Metamorpho Relaunch Gives the Justice League Heavyweight a Perfect Nemesis

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The release of Metamorpho’s new solo series is just around the corner, and with a preview from DC Comics, fans are getting their first look at the Element Man’s new nemesis. If one thing is clear from this brief introduction, it’s that this new villain’s powers make him the perfect match to take on Metamorpho.

On December 26, 2024, Al Ewing, Steve Lieber, Lee Loughridge, and Ferran Delgado’s highly anticipated Metamorpho: The Element Man #1 will hit comic book shelves. Until then, fans can tide themselves over with a five-page preview of what’s to come. If one thing is clear from this sneak peek, it’s that readers are in for a wild ride filled with mystery and intrigue.

One of the biggest points of fascination is Mister 3, a character who the creative team had already confirmed in interviews to be one of the series’ main antagonists. In an interview with Ewing, the writer explained the meaning behind Mister 3’s name, revealing that it references his unique power: the ability to embody all three states of matter—solid, liquid, and gas.

Cover B Card Stock Variant by Erica Henderson for Metamorpho: The Element Man #1 (2024)

Readers get a glimpse of Mister 3’s powers in action in Metamorpho: The Element Man #1, where it’s revealed that, in addition to shifting between the various states of matter, Mister 3, like Metamorpho, can transform his body into a wide array of elemental compounds. Initially, Metamorpho’s transformations seemed limited to elements naturally found in the human body. However, over his 60-year comic history, his powers expanded to include all elements, significantly broadening their scope. While the series has yet to confirm this outright, it appears Ewing will maintain the canon of Rex’s ability to transform into any element.

Even if Metamorpho’s powers remain consistent, Mister 3 already seems to outmatch Rex in certain abilities. In the preview’s opening scene, the two are locked in battle, and Mister 3 transforms into a gas. Surprisingly, Rex is unable to match this form—something he should be able to do. When Metamorpho questions why he can’t replicate Mister 3’s transformation, the villain replies, “Because I know your weakness, Metamorpho—and I’m going to destroy you with it…” This exchange suggests that not only do Mister 3’s abilities rival Rex’s, but his knowledge of Metamorpho’s limitations gives him a critical edge, making him a formidable adversary and potentially Rex’s ultimate match.

Cover C Card Stock Variant by Ian Bertram for Metamorpho: The Element Man #1 (2024)

While Mister 3 and Metamorpho may share similar powers, their designs couldn’t be more different. Metamorpho is vibrant, textured, and noticeably mismatched, with his patchwork appearance bursting with color. In stark contrast, Mister 3 sports a sleek and minimalist look, resembling a black morph suit accented by a white boot-and-glove combo and two downward-pointing triangles—one on his face and another on his chest. While this design still aligns with the typical flamboyance of superhero and supervillain aesthetics, its monochromatic color scheme and streamlined appearance create a sharp contrast to Metamorpho’s bold and chaotic look.

Metamorpho: The Element Man #1 is available December 26, 2024, from DC Comics!

“}]] Who is Mister 3, DC’s new villain?  Read More