Metamorpho
Encyclopedia
Metamorpho is a fictional character
, a superhero
in the . He is a founding member of the Outsiders
, and has also joined multiple incarnations of the Justice League
.
, had seen success with DC Comics in 1963 with the titles Metal Men
and Doom Patrol
, featuring bands of superheroes exhibiting fantastic powers. Under the editorial management of George Kashdan
, Haney was asked to capitalize on these titles' popularity with a similar character. Metamorpho, the Element Man, debuted in The Brave and the Bold
#57 (January 1965). As first conceived, Metamorpho was a parody of the fantastic characters that populated comic books in the 1960s. Artist Ramona Fradon
was coaxed out of maternity-retirement to illustrate Metamorpho's first appearances. The popularity of Metamorpho's appearances in The Brave and the Bold led to a 17 issue ongoing series
between 1965 and 1968. Metamorpho also appeared during this time in two issues of Justice League of America (#42 & #44, the second of which is an appearance so brief that no one seems to remember it), but became the second superhero to decline an invitation to join that organization (Adam Strange
being the first).
In 1975 Metamorpho appeared in 1st Issue Special #3, a brief series consisting of one-shots of new and established DC comics characters. That issue was written by Bob Haney and illustrated by Ramona Fradon, Metamorpho's original creators.
After becoming a charter member of the Outsiders in 1983, and member of the European branch of the Justice League International
, he received his own 4 issue mini-series in 1993.
In 2005, DC Comics reprinted Metamorpho's early The Brave and the Bold appearances and the entirety of the 1965 series as one of the company's volumes of Showcase Presents
.
In 2007, Dan Jurgens
launched the 6 issue series Metamorpho Year One.
As part of a Wednesday Comics
, Neil Gaiman
wrote a twelve-page Metamorpho story that Mike Allred illustrated.
to retrieve a rare Egyptian artifact. Mason also started dating Stagg's daughter, Sapphire Stagg.
In an Egypt
ian pyramid
, Rex Mason was knocked out by Simon's brutish bodyguard, Java, and eventually exposed to a radioactive
meteor
ite called the Orb of Ra
, which transformed him into the Element Man. He gained the ability to shapeshift
and change himself into any element
found in the human body, or any combinations thereof. It was also established in his origin story (see: The Brave & The Bold #57) that he was virtually invulnerable in his inert (untransformed) state. Later, it was revealed that Mason was but one of many metamorphae
, created by the sun god Ra to serve as warriors in his battle against the god Apep
, "the serpent who never dies."
Metamorpho, unlike other super-humanoids described in DC Comics, could not assume a fully human, normal appearance. As such, he regarded his metamorphic powers as a disease and sought a cure for his condition. (A common theme in science fiction and comic books.) He considered himself a non-human freak because of his abilities and wanted to be restored to normal. For that reason, he rejected an offer of membership that the Justice League of America extended to him.
Metamorpho briefly had a crimefighting partner: a woman named Urania "Rainie" Blackwell who deliberately exposed herself to the Orb and gained its powers, calling herself Element Girl
. She worked with him on a number of cases before her unrequited attraction to him became too much for her. Blackwell's power was removed, resulting in her death, at her own request by the sun god Ra, with assistance from Death
, in Neil Gaiman
's Sandman.
indestructible sword, which had been latched onto a live electrical wire.
While leaving Mozombia, the Outsiders' plane is shot down by the Bad Samaritan
. Metamorpho and the others spend some time stranded on a deserted island, simply too far away from land to rescue themselves.
Metamorpho perishes, for the first of multiple times, during the Millennium
event. The scientific adviser to the Outsiders, Dr. Jace, had decided that life with the more logical Manhunters was preferable and she betrayed the team. They fought back, but Metamorpho had been brainwashed into assisting Jace. He was killed in the resulting battle. He returns during the Invasion
miniseries, when a gene-bomb set off by invading aliens affected his biomass.
