View source for Metallo

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{{short description|DC Comics character}}
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{{Infobox comics character <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
| character_name = Metallo
| image = Metallo (John Corben -circa 2007).png
| converted = y
| alt = A robotic man with a green glow coming from his chest<!-- image description [[WP:ALT]] -->
| caption = Metallo as depicted in ''Action Comics'' Annual #10 (March 2007).<br/>Art by Art Adams and Alex Sinclair.
| real_name = John Corben
| publisher = [[DC Comics]]
| debut = ''[[Action Comics]]'' #252 (May 1959)
| creators = [[Robert Bernstein (comics)|Robert Bernstein]] (writer)<br/>[[Al Plastino]] (artist)
| species = [[Human]] [[cyborg]]
| alliances = {{Plainlist|
* [[Legion of Doom]]
* [[Secret Society of Super Villains]]
* [[United States Army]]
* [[Superman Revenge Squad]]
* Injustice League
}}
| aliases = Metal Zero (Metal-0)
| powers = '''Current: Bionic surgery'''
*Superhuman strength, speed, stamina, and durability
*[[Kryptonite]] power source
*Imperviousness to pain
*Hologram projection
*Immortality
'''Former: Cyborg physiology'''
*Interchangeable kryptonite
*Computer interaction
*Energy signature manipulation
*Technomorphing
*Computer brain
*Immovability
*Invulnerability
*Laser vision
*Radiation blasts
*Mechanical engineering
*Technological regeneration
}}
'''Metallo''' ({{IPAc-en|m|ə|ˈ|t|æ|l|oʊ}}) is the name of several <!--Do not add "fictional" as it is tautological; supervillains (and characters in general) are by definition implied to be fictionalized to some extent.-->[[supervillain]]s appearing in [[American comic book]]s published by [[DC Comics]], commonly as an [[List of Superman enemies|adversary]] of [[Superman]]. All versions of the character are powered by [[kryptonite]] and are partially or completely mechanical.

In 2009, Metallo was ranked as [[IGN]]'s 52nd-greatest comic book villain of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-comic-book-villains/52|title=The Top 100 Comic Book Villains|date=2009|website=[[IGN]]|access-date=2017-05-10}}</ref>

Metallo has been adapted into numerous media outside comics, primarily in association with Superman. [[Malcolm McDowell]], [[Lex Lang]], [[Jim Rash]], [[Paul Blackthorne]], and [[John C. McGinley]] have voiced the character in animation. Furthermore, several versions of Metallo appear in the live-action series ''[[Supergirl (TV series)|Supergirl]]''.

==Publication history==
{{Incomplete section|date=August 2020}}
There was an earlier "Metalo" who appeared in ''World's Finest'' #6 (Summer 1942). This version was a man named George Grant who discovered the most powerful metal on Earth and invented a strength serum.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Eury |first1=Michael |title=The Krypton Companion |date=2006 |publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing |isbn=9781893905610 |page=83}}</ref>

John Corben and Metallo first appeared in the [[Superman (comic strip)|''Superman'' comic strip]] storyline "The Menace of Metallo", which ran from 15 December 1958 to 4 April 1959. The character debuted in comic books in ''[[Action Comics]]'' #252 (May 1959), in a story by [[Robert Bernstein (comics)|Robert Bernstein]] and [[Al Plastino]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Cowsill |first1=Alan |last2=Irvine |first2=Alex |last3=Korte |first3=Steve |last4=Manning |first4=Matt |last5=Wiacek |first5=Win |last6=Wilson |first6=Sven |title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe |date=2016 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-5357-0 |page=200}}</ref> 

The Roger Corben version of Metallo debuted in ''Superman''  #310 and was created by [[Curt Swan]] and [[Martin Pasko]].

==Fictional character biography==
===George Grant===
[[File:superman family217.jpg|thumb|The George Grant version of Metallo as seen on the cover of ''Superman Family'' #217 (April 1982).<br>Artwork by [[Rich Buckler]] (pencils) and [[Dick Giordano]] (inks).]]
Metalo (alternate spelling) <!-- The character's name has only one L --> is the identity of an inventor/scientist named George Grant who had built a [[Powered exoskeleton|powered suit of armor]] made from "the most powerful metal on Earth" as well as a "strength serum" that made him a near-match for [[Superman (Earth-Two)|Superman]]. To draw him out, Metalo captured Lois Lane. At the end of their battle, Metalo fell into a crevice to what Superman assumed would be his death. Metalo was revealed to the reader to have "narrowly escaped destruction" and vowed to take revenge.<ref>''[[World's Finest Comics]]'' #6 (Summer 1942)</ref>

Nearly 40 years would pass before the character reappeared in print to challenge Superman again. Metalo had improved his armor and serum and also exposed Superman to a ray that reduced his power significantly, giving Metalo superior strength in their first battle. Superman engaged in a lengthy regimen of exercise and training to restore his powers and returned to easily defeat Metalo.<ref>''[[Superman Family]]'' #217 (April 1982)</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Greenberger |first1=Robert |author-link=Robert Greenberger |title=The Essential Superman Encyclopedia |last2=Pasko |first2=Martin |author-link2=Martin Pasko |date=2010 |publisher=Del Rey |isbn=978-0-345-50108-0 |page=245}}</ref>

