In James Gunn’s DC Universe reboot, “Superman: Legacy,” an iconic character from DC Comics is set to join the cast. Metamorpho, portrayed by Anthony Carrigan (famously known as NoHo Hank from “Barry”), brings with him a rich history in the world of DC Comics. He made his first appearance in “The Brave and the Bold” #57 in 1965 and later starred in his own series, as well as numerous other comic lines and animated television shows.
Despite his intriguing and thrilling attributes, Metamorpho never gained widespread popularity and remained a lesser-known hero within DC Comics. This fact is surprising, given his unique and captivating appearance, unlike any other hero in the DC universe, along with his distinctive set of powers. As a compelling superhero, Metamorpho truly deserves his opportunity to shine on the big screen.
Considering his distinctiveness now is an opportune moment to delve into the intricacies of Metamorpho and uncover what makes him such an extraordinary character in the realm of DC Comics.
Teen Titans Creator and Aquaman Illustrator Conceived Him
Bob Haney and Ramona Fradon, two highly influential figures in Metamorpho’s development, are widely credited as the character’s creators. With extensive experience as a longtime contributor to DC Comics, Haney was a writer from the 1950s until the 1980s, leaving his mark on iconic titles such as “Batman” and “Wonder Woman.”
Bob Haney is renowned for his co-creation of the Teen Titans alongside Bruno Premiani. The young superhero team has achieved great success since its inception in 1964, becoming one of DC’s most cherished properties, with various live-action and animated adaptations gracing television screens in recent times. Haney’s contributions extended to creating Eclipso and the Super-Sons before retiring from the comic book industry. Sadly, he passed away in 2004.
Illustrator Ramona Fradon had a notable history of working on comic artwork for Aquaman and Brenda Starr before taking a break from DC Comics to focus on being a full-time mom. However, Bob Haney managed to convince her to return, and she played a crucial role in shaping the hero’s appearance, at least during the early days of the comic.
Many People Can be Credited with Helping to Create the Hero
Like many comic characters, Metamorpho’s origin involved a collaborative endeavor, with a considerable number of individuals contributing to the development of this superhero. Among the key figures were Bob Haney and Ramona Fradon, who played crucial roles in bringing Metamorpho to life on the comic book pages. Additionally, several other talents within DC Comics offered valuable assistance in character shaping.
Among them, the most remarkable individual was George Kashdan, an editor at DC Comics. George Kashdan initially conceived the idea of a hero with the unique ability to alter his chemical composition. He then shared this concept with others to further develop it. These individuals included Jack Schiff and Murray Boltinoff, both prominent comic book writers known for their contributions to many of DC’s most significant series. In a 2006 interview with Jim Amash (via FandomWire), George Kashdan mentioned, “Jack Schiff threw in some thoughts, and Murray [Boltinoff] did, too.”
Meanwhile, Fradon expressed how she and Haney collaborated seamlessly on the character, achieving a synergy, unlike any other writer she had worked with. They both held a deep affection for Metamorpho, considering it their “baby.” In an interview with CBR News, she shed light on the character’s origins, explaining that DC Comics editor George Kashdan sparked the concept. Having a background in science, Kashdan envisioned a character composed of four elements capable of transforming into various chemical compounds. He shared this idea with Bob Haney, who brilliantly fleshed it out to create the iconic superhero.
His Powers are Incredibly Varied
Apart from the skills he acquired prior to becoming Metamorpho, such as adept detective reasoning and martial arts prowess, Rex Mason also developed a remarkable set of powers. These abilities granted him the extraordinary capacity to manipulate and control the molecular structures of various elements. By harnessing this power, he can effortlessly transmute any element within his body into another, essentially allowing him to shapeshift at will.
For instance, he possesses the power to transform his body parts into specific objects, enabling him to execute a wide range of actions without limits. Additionally, Metamorpho has the ability to stretch his body to vast sizes, granting him the versatility to fit into virtually any shape. Moreover, his unique physiology enables him to take flight by assuming a gaseous form that propels itself through the air. Like numerous other superheroes, he also boasts enhanced durability, resistance to damage, and the exceptional ability to replicate himself multiple times.
In “Batman/Superman: World’s Finest” #13, the true extent of Metamorpho’s power is prominently displayed. The iconic DC heroes, Batman and Superman, find themselves investigating the mysterious death of Simon Stragg, which occurred within a locked room without apparent signs of a struggle. All clues point towards the possibility that Metamorpho could have committed such a crime, utilizing his ability to transform into a gaseous form to gain entry and creating a deadly nerve gas to eliminate his longtime adversary. Despite the evidence, Batman and Superman are hesitant to view Metamorpho as a suspect, a testament to the deep respect they hold for him. They acknowledge that his remarkable abilities could potentially make him a formidable villain if he were ever to take that path.