. There, he encounters Sapphire Stagg again. He becomes involved in a battle with the Metal Men
, who had been tricked by Simon. His League friends, Rocket Red
and Animal Man
, were at the site of the battle, but were being detained by Java. At the conclusion of the battle, Metamorpho learns he had a son with Sapphire. Unfortunately, the baby boy's touch harmed all but Sapphire and Metamorpho. When Java held the baby, his arms melted. Metamorpho handed the baby over to Simon, who became convinced he would die, harmed like Java had been moments ago. However, something in his genetic structure protected him, just as it did with the baby's mother. Simon's stance softened and everyone was set free. Doc Magnus
, the leader of the Metal Men, offered his services in creating new arms for Java. On the way home, Metamorpho's friends were puzzled as to how he knew Simon would be unaffected by the child. Metamorpho indicates that he had hoped the baby would kill Simon.
Metamorpho would later have a romantic relationship with Crimson Fox
, which was 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 quickly re-forms in a totally different look. He will sport this new look until his next demise.
, destroying it. Metamorpho protected three of his teammates, Nuklon, Obsidian
, and the original Icemaiden
, in a giant, fluid filled ball. The intent was for them to survive reentry into Earth's atmosphere. The three make it, injured but alive, but Metamorpho does not. He was buried with solemn honors. After a temporary resurrection by the wish-granting Id
(fundamentally flawed because the wisher, his son Joey, only wished for him to be back rather than to be alive), he would return some time later.
. Shortly thereafter, an accident with one of Simon Stagg's experiments turned Simon, Sapphire, and Joey into an energy being, and caused Metamorpho to take on the form and personality of Java. "Java" kidnapped Black Canary
, asking for her help in rescuing the others. With Canary's help, he became Metamorpho again and managed to return the others to their normal forms.
, becoming depressed over her death. After the events of One Year Later
, Shift willingly chose to be reassimilated into Metamorpho, because he had killed several people. Rex has stepped in to fill Shift's position in the Outsiders, while a full account of Shift's crimes is explained in the Outsiders (vol. 3) Annual; he had inadvertently killed 44 people during Black Lightning
's escape from Iron Heights Penitentiary.
Metamorpho continued to serve on the Outsiders when Batman
took over, and following its further restructuring following Batman's apparent death.
Metamorpho appeared in the Justice League
animated series two-part episode "Metamorphosis", voiced by Tom Sizemore
. Rex Mason was a friend of John Stewart's
from when they were Marines
. He was exposed to mutagenic gas by his boss, Stagg, who then convinced Mason that Stewart was the one responsible, supposedly as a way to steal his fiancée, Sapphire (voiced by Danica McKellar
). Metamorpho's attempts at revenge create a giant monster
imbued with part of Stagg's mind, which threatens to harm Sapphire. Metamorpho sacrifices himself to stop the creature by turning into the chemical formula to neutralize it. Apparently killed, a single tear from Sapphire falls into his liquefied remains, allowing him to regenerate into his humanoid form. He is one of several heroes suggested, by Green Lantern
, to be Superman
's replacement in the League after he is sent into the future by the Toyman
(in the episode "Hereafter"). Here his code-name was the name of Stagg's project to create an enhanced worker for mining community.
Metamorpho appears briefly in several non-speaking roles in Justice League Unlimited
(specifically the episodes "Clash", "Panic in the Sky", and "Destroyer"), as well as in a still shot with the rest of the roster in "Initiation". In "Clash", Metamorpho assists in fighting Parasite
, but has his powers stolen by the villain. In "Panic in the Sky" and "Destroyer", he helps battle against the Ultimen clones and Darkseid
's Parademon
s, respectively.
