Matthew Allison covers World's Finest Comics 217

Original cover by Nick Cardy; DC 1973. Matthew Allison's website is here.

Richard Short covers Metamorpho 3

Original cover by Ramona Fradon and Charles Paris; DC 1965. Richard Short's website is here.

Matthew Allison covers Brave and the Bold 68

Original cover by Mike Sekowsky and Murphy Anderson; DC 1966. Matthew Allison's website is here.

Jonathan Morris covers Brave and the Bold 68

Original cover by Mike Sekowsky and Murphy Anderson; DC 1966. Jonathan Morris's website is here.

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 #16

Metamorpho #16 (On Sale: November 28, 1967) features a cover by Sal Trapani.

"Jezeba, Queen of Fury" is by Bob Haney and Sal Trapani. When Sapphire unexpectedly marries Wally Bannister, Metamorpho seeks a return to his old life as Rex Mason. He is approached by a mysterious figure known as Mr. Shadow and recruited to find the legendary land of Ma-Phoor. He embarks on the quest and soon finds the city south of Ethiopia.

Upon his arrival, Metamorpho soon realizes that Mr. Shadow is actually an agent of Ma-Phoor and has intentionally brought Metamorpho to the city. Metamorpho then meets Jezeba, the Queen of Ma-Phoor. She tells him about her history and of her former lover Algon, who is a doppleganger for Metamorpho.

Jezeba believes that Metamorpho is Algon and wishes to marry him. With Sapphire lost to him, Metamorpho agrees until he learns that Jezeba plans to invade the outside world. This story has been reprinted in Showcase Presents:Metamorpho Vol. 1 TPB.

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.