We see some fine detective work from Johns here, who is quickly able to spot evidence that signals that something more mysterious may be afoot. It’s a horrific double homicide with blood everywhere, a missing child, and a missing dog who is probably not a dog. The crime scene is almost as shocking as page one. There is witty banter on the way to the case and an air of mutual respect. It is a really fun partnership straight from of any police drama. She may not be perfect, but she is sure of who she is. In some ways, she is the perfect partner to John. She isn’t perfect either, craving a little more time and eating leftover pizza for breakfast. We are first introduced to Diane Meade, John’s partner, who is clearly frustrated that John has to be perfect all the time. It was clearly a time where J’onn could at least get by. We are then allowed to peak behind the world of John Jones circa a few years before present day.
This is more than just loss for him, and Orlando wants us to see that.
#Martian manhunter mind meld series#
Why else would he never leave his human form? Referring to Martian Manhunter, someone, presumably Diane Meade, asks, “Then what is he?” To which J’onn replies, “Something to hide.” J’onn has frequently felt alone and excluded, but this series begins with a deep sense of shame we have rarely seen out of the character. This is someone who is ashamed of who they truly are, and someone who wants to bury themselves. In once again fantastic work from Plascencia, the entire page is done in cool and depressing purples, blues, and pale greens. As he completes these ordinary tasks, taking a shower, getting dressed, leaving for work, he never smiles and always looks down. It is calm and mundane, portraying John Jones as he goes through his morning routine in human form. The only text on the pages addresses something that has never before been called into question: whether or not Martian Manhunter is a hero. The page could be framed and I could stare at that page for hours in awe. The art from Rossmo and colors from Ivan Plascencia are stunning and grotesque. Evidence of horror and guilt maybe? Each a separate piece in his head, permanently cataloged. J’onn cannot escape the trauma, the fear, or the horror, as other Martians burn around him, Rossmo highlights certain images with distinct white lines and circles, almost like evidence markers. There are a large plethora of horrifically disfigured Martians (yes that can be a thing) portrayed above him symbolizing a weight that is figuratively and metaphorically crushing him. He is hunched over, paralyzed in fear and horror as he can feel other Martians burning. He is front and center, yet at one of the weakest points we’ve ever seen the character. Page one is loud, explosive, and overwhelming, just as J’onn feels in it.
Nowhere is that more evident than in the first two pages. There is an important and delicate dichotomy here, and I am happy to say the Steve Orlando and Riley Rossmo navigate it perfectly. Orlando has the not-so-easy task of having to portray entirely new aspects of Martian life while also showing how those same aspects affect J’onn and his life on Earth.
It needs to balance J’onn’s life on Mars, where we aren’t too sure of his moral character, with his life on Earth, overridden by guilt. Make no mistake, Martian Manhunter #1 is a complex read. Watch J’onn makes mistakes and have to deal with the aftermath alone on Earth, because as you learn what it was like to be a Martian, maybe you’ll also learn a little more about being human. J’onn has not always been the purest of heart like he is so often portrayed, and his life on Mars was filled with experiences you didn’t know about… until now. Welcome to the beginning of a character defining tale for Martian Manhunter! This is a timeless story of J’onn J’onzz at the beginning of his life on Earth and during his life on Mars.
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