. ^McAvennie, Michael (2010). "1960s". In Dolan, Hannah (ed.).DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle.Dorling Kindersley.p. 114.ISBN978-0-7566-6742-9.Scribe Bob Haney and artist Ramona Fradon were truly in their element...Haney and Fradon's collaborative chemistry resulted in [Rex] Mason becoming Metamorpho.
  5. ^Jones, Gerard; Will Jacobs (October 23, 1996).The Comic Book Heroes.Rocklin, California:Prima Lifestyles. pp.76–77.ISBN978-0-7615-0393-4.
  6. ^"Aquaman #30 – The Death of Aquaman".Comic Vine.Retrieved15 April2016.
  7. ^Stroud, Bryan (May 2013). "Metamorpho inAction Comics".Back Issue!(64).TwoMorrows Publishing:22–27.
  8. ^abAbramowitz, Jack (April 2014). "1st Issue Special: It Was NoShowcase(But It Was Never Meant To Be) ".Back Issue!(71). Raleigh, North Carolina:TwoMorrows Publishing:42.
  9. ^Minnick, Remy (January 30, 2009)."Gaiman & Allred on Metamorpho".Comic Book Resources.RetrievedJanuary 31,2009.
  10. ^"Aaron Lopresti Talks Metamorpho in New DC's LEGENDS OF TOMORROW Series".Comic Vine.Retrieved2018-09-23.
  11. ^Johnston, Rich(September 20, 2024)."DC's NewMetamorpho: The Element ManSeries Ahead Of Superman Movie ".Bleeding Cool.RetrievedDecember 25,2024.
  12. ^"DC Announces New Comic Book SeriesMetamorpho: The Element Man".DC.September 19, 2024.RetrievedNovember 25,2024.
  13. ^Markstein, Don."Metamorpho the Element Man".Don Markstein's Toonopedia.Retrieved2 April2020.
  14. ^Greenberger, Robert (2008).The Essential Batman Encyclopedia.Del Rey. pp.256–257.ISBN9780345501066.
  15. ^Beatty, Scott;Jimenez, Phil(October 4, 2004).The DC Comics Encyclopedia.Dorling KindersleyLimited. p.202.ISBN978-0-7566-0592-6.
  16. ^Metamorpho#10. DC Comics.
  17. ^The Sandman(vol. 2) #20. Marvel Comics.
  18. ^The Outsiders#11
  19. ^The Outsiders#12. Marvel Comics.
  20. ^The Outsiders#13. Marvel Comics.
  21. ^Barr, Mike W.(w),Larsen, Erik(a). "Robot Tyrants of Kadeyland!"The Outsiders,no. 27 (January 1988). DC Comics.
  22. ^Invasion#3. Marvel Comics.
  23. ^Justice League Europe#5. Marvel Comics.
  24. ^Justice League Europe#12. Marvel Comics.
  25. ^Justice League International(vol. 2) #61. Marvel Comics.
  26. ^JLA#1. Marvel Comics.
  27. ^JLA#52. Marvel Comics.
  28. ^Birds of Prey#51–52 (March–April 2003). Marvel Comics.
  29. ^Outsiders(vol. 3) #7 (February 2004). DC Comics.
  30. ^Batman Incorporated:Leviathan Strikes.DC Comics.
  31. ^Batman Incorporated(vol. 2) #1. DC Comics.
  32. ^Justice League International(vol. 3) #1. DC Comics.
  33. ^Doomsday Clock#3 (January 2018). DC Comics.
  34. ^The Terrifics#1 - #6. DC Comics.
  35. ^The Terrifics#11-14. DC Comics.
  36. ^Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC UniverseVol 1 #15 (May 1986). DC Comics.
  37. ^Metamorpho#6. DC Comics.
  38. ^The Brave and the Bold#57. DC Comics.
  39. ^abMetamorpho#17. DC Comics.
  40. ^Metamorpho#4. DC Comics.
  41. ^Metamorpho#8. DC Comics.
  42. ^Metamorpho#5. DC Comics.
  43. ^Metamorpho#9. DC Comics.
  44. ^abMetamorpho#12. DC Comics.
  45. ^Metamorpho#16. DC Comics.
  46. ^MetamorphoVol. 2 #1. DC Comics.
  47. ^Metamorpho#1. DC Comics.
  48. ^The Brave and the Bold#58. DC Comics.
  49. ^abcdMetamorpho#2. DC Comics.
  50. ^Metamorpho#7. DC Comics.
  51. ^1st Issue Special#3. DC Comics.
  52. ^Metamorpho#10. DC Comics.
  53. ^Metamorpho#3. DC Comics.
  54. ^abMetamorpho#14. DC Comics.
  55. ^Metamorpho#11. DC Comics.
  56. ^DC: The New Frontier#12. DC Comics.
  57. ^JLA: The Nail#2. DC Comics.
  58. ^Justice#7. DC Comics.
  59. ^McNeil, Darren (July 2004)."The 1968 DC Filmation Pilots".Back Issue!(5).TwoMorrows Publishing.Archived fromthe originalon January 30, 2014.RetrievedMay 1,2019.
  60. ^abcdef"Metamorpho Voices (DC Universe)".Behind The Voice Actors.RetrievedJanuary 7,2024.A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  61. ^Harvey, James (January 6, 2024)."Check out a selection of images provided by Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment from the upcomingJustice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths, Part One.The animated movie arrives Jan. 9, 2024 on digital and Jan. 23 on physical ".Twitter.RetrievedJanuary 7,2024.
  62. ^Kit, Borys (July 12, 2023)."Superman: LegacyNabsBarryStar Anthony Carrigan as DC Hero Metamorpho (Exclusive) ".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedJuly 14,2023.
  63. ^"Justice League Unlimited#31 - The One-Man Justice League (Issue) ".Comic Vine.RetrievedDecember 25,2024.
  64. ^Smallville Season 11: Continuity#4 (May 2015). DC Comics.
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