Editing Metamorpho (section)

==Fictional character biography==
Rex Mason is an adventurer who is hired by Stagg Enterprises CEO [[Simon Stagg]] to retrieve an Egyptian artifact, the Orb of Ra.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Markstein |first1=Don |website=Don Markstein's Toonopedia |access-date=2 April 2020  |url=http://www.toonopedia.com/metamor.htm |title=Metamorpho the Element Man}}</ref> Shortly after hiring him, Simon Stagg learns that Mason has been dating his daughter [[Sapphire Stagg]]. This and other incidents begin to fuel in Stagg a dislike for Mason that ultimately leads to a plot to kill him.

In an Egyptian pyramid, Mason is knocked unconscious by Simon's brutish bodyguard [[Java (comics)|Java]] and is eventually exposed to a radioactive meteorite from which the Orb of Ra was fashioned, transforming him into Metamorpho, the Element Man.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Greenberger |first1=Robert |title=The Essential Batman Encyclopedia |date=2008 |publisher=Del Rey |isbn=9780345501066 |pages=256–257}}</ref> After transforming Metamorpho, the Orb proves harmful to him, and Stagg uses it to threaten him into compliance. Later, it is revealed that Ra created Metamorpho and similar beings to help him battle [[Apep]].<ref>{{cite book | title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia | url=https://archive.org/details/dccomicsencyclop00beat | url-access=limited | last1=Beatty | first1=Scott | author-link1=Scott Beatty | last2=Jimenez | first2=Phil | author-link2=Phil Jimenez | date=October 4, 2004 | publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]] Limited | isbn=978-0-7566-0592-6 | page=[https://archive.org/details/dccomicsencyclop00beat/page/n202 202]}}</ref>

Metamorpho, unlike most super-humanoids described in DC Comics, does not possess a fully human appearance. As such, he considers himself a freak and wishes only to be restored to his former human state, rejecting an offer of membership from the [[Justice League]] in ''Justice League of America'' #42 because of this. [[Green Lantern]] attempts to change him back using his power ring, but is stopped by a "yellow" component of the meteorite radiation.

Metamorpho briefly has a crimefighting partner named Urania "Rainie" Blackwell, a woman who deliberately exposed herself to the Orb to gain its powers. She calls herself [[Element Girl]] (nicknamed "the Chemical Doll") and works with him on a number of cases.<ref>''Metamorpho'' #10. DC Comics.</ref>

Issues #16–17 were intended to show a new direction for the series, with Sapphire marrying a man named Wally Bannister and Metamorpho joining a mysterious Mr. Shadow to deal with an immortal queen. Bent on world conquest, the queen (an exact lookalike of Sapphire) marries Metamorpho. She later steps outside her mystic city and instantly ages 2,000 years. When Wally Bannister is murdered by Algon (a metamorph who has lived for centuries in a depowered state), Metamorpho is framed. Instead of coming to his defense against the false accusations, Metamorpho's colleague Mr. Shadow comes forth as an enemy. It is revealed that Mr. Shadow was attempting to enslave Metamorpho all along. Metamorpho is tried and convicted by a jury of rabble and is then executed.

Element Girl revives Metamorpho, and Algon, the real murderer, is killed by molten lava in an attempt to regain his burned-out powers. It is later learned that Mr. Bannister's murder was engineered by the villainous Prosecutor, who is then killed by an insectoid villain. At this point, issue #17 ends, and the story is never continued.

Metamorpho reappears years later in ''The Brave and the Bold'' #101 (April–May 1972). It is revealed that Metamorpho had spent the period after the end of his own series immersed in a chemical bath concocted by Stagg in an attempt to cure his condition. Stagg retrieves him from this "cure" early because he needs Mason to save Sapphire. Metamorpho stars in a new backup series beginning in ''Action Comics'' #413 (June 1972). There is no reference in this revival series to the events or characters of the last two issues of his previous series.

Urania Blackwell, unreferenced since the end of the regular series, is later revealed to have ended her partnership with Metamorpho when her unrequited attraction to him became too much for her. Blackwell's powers are removed at her own request by Ra, resulting in her death; the episode, in [[Neil Gaiman]]'s ''[[The Sandman (Vertigo)|Sandman]],'' involves [[Death of the Endless]]. Death mentions Algon's death in passing, trying to convince Blackwell that she will not live forever.<ref>''The Sandman'' (vol. 2) #20. DC Comics.</ref>

===Outsiders===
Metamorpho spends some time working with the [[Outsiders (comics)|Outsiders]]. While in the despotically ruled nation Mozombia, Metamorpho is subdued and disassembled. The tyrant's forces keep him inert with a constant application of radiation.<ref>''The Outsiders'' #11</ref> He is freed by [[Katana (DC Comics)|Katana]]'s indestructible sword, which had been latched onto a live electrical wire.<ref>''The Outsiders'' #12. DC Comics.</ref> While leaving Mozombia, the Outsiders' plane is shot down by the [[Bad Samaritan (comics)|Bad Samaritan]]. Metamorpho and the others spend some time stranded on a deserted island, too far away from land to rescue themselves.<ref>''The Outsiders'' #13. DC Comics.</ref>

