DC has a hit on its hands with the new Absolute Universe line, and now Martian Manhunter will be ing the likes of Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman in DC’s dark new continuity. As one of the longest-lasting DC characters and a stalwart member of the Justice League, Martian Manhunter hasn’t been given this big a spotlight in years, as the hype-machine for Absolute Martian Manhunter has already started.
Speaking with the YouTube channel Owen Likes Comics, Absolute Batman writer Scott Snyder talks a little about what fans can expect from Absolute Martian Manhunter, coming from the creative team of Deniz Camp and Javier Rodríguez.
“It's such a pure book,” Snyder says of Absolute Martian Manhunter. “It's of the moment and yet it's not. It's so universal yet it's so timely.” Given that Snyder has successfully updated Batman for the Absolute line, this is high praise indeed, making the new Absolute Martian Manhunter series sound every bit as exciting as the rest of the line.
Scott Snyder Describes Absolute Martian Manhunter as a “Pure Book”
Concept Designs by Javier Rodríguez
Announced during New York Comic Con 2024, Absolute Martian Manhunter #1 is set to hit the shelves on March 26th, 2025, and it will be the first in a six-issue miniseries. While details are still largely under wraps, what is known about Absolute Martian Manhunter makes it sound like perhaps the most radical reinvention yet seen in the Absolute line. The new series will follow FBI agent John Jones, whose body gets taken over by an alien consciousness claiming to be a Martian. This origin contrasts starkly with Martian Manhunter’s traditional origin, in which he's the last survivor of a long-lost Martian race who becomes stranded on Earth.
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The radical reinvention of J’onn J’onzz sounds like a mind-bending trip in the grand tradition of the likes of Twin Peaks, and Snyder is quick to highlight how different the series will be:
“It's really about making sense of the trauma of living in time, and yet it's also bombastic and it's Martians and Aliens and it's awesome. The art is just so kaleidoscopic. It's so beautiful and again, Deniz [Camp] is one of the stars who makes me want to write better. I love him.”
Snyder giving props to Camp is well-earned, as the writer has already made a name for himself with another radical reinvention over at the House of Ideas. Camp’s work on The Ultimates has shown how the writer successfully spins new takes on classic superhero concepts, so Absolute Martian Manhunter should be another fresh spin on a decades-old character.
Absolute Martian Manhunter Sounds Like a Trippy Good Time
And There's Hope It Won't Be Limited to a Six Issues
Given the positive reception of Absolute Batman, Absolute Wonder Woman, and Absolute Superman, it sounds like future entries in the Absolute Universe will be continuing the trend with the new entries this year. The creative team of Jeff Lemire and Nick Robles will be bringing fans Absolute Green Lantern #1 on April 2nd. With superstar creative teams providing exciting new takes on classic DC characters, hopefully Absolute Martian Manhunter and the rest live up to all the pre-release hype.
Absolute Martian Manhunter #1 is available March 26th, 2025 from DC Comics
Source: Owen Likes Comics
J'onn J'onzz, also known as the Martian Manhunter, is a Martian law enforcement officer who, after becoming stranded on Earth, transformed into a superhero and police detective. He was one of the Justice League of America's original .
