Martian Manhunter

Current Events

In action with Stormwatch

Presently a member of Stormwatch. While deferring any leadership role, he is a senior member and is often seen investigating on his own outside of the main Stormwatch title, most notably in Green Lantern Corps, where he aides Guy Gardner on Oa.

He also sought out Legion Lost to ascertain who they were and what their purpose was. It was recently revealed that he was the first asked to join the Justice League by the original seven, but his membership ended in a violent battle with the team; what caused this conflict has yet to be revealed.

Origin

J'onn J'onzz

J'onn J'onzz, from the mid 18th-century up to the mid 20th-century, had been a Manhunter on the planet Mars, a position of authority as a law enforcer. J'onn was a commendable crime fighter on his planet, and considered one of the greatest Manhunters of all time. He had a wife, M'yri'ah, and a daughter, K'hym, whom he loved deeply. The Martians had been a thriving and space-faring race for centuries, even venturing to Earth on occasion, inadvertently inspiring the Egyptians to build their colossal pyramids. For reasons unknown they eventually scaled back their star spanning activities and the population stabilized.

J'onn's twin brother, Ma’alefa’ak, had been stripped of his innate telepathic gift for the crime of "mind raping" another. As a result, Ma'alefa'ak grew very bitter and malevolent; in secret service to Darkseid, he unleashed the plague Hronmeer's Curse - named after the Martian God of Death - on the Martian people. This telepathic plague preyed on the Green Martian's natural fear and weakness to fire. Though J'onn survived his brother's plan to destroy their race from the inside out, he was unable to stop him. Thus, J'onn found himself the last of his kind - a revelation that dearly taxed his sanity.

It is unknown how long J'onn wandered the red sands of Mars, distressed at his loss, but in 1955, a scientist named Dr. Erdel accidentally activated lost Martian teleportation technology left behind, and pulled J'onn J'onzz across time and space to Earth. The shock of this caused Dr. Erdel to suffer a violent heart attack and die, leaving J'onn stranded on a foreign planet with malfunctioning teleportation technology. Unable to return, even if he had anything to return to, he resolved to resume his role as a defender of law and order, assuming the identity of police detective John Jones, and later that of the superheroic Manhunter from Mars.

Creation

House of Mystery 144

Martian Manhunter was created by Joseph Samachson (writer) and Joe Certa (artist). Martian Manhunter made his first comic book appearance in Detective Comics #225.

Initially played as a detective strip with a super-alien twist, as the Silver Age dawned he spent less time fighting gangsters in secret and more time fighting monsters, aliens, and supervillains as a publicly known figure. He was a regular member of the Justice League of America for several years, starting in their very first appearance. In his solo adventures he switched from police detective to full time superhero to super-powered spy.

As the Silver Age gave way to the Bronze Age, the Martian race, who to that point had been still alive an Mars, were driven out into space, and J'onn followed them and stayed there (on Mars II) for most of the next decade. J'onn occasionally encountered his old companions from the Justice League in guest spots and a few featured back ups, but did play a role in any ongoing titles until War of the Worlds 1984, after which he again became a regular member of the Justice league.

In the Modern Age, after the Crisis on Infinite Earths, J'onn gained prominence in the popular Justice League international, a solo mini series, and leading roles in crossovers Legends and Invasion!. The previously abundant Martian race was now revealed to have been destroyed by a plague long before J'onn was transported to Earth, and the tone of J'onn's adventures often took on a philosophical, existentialist bent.

In the mid 90's he was again marginalized, although he maintained a presence in one form or another in the Justice League titles, especially Justice League Task Force. When Grant Morrison rebooted the JLA in 1997, J'onn was again a core member. Within a few years he was carrying his own solo title, in addition to his main character status in the main JLA book. He was featured heavily in the DC One Million crossover. If there was a guest appearance by the JLA, J'onn was almost certainly there. Additionally, White Martians presented one of the more enduring villains connected directly to J'onn, further boosting his cache.

Into the 2000's he again began to be sidelined in major crossovers like Day of Judgment and Infinite Crisis and his look was revamped in his 2006 miniseries, part of One Year Later. The mini series was not especially popular, although the costume would have influence on future animated depictions of the character. He spent a short time with the Outsiders and then appeared in Salvation Run, leading into his death in Final Crisis.

