Throwback Thursday: It’s Purely Elemental with Metamorpho
Mar 03, 2022
Stagg sent his bodyguard Java into the pyramid where Rex was hunting for the artifact. Java knocked him unconscious and he was exposed to a radioactive meteorite within the Orb of Ra that transformed him into the Element Man. He gained the ability to transform into any element or combination of elements in the human body and is nearly indestructible in his regular state, though being near the Orb of Ra weakens him.
Metamorpho came to see his transformation as a disease when he realized that he couldn’t return to a normal human appearance, so he sought to return to his normal state. Green Lantern also tried to revert his condition but was unable to because the meteorite’s radiation had a yellow aspect.
Eventually, Metamorpho came to understand how he could help people with his abilities and he became a founding member of the Outsiders and has been a part of the Justice League.
His dynamic power is illustrated on the Metamorpho #7 original cover art by Sal Trapani that Hake’s is now offering. The large-format art on trimmed 12-3/8” x 18-5/8” artboard features the pen and ink original art by Trapani that was inked by Charles Paris. Made for the issue published in August 1966, it shows Metamorpho emerging from an erupting volcano, soaring toward the villain’s vehicle with the lower half of his body composed of liquid magma. There are several images of the Metamorpho flying from the volcano to give it the appearance of movement, while the go-go checks at the top boarder firmly establish it as a 1960s DC comic.
In Auction #234, Hake’s is selling a mix of original art and comics, along with nearly 2,000 other lots. The auction is open for bids now through March 15-16, 2022, at hakes.com.
Keep an eye on PREVIEWSworld.com's Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram for more character profiles! And if you're interested in more from the world of Aquaman, head to your local comic shop and check out the following...
Art by Jurgens & Jesse Delperdang
Cover by Kevin Nowlan
Collecting the 6-issue miniseries that shed light on the origin of the Outsiders' resident shape-shifter! Adventurer Rex Mason's latest quest leads him to Egypt to recover the mysterious Orb of Ra, not realizing his life will be forever changed. What other surprises are in store?
Advance-solicited; on sale June 11 144 pg, FC, $14.99 US
Art by Ramona Fradon, Jack Sparling, Mike Sekowsky and others
Cover by Sal Trapani
This massive black-and-white volume collects all Metamorpho's Silver Age adventures, from THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #57-58, 66, 68, METAMORPHO #1-17, and JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #42! Guest-starring Batman, the Justice League of America, the Metal Men and more!
This article originally appeared in Gemstone Publishing’s e-newsletter Scoop.
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Amanda Sheriff is Gemstone Publishing’s Associate Editor, serving as the writer/editor of the e-newsletter, Scoop. She is the author of The Overstreet Guide to Collecting Movie Posters, The Overstreet Guide to Collecting Concert Posters, and The Overstreet Guide to Collecting Horror, and co-author of The Overstreet Price Guide to Star Wars Collectibles and The Overstreet Price Guide to Batman.