episode "Enter the Outsiders!", voiced by Scott Menville
. This version is a teenager who was a member of the Outsiders, along with Katana and Black Lightning. Here, he is shown to be a happy-go-lucky goofball and easily gets distracted by food (being that his abilities apparently require lots of energy to use). They worked for Slug
until Batman and Wildcat
convinced them to become crimefighters. Metamorpho helps in saving Wildcat's life when his heart stops in the middle of a fight. Katana has Metamorpho turn into oxygen in order to revive Wildcat. Metamorpho is later seen with Katana and Black Lightning in a training simulation in "Duel of the Double Crossers!". His insecurities about his appearance and his repressed anger are shown in a nightmare created by Psycho-Pirate
in "Inside the Outsiders!". He reappeared along with the rest of the Outsiders (Black Lightning, Katana, Geo-Force
, and Halo
), a bit older, in the teaser to "Requiem for a Scarlet Speedster!", helping Batman stop Kobra
and his cultists.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
, a superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
in the . He is a founding member of the Outsiders
Outsiders (comics)
The Outsiders are a fictional DC Comics superhero team. As its name suggests, the team consists of superheroes who allegedly do not fit the norms of the mainstream superhero community, namely the Justice League....
, and has also joined multiple incarnations of the Justice League
Justice League
The Justice League, also called the Justice League of America or JLA, is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by DC Comics....
.
Publication history
Metamorpho's creator, Bob HaneyBob Haney
Robert G. "Bob" Haney was a US comic book writer, best known for his work for DC Comics. He co-created the Teen Titans as well as characters such as Metamorpho, Eclipso, Cain, and the Super-Sons.- Early life and career :...
, had seen success with DC Comics in 1963 with the titles Metal Men
Metal Men
The Metal Men are fictional characters that appear in comic books published by DC Comics. The characters first appeared in Showcase #37 and were created by writer Robert Kanigher and penciller Ross Andru...
and Doom Patrol
Doom Patrol
The Doom Patrol is a superhero team appearing in publications from DC Comics. The original Doom Patrol first appeared in My Greatest Adventure #80...
, featuring bands of superheroes exhibiting fantastic powers. Under the editorial management of George Kashdan
George Kashdan
George Kashdan was an American comic book writer and editor, primarily for DC Comics, who co-created such characters as Tommy Tomorrow, Mysto, Magician Detective, and others...
, Haney was asked to capitalize on these titles' popularity with a similar character. Metamorpho, the Element Man, debuted in The Brave and the Bold
The Brave and the Bold
The Brave and the Bold is the title shared by many comic book series published by DC Comics. The first of these was published as an ongoing series from 1955 to 1983...
#57 (January 1965). As first conceived, Metamorpho was a parody of the fantastic characters that populated comic books in the 1960s. Artist Ramona Fradon
Ramona Fradon
Ramona Fradon is an American comic book and comic strip artist, known for her work illustrating Aquaman and Brenda Starr, and co-creating the superhero Metamorpho. Her career began in 1950, when it was even more unusual for women to illustrate superhero comics.-Career:Fradon entered cartooning...
was coaxed out of maternity-retirement to illustrate Metamorpho's first appearances. The popularity of Metamorpho's appearances in The Brave and the Bold led to a 17 issue ongoing series
Ongoing series
The term "ongoing series" is used in contrast to limited series , a one shot , a graphic novel, or a trade paperback...
between 1965 and 1968. Metamorpho also appeared during this time in two issues of Justice League of America (#42 & #44, the second of which is an appearance so brief that no one seems to remember it), but became the second superhero to decline an invitation to join that organization (Adam Strange
Adam Strange
Adam Strange is a fictional superhero published by DC Comics. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Mike Sekowsky, he first appeared in Showcase #17 .In May 2011, Adam Strange placed 97th on IGN's Top 100 Comic Book Heroes of All Time....
being the first).
In 1975 Metamorpho appeared in 1st Issue Special #3, a brief series consisting of one-shots of new and established DC comics characters. That issue was written by Bob Haney and illustrated by Ramona Fradon, Metamorpho's original creators.
After becoming a charter member of the Outsiders in 1983, and member of the European branch of the Justice League International
Justice League International
Justice League International is a DC Comics superhero team written by Keith Giffen and J. M. DeMatteis, with art by Kevin Maguire, created in 1987.-Publication history:...
, he received his own 4 issue mini-series in 1993.