During Blackest Night, he was resurrected as a member of the Black Lantern Corps. Afterwards he was fully resurrected and given a new costume design, this time closer to his classic costume. He wore this throughout the title Brightest Day, of which he was one of the main stars, and up to the New 52 relaunch.

In the relaunch he appears in yet another new costume and with a new team, Stormwatch. J'onn has been active through out the new DC universe, acting as something of a liaison, between the DCU and the previously Wildstorm Universe characters that make up the rest of the team.

Major Story Arcs

Wandering the Earth, J'onn's First Years

The Manhunter from Mars, last of his kind, now found himself in a strange and different world. Knowing that he currently had no way to return to his dead planet, J'onn wandered into human civilization, attempting to find a new life among them. J'onzz had almost completely lost his mind on Mars, but being able to now live life however he pleased provided him with a sense of comfort. Using his vast shape-shifting abilities, he took many forms across the globe, seeing life from every possible standpoint. He took the shapes of men and women of all types, and even animals. He spent much of his time in the role of a man named John Jones, a deceased detective. J'onn took a liking to this particular guise, as he still possessed a strong passion for crime-fighting.

Bronze Wraith

J'onn first revealed himself as an official superhero when he joined the Justice Experience as the Bronze Wraith. He only used his strength and psychic abilities as the Wraith, careful not to reveal his extensive Martian shape shifting abilities. However, his time with the team was short, as they would quickly be altogether defeated by the villainous Doctor Trap. J'onn was the only survivor, but was able to exact justice on the Doctor with the help of the Justice Society of America.

Shortly before his tenure as the Bronze Wraith, J'onn sensed the arrival of a small alien spacecraft heading towards Kansas. He investigated the vessel, although it resisted his attempts to scan it too deeply. When the Kents arrived, he became invisible to avoid detection. He left knowing the Kryptonian child would be safe with them, but was concerned about the power he would one day possess. He returned eight years later as Josh Johnstone and worked as a hired hand on the Kent Farm. He wanted to see how the alien child was integrating into human society. He could tell that Clark Kent thought of himself as a human being. He was further assured of the boy's heroic nature when he defended him from racist thugs in Smallville.

The Justice League of America

Martian Manhunter with the JLA

For years after his tenure with the Justice Experience, J'onn continued wandering Earth, taking many different forms and identities. Although he believed that if he again revealed himself as a superhero that he would draw more trouble to himself, something quickly changed his mind. The super-powered protector of Metropolis, Superman, revealed himself to the world, and soon costumed vigilantes were saving lives everywhere. Eventually, in an freak alien invasion, Hal Jordan, Flash, Aquaman, and Black Canary rushed into battle. J'onn quickly put aside his fears of revealing himself, and changed to his typical Martian garb, but kept his overall appearance more humanoid. He battled alongside the other heroes, and they were triumphant. From that point on, these five heroes, along with Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman fought together as the Justice League of America. This team would become a mainstay in the DC Universe, consistently protecting the Earth from otherworldly threats and even home-grown emergencies.

Through many years with the Justice League, J'onn J'onzz managed to find some measure of solace among his new found friends. The people of Earth accepted him, along with his fellow superheroes. He still kept many secret identities across the globe, maintaining a carefully built system that he used to learn all about his fellow Earthlings.

The Justice League Detroit

Martian Manhunter in Who's Who

After an intense invasion, the Justice League would relocate to Detroit and have a dramatic change in it's membership leaving only J'onn, Aquaman, Zatanna and Elongated Man. Four additional heroes, Vixen, Gypsy, Steel and Vibe, joined shortly thereafter. J'onn would contribute largely to their development as heroes. He became closest to young Gypsy who was a teenage runaway with an invisibility power of her own. She was homeless in the streets of Detroit and she used her powers to protect herself. Aquaman eventually left the Justice League to return to his duties in Atlantis and Zatanna left the JLA after merging with the Godhead.