===Kryptonian robot===
A robot named Metallo built by Kryptonian scientists aided [[Superboy (Kal-El)|Superboy]] when he was marooned on an [[asteroid]].<ref>''[[Superboy (comic book)|Superboy]]'' #49 (1956). DC Comics.</ref>

===John Corben===
John Corben was originally a journalist (and secretly a thief and murderer) who had just committed what he thought was the perfect murder. While fleeing from the scene of the crime, he suffered a near-fatal accident that mangled his body beyond repair.<ref>{{cite book |last=Rovin |first=Jeff |author-link=Jeff Rovin |title=[[The Encyclopedia of Super-Villains]] |date=1987 |publisher=Facts on File |isbn=0-8160-1356-X |location=New York |pages=217–218}}</ref> An elderly scientist, Professor Vale, encounters Corben and transfers his brain into a robotic body covered by a flesh-like artificial skin.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Fleisher |first1=Michael L. |title=The Original Encyclopedia of Comic Book Heroes, Volume Three: Superman |date=2007 |publisher=DC Comics |isbn=978-1-4012-1389-3 |pages=221–223}}</ref> Corben discovered that his power source, a capsule of [[uranium]], would only last one day, but was told by Vale that kryptonite would provide him an indefinite power supply.<ref>{{cite book |title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia |publisher=Dorling Kindersley Limited |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-7566-0592-6 |page=201}}</ref>

After obtaining a job with the ''[[Daily Planet]]'', Corben briefly tried to romance [[Lois Lane]], while deciding that he would use his powers to eliminate Superman, the one person who might expose his criminal deeds. After setting a kryptonite death-trap for Superman, Corben stole what he thought was another sample of kryptonite from a museum as a new power supply, not knowing it was a fake prop; this mistake caused him to die just as he was about to kill Lois Lane for discovering that he was not Superman (as he had pretended to be, being super-strong and invulnerable as a cyborg). Superman eventually escaped from the kryptonite trap and arrived just after Metallo (John Corben) had died.<ref>''[[Action Comics]]'' #252 (May 1959)</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Cowsill |first1=Alan |last2=Irvine |first2=Alex |last3=Manning |first3=Matthew K. |last4=McAvennie |first4=Michael |last5=Wallace |first5=Daniel |title=DC Comics Year By Year: A Visual Chronicle |date=2019 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-8578-6 |page=88}}</ref>

[[File:Metallo (John Corben -circa 1987).jpg|thumb|John Corben's Metallo as drawn by [[John Byrne (comics)|John Byrne]] in ''Superman'' (vol. 2) #1 (January 1987)]]
After [[John Byrne (comics)|John Byrne]] rewrote Superman's origins in the 1986 miniseries ''[[The Man of Steel (comic book)|The Man of Steel]]'', Metallo was given an altered backstory. In this version, Corben is inspired to battle Superman because Vale believes him to be an invader.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Greenberger |first1=Robert |last2=Pasko |first2=Martin |title=The Essential Superman Encyclopedia |date=2010 |publisher=Del Rey |isbn=978-0-345-50108-0 |pages=242–244}}</ref>

Despite ignoring Vale's commands, Metallo came into conflict with Superman on various occasions, largely due to his continued activities as a petty thug. Metallo later lost his kryptonite heart to [[Lex Luthor]], though back-up life support systems allowed him to reactivate himself and escape. He remained a thorn in Superman's side and was powerful enough to cripple the [[Doom Patrol]]. Metallo later received a major upgrade via a bargain with the demon [[Neron (character)|Neron]]. As a result, Metallo could morph his body into any mechanical shape he could imagine (such as turning his hands into guns or "growing" a [[jet pack]] from his back) and project his consciousness into any technological or metallic device. He could also grow to monstrous size. During one battle, his gigantic fists were separated and later turned into housing by other superheroes. In another incident, Metallo was rendered more insane by the [[Joker (character)|Joker]] and used his height to destroy an elevated train of commuters.

As Superman and others learned on various occasions, the most effective way to neutralize Metallo was to remove his (largely invulnerable) head and isolate it from other metallic items.

In ''[[Superman/Batman]]'' #2 (November 2003), Lex Luthor fabricated evidence implicating John Corben as the criminal who shot and killed [[Thomas Wayne]] and [[Martha Wayne]] instead of [[Joe Chill]].<ref>''[[Superman/Batman]]'' #2. DC Comics.</ref>

