WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for Justice League Unlimited #4!
DC has drastically nerfed one of their most powerful Justice League heroes, stripping away several of his most iconic abilities. Yet even weakened, he remains stronger than Superman—a testament to just how overpowered he truly is. In fact, he now claims to be more dangerous than ever before.
...even without his most iconic abilities, Martian Manhunter is still strong enough to rival the Man of Steel.
Although Absolute Power concluded months ago, its impact still ripples through the DC Universe—especially for Earth-Prime’s heroes, many of whom have either gained new abilities or lost some, if not all, of their powers. Among the latter is Martian Manhunter, who revealed in Justice League Unlimited #2 that after Amanda Waller’s Amazo robots stole his powers, several—including his vision-based and telepathic abilities—never returned.
Justice League Unlimited #4 by Mark Waid and Dan Mora further explores the severity of his losses, yet it also reaffirms that even after this nerf, Martian Manhunter remains one of DC’s most powerful and dangerous characters.
Martian Manhunter’s Power Loss Is Far Worse Than It Seems
Comics Page Comes From Mark Waid’s Justice League Unlimited #4 (2025) – Art by Dan Mora
After revealing his power loss in Justice League Unlimited #2, J’onn lost control, going berserk on a Parademon and forcing Wonder Woman and Superman to intervene. Horrified by his own actions, he fled from his friends and went into hiding. In #4, Batman tracks J’onn down, confronting his longtime friend and asking to know why he lost control and ran. When J’onn refuses to answer, Batman does it for him, saying, “J’onn, I’d be livid too if I suddenly went blind and deaf.” With this, Bruce cuts straight to the heart of the issue—J’onn isn’t just missing powers; he’s struggling with the loss of senses essential to his existence.
In a striking display of empathy, Batman further explains that J’onn relied on his telepathic abilities the way the rest of the Justice League relies on breathing. “More than eyesight, more than hearing—they’re how you moved through the world. The sudden silence must be excruciating.” This moment highlights that J’onn’s loss isn’t just a downgrade in power—it’s a devastating, fundamental shift in how he experiences and functions in reality. While issue #2 revealed the extent of his missing abilities, issue #4 drives home just how profound and agonizing this loss truly is.
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DC Nerfed Martian Manhunter, But He’s Still the Justice League’s Most Powerful Hero
Comics Page Comes From Mark Waid’s Justice League Unlimited #4 (2025) – Art by Dan Mora
Thanks to Mora’s stunning art, readers can see J’onn’s initial shock at Batman’s perceptiveness. However, knowing Bruce is there to convince him to return to the League, J’onn quickly shuts him down, stating, “I am now of less value to the League. You can function without me.” But Batman sees through this deflection, refusing to let J’onn hide behind self-pity. He points out that J’onn didn’t leave because he felt unneeded—he left because he believes he’s still too powerful to be around the League without full control of his senses. When Bruce asks if he’s right, J’onn bluntly confirms, “I am a danger.”
This exchange makes it clear that despite losing his telepathic and ocular powers, Martian Manhunter remains one of the League’s most overpowered—and most dangerous—heroes. Even Superman himself has itted that J’onn is one of the few beings in the universe he would be “afraid to face in open combat.” This only reinforces the immense power J’onn possesses and the threat he believes he poses. There’s no denying he has always been Clark’s match, but Justice League Unlimited #4 proves that even without his most iconic abilities, Martian Manhunter is still strong enough to rival the Man of Steel.
DC Just Gave Martian Manhunter His Version of Batman’s Knightfall
Cover B Jim Lee Variant for Justice League Unlimited #1 (2024)
The revelations in Justice League Unlimited #4 about Martian Manhunter’s power loss drive home just how devastating this blow is, especially with Batman comparing it to suddenly going blind and deaf. In many ways, DC has just given J’onn his own version of Knightfall—the iconic storyline where Bane breaks Bruce’s back, effectively breaking the Batman. Similarly, J’onn losing his powers serves the same purpose Knightfall did for Bruce: pushing him beyond his limits, challenging both his physical capabilities and sense of identity, and exploring themes of vulnerability, sacrifice, and resilience in the face of insurmountable odds. Hence, this loss of power is a defining chapter in Martian Manhunter’s character arc.
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Justice League Unlimited #4 is available now from DC Comics!
