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Metamorpho
Metamorpho: Two Worlds, One Destiny
After a mysterious vision, Metamorpho--the Element Man, gifted with the ability to transform into any form of matter--has been set free from his prison...and all hell has broken loose.
Breaking out of the chains of ruthless industrialist Simon Stagg, Metamorpho's on the run--with Stagg's brilliant daughter, Sapphire, by his side. Now they're in a race to recover the Orb of Ra, the ancient alien artifact that gave Rex his incredible powers. But they're not the only ones on the hunt! If Kanjar Ro and his army of space pirates get their hands on the Orb, entire planets will fall before his wrath.
Can Metamorpho save two worlds? Or is the Element Man about to be atomized forever? Find out in METAMORPHO, an epic saga of magic, science and the thin line between them, from writer and artist Aaron Lopresti! Collects the Metamorpho stories from LEGENDS OF TOMORROW #1-6.
Breaking out of the chains of ruthless industrialist Simon Stagg, Metamorpho's on the run--with Stagg's brilliant daughter, Sapphire, by his side. Now they're in a race to recover the Orb of Ra, the ancient alien artifact that gave Rex his incredible powers. But they're not the only ones on the hunt! If Kanjar Ro and his army of space pirates get their hands on the Orb, entire planets will fall before his wrath.
Can Metamorpho save two worlds? Or is the Element Man about to be atomized forever? Find out in METAMORPHO, an epic saga of magic, science and the thin line between them, from writer and artist Aaron Lopresti! Collects the Metamorpho stories from LEGENDS OF TOMORROW #1-6.
136 pages, Paperback
First published January 3, 2017
About the author
Aaron Lopresti
499 books12 followersAaron Lopresti is an American comic book artist who has worked for Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Dark Horse Comics, CrossGen Comics and Image Comics.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 13, 2017
A solid reintroduction of Metamorpho into the new 52. The basics are still all there. Rex Masin is still an Indiana Jones type who comes in contact with the Orb of Ra. Stagg, Java and Saphire are still involved too. Although Saphire is now a biochemist instead of a dumb bimbo. The orb of Ra is seen as a new power source and Metamorpho and Sapphire head to the pyramid where they found it. There they are transported to another world where the orb can resuscitate the dying world. Kanjar Ro is also looking for the orb and follows them. The two must save the world while avoiding Kanjar Ro.
The Good: I've always liked Aaron Lopresti's art and it doesn't disappoint here. His art has taken on some Barry Kitson influence.
The Bad: The story is just OK, although I'll take it if it makes Metamorpho available for a team book.
The Ugly: Sapphire is consistently drawn with her hair over her right eye. But yet her eye is still drawn on top instead of only partially showing. I guess the inker didn't have an eraser. It's a glaring editorial error in the art that drove me nuts.
The Good: I've always liked Aaron Lopresti's art and it doesn't disappoint here. His art has taken on some Barry Kitson influence.
The Bad: The story is just OK, although I'll take it if it makes Metamorpho available for a team book.
The Ugly: Sapphire is consistently drawn with her hair over her right eye. But yet her eye is still drawn on top instead of only partially showing. I guess the inker didn't have an eraser. It's a glaring editorial error in the art that drove me nuts.
February 5, 2020
Rex Mason is an adventurer, archeologist and pilot. After being sent in search of a new energy source in the Pyramid of Ahk-Ton, Mason was betrayed and left to die. But the power changed him, giving him the ability to control the elements within his body at the cost of his human appearance. After escaping experimentation at the hands of his former benefactor, Simon Stagg, Mason finds his destiny entwined with another world where he faces aliens, monsters, and more betrayal!
Originally part of the Legends of Tomorrow miniseries, this story features the rebooted New 52 version of Metamorpho. Most of the characters and Metamorpho’s abilities are pretty similar to past versions, but some of the sensibilities are updated and modernized. Rex is very much an Indiana Jones-type character before he receives powers, and we do get glimpses of that background throughout the story. He’s still adjusting to his transformation, so he’s not always as sharp-witted as I think he could be.
There’s not a lot of subtlety to these characters. They’re all pretty much archetypes and never really rise above that or develop beyond their initial presentation. The bad guys are bad, the good guys are good, and nothing really grows or changes. Rex does gain a bit of an appreciation for his powers and the responsibility he now feels, but it’s all pretty standard fare.
The art is nice throughout. I’ve always liked Lopresti’s clean lines and definition of character. No differences here - solid artwork that assists in the storytelling pretty well.
I had fun reading this even though it wasn’t anything new or ground-breaking. I like Metamorpho and was happy to see a new story with him after being out of the spotlight for so long. A nice introduction to the character for new fans.
Originally part of the Legends of Tomorrow miniseries, this story features the rebooted New 52 version of Metamorpho. Most of the characters and Metamorpho’s abilities are pretty similar to past versions, but some of the sensibilities are updated and modernized. Rex is very much an Indiana Jones-type character before he receives powers, and we do get glimpses of that background throughout the story. He’s still adjusting to his transformation, so he’s not always as sharp-witted as I think he could be.
There’s not a lot of subtlety to these characters. They’re all pretty much archetypes and never really rise above that or develop beyond their initial presentation. The bad guys are bad, the good guys are good, and nothing really grows or changes. Rex does gain a bit of an appreciation for his powers and the responsibility he now feels, but it’s all pretty standard fare.