====''Superman: Secret Origin''====
In the 2009–10 [[miniseries]] ''[[Superman: Secret Origin]]'', which retells the origins of Superman and his supporting cast, Metallo is '''Sgt. John Corben''' and serves under Lois Lane's father, General [[Sam Lane (comics)|Sam Lane]]. General Lane is trying to push his daughter, Lois into a relationship with Corben. Though they had one date, she does not return his feelings for her. Corben is next seen signing up for a military option to neutralize Superman (ostensibly with the help of a [[Exoskeleton (human)|power suit]] built by [[LexCorp]]). However, in his first encounter with Superman, a stray bullet hits the kryptonite rock inside the suit, generating a cascade of energy that nearly kills Corben. Through the efforts of Lex Luthor and a crack team of scientists, Corben survives as a cyborg, with the kryptonite functioning as his heart. Driven by a hatred for Superman, he became the villain known as Metallo. Metallo, now wearing a green, orange and red armor, attacks Superman again in a rampage which endangered not only the citizens of Metropolis, but his own fellow soldiers. He was defeated by Superman once more.
====''The New 52''====
In September 2011, ''[[The New 52]]'' rebooted DC's continuity. In this new timeline, John Corben is under the command of General Sam Lane.<ref>''Action Comics'' (vol. 2) #1 (September 2011). DC Comics.</ref> General Lane tells him to talk to Lois Lane, when she keeps questioning where Superman is. It is implied that Corben and Lois once had a relationship. When Superman escapes from the military's custody, Corben is seen enlisting in what appears to be a military project co-opted by Lex Luthor, General Lane, and young scientist Dr. [[John Henry Irons]]—"Project Steel Soldier"—to go against Superman.<ref>''Action Comics'' (vol. 2) #2 (October 2011). DC Comics.</ref> Corben is seen in the experimental '''Metal-Zero'''/'''"Metal 0"''' suit with scientists, mostly Irons, trying to help him. He continues believing that he did it for the affection of Lois and when the robotic needles are in his head, Coined "Metallo", he takes control and his heart bursts, then screams "Where is Superman?"<ref>''Action Comics'' (vol. 2) #3 (November 2011). DC Comics.</ref> Although the attack on Superman succeeds, Metallo is revealed to have been subverted by [[Brainiac (character)|Brainiac]] as part of his own plans, and his rampage is defeated when Irons uses an armored suit of his own to fight Corben and upload a computer virus that he designed in the event of such a situation.<ref>''Action Comics'' (vol. 2) #4 (December 2011). DC Comics.</ref> After escaping, and still under Brainiac's control, Corben continued to fight Superman until he was able to reason with Metallo and to fight Brainiac's influence because of his feelings for Lois Lane. In doing so, Corben attacked Brainiac until Superman could defeat the villain, but he subsequently fell into a coma and was taken back by the army.<ref>''Action Comics'' (vol. 2) #7 (March 2012). DC Comics.</ref>

It was revealed during the "[[Forever Evil]]" storyline that the armor was keeping him alive thanks to alien technology, but without a heart he would soon die. General Lane told his scientists to find a way to save him since he helped to save Metropolis. He was later given a kryptonite heart to keep him alive since it was the only energy compatible with his cybernetics.<ref>''Action Comics'' (vol. 2) #8 (April 2012). DC Comics.</ref> After 31 months in a vegetative state, Corben was brought back with a shard of kryptonite to active duty in the U.S. Army. Since his actions caused the deaths of hundreds of civilians, Lane tried to kill him by exploding the plane he was being carried in. He survived and sought vengeance against Lane at his base, only to be confronted by an upgraded soldier like himself "Metal-2.0". When Corben proves too much, Metal-2.0 activates his self-destruct mechanism, hoping to destroy Corben along with himself. However, he is saved by the Scarecrow and offered a place in the Secret Society of Super Villains, now calling himself Metallo. [[Ultraman (DC Comics)|Ultraman]] later rips off his kryptonite heart, because of his addiction to the mineral.<ref>''Forever Evil'' #4 (February 2014). DC Comics.</ref>

Corben was eventually seen again incarcerated in John Henry's isolated super-prison, eventually drafted by the U.S. government again shortly afterwards, but is only brought back into their service by compunction from Lois once more (who was secretly under Brainiac's influence).<ref>''Action Comics'' (vol. 2) #31 (July 2014). DC Comics.</ref> Given the present danger he represents as [[Doomsday (DC Comics)|Doomsday]] was taking him over, Lois convinced Metallo to run Superman down in a kryptonite bombing run and was summarily incinerated by the blast; all that was left of him being the Metal Zero exo-mantel fused to his charred remains.<ref>''Action Comics'' (vol. 2) #32 (August 2014). DC Comics.</ref> Lois, now completely subsumed by the Brainiac consciousness inside of her, is able to recreate Corben's essential self by downloading her memory of the man he was into what's left of the old Metal-0 suit, said facsimile of the now-deceased military sergeant a loyal echo of whom he once was, obedient to Lane's every whim.<ref>''[[Superman/Wonder Woman]]'' #10 (September 2014), DC Comics.</ref> He would serve as her bodyguard while Brainiac's influence compelled her to cripple military defense systems around the world. He would immediately switched sides once Lois is freed from Brainiac's control, however, and aided her in combating the extraterrestrial threat to their world.<ref>''Action Comics'' Annual #3 (September 2014). DC Comics.</ref> As Superman and Lois departed to stop Brainiac, Metallo was left on Earth to defend Metropolis in their stead.<ref>''Action Comics'' (vol. 2) #34 (October 2014). DC Comics.</ref> After the crisis is resolved, Corben is seen standing guard over Metropolis with [[Krypto]], seemingly contented with his current position.<ref>''Action Comics'' (vol. 2) #35 (November 2014). DC Comics.</ref>

In the wake of Superman's identity being outed to the world as the hero began losing his powers, many an investigation was undertaken into his identity, contacts and motives by collective interests. Seeing as her life was in more danger than ever before, Metallo stuck close to his love as she went and did some investigating of her own in the meantime.<ref>''[[Batman/Superman]]'' #23 (October 2015). DC Comics.</ref> While [[Vandal Savage]] made his play for ultimate power, Lois and Metallo were close by on the scene where Superman kept his warship from crushing a small town. While aiding Superman, as Lois refused to leave his side during the battle with Savage's empowered progeny, Metallo's bionic shell was badly damaged. Looking to make good with all the bad in his life, he willingly offered his kryptonite heart to Superman (the depowered hero having discovered a treatment for his loss of powers that essentially involved giving himself chemotherapy with kryptonite), knowing that he will not survive without it.<ref>''Superman'' (vol. 3) #49 (April 2016). DC Comics.</ref>

