In what has to be the funniest turn of events in comics in the modern era, DC Comics is producing a Fantastic Four book – well, sort of.
Announced at DC’s Dark Nights: Metal panel at San Diego Comic-Con on Friday, Jeff Lemire (Old Man Logan, Black Hammer) is returning to DC Comics to pen a new book with artist Ivan Reis, The Terrifics. The team will consist of Mr. Terrific, Metamorpho, Phantom Girl, and Plastic Man. For those keeping count, that’s a scientist, a matter-shifting woman, a goofball, and a rock monster. Seems mighty familiar.
For those calling coincidence, Lemire said during the panel that his goal was capture the feeling of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s Fantastic Four book.
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The team was first hinted at on Friday during SDCC when all four characters were spotted wearing the same uniform on a DC Dark Matter banner. It was clear who Mr. Terrific, Metamorpho, and Plastic Man were, though Phantom Girl’s identity was not known until today.
The character designs were done by Evan “Doc” Shaner, who shared them on his twitter.
THE TERRIFICS pic.twitter.com/qJN16Sp4pG
— Doc Shaner (@DocShaner) July 21, 2017
Plastic Man’s return to DC proper was first hinted during Dark Days: The Forge. Though he did not speak, he appeared as a large egg, wearing his famous costume.
Check out character bios below, and let us know what you think of The Terrifics on Facebook, Twitter, or the comments below!
Mr. Terrific
A brilliant inventor, Michael Holt is considered to be one of the smartest men on the planet. He has no powers, but instead uses his intellect and T-spheres to help the world however he can. Through most of the last 5 years, he has been stranded on the parallel Earth-2.
Phantom Girl
It’s not clear who will be taking the moniker of Phantom Girl. In the past it belonged to Tinya Wazzo, a native of the planet Bgztl who belongs to the Legion of Super-Heroes, a group of superheroes from the 31st Century. She can become intangible, allowing her to phase through objects. Phantom Girl has been absent from DC Comics for the past 5 or so years.
Plastic Man
Patrick “Eel” O’Brian was a burglar who eventually developed elasticity powers that allowed him to stretch, shape shift, and have superhuman regeneration and malleability. He turned from his life of crime and joined the JLA. He has been mostly absent from DC Comics for the last 5 years.
Metamorpho
Rex Mason was an adventurer who gained the ability to transmutate into any element. He is a founding member of The Outsiders, a group of super-powered individuals who do not fit with the mainstream world of heroes. He has been largely absent from DC Comics for the past several years.