The art is nice throughout. I’ve always liked Lopresti’s clean lines and definition of character. No differences here - solid artwork that assists in the storytelling pretty well.
I had fun reading this even though it wasn’t anything new or ground-breaking. I like Metamorpho and was happy to see a new story with him after being out of the spotlight for so long. A nice introduction to the character for new fans.
March 13, 2019
In a rather odd way I appreciate that DC collected the stories from the brief Legends of Tomorrow series. Whereas the Sugar & Spike collection was a very enjoyable and entertaining read, this-not so much.
I would definitely say this is for fans of the character, and at best I've a middling interest in Rex Mason and his supporting cast. If you're a hardcore, no one should change the character person, then give this TPB a pass. As, I'm not that hardcore when it comes to corporate owned IP some of the character changes were for the better.
There are attempts to give both Rex and Sapphire some character beyond their past depictions (woe is me I'm a monster, and love interest with daddy issues). Sapphire retains the daddy issues, but at least she does something about them, and with them here. Rex still is angst at 1960s Ben Grimm levels, but he gives much of that up. Even Java is given something to work with.
I would definitely say this is for fans of the character, and at best I've a middling interest in Rex Mason and his supporting cast. If you're a hardcore, no one should change the character person, then give this TPB a pass. As, I'm not that hardcore when it comes to corporate owned IP some of the character changes were for the better.
There are attempts to give both Rex and Sapphire some character beyond their past depictions (woe is me I'm a monster, and love interest with daddy issues). Sapphire retains the daddy issues, but at least she does something about them, and with them here. Rex still is angst at 1960s Ben Grimm levels, but he gives much of that up. Even Java is given something to work with.
May 19, 2019
Metamorpho was a quirky Silver Age superhero, a soldier of fortune (Rex Mason) transformed into an elemental shapeshifter (iron hammer, sulfur smokescreen, nitric acid jet). This reworks the origin for the New 52 and starts well, but can't stick the landing.
On the plus side, Metamorpho's girlfriend Sapphire gets to be more than just beautiful and rich. ON the negative side, the ending needed an added twist, or a different twist from the one we got. The presence of the old JLA villain Kanjar Ro seemed to be heading that way, but he ends up feeling like padding to the plot.
On the plus side, Metamorpho's girlfriend Sapphire gets to be more than just beautiful and rich. ON the negative side, the ending needed an added twist, or a different twist from the one we got. The presence of the old JLA villain Kanjar Ro seemed to be heading that way, but he ends up feeling like padding to the plot.
May 13, 2023
What A Great Read
This was a great read.
Story was great.
Was not able to get any of my predictions right, and that is good!
So many unexpected twists and turns.
Good set of characters.
Great artwork.
It is good to read a great Metamorpho story.
A bit of a changed backstory but no problems.
I don’t like giving spoilers so I won’t.
But, dear reader, I can be very confident in recommending this one.
Hope enjoy it as much as me.
And, it would seem, there is plenty of scope for more stories.
Bruce
This was a great read.
Story was great.
Was not able to get any of my predictions right, and that is good!
So many unexpected twists and turns.
Good set of characters.
Great artwork.
It is good to read a great Metamorpho story.
A bit of a changed backstory but no problems.
I don’t like giving spoilers so I won’t.
But, dear reader, I can be very confident in recommending this one.
Hope enjoy it as much as me.
And, it would seem, there is plenty of scope for more stories.
Bruce
May 14, 2018
ONLY DC could take both the 'funny' AND the fun out of a series. Here, once again, they've succeeded with the Element Man, depriving us of BOTH the humor AND Ramona Fradon's quirky drawings. The few 'jokes' and 'gags' fall hideously FLAT, like a souffle dropped from 10 stories up. The BEST thing about this collection is the mercifully BLANK inside back cover.
Skip, miss, run away, Hells, just RUN from this series.
Skip, miss, run away, Hells, just RUN from this series.
December 27, 2025
This was a surprisingly solid origin story for Metamorpho. There is a big McGuffin that the whole story revolves around but other than that, its a good story. Aaron Lopresti pulls double duty as writer and artist, excelling with the art chores. His writing is good though as he takes a refreshing look at a mostly stale story. Overall, a better origin tale than expected.
January 12, 2018
A disappointingly unimaginative reboot. Metamorpho is one of my all-time favorite comic book characters, so this is a particularly sad one for me.
March 20, 2021
This is one of Metamorpho's best books.
June 2, 2022
Little tough to get through, kinda bland.
October 10, 2016
Metamorpho has always been a hit or miss character. Done well, it infuses a large dose of humor with crazy action. This version lacked much of the humor and replaced it with a convoluted tale that didn't seem to know what it wanted to do. The artwork was technically fine, but didn't suit to tone of what I expected a Metamorpho story to be.
Note: I read this in individual comic book issues of Legends of Tomorrow.
Note: I read this in individual comic book issues of Legends of Tomorrow.
February 3, 2017
Why didn't I see the scifi element coming?
This really is a New 52 Metamorpho os he is learning vs. being the solid Rex Mason I have seen in the past.
I think Java's anger at him is something that should have been better explained.
This really is a New 52 Metamorpho os he is learning vs. being the solid Rex Mason I have seen in the past.
I think Java's anger at him is something that should have been better explained.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews