Metamorpho #17

Metamorpho #17 (On Sale: January 23, 1968) sports another cover by Jack Sparling.

"Last Mile for an Element Man" is by Bob Haney and Jack Sparling. Following his defeat of Jezeba's army in the last issue, Metamorpho prepares to confront Mr. Shadow. However, before he can act, authorities step in and arrest him for the murder of Sapphire's husband, Wally Bannister. Metamorpho complies with the authorities, though he proclaims his innocence. During this time, Mr. Shadow escapes.

Metamorpho is brought to trial where witnesses claim that Metamorpho murdered Bannister. His alibi about being in the legendary city of Ma-Phoor is disregarded, and the Element Man is sentenced to death. Given his powers, the authorities place Metamorpho in a chamber frozen to absolute zero and dump him in the ocean.

Element Girl attempts to rescue Rex, but she is obstructed by a man calling himself the Prosecutor. The villain reveals that he framed Rex on behalf of an unnamed client. Despite the Prosecutor's efforts Element Girl succeeds in freeing Metamorpho. The two freaks then follow the villain.

The Prosecutor leads Metamorpho and Element Girl to Algon, Jezeba's former lover who was also an Element Man. Metamorpho battles his counterpart and learns that Algon killed Bannister. Since he looks like Metamorpho, witnesses believes that Rex was responsible. Following the battle, Algon perishes in a lava bed.

The Prosecutor then makes contact with his hidden client. The mystery man is angry that the villain has failed to stop Metamorpho despite framing him for murder. He then unleashes a swarm of killer insects to deal with the Prosecutor. Reprinted in Showcase Presents: Metamorpho Vol. 1 TPB.

Though this story was intended to be continued in issue #18, the book is cancelled with this issue and the storyline is left unresolved. When Metamorpho next appears, in Brave and the Bold #101, the unresolved plot threads from this story are never mentioned.

Edited by George Kashdan.

Metamorpho #15

Metamorpho #15 (On Sale:September 275, 1967) features a Sal Trapani cover.

"Hour of Armageddon" is by Bob Haney, Sal Trapani and Charles Paris. Continuing the story from Metamorpho #14, after witnessing Metamorpho being obliterated by the Thunderer, Element Girl attacks the villain and suffers the same fate as the Element Man. She soon finds herself in a sub-atomic universe separated into three parts. Metamorpho is also trapped in the same micro-verse with her. Working together they are able to restore themselves to normal with the additional help of boy genius Billy Barton.

While Metamorpho is presumed dead, the Thunderer demands Earth's surrender from the United Nations. Metamorpho returns to battle the mutant, but finds his powers are not enough. Billy Barton provides the Element Man further assistance by delivering a laser to him. The laser proves more effective against the Thunderer.

As the battle continues, an alien ship arrives containing two members of the Thunderer's race. Reprinted in Showcase Presents:Metamorpho Vol. 1 TPB.

Edited by George Kashdan.

Metamorpho #14

Metamorpho #14 (On Sale: July 25, 1967) features a Sal Trapani cover.

"Enter the Thunderer" is by Bob Haney, Sal Trapani and Charles Paris. Continuing the story from Metamorpho #13, after preventing a battle between Element Girl and Sapphire for his affections, Metamorpho answers a call for help from Simon Stagg's School of Science. The school is under the attack of a costumed crook called Neutrog, who possesses powers over all the elements. Neutrog seeks to bring about Armageddon by preparing for the arrival of the Thunderer. The villain then incapacitates Metamorpho with an atomic pile.

Due to the atomic exposure, Metamorpho becomes radioactive and deadly to mankind. Simon Stagg launches him into space to protect Earth. With Metamopho gone, Earth is left open to attack from the Thunderer, a mutant being who wants to cause Armageddon. Conventional military weapons prove useless against the villain. Earth seems defenseless, until Metamorpho returns.

Element Girl was also aboard Metamorpho's rocket and brought it back to Earth. She then joins Metamorpho against Neutrog and the Thunderer. During the battle Neutrog is defeated, then abandoned by the Thunderer. However, the Thunderer's powers appear to ultimately destroy Metamorpho. Reprinted in Showcase Presents:Metamorpho Vol. 1 TPB.

Edited by George Kashdan.

Metamorpho #13

Metamorpho #13 (On Sale: May 25, 1967) features a Sal Trapani cover.

"The Return from Limbo" is by Bob Haney, Sal Trapani and Charles Paris. Continuing the story from Metamorpho #12, Metamorpho battles the Chemo-Robots of Franz Zorb for possession of a necleonic moleculizer. Despite his powers, Metamorpho is unable to maintain possession of the device when the robots attack him. After Zorb and the robots escape with the device, Metamorpho returns to Stagg's lab with Simon.

When they arrive at the lab, Metamorpho discovers that Element Girl who had been comatose has disappeared. He tracks her down, but Element Girl fights him and joins Zorb. Reprinted in Showcase Presents:Metamorpho Vol. 1 TPB.

Edited by George Kashdan.