10 Best Stories Featuring The Terrifics
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DCU fans are waiting for the July 2025 premiere of the new Superman film by James Gunn for many reasons. While everyone is excited to have a new Superman, the film will also feature the first live-action film debut of Mr. Terrific and Metamorpho, two members of the comic book team The Terrifics.
The Terrifics is DC Comics’ answer to Marvel Comics Fantastic Four. The Terrifics are a science-based team featuring billionaire scientist and tech genius Mr. Terrific, Metamorpho, who can turn into any element, Phantom Girl, who can become intangible and phase through objects, and Plastic Man.
While the comic book series only lasted 30 issues, The Terrifics is a fan-favorite series. Here are 10 of the best stories featuring these characters for casual readers to get acquainted with before seeing Superman next year.
1. The Terrifics Vol. 1: New Age of Heroes
Mr. Terrific, Plastic Man, and Metamorpho enter a portal into a mysterious dimension, Once there, they encounter a young girl who has been stuck in an intangible state, Phantom Girl. Once they return home the group realizes that an exotic dimensional energy has bound all of them together.
The Terrifics team is formed. The group also receives a mysterious message telling them that they are destined to save the universe. This 144-page paperback collects the first six issues of the series. Get it at Amazon now for $9.15.
2. The Terrifics Vol. 2: Tom Strong and the Terrifics
This paperback collects issues #7 through 14 of the series. The team meets up with adventure Tom Strong. Together, they all try to find a way to break the dark energy bond that is forcing them to stay together. A new villain named Doc Dread also presents a new threat for the team to deal with.
This story is 184 pages long. Get it for $16.31 at Amazon now.
3. The Terrifics Vol. 3: The God Game
In this volume, the team is absorbed into a nightmarish digital dimension. The team has to battle a digital God-like being to survive and to keep it from taking over the Earth. This 144-page paperback collects issues #15 through 18 and The Terrifics Annual #1. The paperback costs $126 at Amazon but you can get the Kindle version for $9.99.
4. The Terrifics Vol. 4; The Tomorrow War
This final volume collects issues #19 through 30 of the series. Superman villain Bizarro uses a time machine to alter reality, The team then has to travel through the new realities created by Bizarro to fix the timeline to normal. You can get this paperback for $16.77 right now at Amazon.
5. Mr. Terrific Vol. 1: Mind Games
Michael Holt, also known as Mr. Terrific, is a tech genius, a billionaire, and the third smartest man on the planet. Holt is trying to grieve the loss of his wife when a new villain starts causing havoc. Mr. Terrific starts contemplating his role as a hero in a world he can hardly relate to as he battles this new menace.
This 192-page paperback collects the first six issues of the series. You can buy it right now for $24.98 at Amazon.
6. Tom Strong Deluxe Edition Vol. 1
Tom Strong is an adventurer superhero created by legendary writer Alan Moore and artist Chris Sprouse in 1999. Strong is a pulp-era-style superhero who has an enhanced intellect, and super strength, and can live an extended life span by ingesting a magical root. Tom Strong, his wife and daughter, robot valet, and ape sidekick explore other dimensions and fight eccentric and dangerous enemies.
20 years after his creation Strong was added to The Terrifics comic as a supporting character. This hardcover collects the first 12 issues of the original Tom Strong run. Get it now at Amazon for $53.12.
7. Tom Strong Deluxe Edition Vol. 2
Tom Strong has lived for over a century and has made enemies in other dimensions, in different time periods, and even different realities. In this volume, Strong and his family have to deal with threats from the interior of Earth, a tower at the end of time, and the far reaches of the universe. This hardcover collects issues #13 through 24 of the original series run.
Get this hardcover now at Amazon for $30.94.
8. Plastic Man
This 2018 six-issue limited series is an update of the Golden Age Plastic Man origin story. Eel O’Brian is a con artist betrayed by his old crew. He also was exposed to a mystery gas that gave him his stretch powers. O’Brian is now working as Plastic Man to stop his old crew who actually may have infiltrators within the Justice League.
This story was a critical hit for staying faithful to the Golden Age origins of Plastic Man while also updating it for modern audiences. Get the 160-page paperback now for $7.42 at Amazon.
9. Plastic Man Rubber Banded
This comic is a fan-favorite series by creator Kyle Baker who drew the comic in the style of an old-school Hanna Barbera cartoon. Plastic Man is tasked with hunting down Eel O’Brian by the FBI who are unaware that both men are one and the same. The story features a slapstick style and cartoonish art that is still artistically creative and enjoyable to read.
This 496-page story collects all 20 issues of the original run. Get the hardcover now for $199.99 at Amazon.
10. Metamorpho: Two Worlds, One Destiny
Rex Mason, also known as Metamorpho, is a superhero with the power to turn his body into any element. In this story, Metamorpho breaks free of a prison designed by evil industrialist Simon Stagg. Metamorpho then races to secure the Orb of Ra, a powerful alien artifact that gave him his incredible powers before space pirates take it to use as a weapon.
Get this 136-page story on Kindle for $9.99 on Amazon now.
The Terrifics
This a team of adventurers who star in stories inspired by Silver and Bronze Age storytelling, especially in the vein of Marvel’s Fantastic Four. The Terrifics and all associated characters star in stories that anyone interested in comic books can read, relate to, and enjoy. If you enjoy Fantastic Four-style stories and adventures, then give this series and characters a chance or gift them to a friend.
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Allen Francis is a full-time writer, prolific comic book investor and author of The Casual’s Guide: Why You Should Get Into Comic Book Investing. Allen holds a BA degree from Marymount Manhattan College. Before becoming a writer Allen was an academic advisor, librarian, and college adjunct for many years. Allen is an advocate of best personal financial practices including saving and investing in your own small business.
