Forgotten Superman Villain Solaris Sparks Chaos for Metamorpho—Is a Movie Tie-In Coming?

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In this upcoming period, Metamorpho, a character known for his unique abilities, will receive more attention than ever before. This increased focus is due to his inclusion in the popular Superman series, with James Gunn discussing him at length. Additionally, Metamorpho has been given a new series by writer Al Ewing and artist Steve Lieber, which emulates Silver Age storytelling that perfectly suits this Man of a Thousand Elements. The fifth issue of Metamorpho: The Element Man, nearing the end of the series, unveils the real truth behind the villainous organization Metamorpho has been fighting since the beginning, C.Y.C.L.O.P.S. An age-old adversary of Metamorpho, the Thunderer, emerges and shares details about the Sun Wars – conflicts fought between champions of stars across solar systems. In a stroke of fortune as much as skill, Metamorpho and his companions manage to defeat the Thunderer, only to discover the true mastermind behind C.Y.C.L.O.P.S.: Solaris, an infamous Superman villain who played a significant role in the greatest Superman story ever told – All-Star Superman.

As a devoted comic book enthusiast, I’ve been captivated by the intriguing lore of Solaris in the DC Universe. The unexpected turn where he transforms into a Metamorpho villain took me completely off-guard and added an exciting layer to his character that I didn’t see coming. In recent times, Solaris has gained significant attention, a trend that started last year. Truth be told, there isn’t much history or backstory on Solaris compared to other characters – but the introduction of this Tyrant Sun into the comics is proving to be a fascinating and unpredictable journey.

Solaris Is the Best Superman Villain You’ve Never Heard Of

In a surprising twist, Solaris the Tyrannical Sun didn’t make his debut in a Superman comic book, but rather in the 1998 event comic “DC One Million.” This storyline centered around heroes from the 853rd century, an era when “Action Comics” would have reached its millionth issue. The Justice League was invited to witness the Prime Superman stepping out of the Solar Fortress of Solitude for the first time in thousands of years.

However, two future villains, Vandal Savage and Solaris the Tyrant Sun, sought to disrupt the past when the Justice League arrived in their time. The narrative establishes Solaris as a long-time adversary of Superman and the Superman Dynasty, battling them for millennia. Interestingly, the villain Solaris is created in the present by the Justice Legion A to cure a virus sent from the future.

The story concludes with the Prime Superman, who had spent millennia inside the sun absorbing solar energy and effectively becoming a deity, destroying Solaris in the future.

As a dedicated comic book enthusiast, I’d like to share some intriguing insights about the character Solaris from the DC Universe. Unlike other notable villains, Solaris was penned by Grant Morrison, the same genius behind “All-Star Superman.” Interestingly enough, this cosmic menace wasn’t initially embraced as a major adversary within the DC Universe. Instead, it appears that Morrison developed Solaris as part of a creative pitch for “Superman 2000,” a collaborative project with Mark Waid, Tom Peyer, and Mark Millar, which unfortunately never materialized at DC Comics.

The team’s innovative ideas were met with skepticism, causing Morrison to depart from the publisher. However, Solaris would resurface in “All-Star Superman,” where it was unveiled as a crucial component of Lex Luthor’s grand scheme. The storyline concludes with Superman venturing into the sun to rectify Solaris’ disturbance, thereby establishing his role as the Prime Superman in “DC One Million.”

Although “All-Star Superman” isn’t considered official canon, Morrison effectively crafted an alternate universe within DC Comics, with Solaris playing a pivotal role. This is just one of the many intriguing tales that highlight Morrison’s unique and influential contributions to the DC Universe.

Metamorpho Vs. Solaris on the Big Screen?

In the realm of cinema enthusiasts like myself, last year, the iconic costume of Superman from the eponymous film was unveiled, depicting a weary Superman in an apartment adjacent to a large window. Beyond this window, a radiant orb glimmered in the sky – a sight that sparked speculation among fans, with some attributing it to Solaris, partly due to its appearance and partly because of James Gunn’s mention of ‘All-Star Superman’ influencing the new Superman movie. Fast forward to today, this luminous sphere has made an appearance in the latest Superman trailer, and the consensus among fans remains that it is indeed Solaris.

2025 finds Solaris gracing the pages of a Metamorpho comic, and as a film enthusiast like myself, I can’t help but wonder if this isn’t more than just a coincidence. While it’s not uncommon for comic companies to operate independently from film studios, the timing of this particular event has me intrigued. Could DC Comics be hinting at Solaris’s upcoming role in a movie? It’s possible that they’re subtly acknowledging the Tyrant Sun’s presence in a Metamorpho storyline as a clever wink to fans who are attuned to such details. Only time will tell when we find out on July 11, 2025.

Metamorpho: The Element Man #5 is on sale now.

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2025-04-25 18:15