A Curse from an Ancient Artifact Caused His Powers
Before adopting the identity of Metamorpho, the character was an archaeologist named Rex Mason. Stagg Enterprises hired him to locate the ancient Egyptian artifact, the Orb of Ra. Crafted by an alchemist during Ramses II’s rule, the Orb of Ra originated from a fallen meteorite and was eventually gifted to Ahk-Ton. When Rex Mason came into contact with the radioactive energy emitted by the Orb of Ra and the meteorite, a transformative process occurred, turning him into Metamorpho. Throughout history, numerous individuals have held the title of Metamorpho, making him just one of the many who have taken on this mantle.
While the artifact serves as the source of Metamorpho’s powers, it also exerts a weakening influence on him. When in close proximity to the hero, the artifact diminishes his abilities, making it a potent tool for controlling him. Simon Stagg, the owner of Stagg Enterprises, eventually gains control of the Orb of Ra and utilizes it to manipulate Metamorpho, forcing him to comply with his commands until the hero manages to wrest it away from the villain’s grasp. Besides this specific orb, few things possess any sway over Metamorpho’s powers, and even Green Lantern proves incapable of transforming him during the events narrated in “Justice League of America” #42.
The Character’s Strong Connections with Superheroes and Groups
Metamorpho, who made his debut over 50 years ago, is a seasoned DC Comics character known for his extensive connections with various superhero teams. Over the course of his illustrious career, he has collaborated with almost every major hero from DC’s universe. While he is notably linked with the Outsiders, Metamorpho has also been actively engaged with other organizations, such as the Justice League and lesser-known groups.
One instance involves The Terrifics, a team consisting of Mister Terrific, Plastic Man, and Phantom Girl, which was featured in the New Age of DC Heroes comic line. Additionally, he was a member of the Post-Crisis version of the Seven Soldiers of Victory, alongside other notable heroes like Batgirl, Blackhawk, and Adam Strange. Moreover, Metamorpho has been an occasional ally of the Doom Patrol.
Metamorpho had a short-lived sidekick named Element Girl. She deliberately exposed herself to the same artifact, the Orb of Ra, that unintentionally granted Metamorpho his powers. Tragically, she met her end in a Neil Gaiman “The Sandman” comic after years of neglect from DC Comics.
Metamorpho was Initially Meant to be a Parody
Metamorpho made its debut during the Silver Age of Comic Books, which followed the Golden Age when comics gained popularity as a medium. Originally centered around superheroes, the comic industry transitioned to explore various genres like war, crime, and horror by the mid-1940s due to a decline in classical stories’ popularity among readers. However, this shift was short-lived, as concerns regarding the impact of comics on children led to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority, which effectively regulated the content appearing in comic pages.
As a result, this more restrictive comic environment led to a resurgence of superheroes in the industry. Titles like “Fantastic Four” and many others were created to fill the void, experiencing a remarkable surge in popularity. The Silver Age became an era of vibrant and eccentric characters, each possessing wild and extraordinary powers. Therefore, it’s no surprise that this period also introduced characters intended to satirize the new and successful superheroes. Metamorpho was one such character conceived by the original writer and artist to mock the popular comic characters with their exaggerated abilities and ever-changing form.
Neil Gaiman Has Written a Short Story About the Hero
Neil Gaiman stands as one of the most renowned comic book writers in history. Over his extensive career, he has lent his talents to major comic properties, ventured into book and screenplay writing, and created his own series. Some of his notable works include “The Sandman,” “Good Omens,” and “American Gods.” Throughout his journey, Gaiman has maintained a close association with Alan Moore, even contributing to “Watchmen” on occasion. Having learned from this legendary writer, he went on to pen several works for DC Comics, including “Black Orchid,” “Swamp Thing,” and “Secret Origins.”
As part of the anthology series “Wednesday Comics,” Gaiman crafted a 12-page tale featuring Metamorpho. Mike Allred provided the art for this story. In this narrative, Metamorpho accompanies an expedition led by Simon Stagg in their quest to locate a lost diamond hidden within an Antarctic temple. The original stories in the anthology were printed in a large format, mimicking broadsheets. Gaiman later mentioned on Twitter that his Metamorpho story was intentionally “designed to be read at enormous size,” implying that readers would have the best experience reading it in its original dimensions.
He Cannot Take on a Standard Human Form
In the realm of DC Comics, most superheroes either possess a human form or the ability to disguise themselves as humans. While there are exceptions like the Martian Manhunter and Swamp Thing, the majority of heroic characters tend to resemble regular people, albeit with impressive physiques. However, this norm doesn’t apply to Metamorpho. Unlike others, he cannot assume a human form, making him constantly stand out among humanity and his fellow superheroes.