In 2005, DC Comics reprinted Metamorpho's early The Brave and the Bold appearances and the entirety of the 1965 series as one of the company's volumes of Showcase Presents
Showcase presents
Showcase Presents is a line of black-and-white paperback books published by DC Comics at an average rate of two per month. Created to effectively be DC's version of Marvel Comics' Essential Marvel volumes, each book includes over 500 pages of reprints, primarily from the Silver Age...
.
In 2007, Dan Jurgens
Dan Jurgens
Dan Jurgens is an American comic book writer and artist. He is best known for creating the superhero Booster Gold, and for his lengthy runs on the Superman titles Adventures of Superman and Superman , particularly during The Death of Superman storyline...
launched the 6 issue series Metamorpho Year One.
As part of a Wednesday Comics
Wednesday Comics
Wednesday Comics was a weekly anthology comic book launched by DC Comics on July 8, 2009. The twelve issues of the title were published in 14" x 20" broadsheet format, deliberately similar to Sunday newspaper comics sections...
, Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman
Neil Richard Gaiman born 10 November 1960)is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book...
wrote a twelve-page Metamorpho story that Mike Allred illustrated.
Fictional character biography
Rex Mason was an adventurer who was hired by business tycoon Simon StaggSimon Stagg
Simon Stagg is a fictional businessman in DC Comics.-Fictional character biography:Simon Stagg is the unscrupulous owner and CEO of Stagg Enterprises and the father of Sapphire Stagg. Adventurer Rex Mason wanted to win the hand of Sapphire Stagg...
to retrieve a rare Egyptian artifact. Mason also started dating Stagg's daughter, Sapphire Stagg.
In an Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
ian pyramid
Egyptian pyramids
The Egyptian pyramids are ancient pyramid-shaped masonry structures located in Egypt.There are 138 pyramids discovered in Egypt as of 2008. Most were built as tombs for the country's Pharaohs and their consorts during the Old and Middle Kingdom periods.The earliest known Egyptian pyramids are found...
, Rex Mason was knocked out by Simon's brutish bodyguard, Java, and eventually exposed to a radioactive
Radioactive decay
Radioactive decay is the process by which an atomic nucleus of an unstable atom loses energy by emitting ionizing particles . The emission is spontaneous, in that the atom decays without any physical interaction with another particle from outside the atom...
meteor
Meteoroid
A meteoroid is a sand- to boulder-sized particle of debris in the Solar System. The visible path of a meteoroid that enters Earth's atmosphere is called a meteor, or colloquially a shooting star or falling star. If a meteoroid reaches the ground and survives impact, then it is called a meteorite...
ite called the Orb of Ra
Ra
Ra is the ancient Egyptian sun god. By the Fifth Dynasty he had become a major deity in ancient Egyptian religion, identified primarily with the mid-day sun...
, which transformed him into the Element Man. He gained the ability to shapeshift
Shapeshifting
Shapeshifting is a common theme in mythology, folklore, and fairy tales. It is also found in epic poems, science fiction literature, fantasy literature, children's literature, Shakespearean comedy, ballet, film, television, comics, and video games...
and change himself into any element
Chemical element
A chemical element is a pure chemical substance consisting of one type of atom distinguished by its atomic number, which is the number of protons in its nucleus. Familiar examples of elements include carbon, oxygen, aluminum, iron, copper, gold, mercury, and lead.As of November 2011, 118 elements...
found in the human body, or any combinations thereof. It was also established in his origin story (see: The Brave & The Bold #57) that he was virtually invulnerable in his inert (untransformed) state. Later, it was revealed that Mason was but one of many metamorphae
Metamorphae
Metamorphae are a class of superpowered beings existing in the fictional DC Comics universe. Metamorphae are humans who have been transformed by the sun god Ra to serve as warriors in his battle against the god Apep...
, created by the sun god Ra to serve as warriors in his battle against the god Apep
Apep
In Egyptian mythology, Apep was an evil god, the deification of darkness and chaos , and thus opponent of light and Ma'at , whose existence was believed from the 8th Dynasty onwards...
, "the serpent who never dies."