====''DC Rebirth''====
In ''[[DC Rebirth]]'', Metallo appears alive as a member of the [[Superman Revenge Squad]] alongside [[General Zod]], [[Mongul]], [[Hank Henshaw|Cyborg Superman]], the [[Eradicator (character)|Eradicator]], and Blanque. After Superman is temporarily blinded, they are defeated when [[Lex Luthor]], [[Supergirl (Kara Zor-El)|Supergirl]], [[Lana Lang|Superwoman]], [[Kong Kenan]], and [[Steel (John Henry Irons)|Steel]] come to Superman's aid and Zod betrays the team for his own ends.<ref>''[[Action Comics]]'' #979-984. DC Comics.</ref>

===Roger Corben===
'''Roger Corben''' is John Corben's brother, who works with the secret organization SKULL to avenge his death.<ref>''Superman'' #310 (April 1977). DC Comics.</ref><ref>''Superman'' #423 (1986). DC Comics.</ref>

==Powers and abilities==
Metallo's metallic body offers him a high degree of protection from physical and energy attacks. He has enhanced abilities and no longer needs to eat, sleep, or breathe. His brain is hermetically sealed inside a shielded alloy skull that has its own power supply. When he was first created, he was powered by a kryptonite heart; losing that, he subsisted on plutonium instead. Additionally, because of his cyborg body, Metallo possesses superhuman strength and speed, enough to pose a challenge and even a threat to opponents such as Superman (in that case, he also takes advantage of the weakening power of kryptonite besides his own strength).

Over the course of his criminal career, Metallo's body would be decimated constantly by various circumstances. As such he would receive numerous upgrades or whole new chassis' to replace his damaged parts, such as by the obscure supervillain organization Cerberus, which modified him with a vastly superior body, one with lead-lined skull-plating and an anatomic layer that even Superman could not demolish.<ref>''The Adventures of Superman'' #491 (1987). DC Comics.</ref> This gave him greatly enhanced strength and durability, coupled with moderate mechanical regeneration to repair internal damage.<ref>''Action Comics'' #678 (1938). DC Comics.</ref> He was later outfitted with a larger LexCorp tech body, which gave him laser vision and further augmented his physical abilities.<ref>''Damage'' #1 (1994). DC Comics.</ref> Soon after it was destroyed, Corben had received a new body from fellow kryptonite-powered supervillain [[Conduit (character)|Conduit]]; which gave Metallo radioactive blasts from his hands and could utilize [[geomagnetism]] to make him physically immovable, even by the Man of Steel, so long as he stood on solid ground or flooring within a building complex.<ref>''Action Comics'' #710 (1938). DC Comics.</ref>

Metallo would eventually sell his soul (or what was left of it) to the demon [[Neron (character)|Neron]] in return for increased power,<ref>''Steel'' (vol. 2) #21 (November 1995) and ''Underworld Unleashed'' #1 (November 1995). DC Comics.</ref> gaining the abilities to mentally control and absorb any mechanical or metal object he focuses on and transforming any technology (himself included) into an extension of his exoskeleton (an ability similar to [[Cyborg Superman]]).

In experimenting with his newfound abilities, Metallo found he could alternate differing energy frequencies for harnessing and redistributing it from various power sources.<ref>''The Adventures of Superman'' #546. DC Comics.</ref> [[Brainiac 13]] upgraded Metallo to tap into various light spectra to better utilize his kryptonite-charged abilities. His mechanical body was also upgraded to be able to grow towards monolithic proportions.<ref>''Superman: The Man of Steel'' #98. DC Comics.</ref> He is also occasionally portrayed as having a [[liquid metal]]-based endoskeleton, possessing the ability to morph parts of his body, specifically his limbs, into different weapons or tools, such as chainsaws, shovels, hammers, etc. While not a genius like Lex Luthor or Brainiac, Corben's time spent with machines has given him a gifted understanding of how they work, enabling him to tinker with their mechanical functions even before gaining his technomorphing capabilities.<ref>''Doom Patrol'' (vol. 2) #10 (1987). DC Comics.</ref>

''Salvation Run'' reveals that Metallo possesses a high-calculus cyber-mind with which to run the numbers of possible and probable outcomes as well as success ratios through. In the previous continuity, the pre-''Flashpoint'' Lex Luthor modified Corben to holster and utilize different forms of kryptonite; boasting mutagenic red-k, inverted blue-k and lastly, artificial depowering gold-kryptonite on top of the green he already possessed.<ref>''Action Comics'' Annual #10. DC Comics.</ref> He could even power a great many anti-[[Kryptonian]] armaments developed by Luthor through it.<ref>''Action Comics'' Annual #11. DC Comics.</ref>

==Other versions==
* An alternate universe variant of Metallo appears in ''[[Superman: Red Son]]''. This version was created by [[Lex Luthor]] for the US government to combat Superman, leader of the [[Soviet Union]].<ref>''Superman: Red Son'' #3. DC Comics.</ref>
* The Silver Age incarnation of Metallo appears in ''[[Justice (DC Comics)|Justice]]''.<ref>''Justice'' #4. DC Comics.</ref>
* An alternate universe variant of Metallo appears in ''[[Superman Family Adventures]]''. This version is '''Jack Corben''', an astronaut who sustained terminal kryptonite poisoning after flying through a kryptonite asteroid field. Lex Luthor manipulates him into believing that Superman is responsible and gives him metallic armor to treat his condition.<ref>''Superman Family Adventures'' #6. DC Comics.</ref>

