Junkyard of Doom-part 3- conclusion

Finally (sorry, hectic week!) the conclusion of "Junk Yard of Doom!"

Junkyard of Doom-part 2

I was advised that I had been remiss in not mentioning Bob Haney. Writer Bob Haney co-created Metamorpho, along with Eclipso, and an obscure super hero team called the "Teen Titans" or something.

Haney wrote mostly for DC and worked in nearly every genre. He is often remembered for the oft-reprinted "A Dirty Job" from Our Army At War #241. Mr. Haney passed away in 2004 after retiring to Mexico.

And now, Metamorpho!

The Element of Romance... Metamorpho!

As most of you know, I'm a sucker for the art of Ramona Fradon. So, it's no surprise I'm a fan of her work on Metamorpho. Metamorpho is a rarity in DC's Silver Age, a hero with unwanted powers. Originally a dashing soldier of fortune, Rex Mason, Metamorpho gained his powers after finding a bizarre artifact "The Orb of Ra". Unfortunately, along with almost limitless power, Rex gained a shocking and hideous appearance.

Apart from the shape-changing fun, and the marginally educational inclusion of the names of various elements and chemical compounds as plot elements (no pun intended) this series delivered something unexpected- ROMANCE.

The main thrust of the series' plot is a bizarre love quadrangle- Rex Mason loves Sapphire Stagg. Sapphire loves Rex. Rex works for Sapphire's father, Simon Stagg. Simon Stagg's henchman- a surgically enhanced caveman named Java- loves Sapphire and hates Rex. Simon Stagg loves power and hates Rex for interfering with his hold over Sapphire... Basically it's a recipe for tension and tragedy that opens the door to lots of good story.

I hope you all enjoy part one of "The Junk Yard of Doom". I know I did.