Metamorpho, unlike other super-humanoids described in DC Comics, could not assume a fully human, normal appearance. As such, he regarded his metamorphic powers as a disease and sought a cure for his condition. (A common theme in science fiction and comic books.) He considered himself a non-human freak because of his abilities and wanted to be restored to normal. For that reason, he rejected an offer of membership that the Justice League of America extended to him.
Metamorpho briefly had a crimefighting partner: a woman named Urania "Rainie" Blackwell who deliberately exposed herself to the Orb and gained its powers, calling herself Element Girl
Element Girl
Element Girl is a fictional DC Comics superhero who first appeared in Metamorpho #10 . The character's death was featured in Neil Gaiman's Sandman series in issue #20, "Façade."-Fictional character biography:...
. She worked with him on a number of cases before her unrequited attraction to him became too much for her. Blackwell's power was removed, resulting in her death, at her own request by the sun god Ra, with assistance from Death
Death (DC Comics)
Death is a fictional character from the DC comic book series, The Sandman . The character first appeared in The Sandman vol. 2, #8 , and was created by Neil Gaiman and Mike Dringenberg....
, in Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman
Neil Richard Gaiman born 10 November 1960)is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book...
's Sandman.
Outsiders
Metamorpho spends some time working with the Outsiders. While in the despotically ruled country of Mozombia, Metamorpho is subdued and taken apart. The tyrant's forces keep him inert with a constant application of radiation. He is freed by Katana'sKatana (comics)
Katana is a fictional character, a superheroine that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. She first appeared in a special insert in The Brave and the Bold #200 , and was created to be a member of the first Outsiders team by writer Mike W...
indestructible sword, which had been latched onto a live electrical wire.
While leaving Mozombia, the Outsiders' plane is shot down by the Bad Samaritan
Bad Samaritan
The Bad Samaritan is a fictional character published by DC Comics. His first appearance was in The Outsiders vol. 1 #3, , and he was created by Mike W. Barr and Jim Aparo.-Publication history:...
. Metamorpho and the others spend some time stranded on a deserted island, simply too far away from land to rescue themselves.
Metamorpho perishes, for the first of multiple times, during the Millennium
Millennium (comics)
"Millennium" was a comic book crossover story line that ran through an eight-issue, self-titled, limited series and various other titles cover dated January and February 1988 by DC Comics. The limited series was published weekly, which was a departure for an American series...
event. The scientific adviser to the Outsiders, Dr. Jace, had decided that life with the more logical Manhunters was preferable and she betrayed the team. They fought back, but Metamorpho had been brainwashed into assisting Jace. He was killed in the resulting battle. He returns during the Invasion
Invasion! (DC Comics)
Invasion! was a three issue comic book limited series and crossover event published in late 1988-early 1989 by DC Comics. It was plotted by Keith Giffen, and ties up a great many plotlines from various Giffen-created DC series, including Omega Men, Justice League International, and Legion of...
miniseries, when a gene-bomb set off by invading aliens affected his biomass.
Justice League
Metamorpho spent some time with the Justice League, including Justice League EuropeJustice League Europe
Justice League Europe was a DC Comics book run that was a spin-off of the comic book Justice League America ....
. There, he encounters Sapphire Stagg again. He becomes involved in a battle with the Metal Men
Metal Men
The Metal Men are fictional characters that appear in comic books published by DC Comics. The characters first appeared in Showcase #37 and were created by writer Robert Kanigher and penciller Ross Andru...
, who had been tricked by Simon. His League friends, Rocket Red
Dimitri Pushkin
Rocket Red is a fictional character and comic book superhero from the DC Comics universe. Created by Steve Englehart and Joe Staton, he first appeared in Justice League No. 3 . His first DC Universe canon appearance was in Green Lantern Corps No...
and Animal Man
Animal Man
Animal Man is a fictional character, a superhero in the . As a result of being in proximity to an exploding extraterrestrial spaceship, Buddy Baker acquires the ability to temporarily “borrow” the abilities of animals...