==In other media==
===Television===
====Live-action====
[[File:SmallvilleMetallo.jpg|frame|right|[[Brian Austin Green]] as John Corben as depicted in ''[[Smallville]]''.]]
* The Roger Corben incarnation of Metallo appears in ''[[Superboy (TV series)|Superboy]]'', portrayed by [[Michael Callan]]. This version is a bungling bank robber who suffers from chest pains. In the episode "Metallo", he tries to rob an armored car despite his condition. [[Superboy (Kal-El)|Superboy]] arrives and apprehends the bank robber, but Corben has a heart attack and is taken to a hospital. After a lengthy recuperation, he murders his doctor and escapes, but suffers another heart attack, crashes his car, and is assumed dead. A mentally-unbalanced doctor subsequently recovers his body, turns him into a cyborg, and replaces his ailing heart with kryptonite.
* The John Corben incarnation of Metallo appears in a self-titled episode of ''[[Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman]]'', portrayed by [[Scott Valentine (actor)|Scott Valentine]]. This version is [[Lucy Lane]]'s boyfriend and a petty criminal. After being shot during a holdup gone wrong, former [[LexCorp]] scientist Emmett Vale rebuilds Corben into a kryptonite-powered cyborg with help from his brother Rollie Vale. Using his new form, Metallo wreaks havoc in Metropolis and fights Superman, who eventually defeats him. Emmett is captured, but Rollie escapes with Metallo's kryptonite, leaving the latter to deactivate.
* The John Corben incarnation of Metallo appears in ''[[Smallville]]'', portrayed by [[Brian Austin Green]] in the [[Smallville season 9|ninth season]] and an uncredited actor in the [[Smallville season 10|tenth season]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Mitovich |first=Matt |date=June 17, 2009 |title=Smallville Casting Exclusive: Brian Austin Green Is Metallo! - Today's News: Our Take |url=http://www.tvguide.com/News/Smallville-Brian-Austin-1007034.aspx |access-date=February 19, 2016 |publisher=TVGuide.com}}</ref> This version is a former war reporter who works at the ''[[Daily Planet]]'' alongside [[Lois Lane (Smallville)|Lois Lane]] and despises the "Blur" - [[Clark Kent (Smallville)|Clark Kent]] - because he rescued a prisoner who went on to murder Corben's sister. In the episode "Metallo", Corben is hit by a truck and experimented on by [[General Zod|Major Zod]]'s [[Kandor (comics)|Kandor]]ian soldiers, receiving bionic appendages and an artificial kryptonite-powered heart. Corben targets the Blur to seek revenge for his sister, but Kent uses a lead plate to defeat him before Corben is recovered by LuthorCorp CEO [[Tess Mercer]]. In the episode "Upgrade", Corben's prior insanity is explained as a flaw in his kryptonite heart while Mercer's scientists turn him into a mindless weapon. After defeating Major Zod and a red kryptonite-infected Kent, Corben regains his free will, receives a red kryptonite heart from Lane that restores his sanity, and goes underground after parting ways on good terms with her and Kent. In the episode "Prophecy", he returns to villainy and using a green kryptonite heart after [[Toyman]] recruits him into his company, "[[Marionette Ventures]]". In the comic book continuation ''[[Smallville Season 11]]'', it is revealed that Corben's change of heart happened due to him becoming a mercenary and his biology rejecting the red kryptonite heart. During this time, a dictatorship tasked him with subduing and eliminating the rebel forces' protector: a kryptonite-powered [[Lana Lang (Smallville)|Lana Lang]]. Toyman gave him his new green kryptonite heart as well as the ability to absorb meteor energy signatures to strengthen himself. After absorbing Lang's kryptonite-powered nanites, Corben gains the ability to assimilate metallic or mechanical constructs. After Lang and Lane remove his power source, the U.S. government defeats and incarcerates Corben.

=====Arrowverse=====
Six different incarnations of Metallo appear in media set in the [[Arrowverse]]:

