The new and improved Martian Manhunter

[Johnny DC]

After initially deciding I wasn't going to pick up this title, I caved in an bought the first issue. And I have to say that from reading it I think everything that I've ever wanted to happen to this character looks like it'll happen. For starters, I'm liking his new costume. I've always hated that he was so similar to Superman, even looks wise. Now he has his full-on martian look, complete with the cone head.

And his personality is just as bad-ass. He's not worried about fitting in anymore since he's learned he's not the last of his kind, hence why he's decided to remain in his true form. He's wrathful, he's no-nonsense, he's a badass mofo.

If you haven't read it, here's some spoilers:

Spoiler

The issue starts of with Martian Manhunter recieving a telepathic distress call from ANOTHER MARTIAN! As it turns out, there are several others of his kind being used as guinea pigs in a laboratory. The lab is experimenting with making weapons from martian physiology, such as a telepathic blast canon. One of the martians escaped injured, and just as Martian Manhunter gets to him, he's obliterated by the telepathic weapon. Now Martian Manhunter has to find out who's responsible for capturing and torturing the beings he believed to be gone.

Hopefully the series will be as strong as its first issue. Don't let it get canceled!

 

[GoldenAgeHero]

not really improved.

 

[hippie_hunter]

It was alright. Nowhere near as bad as Liberman's run on Gotham Knights

 

[Mee]

I haven't gotten used to the costume, still don't like it.

 

[yenaled]

The first issue was a lot better than the Brave New World preview..

But I hate angry/murdering J'Onn and he still looks silly.

 

[The Question]

Yeah. J'onn doesn't have to be pissy and violent to be a badass. He's always been a badass. He's supposed to be like a warrior monk. All about pacifism and philosophy, but if he needs to, he can throw down with the best of them.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I'm not a big fan of darkening a character who doesn't need darkening, and the Martian Manhunter definitely doesn't need darkening. This new, angstified J'onn isn't really necessary, as far as I'm concerned. I was definitely not down with

Spoiler

J'onn blithely murdering a guy

, either. But the rest of the stuff in the issue wasn't entirely bad, and I'm willing to give Leiberman a chance out of love for the character. Hopefully he doesn't **** J'onn up too bad.

 

[Dr. Fate]

I liked the old look better.

 

[Silicon Surfer]

I didn't like the look of MM when they first redid the origin although I didn't mind the story. This look is even worse!

 

[BrianWilly]

I'm cautiously interested in where this goes, but I have to say that I'm not too optimistic. Almost every single DC mainstay, from Wonder Woman to Green Arrow to Green Lantern has this period where they have to become all "dark" or edgy or something and get new costume or attitude and...eventually, as time goes on, the new attitude and outfit goes away and everyone looks back at that particular character's era and goes, "Gee, [insert name here] sure acted awfully dark and out-of-character during that time, didn't he/she?" As decent as this series might be, I just can't shake the notion that this is J'onn's turn for an embarrassingly emo turn.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Green Arrow's "dark" period didn't really go away, actually. He's not as angry as he used to be in Grell's run, but he's still willing to employ the extreme methods he used in that time if need be. Well, if his brand-spanking-new katana and kung-fu grip fail him, anyway. Either way, he's certainly not back to his original, happy-go-lucky attitude, and Grell's run is still considered one of GA's best periods as far as I know.

 

[RockSP]

Hopefully the series will be as strong as its first issue. Don't let it get canceled!

I thought it was a mini series...

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Mini-series are series, too.

 

[Spike_x1]

I can do without darkening J'onn to make him more "badass."

 

[RockSP]

Mini-series are series, too.

REALLY???????!!

Actually, I was referring to the whole cancellation thing...

 

[yenaled]

It would be funny if a mini series got cancelled.

 

[Johnny DC]

Whoops. I didn't realize it was a mini series

I guess I was the only one who thought J'onn was bland. I'm sure he was a hard character to write. I thought a push in any direction would give the character some much-needed attention, and I'm suprised I'm the only one who seems to care for the direction they took.

 

[JTStarkiller]

I really liked this first issue, but I'm extremely new to comics, so I knew little of the character before this. Basically only what I had seen with the Justice League cartoon.

I'd say the atmosphere created by the artist was the best thing about the book. I loved all the rain soaked street shots. Great stuff.

 

[KingOfDreams]

That costume looks vaguely X-Men.

 

[Darthphere]

Its crap, there was nothing wrong with MM in the first place, completely unnecessary and await the day we can forget all this ever happened.

 

[jaydawg]

Well, aside from his costume.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

The new costume's not much better.

 

[The Question]

Wikipedia's even using the new crappy "Bat-J'onn" costume.

 

[jaydawg]

The new costume's not much better.

I'm not saying it isnt, but underware, buckaneer boots and some sort of bondage chest belt..... yeah, Jonn, way to fit in with the locals.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Yeah, his costume was pretty crappy before. You just get used to it over the years. Like Wolverine's costume.