In ''[[Millennium (comics)|Millennium]]'', [[Helga Jace]] betrays the Outsiders and kills Metamorpho.<ref name= outsiders27>{{Cite comic | writer=[[Mike W. Barr|Barr, Mike W.]] | artist=[[Erik Larsen|Larsen, Erik]] | story= Robot Tyrants of Kadeyland! | title=The Outsiders | volume= | issue=#27 | date=January 1988 | publisher=DC Comics}}</ref> He is later resurrected in ''[[Invasion! (DC Comics)|Invasion!]]'' when the [[Dominators (DC Comics)|Dominators]]' gene bomb detonates.<ref>''Invasion'' #3. DC Comics.</ref>

===Justice League===
Metamorpho spends some time with the Justice League, including [[Justice League Europe]]. During this period, he encounters Sapphire Stagg again.<ref>''Justice League Europe'' #5. DC Comics.</ref> He becomes involved in a battle with the [[Metal Men]], who have been tricked by Simon Stagg. His League friends, [[Rocket Red]] and [[Animal Man]], are at the site of the battle, but are being detained by Java. After the battle, Metamorpho learns he had a son with Sapphire, but the baby boy's touch harms all but Sapphire and Metamorpho. When Java holds the baby, his arms melt. Metamorpho hands the baby over to Simon, who immediately fears he will be affected like Java was moments before and die. However, something in his genetic structure protects him, just as it did with Sapphire. Simon's stance softens and everyone is set free. [[Will Magnus|Doc Magnus]], the leader of the Metal Men, offers his services in creating new arms for Java. On the way home, Metamorpho's friends are puzzled as to how he knew Simon would be unaffected by the child. Metamorpho indicates that he hoped the baby would kill Simon.<ref>''Justice League Europe'' #12. DC Comics.</ref>

Later, Metamorpho has a romantic relationship with [[Crimson Fox]], which is cut short by her apparent murder. His personal investigation of the incident uncovers multiple layers of lies and deceit. During his time with the team, while fighting the planet-smashing aliens called The Family, Metamorpho is hit by a powerful energy blast that destroys his body. He later reforms his body with a new appearance.<ref>''Justice League International'' (vol. 2) #61. DC Comics.</ref>

===Third death and return===
In ''JLA'' #1, Metamorpho sacrifices himself to rescue [[Atom Smasher (DC Comics)|Nuklon]], [[Obsidian (character)|Obsidian]], and [[Glacier (DC Comics)|Icemaiden]] from the destruction of the Justice League satellite. He is temporarily resurrected by the [[Cathexis (comics)|Cathexis]] and permanently resurrected by Sapphire Stagg using the Orb of Ra.<ref>''JLA'' #1. DC Comics.</ref><ref>''JLA'' #52. DC Comics.</ref>

Shortly thereafter, an accident with one of Simon Stagg's experiments turns Simon, Sapphire, and Joey into an energy being, and causes Metamorpho to take on the form and personality of Java. "Java" kidnaps [[Black Canary]], asking for her help in rescuing the others. With Canary's help, he becomes Metamorpho again and returns the others to their normal forms.<ref>''[[Birds of Prey (comics)|Birds of Prey]]'' #51–52 (March–April 2003). DC Comics.</ref>

===Outsiders===
At the same time, Metamorpho has seemingly been appearing in the ''Outsiders'' (vol. 3) series, but Rex Mason informs the team that their "Metamorpho" is [[Shift (DC Comics)|a regrown fragment of his own body]].<ref>''Outsiders'' (vol. 3) #7 (February 2004). DC Comics.</ref>

Metamorpho continues to serve on the Outsiders when [[Batman]] takes over, and after its further restructuring following Batman's apparent death. He is apparently killed yet again alongside the rest of the team in a satellite explosion orchestrated by [[Talia al Ghul]].<ref>''[[Batman Incorporated]]: Leviathan Strikes''. DC Comics.</ref>

===The New 52===
In 2011, "[[The New 52]]" rebooted the DC universe. One story reveals that the Outsiders have survived. It is stated that Metamorpho was able to save the team by the same technique he previously used to rescue the Justice League during [[Hyperclan]]'s attack.<ref>''Batman Incorporated'' (vol. 2) #1. DC Comics.</ref> He is also shown as one of the candidates for the new [[Justice League International]], but is ultimately not chosen.<ref>''Justice League International'' (vol. 3) #1. DC Comics.</ref>

===DC Rebirth===
In ''[[Doomsday Clock (comics)|Doomsday Clock]]'', Metamorpho is featured on the news as an apparent example of the "Superman Theory", in which the government is thought to have been experimenting on humans to give them superpowers.<ref>''Doomsday Clock'' #3 (January 2018). DC Comics.</ref>

In ''[[The Terrifics]]'', Metamorpho is a member of the eponymous team, consisting of himself, [[Mister Terrific (Michael Holt)|Mister Terrific]], and [[Plastic Man]]. They travel into the Dark Multiverse and discover [[Phantom Girl]], who is trapped in her intangible form. Metamorpho is temporarily returned to his human form, but chooses to be transformed again and becomes Stagg Industries' chief security officer.<ref>''The Terrifics'' #1 - #6. DC Comics.</ref><ref>''The Terrifics'' #11-14. DC Comics.</ref>