Martian Manhunter
Entry updated 6 May 2024. Tagged: Character, Comics.
A DC Comics Superhero created by Joseph Samachson, who first appeared in issue #225 of Detective Comics (1955); in early adventures, he is referred to as J'onn J'onzz, Manhunter from Mars (his Martian name) before his current title became canonical. He is a green-skinned, hairless humanoid who is Teleported from Mars to Earth by an elderly Scientist, Dr Erdel, who greets him kindly but explains that it will take some time to reverse the process and send him back home. When Erdel promptly dies of a heart attack, the Martian realizes that he is now stranded on Earth; though when he later befriends other superheroes who could have readily transported him back to Mars, he displays no interest in returning. He resolves to devote his time in exile to fighting crime as a detective (see Crime and Punishment) in the city of Middletown, using a version of his Martian name, John Jones, for his human identity. He later had several other alter egos.
While he initially focused on modest efforts to solve crimes, he was soon refashioned as a genuine superhero with powers that largely resembled those of Superman – super strength, invulnerability, flying, "Martian vision" (a version of Superman's X-ray vision), and so on – but he also had other powers that he used less frequently, including Telepathy and the abilities to make himself invisible and to alter his appearance at will (see Invisibility; Shapeshifters). As a substitute for Superman's kryptonite, his vulnerability was being weakened by any exposure to fire. In 1960, he became a charter member of the Justice League of America and was a major figure in early stories, obviously functioning as a replacement for Superman, who was then limited to making only brief appearances; however, when Superman was subsequently allowed to fully participate in their adventures, the Martian Manhunter was featured less frequently. The character also moved from Detective Comics to become the leading hero of the comic House of Mystery, but without lasting success; and he acquired a sidekick, a diminutive Alien from a Parallel World called Zook, who accompanied him throughout the 1960s. The Martian Manhunter officially retired in Justice League of America #71 (1969), which endeavoured to reconcile the notion of a thriving humanoid civilization on Mars with the pictures of a barren, lifeless planet coming from space probes by explaining that the planet had been devastated by a ruinous conflict that killed most of the Martians. The Martian Manhunter then joins his surviving countrymen in flying into space to seek a new home.
While temporarily fading from view, though, he subsequently – and perhaps inevitably – returned to Earth and has since resurfaced in numerous reboots, including renewed service in the Justice League, that defy summarization and display varying degrees of respect for his once-established origin and powers. Since he was never a superhero that enjoyed great popularity, writers have felt free to play fast and loose with the character, unlike major figures like Superman and Batman whose attributes have remained more or less consistent. Once, his appearance was even changed to better accord with notions of what an actual Martian might look like, his initial humanoid shape explained as a reaction to Erdel's presence and thoughts. He has also made many appearances in animated films, Television series, and Videogames featuring other DC superheroes, though always as a supporting character.
Overall, the Martian Manhunter's improbable endurance as a DC superhero speaks powerfully of humanity's continuing fascination with the planet Mars, as is also evidenced by the equally improbable endurance of a once-minor Villain in Looney Tunes cartoons, the combative Marvin the Martian (see Warner Bros. Cartoons). These apparently incongruous characters have also made a joint appearance in what is surely one of the strangest "crossovers" in comic book history: Martian Manhunter/Marvin the Martian (2017). [GW]
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