Metamorpho: The Underrated DC Character Deserving of the Spotlight

The excitement is building for the upcoming Superman movie, especially with the introduction of Metamorpho, a character widely regarded as one of the most underrated heroes in DC Comics. His presence in a recent teaser trailer signals a significant return, while a new solo series set to debut in 2025 promises to elevate his profile even further.

Historically, Metamorpho had a decent following but gradually slipped from the spotlight over the years. He has starred in numerous comic book series, including the latest iteration titled Metamorpho: The Element Man, created by the talented team of Al Ewing and Steve Lieber. This series also features a stunning variant cover by Erica Henderson. Additionally, Metamorpho has made several appearances in animated adaptations, particularly in Batman: The Brave and the Bold.

Comic book cover: Metamorpho transforms his hands into #1

The decline in Metamorpho’s relevance began around the New 52 era, which is surprising given his long-standing history in the DC Universe. He first debuted in The Brave and the Bold #57, created by the iconic team of Bob Haney, Ramona Fradon, Charles Paris, and Stan Starkman.

Metamorpho: One of DC Comics’ Strangest Heroes

Metamorpho: The Element Man #2 Variant Cover by Guillem March

Comic book cover: Metamorpho appears out of a comic cover.

The origin story of Metamorpho is as compelling as his power set. Originally known as Rex Mason, he was a mercenary contracted by Simon Stagg to secure the mystical Orb of Ra. Betrayed by a companion, Rex encountered the radioactive meteor from which the orb was forged, leading to his transformation into Metamorpho, granting him the extraordinary ability to metamorphose into any element from the periodic table.

Despite his immense capabilities, Metamorpho embodies the role of a perennial outsider. Upon acquiring his powers, he sought assistance from the Justice League, who, while unable to cure him, did extend an invitation for membership. Remarkably, he turned down their offer, ultimately only joining teams like Justice League Europe and Justice League Taskforce—but never the Justice League itself.

Though not a household name, Metamorpho enjoyed considerable popularity during his earlier days. He frequently partnered with Batman on numerous cases, and in a notable storyline from World’s Finest #217, he temporarily absorbed the powers of both Batman and Superman, showcasing his significance in the DC narrative landscape.

Metamorpho’s Prominent Role During DC’s Bronze Age

Once Among DC’s Most Powerful Heroes

Comic book art: Metamorpho Takes The Powers Of Superman And Batman

Metamorpho’s potential rivals that of iconic heroes like Superman. His powers, initially limited to altering his body into human-compatible chemicals, have evolved over time, granting him the ability to manipulate virtually any chemical element and engage in shapeshifting, which even allows him to transform into complex machinery like a functional tank.

For many years, however, Metamorpho has been sidelined in the DC universe. He enjoyed significant attention during the Bronze Age and made sporadic appearances during the New 52 transition. Unfortunately, involvement in events like Rebirth and Infinity Frontier has been minimal, with his most recent significant storyline being a murder accusation in Mark Waid and Dan Mora’s World’s Finest.

Metamorpho is Regaining His Spotlight

The Return of the Element Man

Finally, Metamorpho is stepping back into the limelight. His role as a significant supporting character in James Gunn’s upcoming Superman film positions him for a resurgence, complemented by his own ongoing comic series from DC Comics, created by acclaimed writers. For those intrigued by Metamorpho following his teaser appearance, Metamorpho: The Element Man by Ewing and Lieber should not be missed.

The expansive DC Universe hosts a wealth of characters awaiting exploration. While the focus has been on the prominent Trinity and traditional Justice League members due to their marketability, the storytelling potential surrounding lesser-known heroes is vast. The current direction of DC’s new cinematic universe reflects a commitment to showcasing diverse characters. With the resurgence of Metamorpho, there’s hope that this unconventional hero will regain his prominence, supported by both the cinematic and comic realms.

Metamorpho: The Element Man #1 will be available on December 26th, 2024, from DC Comics!

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