, were at the site of the battle, but were being detained by Java. At the conclusion of the battle, Metamorpho learns he had a son with Sapphire. Unfortunately, the baby boy's touch harmed all but Sapphire and Metamorpho. When Java held the baby, his arms melted. Metamorpho handed the baby over to Simon, who became convinced he would die, harmed like Java had been moments ago. However, something in his genetic structure protected him, just as it did with the baby's mother. Simon's stance softened and everyone was set free. Doc Magnus
Will Magnus
Doctor Will Magnus is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. He first appeared in Showcase #37 alongside his creations, the Metal Men; he was created by Robert Kanigher and Ross Andru.-Fictional character biography:...
, the leader of the Metal Men, offered his services in creating new arms for Java. On the way home, Metamorpho's friends were puzzled as to how he knew Simon would be unaffected by the child. Metamorpho indicates that he had hoped the baby would kill Simon.
Metamorpho would later have a romantic relationship with Crimson Fox
Crimson Fox
Crimson Fox is a fictional character, a French comic book superhero from the DC Comics universe. Identical twins Vivian and Constance D'Aramis shared the role of Crimson Fox to allow each something of a normal life, although Vivian was much more enthusiastic about their superheroic life...
, which was 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 quickly re-forms in a totally different look. He will sport this new look until his next demise.
Second death
Later, the Hyperclan attacked the Justice League of America's orbiting baseJustice League Watchtower
The Watchtower is the name of various bases used by the Justice League of America in DC Comics and various other media. It has been portrayed in DC comics as a building on Earth's moon, and as a space-station in orbit in the Justice League Unlimited cartoon.The Watchtower debuted in JLA #4 during...
, destroying it. Metamorpho protected three of his teammates, Nuklon, Obsidian
Obsidian (comics)
Obsidian is a fictional superhero published by DC Comics. He first appeared in All-Star Squadron #25 , and was created by Roy Thomas and Jerry Ordway. According to an Infinity, Inc...
, and the original Icemaiden
Icemaiden
Icemaiden is a fictional character, a comic book superheroine in the DC Comics universe. She was the first heroine to use the name, and for a time was replaced by Ice. She is also one of the few bisexual superheroines in the DC Universe.-Global Guardians:Sigrid Nansen received her powers as the...
, in a giant, fluid filled ball. The intent was for them to survive reentry into Earth's atmosphere. The three make it, injured but alive, but Metamorpho does not. He was buried with solemn honors. After a temporary resurrection by the wish-granting Id
The Cathexis
The Cathexis are a race of sixth-dimensional beings from the DC Universe.-Fictional character biography:Originating from the sixth dimension of reality - as opposed to humanity's existence in the third dimension - the Cathexis are an advanced and powerful race, capable of creating sentient energy...
(fundamentally flawed because the wisher, his son Joey, only wished for him to be back rather than to be alive), he would return some time later.
Return
Sapphire Stagg used the Orb of Ra to bring Metamorpho back to life, and he briefly joined the Doom PatrolDoom Patrol
The Doom Patrol is a superhero team appearing in publications from DC Comics. The original Doom Patrol first appeared in My Greatest Adventure #80...
. Shortly thereafter, an accident with one of Simon Stagg's experiments turned Simon, Sapphire, and Joey into an energy being, and caused Metamorpho to take on the form and personality of Java. "Java" kidnapped Black Canary
Black Canary
Black Canary is the name of two fictional characters, DC Comics superheroines created by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Carmine Infantino. The first Black Canary debuted appeared in Flash Comics #86 . The first Black Canary was the alter-ego of Dinah Drake, who took part in Golden Age adventures...
, asking for her help in rescuing the others. With Canary's help, he became Metamorpho again and managed to return the others to their normal forms.
Outsiders / "Shift"
At the same time, Metamorpho had seemingly been appearing in the Outsiders (vol. 3) series, but Rex Mason informed the team that their "Metamorpho" is a regrown fragment of his own body. Rex attempts to reassimilate his "twin," but the Outsiders convinced him that the "twin" deserves the chance to lead his own life. This second Metamorpho chose the name "Shift" and developed a relationship with IndigoIndigo (comics)
Indigo is a fictional character, a superheroine in the , who is later revealed to be a supervillain. The character's first appearance was in Titans/Young Justice: Graduation Day #1.-Fictional character biography:...
