Writer: Bryan Swann
Artist: Joseph Arnold
Bare Bones Conics, June 2025
This title, Miss Morpho #1, reminds us of an old issue of The Sandman. In 1989, British writer Neil Gaiman blew the dust off an obscure DC Comics superhero named Element Girl, and used her in a story called “Facade” appearing in The Sandman #20. Element Girl (Rainie Blackwell) was the female associate of a superhero character called Metamorpho. Until that issue, Rainie had been long-forgotten as an obscure character by DC Comics’ usual readership. Mr Gaiman depicted Rainie as an isolated, deeply depressed woman, longing for death and, by reason of her formidable superpowers, unable to achieve it.
Miss Morpho has powers that are extremely similar to that of Element Girl, and in addition she has her own mental illness. While Rainie sat alone in the dark alone, Miss Morpho is a popular superhero with a good relationship with the local police and the community, who has almost completely eliminated crime in her hometown. She is celebrated with a statue in her honour. She seems happy, almost joyful in her characterisation. But unbeknownst both herself and to the townsfolk, Miss Morpho has a multiple personality disorder that manifests itself in very unpleasant ways.
In addition to themes, Miss Morpho has very similar artwork to The Sandman #20. The lines are perhaps cleaner. Joseph Arnold, the artist for Miss Morpho, does a solid, professional job particularly with the characters’ appearances. This is critically important to a story where there is a barely hidden doppelgänger. Miss Morpho’s ability and predilection for changing her hairstyle and colour could be challenging for a reader to follow character movement within the story, but Mr Arnold keeps us focused on Miss Morpho’s face.
Here is the promotional pitch:
This summer, comic fans of all ages are in for a powerful, thrilling ride with the release of Miss Morpho– a bold new superhero comic series that redefines duality, identity, and heroism through the eyes of a young woman with an extraordinary secret.
At the center of the story is Michaela Grayson, a bright, courageous young adult who is the fearless protector Miss Morpho by day. But when the sun sets, something darker awakens: her alternate personality emerges as the enigmatic and dangerous Miss Oblivion – a supervillain with a mysterious agenda and a mind of her own.
As the lines blur between hero and villain, Michaela must uncover the truth behind her fragmented identity before Miss Oblivion can split off – and threatens the very world Miss Morpho is sworn to protect.
“Miss Morpho is a celebration of strength, struggle, and self-discovery,” says Bryan Swann. “It’s about a person flowing with light and positivity that is haunted by a darkness they don’t even know is there.”
Packed with action, heart, and a visually striking art style, Miss Morpho is designed to appeal to readers across generations – with empowering themes for young readers, emotional depth for teens and adults, and a fresh take on the superhero genre.
But it is not for all ages at all. While the rigid dialogue suggests the title targets a young audience, we nonetheless witness the horrific murder of a police officer, whose eyes are bloodily popped by the psychopathic Miss Oblivion.
The plot has some holes (the one which really irked us was the rationale for restrain Miss Morpho by tying her up when she is repeatedly demonstrated as being able to teleport). We were also strongly reminded of Marvel Comics’ character The Sentry, with his villainous alter ego The Void. But Miss Morpho is not a deliberate parody or homage, does not wrestle with mental illness like “Facade”, and refuses to run down other thought- provoking rabbit holes. It would be a mistake to read it too deeply. Notwithstanding its flaws, we enjoyed Miss Morpho as a fun, superhero adventure.
Miss Morpho is available from the following website: at www.barebonesent.com/comics