Metamorpho is set for a bold comeback on December 26, with two of the comic’s best creators at the helm. Writer Al Ewing (Immortal Hulk) and artist Steve Lieber (Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen) are reviving the quirky DC Comics character with Metamorpho: The Elemental Man, a series that’s equal parts love letter to the ’60s and a fresh playground for absurdist storytelling.
In an exclusive chat with both creators, we discuss bringing the quirky character to life. The duo promises a fresh yet nostalgic take on the beloved character, blending retro-inspired humor and design with modern storytelling sensibilities.
The FOC for Metamorpho: The Elemental Man is Monday, November 25.
Courtesy of DC Comics.
A Sitcom Setup with Superhero Style
For Ewing, the heart of the series lies in Metamorpho’s ensemble cast.
“It’s almost a sitcom-type setup,” he explained over a recent Zoom call. “You have this group of four characters — extending to five —bouncing off one another in different ways.”
Ewing revealed that his pitch for the series began with character dynamics before introducing plot elements.
“This is Metamorpho for the foreseeable future,” he said. “It’s where we want to go with him, but we’re not ignoring the rich history that’s already there.”
Fans of absurdist humor and clever character work will find plenty to love in the series. Ewing’s inspiration pulls from the likes of Bob Haney, Monty Python, and even ’60s slang.
“It’s a love letter to Haney and Ramona Fradon,” Ewing said, referencing Metamorpho’s original creative team. “I love writing in that groovy ’60s style — it’s never ironic or mocking. It’s sincere and full of joy.”
Visually Dynamic and Limitlessly Creative
Lieber, known for his knack for visual comedy, is relishing the artistic challenges Metamorpho presents.
“It feels at times like Al’s made it a challenge to see what he could make me do to the human figure,” he joked. The series gives Lieber the freedom to break away from conventional superhero anatomy, allowing Metamorpho’s transformations to push the boundaries of visual storytelling.
Lieber even invented a unique visual touch for the character.
“Whenever Metamorpho transforms, the atomic symbol of the element pops up on his body like a physical caption,” he explained. “It’s a fun way to show what he’s becoming and ties directly to his powers.”
This approach, however, requires more than just artistic skill.
“I’m reading more chemistry and physics than I have since high school in the eighties,” Lieber admitted.
Ewing added that he’s constantly referencing elements found in the human body, striving to make Metamorpho’s transformations scientifically grounded.
“I set a challenge to avoid using titanium too often,” Ewing said. “Even though it’s tempting because it sounds cool.”
Courtesy of DC Comics.
Standalone Stories with a Larger Narrative
The new series is structured as a collection of standalone “done-in-one” issues that also build toward a larger overarching story.
“Every issue has a beginning, middle, and end,” Ewing said. “But there’s always a background narrative that gets more prominent as the series progresses.”
Fans can also expect plenty of villains, both new and familiar. Ewing introduced Mister 3, a villain who embodies the three states of matter, and Sugar Sweet, a pop star influencer with a sinister edge.
“A good story creates the villain,” Ewing said. “For Sugar Sweet, I wanted Sapphire Stagg to have a pop-rival, which let us play with themes like celebrity culture and even AI.”
Lieber’s approach to designing these villains is rooted in intuition and persistence.
“Every good idea has already been done twice,” Lieber said. “I scribble and hate everything until something clicks. Eventually, the right design appears, and it’s always so obvious in hindsight.”
Courtesy of DC Comics.
A Love Letter to Comic Book Nostalgia
One of the most striking aspects of the series is its unapologetic embrace of retro comic storytelling. Lieber and Ewing see the series as a celebration of the medium’s rich history.
“It’s instantly its own world,” Lieber said. “We’ve lost some of the great pleasures of recurring motifs and rhythms in comics. This series brings that back.”
Ewing is particularly fond of reviving thought bubbles, a tool often abandoned in modern comics.
“Thought bubbles are so useful,” Ewing said. “When everything is a caption, you lose the immediacy and personality that thought bubbles provide. They’re such a great storytelling device.”
Courtesy of DC Comics.
Beef with Vandal Savage and a Madcap Cast
The series also dives deep into Metamorpho’s supporting characters, particularly Java, the “assistant” of scientist Simon Stagg.
“Java has been reimagined as a much smarter, sadder character,” Ewing said. “His dynamic with Stagg is more equal now — they bicker like an odd couple. But he still has beef with Vandal Savage.” As Lieber interjected, “Literal beef.”
This reinvention of Java is part of Ewing’s broader approach to honoring Metamorpho’s past while carving out new territory.
“We’re bringing in classic villains like the Mad Mod and looking at how they fit into this world. I want to celebrate the weird, wonderful aspects of Metamorpho’s history.”
Courtesy of DC Comics.
Metamorpho’s Elemental Appeal
With Metamorpho set to appear in James Gunn’s upcoming Superman: Legacy, fans may be curious about possible synergy between the series and the movie. Ewing, however, insists that the comic is focused on its own path.
“I’m completely out of the loop regarding movie matters,” he said. “But I’m excited to see Anthony Carrigan’s take on the character — he’s brilliant in Barry.”
Ultimately, Ewing and Lieber’s Metamorpho is a celebration of joy, creativity, and fun.
“If you need a break from angst-filled comics, this is the one for you,” Ewing said. “It’s a love letter to the medium, designed to make you forget your troubles and have a great time.”
With its unique blend of heartfelt humor, innovative visuals, and ’60s flair, Metamorpho: The Element Man is shaping up to be one of DC’s most exciting new releases.
And how could Metamorpho’s adventures not be a blast? After all, he’s got all the elements to blow you away!
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