, becoming depressed over her death. After the events of One Year Later
One Year Later
"One Year Later" was a 2006 storyline event running through the DC Universe. As the title suggests, it involves a narrative jump exactly one year into the future of the DC Comics Universe following the events of the Infinite Crisis event, to explore major changes within the continuities of the many...
, Shift willingly chose to be reassimilated into Metamorpho, because he had killed several people. Rex has stepped in to fill Shift's position in the Outsiders, while a full account of Shift's crimes is explained in the Outsiders (vol. 3) Annual; he had inadvertently killed 44 people during Black Lightning
Black Lightning
Black Lightning was one of the first major African American superheroes to appear in DC Comics. He debuted in Black Lightning #1 , and was created by Tony Isabella and Trevor Von Eeden.- Publication history :...
's escape from Iron Heights Penitentiary.
Metamorpho continued to serve on the Outsiders when Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
took over, and following its further restructuring following Batman's apparent death.
"Not Quite First Appearance"
According to Norm Prescott, six episodes of a series starring Metamorpho were completed and ready to air in 1960s, but the entire series was shelved when CBS chose to rush The Batman/Superman Hour on its schedule.Justice League
Justice League (TV series)
Justice League is an American animated television series about a team of superheroes which ran from 2001 to 2004 on Cartoon Network. The show was produced by Warner Bros. Animation. It is based on the Justice League of America and associated comic book characters published by DC Comics...
animated series two-part episode "Metamorphosis", voiced by Tom Sizemore
Tom Sizemore
Thomas Edward "Tom" Sizemore, Jr. is an American film and television actor and producer. He is known for his roles in films such as Saving Private Ryan, Strange Days, Pearl Harbor, Heat and Black Hawk Down....
. Rex Mason was a friend of John Stewart's
John Stewart (comics)
John Stewart is a fictional character, a comic book superhero published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Green Lantern vol. 2, #87 , and was created by Dennis O'Neil and Neal Adams.-Publication history:...
from when they were Marines
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
. He was exposed to mutagenic gas by his boss, Stagg, who then convinced Mason that Stewart was the one responsible, supposedly as a way to steal his fiancée, Sapphire (voiced by Danica McKellar
Danica McKellar
Danica Mae McKellar is an American actress, academic, and education advocate. She is best known for her role as Winnie Cooper in the television show The Wonder Years, and later as author of the three The New York Times bestsellers, Math Doesn't Suck, Kiss My Math, and Hot X: Algebra Exposed, which...
). Metamorpho's attempts at revenge create a giant monster
Chemo (comics)
Chemo is a fictional supervillain that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Showcase #39 Chemo is a fictional supervillain that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Showcase #39 Chemo is a fictional supervillain...
imbued with part of Stagg's mind, which threatens to harm Sapphire. Metamorpho sacrifices himself to stop the creature by turning into the chemical formula to neutralize it. Apparently killed, a single tear from Sapphire falls into his liquefied remains, allowing him to regenerate into his humanoid form. He is one of several heroes suggested, by Green Lantern
Green Lantern
The Green Lantern is the shared primary alias of several fictional characters, superheroes appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The first Green Lantern was created by writer Bill Finger and artist Martin Nodell in All-American Comics #16 .Each Green Lantern possesses a power ring and...
, to be Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
's replacement in the League after he is sent into the future by the Toyman
Toyman
The Toyman is the name of three comic book supervillains and one adolescent superhero in the DC Comics universe. They mostly appear in Superman stories. The first Toyman appeared in Action Comics #64 . His real name is Winslow Schott.The Toyman uses toy-based or toy-themed devices and gimmicks in...
(in the episode "Hereafter"). Here his code-name was the name of Stagg's project to create an enhanced worker for mining community.
Metamorpho appears briefly in several non-speaking roles in Justice League Unlimited
Justice League Unlimited
Justice League Unlimited is an American animated television series that was produced by Warner Bros. Animation and aired on Cartoon Network. Featuring a wide array of superheroes from the DC Comics universe, and specifically based on the Justice League superhero team, it is a direct sequel to the...
