During the mid-1960s, unconventional comic book heroes like the Doom Patrol or the Metal Men found a bit of success at DC Comics. To build some more on what seems to be a trend, writer Bob Haney and artist Ramona Fradon were asked to create a new character in the same vein. The result was Metamorpho who debuted in The Brave and the Bold #57 (January 1965).
Also known as the Element Man, Metamorpho found immediate success and started appearing in other popular comics like Justice League of America (even if he refused to become a full-time member). He also got his own ongoing comic book series but it lasted only 17 issues. However, this was by far the end of the character.
The Metamorpho Origin Story
The story of Metamorpho started when businessman Simon Stagg hired adventurer Rex Mason to collect the Orb of Ra, a valuable treasure from ancient Egypt. For Stagg, it was as much about getting the orb as it was about getting rid of Mason who was involved with his daughter Sapphire. It’s no surprise then that Stagg deceives Mason during the trip to the pyramid of Ahk-Ton to recover the relic, and in an attempt to destroy him, the soldier is exposed to the radiation of a meteor that had been trapped there for a long time now. As a result, Mason becomes Metamorpho. His altered physiology allowed him to modify his body into any element or chemical present in the human body. Because of this, Metamorpho can change his appearance, adapt to different situations, and turn his limbs into weapons.
Unlike many superheroes who eagerly embrace their newfound powers, Rex Mason saw his transformation as a curse. His early stories are driven by his desperate search for a cure, reinforcing the theme of identity and self-acceptance. Metamorpho was hesitant to join the Justice League because he didn’t see himself as a traditional superhero and rejected the idea of being part of something larger.
Yet, over time, Metamorpho evolves from a man longing to be normal again to a hero who finds purpose in his abilities. His eventual membership in teams like the Outsiders, Justice League Europe, and the Doom Patrol reflects this journey from isolation to belonging.
Metamorpho, Team Player
Following the end of his 1960s solo comics during which Metamorpho lived through bizarre globe-trotting adventures where he battled strange villains, mad scientists, and ancient threats tied to his origins, he made a comeback during the 1970s in some back-issue stories. But it’s his team-up with Batman that put him back on the map.
The cape crusader brought Metamorpho back to active duty and made him a member of the Outsiders. Alongside teammates like Black Lightning, Katana, Halo, Geo-Force, and Looker, he helped take on global threats that were often too politically sensitive or unconventional for the Justice League to handle.
Nevertheless, Metamorpho did eventually join the league, its European incarnation during the Justice League International era, fighting alongside Captain Atom, Elongated Man, Power Girl, and more—at that point, Rex Mason had embraced his nature. Later, he also became a member of the Doom Patrol and The Terrifics.
Due to his nature, Metamorpho is almost unkillable, but he was “killed” more than once—during the Millennium event for example, or while saving his teammate in the first issue of JLA by Grant Morrison.
Nevertheless, given his elemental nature, death was never permanent for Metamorpho, he always comes back.
Metamorpho Comics: Recommended Reading
At this point, Metamorpho was the star of his own comics, the first volume from the 1960s and the short second volume from 1993.
- DC Finest: Metamorpho: The Element Man (June 2025)
Collects Justice League of America #42; The Brave and the Bold #57-58, #66, #68, #88, #101; Metamorpho #1-17.
A six-issue miniseries Metamorpho: Year One was published in 2007 and offered a reimagined origin story.
- Metamorpho: Year One
Collects Metamorpho: Year One #1-6.
He did a lot more as a member of the Outsiders, see volumes one and two of the Batman and the Outsiders comics, and as part of Justice League Europe and The Terrifics.
- Batman and the Outsiders Vol. 1
Collects Batman and the Outsiders #1–13, The Brave and the Bold #200 (special insert), New Teen Titans #37. - Batman and the Outsiders Vol. 2
Batman and the Outsiders #14–23, Annual #1. - Batman and the Outsiders Vol. 3
Batman and the Outsiders #24–32, Annual #2, DC Comics Presents #83. - Adventures of the Outsiders #33-38
Available on Kindle. - The Outsiders (Vol. 1) #1-28
Available on Kindle. - Justice League Europe (Not completely collected for now)
- The Terrifics Vol. 1: Meet the Terrifics
Collects The Terrifics #1-6. - The Terrifics Vol. 2: Tom Strong and the Terrifics
Collects The Terrifics #7-14. - The Terrifics Vol. 3: The God Game
Collects The Terrifics #15-18 and Annual #1. - The Terrifics Vol. 4: The Tomorrow War
Collects The Terrifics #19-30.
In 2024, as part of the DC All In initiative, Metamorpho became the star of a new comic book series, Metamorpho: The Element Man.