* John Corben appears in the ''[[Supergirl (TV series)|Supergirl]]'' episode "The Adventures of Supergirl", portrayed by Frederick Schmidt.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2016/08/30/supergirl-metallo-season-2|title=Supergirl casts Superman villain Metallo — exclusive|publisher=Entertainment Weekly|last=Abrams|first=Natalie|date=August 30, 2016}}</ref> He is initially hired by the incarcerated [[Lex Luthor (Arrowverse)|Lex Luthor]] to assassinate his half-sister [[Lena Luthor (Arrowverse)|Lena Luthor]] to prevent her from rebranding [[LexCorp|LuthorCorp]], but Corben's first two attempts fail due to [[Kara Danvers (Arrowverse)|Supergirl]] and [[Clark Kent (Arrowverse)|Superman]]'s intervention. During his third attempt, Corben is foiled by Lena and [[Alex Danvers]], with the former shooting him after he takes the latter hostage. While being sent to the hospital, Corben is intercepted by [[Project Cadmus]], who convert him into the first Metallo. After meeting Cadmus' leader, later revealed to be Lex's mother [[Lillian Luthor (Arrowverse)|Lillian Luthor]], Corben fights Supergirl and Superman alongside another Metallo (see below), with Supergirl and Danvers defeating Corben by removing his power source. Corben is sent to jail, but [[Hank Henshaw]] smuggles in an artificial kryptonite "heart" to help him escape and frames Lillian for it. Due to the artificial kryptonite's instability, Corben undergoes a radiological meltdown and self-destructs despite Supergirl's efforts.
* To assist Corben, Lillian converts unwilling Cadmus scientist named '''Dr. Gilcrist''' (portrayed by Rich Ting) into a second Metallo. During his fight with Superman, [[Martian Manhunter (Arrowverse)|Martian Manhunter]] removes Gilcrist's kryptonite heart, deactivating him.
* An [[Multiverse (DC Comics)|alternate universe]] incarnation of Metallo appears in the four-part crossover "[[Crisis on Earth-X]]", voiced by Frederick Schmidt. This version is an automaton used by the Nazi regime of [[Earth-X (Arrowverse)|Earth-X]], who send Metallo to take several of [[Earth-1 (Arrowverse)|Earth-1]]'s heroes captive. It is eventually destroyed by the combined efforts of the [[Barry Allen (Arrowverse)|Flash]], [[Dinah Drake (Arrowverse)|Black Canary]], [[Caitlin Snow (Arrowverse)|Killer Frost]], [[Leonard Snart (Arrowverse)|Citizen Cold]], the [[Ray (Ray Terrill)|Ray]], the [[Ray Palmer (Arrowverse)|Atom]], [[Jefferson Jackson (Arrowverse)|Firestorm]], [[Mick Rory (Arrowverse)|Heat Wave]], [[Zari Tomaz]], [[Cisco Ramon (Arrowverse)|Vibe]], and [[Amaya Jiwe|Vixen]].<ref name="RTMetallo">{{cite web|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/television/1728459/two-surprise-arrow-verse-characters-who-will-apparently-get-earth-x-versions-in-the-big-crossover|title=Two Surprise Arrow-verse Characters Who Will Apparently Get Earth-X Versions In The Big Crossover|last=Joest|first=Mick|publisher=Cinema Blend|date=November 21, 2017|access-date=November 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122192912/https://www.cinemablend.com/television/1728459/two-surprise-arrow-verse-characters-who-will-apparently-get-earth-x-versions-in-the-big-crossover|archive-date=November 22, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
* The fourth incarnation of Metallo appears in the [[Supergirl season 4|fourth season]] of ''Supergirl''. Introduced in the season premiere "American Alien", '''[[Otis Graves]]''' (portrayed by [[Robert Baker (actor)|Robert Baker]]) is a member of [[Ben Lockwood (Arrowverse)|Ben Lockwood]]'s anti-alien activist group the Children of Liberty. Following his apparent death in the episode "Ahimsa", Otis returns in the episode "O Brother, Where Art Thou?", having been resurrected with kryptonite and converted into a Metallo before Lockwood kills Otis. The "Metallo Procedure" itself is depicted in flashbacks in the episode "Crime and Punishment".
* A fifth, unnamed Metallo appears in the ''Supergirl'' episode "All About Eve", portrayed by an uncredited actor. This version is a security guard at [[Eve Teschmacher (Arrowverse)|Eve Teschmacher]]'s lab in [[National City (DC Comics)|National City]] University.
* Another alternate universe incarnation of Metallo appears in the ''Supergirl'' episode "[[It's a Super Life]]". This version is the '''Lena Luthor''' (portrayed by [[Katie McGrath]]) of a universe where she never met Supergirl, suffered a failed attempt on her life carried out by Lex that left her gravely injured, was converted into a Metallo by Lillian and Cadmus, and subsequently conquered National City.

====Animation====
* The John Corben incarnation of Metallo appears in ''[[The Batman (TV series)|The Batman]]'' two-part episode "The Batman/Superman Story", voiced by [[Lex Lang]].<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Metallo Voices (Superman) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Superman/Metallo/ |access-date=May 23, 2024 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref> This version's kryptonite heart is located where a person's actual heart would be and has a back-up power source.
* The Roger Corben incarnation of Metallo makes a cameo appearance in the ''[[Batman: The Brave and the Bold]]'' episode "Battle of the Superheroes!".<ref name="btva" />
* The John Corben incarnation of Metallo appears in the ''[[Justice League Action]]'' short "True Colors", voiced by [[Chris Diamantopoulos]].
* The John Corben incarnation of Metallo appears in ''[[Harley Quinn (TV series)|Harley Quinn]]'', voiced by [[Jim Rash]].<ref name="btva"/> This version is a member of the [[Legion of Doom]].
** Metallo makes non-speaking cameo appearances in ''[[Kite Man: Hell Yeah!]]''.
* Metallo appears in ''[[My Adventures with Superman]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Younis |first=Steve |date=June 2, 2024 |title="My Adventures With Superman" Season 2, Episode 3 "Fullmetal Scientist" Review |url=https://www.supermanhomepage.com/my-adventures-with-superman-season-2-episode-3-fullmetal-scientist-review/ |access-date=June 2, 2024 |website=Superman Homepage |language=en-US |quote=At the Amertek press conference Thomas Weston, the loud and obnoxious CEO of the company, introduces Metropolis to the company's Metallo security robots. As he attempts to demonstrate the AmerFusion reactor that powers the system, it's clear the technology isn't ready, and he hurriedly shuts it down and refuses to answer any questions.}}</ref> This version is a series of drones created by AmerTek before being acquired by Lex Luthor and [[Amanda Waller]] for [[Task Force X]]'s use. Throughout further appearances, Luthor upgrades the Metallos with kryptonite power sources, but [[Brainiac (character)|Brainiac]] takes control of them amidst his invasion of Earth before they are eventually deactivated following his defeat.