Metamorpho’s situation becomes even more peculiar when considering that he was once an ordinary human male. Despite this, he cannot alter his appearance to resemble the rest of Earth’s population. The reason behind this lies in the transformative effect of the meteorite that granted him his powers. The meteorite fundamentally altered his body’s chemical composition, replacing traditional flesh and bone with various elements. As a result, he cannot take on a human form since his physical makeup is vastly different. While his shapeshifting abilities allow him to assume almost any other shape or form, resembling a regular human remains beyond his capabilities.
Over the Years, He Has Been Temporarily Killed Many Times
If you know a bit about comics, you’ll likely know that superhero resurrections happen often. Deaths, even of major characters like Batman or Spider-Man, are rarely permanent. Usually, the character will return in a later story with new writers taking over the series, or they might even be brought back to life within the same comic.
Metamorpho has faced a similar fate, having been killed at least four times in various comics throughout the years. The first time, Simon Stagg was responsible, subjecting him to the harmful effects of different versions of the Orb of Ra, resulting in devastating consequences. The second death occurred during a confrontation with Looker and Doctor Jace in “Outsiders” #27. Metamorpho also experienced brief deaths after sacrificing himself to save the Justice League and during an attack by Talia al Ghul on the Outsiders.
Metamorpho Was a Founding Member of the Outsiders with Batman
Since his introduction, Metamorpho has been part of several superhero teams, but his closest association is with the Outsiders. This group first appeared in comic books in the early 1980s and consisted of various outcasts and loners who had rejected mainly mainstream society. The original lineup included Batman, Metamorpho, Black Lightning, Geo-Force, Katana, Halo, and Looker, although the team’s composition has changed over time. Nevertheless, Metamorpho has remained one of the most frequent members of the team and often teams up with Black Lightning, another hero who declined an invitation to join the Justice League.
The Outsiders were initially formed in response to events in the fictional European country of Markovia. Batman had left the Justice League because they refused to get involved in the country’s troubles. He went to Markovia to rescue his friend Lucius Fox and encountered other heroes, including Metamorpho, who was seeking Dr. Jace’s help to cure his condition. The heroes decided to team up to defeat Baron Bedlam and discovered they worked exceptionally well together. As a result, they chose to continue operating as a group, forming the Outsiders.
Anthony Carrigan Loves how Obscure the Character is
Anthony Carrigan expressed his delight at portraying Metamorpho in the upcoming “Superman: Legacy” movie. The actor is especially pleased to have the opportunity to bring a character to the screen who might not be widely recognized and has not appeared in numerous on-screen adaptations.
In an interview with Variety, Carrigan shared, “It’ll certainly be a bit of a jump. I’m excited just to shake things up. NoHo Hank is such a specific character, and I’m excited to play someone completely different and surprise people by just being unrecognizable.”
The actor showed excitement for Metamorpho after studying the character during auditions. He said, “I found things I love about the character. He’s amazing in a quiet way, and I’m surprised more people haven’t heard of him. I think he’s one of the coolest characters, so bringing him to life is something really special and unique.”
Metamorpho strongly dislikes being a hero and refuses an offer to join the Justice League.
In DC Comics, Metamorpho is considered one of the most tragic heroes. He never desired the powers he received from the Orb of Ra and the mystical meteorite in Egypt. Furthermore, his ability to change forms means he can never appear as a human, which has haunted him since the transformation. As a result, he has often been a loner throughout his superhero career.
In numerous stories about Metamorpho, the main focus revolves around his efforts to find a cure for his condition. The hero simply desires to relinquish all his powers and revert to Rex Mason, aiming to regain the human form he once had. In fact, he has gone to great extremes to achieve this goal, enduring a painful bath in a mixture of chemicals for an extended period in an attempt to rid himself of his shapeshifting abilities.
Due to his self-hatred, Metamorpho declined an invitation to join the Justice League. Despite impressing the group’s members enough for them to offer him a spot, the hero chose to turn them down, as he simply longed to return to his ordinary life.
The DC Character has his Own Extensive Rogues Gallery
As a member of the Terrifics, the Outsiders, and the Justice League of Europe, Metamorpho has faced numerous high-profile villains. He has engaged in battles with notorious foes such as Talia al Ghul and the Joker, along with many lesser-known adversaries. Additionally, Metamorpho has developed his own extensive rogues gallery that continuously poses a significant challenge for him, whether he operates solo or as part of a team.
Among Metamorpho’s rogues’ gallery, two notable adversaries are Simon Stragg and Java. Stragg, the head of Stragg Enterprises, holds a deep grudge against Metamorpho because the hero was in a relationship with Stragg’s daughter, Sapphire. He commanded his Neanderthal bodyguard, Java, to kill Metamorpho, leading to ongoing battles between them for many years. Additionally, the superhero faces opposition from Ahk-Ton, Franz Zorb, the Phantom of Washington, and Jezeba, who all seize the chance to challenge him whenever possible.