(specifically the episodes "Clash", "Panic in the Sky", and "Destroyer"), as well as in a still shot with the rest of the roster in "Initiation". In "Clash", Metamorpho assists in fighting Parasite
Parasite (comics)
The Parasite is the name of several fictional characters that appears in Superman comic book stories published by DC Comics. A supervillain, Parasite has the ability to temporarily absorb the energy, knowledge and super-powers of another being by touch, making him a formidable foe for the Man of...
, but has his powers stolen by the villain. In "Panic in the Sky" and "Destroyer", he helps battle against the Ultimen clones and Darkseid
Darkseid
Darkseid is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #134 and was created by writer-artist Jack Kirby....
's Parademon
Parademon
Parademons are a fictional group of aliens in the . They are monstrous shock troops of Apokolips used by Darkseid to maintain order of the planet. The original Parademons were created by Jack Kirby in The New Gods #1 .-Fictional history:...
s, respectively.
Batman: The Brave and the Bold
Metamorpho appears in the Batman: The Brave and the BoldBatman: The Brave and the Bold
Batman: The Brave and the Bold is an American animated television series based in part on the DC Comics series The Brave and the Bold which features two or more super heroes coming together to solve a crime or foil a super villain...
episode "Enter the Outsiders!", voiced by Scott Menville
Scott Menville
Scott David Menville is primarily an American voice actor, actor, musician, and comedian.-Early life and career:The son of Chuck Menville, he was bassist for the Southern California rock band Boy Hits Car, which released three albums until he left the band in 2006. He was with the group since...
. This version is a teenager who was a member of the Outsiders, along with Katana and Black Lightning. Here, he is shown to be a happy-go-lucky goofball and easily gets distracted by food (being that his abilities apparently require lots of energy to use). They worked for Slug
Sleez
Sleez is a fictional extraterrestrial supervillain published by DC Comics. He debuted in Action Comics #592 , and was created by John Byrne.-Fictional character biography:...
until Batman and Wildcat
Wildcat (comics)
Wildcat is the name of several fictional characters, all DC Comics superheroes. The first and most famous of these is Ted Grant, a long-time member of the Justice Society of America...
convinced them to become crimefighters. Metamorpho helps in saving Wildcat's life when his heart stops in the middle of a fight. Katana has Metamorpho turn into oxygen in order to revive Wildcat. Metamorpho is later seen with Katana and Black Lightning in a training simulation in "Duel of the Double Crossers!". His insecurities about his appearance and his repressed anger are shown in a nightmare created by Psycho-Pirate
Psycho-Pirate
The Psycho-Pirate is the name of two DC Comics supervillains, dating back to the Golden Age of Comics.-Charles Halstead:Charles Halstead is a minor character who first appears in All-Star Comics #23, created by Gardner Fox and Joe Gallagher...
in "Inside the Outsiders!". He reappeared along with the rest of the Outsiders (Black Lightning, Katana, Geo-Force
Geo-Force
Geo-Force is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Markov is Prince of Markovia and the half-brother of Terra. Geo-Force is one of the founding members of the superhero group the Outsiders. He first appeared in a special insert in The Brave and the...
, and Halo
Halo (comics)
Halo is a fictional superheroine that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. She first appeared in a special insert in The Brave and the Bold #200 , and was created by Mike W...
), a bit older, in the teaser to "Requiem for a Scarlet Speedster!", helping Batman stop Kobra
Kobra (comics)
Kobra is the name used by two fictional supervillains published by DC Comics. The Jeffrey Burr Kobra first appeared in Kobra #1 , and was created by Martin Pasko, Steve Sherman, Jack Kirby, and Pablo Marcos...
and his cultists.
Film
Metamorpho can be seen as one of the several heroes at the end of Justice League: The New Frontier.External links
- Metamorpho's secret origin at DCcomics.com
- The Outer Observatory A fansite for the Outsiders