=====DC Animated Universe=====
[[File:Metallo2 1 .png|frame|Metallo as depicted in the [[DC Animated Universe]].]]
The John Corben incarnation of Metallo appears in series set in the [[DC Animated Universe]] (DCAU), primarily voiced by [[Malcolm McDowell]].<ref name="btva" />
* Corben first appears in ''[[Superman: The Animated Series]]''. Introduced in the pilot episode "The Last Son of Krypton", this version was originally an English [[mercenary]] who worked with Lex Luthor to stage the theft of an experimental armored war suit from [[LexCorp]] and give it to the nation of [[Kaznia]] in the hopes of prompting the U.S. government to pay Luthor. However, Corben is eventually caught by Superman and incarcerated at [[Stryker's Island]]. In the episode "The Way of All Flesh", Luthor and prison physician Doctor Vale infect Corben with a rare, fatal [[retrovirus]] and manipulate him into transferring his consciousness into an indestructible, kryptonite-powered robot body in exchange for helping them kill Superman. Initially, Corben uses a special skin covering to appear human. However, he is horrified to discover that he no longer has human senses, goes insane, and partially tears off the skin, dubbing himself "Metallo".
* Metallo returns in the ''[[Justice League (TV series)|Justice League]]'' episode "Hereafter", voiced by [[Corey Burton]].<ref name="btva" /> He joins the [[Superman Revenge Squad]] in an attempt to achieve their titular goal, but are defeated by the [[Justice League]].
* Metallo returns in the ''[[Justice League Unlimited]]'' episode "Chaos at the Earth's Core", voiced again by McDowell. As of this series, he has joined [[Gorilla Grodd]]'s [[Secret Society of Super Villains|Secret Society]]. Metallo and [[Silver Banshee]] are sent to [[Skartaris]] to obtain kryptonite, but are defeated by the Justice League. He attempts to tell them about the Society, but his brain is fried by a protocol that Grodd created to prevent the Society's secrets from reaching the League. Nonetheless, [[Martian Manhunter]] probes what is left of his mind for information.

