First Published: October 2005

Contents: The Brave and the Bold #57 (December 1964-January 1965), #58 (February-March 1965), #66 (June-July 1966), and #68 (October-November 1966); Metamorpho #1 (July-August 1965) to #17 (March-April 1968); and Justice League of America #42 (February 1966)

Key Creator Credits: Bob Haney, Ramona Fradon, Charles Paris, Joe Orlando, Sal Trapani, and others

Key First Appearances: Rex Mason/Metamorpho, Sapphire Stagg, Simon Stagg, Java, Urania Blackwell/Element Girl

Overview: Soldier of fortune Rex Mason will go anywhere and risk his life for the right price. Millionaire Simon Stagg has not only the money to hire Mason, but he also has the beautiful daughter Sapphire, who is deeply in love with Rex. Add in Simon’s aide Java, an unearthed caveman whose origin is never explored, and we have the makings of a cast for a new book.

Rex Mason and Java have been sent to find the Orb of Ra in a hidden pyramid along the upper Nile. Mason finds the Orb but is exposed to a deadly dose of radiation. Rex survives but finds that his body has been changed. Initially, Rex can change his body into any element found in the human body. (Over time, that rule has been relaxed, allowing Rex to change into any element.) With near invulnerability, Rex Mason becomes the reluctant hero known as Metamorpho, the Element Man.

While waiting for Simon Stagg to find a way to change Rex back into a normal man, Metamorpho serves the world as a super-hero, fighting the oddball menace of the month. At one point, he encounters Urania Blackwell, who has been similarly affected by the Orb of Ra, turning her into Element Girl. She starts out as a foe, becomes a sidekick of sorts, and then fades away into the comic book character limbo until she receives her final story in the pages of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman series.

Along the way, Metamorpho crosses paths with other heroes in the DC Universe, such as the Metal Men and Batman. He is offered membership in the Justice League but turns them down. becoming the league’s first standby member.

Why should these stories be Showcased?: Following his success with the Metal Men and the Doom Patrol, Bob Haney was tasked with developing another hero for DC. Borrowing pieces from each of those teams, Haney and Ramona Fradon created Metamorpho. While the stories remain firmly rooted in the 1960s, the character and, more importantly, the possibilities of the character are very intriguing. In many ways, Metamorpho feels like a Marvel character stuck in the DC Universe. Rex is an interesting character, and you should give this collection a look.

Footnotes: The Brave and the Bold #66 is also reprinted in Showcase Presents Metal Men Vol. 2.

The Brave and the Bold #68 is also reprinted in Showcase Presents The Brave and the Bold Batman Team-Ups Vol. 1.

Justice League of America #42 is also reprinted in Showcase Presents Justice League of America Vol. 3.

Metamorpho #17 promises the next issue, but the series was canceled there midway through a four-part story. Bob Haney had the chance to finish the story in a backup feature in Action Comics #413 (June 1972) and #414 (July 1972).

The full review can be found at Essential Showcase. 

To find the original issues, or reprints, of Metamorpho, check with your local comic book store. In the Midwest, I strongly recommend Clint’s Comics in midtown Kansas City. Clint’s has been in business for nearly 50 years at the intersection of Main St. and Westport Rd. The back-issue selection is incredible, and what you see in the store is just a small fraction of their total inventory. In addition to the back issues, Clint’s stocks current issues, trade paperbacks, toys, T-shirts, and more. Check out Clint’s Comics to build your own essential collection!

Categories: Jerry

Tags: Essential Showcase, Jerry McMullen, Metamorpho, Throwback Thursday