===Film===
* The John Corben incarnation of Metallo appears in ''[[Superman/Batman: Public Enemies]]'', voiced by [[John C. McGinley]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harvey |first=James |date=July 28, 2009 |title=Menu System For "Green Lantern: First Flight - Two-Disc Special Edition" DVD Release |url=http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/news.php?action=fullnews&id=502 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090728025057/http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/news.php?action=fullnews&id=502 |archive-date=July 28, 2009 |access-date=May 23, 2024}}</ref><ref name="btva" /> This version is [[President of the United States|President]] Lex Luthor's bodyguard before being killed by [[Major Force]], who frames Superman for it.
* The John Corben incarnation of Metallo makes a cameo appearance in ''[[All-Star Superman (film)|All-Star Superman]]'' as an inmate of Stryker's Island.
* The John Corben incarnation of Metallo appears in ''[[Justice League: Doom]]'', voiced by [[Paul Blackthorne]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harvey |first=James |date=September 28, 2011 |title=Warner Home Video Announces Voice Cast For "Justice League: Doom" Animated Film |url=http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/news.php/news.php?action=fullnews&id=1135 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016033133/http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/news.php/news.php?action=fullnews&id=1135 |archive-date=October 16, 2011 |access-date=May 23, 2024}}</ref><ref name="btva" /> This version is a member of [[Vandal Savage]]'s [[Legion of Doom]] and possesses shapeshifting abilities. He battles the Justice League before being killed by Superman.
* Metallo was initially considered to appear in [[Zack Snyder]]'s ''[[Man of Steel (film)|Man of Steel]]'' sequel, but the project was eventually cancelled in favor of ''[[Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice]]''. It was then revealed that Metallo was going to appear in an earlier draft of ''Dawn of Justice'', using the body of '''Wallace Keefe''' (portrayed by [[Scoot McNairy]]). It was also rumored that Metallo was going to be in the final fight between [[Superman (DC Extended Universe)|Superman]], [[Bruce Wayne (DC Extended Universe)|Batman]], and [[Diana Prince (DC Extended Universe)|Wonder Woman]] instead of [[Doomsday (DC Comics)|Doomsday]], but this was never confirmed. Despite this, the character's creator, Emmet Vale, appears in ''Dawn of Justice'', portrayed by Ralph Lister.<ref>{{cite web |author=Jayson |first=Jay |date=July 3, 2015 |title=Metallo Was Originally Planned As Villain In Man Of Steel Sequel |url=http://comicbook.com/2015/07/03/metallo-was-originally-planned-as-villain-in-man-of-steel-sequel/ |access-date=February 19, 2016 |publisher=Comicbook.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Holmes |first=Adam |date=March 17, 2016 |title=Batman V Superman Casting Hints At Possibility Of Metallo For Future DC Comics Films |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/new/Batman-V-Superman-Casting-Hints-Possibility-Metallo-Future-DC-Comics-Films-119047.html |access-date=April 14, 2019 |website=CINEMABLEND}}</ref>
* The John Corben incarnation of Metallo makes a cameo appearance in ''[[The Death of Superman (film)|The Death of Superman]]''.<ref name="btva" />
* The John Corben incarnation of Metallo appears in ''[[Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harvey |first=James |date=November 22, 2023 |title=Justice League: Crisis On Infinite Earths Trilogy Teaser Trailer Released |url=https://dcanimated.com/2023/11/justice-league-crisis-on-infinite-earths-trilogy-teaser-trailer-released/ |access-date=November 25, 2023 |website=The World's Finest |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Video games===
The John Corben incarnation of Metallo appears in several video games:
* The final [[Boss (video games)|boss]] of ''[[Superman: Shadow of Apokolips]]'', voiced again by Malcolm McDowell.<ref name="btva" />
* A boss in ''[[Superman 64]]''. This version is a member of the [[Superman Revenge Squad]].
* A boss in ''[[Superman: The Man of Steel (2002 video game)|Superman: The Man of Steel]]'', voiced by [[Roger L. Jackson]].<ref name="btva" />
* A boss in ''[[Superman Returns (video game)|Superman Returns]]'', voiced by [[Joey Camen]].<ref name="btva" /> This version can create robotic minions and assimilate metal to increase his size and strength.
* ''[[DC Universe Online]]'', voiced by Ryan Wickerham.<ref name="btva" /> This version is a member of the [[Secret Society of Super Villains|Secret Society]].
* A [[non-player character]] (NPC) in ''[[Injustice: Gods Among Us]]'' via the [[Stryker's Island]] stage.
* A character summon in ''[[Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Andrew |date=October 4, 2013 |title=DC Characters and Objects - ''Scribblenauts Unmasked'' Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/scribblenauts-unmasked/DC_Characters_and_Objects |access-date=May 23, 2024 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref>
* A playable character in ''[[Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham]]'', voiced by [[Travis Willingham]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Andrew |date=June 9, 2014 |title=Characters - ''LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham'' Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/lego-batman-3-beyond-gotham/Characters |access-date=May 23, 2024 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>
* A playable character in ''[[Lego DC Super-Villains]]'', voiced again by Travis Willingham.<ref>{{Citation |last=JayShockblast |title=LEGO DC Super Villains Gameplay and E3 2018 Interview With Geoff Keighley |date=June 11, 2018 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5cW9PH6C94 |access-date=April 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/P5cW9PH6C94 |archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===Miscellaneous===
* The John Corben incarnation of Metallo appears in [[Dirk Maggs]]' 1990 [[BBC Radio]] adaptation of ''The Man of Steel'', played by [[Simon Treves]]. This version wears a suit of battle armor. While fighting Superman, Corben is left in a vegetative state due to the suit's unstable psionic interface, which Luthor sabotaged to hide his role in empowering Corben. Subsequently, Corben is taken by Doctor Schwarz, a disgruntled former [[LexCorp]] employee who had been tracking the capsule that brought the infant Superman to Earth and stole it from [[Jonathan and Martha Kent]]'s farm. After building him an android body powered by the capsule's kryptonite power source, Schwarz and Corben plot to kill Luthor and Superman. However, Metallo betrays and kills Schwarz. Kidnapping [[Lois Lane]] and holding her hostage at Two Mile Island's power station, he awaits and eventually fights Superman until Luthor intervenes and tears out Metallo's kryptonite heart.
* An original incarnation of Metallo appears in ''[[Young Justice (TV series)#Comic series|Young Justice: Targets]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Young Justice: Targets'' #5 - Metallic Aftertaste (Issue) |url=https://comicvine.gamespot.com/young-justice-targets-5-metallic-aftertaste/4000-950866/ |access-date=June 3, 2024 |website=Comic Vine |language=en}}</ref> This version is '''Juan Cordero''', a [[metahuman]] with self-healing abilities. After Lex Luthor gives his family jobs and education, Cordero decides to serve him out of gratitude, subsequently being manipulated into becoming a cyborg to oppose [[Conner Kent|Superboy]].
* The John Corben incarnation of Metallo appears in ''[[Legion of Super Heroes in the 31st Century]]'' #20 as a disguise of [[Tharok]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Legion of Super-Heroes in the 31st Century'' #20 - Metallo 3000 (Issue) |url=https://comicvine.gamespot.com/legion-of-super-heroes-in-the-31st-century-20-meta/4000-142874/ |access-date=July 28, 2023 |website=Comic Vine |language=en}}</ref>
* An original incarnation of Metallo appears in ''[[Superman '78|Superman '78: The Metal Curtain]]''. This version is '''Maxim Nikolaev''', a decorated soldier from the [[Soviet Union]] who wears kryptonite-powered armor. After being ordered by General Viktor Morosov to defeat Superman and prove their might to the world, he fights [[Superman (1978 film series character)|Superman]], unaware that his constant exposure to kryptonite is making him more anger-prone. After witnessing Superman rescue Russian civilians, Nikolaev sacrifices himself to destroy his armor and ensure its kryptonite could not be used to harm others again.<ref>''Superman '78: The Metal Curtain'' #1-6. DC Comics.</ref>

===Merchandise===
The John Corben incarnation of Metallo received a "Collect and Connect" figure in Wave 5 of the [[DC Universe Classics]] line.

==See also==
* [[List of Superman enemies]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

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