Near the end of this team's roster, the only members left were J'onn, Elongated Man, Vixen, Gypsy, Steel and Vibe. During the Legends event, Darkseid manipulated humanity to turn against super-heroes. He sent several of his minions, including Glorious Godfrey and Brimstone, to Earth. Godfrey, using his ability to control anyone just by telling them what to do, posed as G. Gordon Godfrey and turned the people of Earth to mistrust in the super-heroes. Soon, he had with him an army of followers ready to storm the White House and take over the free world.

The League would try to turn back popular opinion, and fought a pitched battle with Brimstone. After failing to stop him, the team questioned their effectiveness. Super-heroes themselves become outlawed by executive order of Ronald Reagan. After these events, Elongated Man quit the Justice League, leaving J'onn alone with his four rookie members. He decided to disband the League. This left the League weakened and open to attack and Professor Ivo took that opportunity to kill all the young Justice League members. Just like Gypsy's premonition the first to be killed was Vibe. He was killed by one of Professor Ivo's androids on the same day J'onn disband the League.

Professor Ivo sent an android to kill Gypsy next but she manages to find a conscience in the android that is sent to kill her. She convinced the android to not only spare her life, but to safely return her to her parents as well. Steel was mortally wounded when he destroyed one of Ivo's androids. J'onn brought the dying Steel to his grandfather, the original Steel, who placed him on life support and remained in a coma. After this, J'onn and Vixen stop Ivo but the damage had already been done.

J'onn would meet with one last line of defense at the final onset of the invasion. Doctor Fate had organized Superman, Batman, Captain Marvel, Guy Gardner, Martian Manhunter, Wonder Woman, Black Canary, Teen Titans members Changeling and the Kid Flash, and the Blue Beetle in one last ditch effort to stop Godfrey. But much to the surprise of all those engaged in battle, a small legion of children unaffected by Godfrey's mind control make a buffer between the heroes and his army. Suddenly, Godfrey's mind-controlled minions are snapped out of their trance when he slaps one of the children. He was quickly defeated, and the people of Earth trusted their masked protectors once more.

Following the chaos of Glorious Godfrey's invasion, a new Justice League rose from the ashes. Based in several Earth-bound United Nations Embassies, the new League found itself led by the Martian Manhunter and a man named Maxwell Lord. Lord acted as the face of the Justice League in the UN, and recruited all-new members. The new roster included the likes of Booster Gold, Guy Gardner, Captain Marvel, Blue Beetle, Ice, Fire, Mister Miracle, and more.

The Justice League International

Martian Manhunter cookie addiction

The new Justice League would become the Justice League International, expanding it's scope to a truly global organization, and chartered by the United Nations. J'onn was recommended by Batman as the leader of this new, multi-cultural League. He performed most of the tactical work, organizing the team and sending them on various missions. The League was active for several years with J'onn as the field leader and Max Lord as the business manager of the League.

Under J'onn's leadership the League would go through some of it's best years. They did not have the most professional reputation, but the team had a very familial atmosphere. There was always crisis in the League but they had real bonds with each other. The League roster would fluctuate, but the core of the League was J'onn, Blue Beetle, Booster Gold, Fire, Ice and “the one true” Green Lantern, Guy Gardner.

One thing J'onn developed during this time in the League is an addiction to Oreo cookies, later called Chocos. It was Captain Marvel who introduced J'onn to them (although he is shown enjoying them in the 1950's set American Secrets.) Booster Gold and Blue Beetle delighted in practical jokes and once hid J'onn's stash, going so far as to buy all the cookies in the area in an effort to drive J'onn nuts.

Despero Psychically Attacks J'onn J'onzz

Despero returned to Earth, fueled by hate for the Justice League. He started his rampage by murdering Gypsy's parents. He then tried to kill Gypsy as well but she was saved by J'onn. Despero had already killed the comatose Steel during his attack on the old Justice League HQ. J'onn and the JLI fought an intense battle with Despero, ending in New York City, where J'onn telepathically created a perceived reality for Despero, forcing him into a coma.

After the time J'onn and Gypsy spent together, they grew very close. They ended up developing a father/daughter relationship. Later, in yet another incarnation of the League, they would both work as members of the Justice League Task Force.

Justice League Task Force

With Gypsy in the early days of the JLTF

The Justice League Task Force was originally set up as a specialized, rotating group of heroes for UN missions, usually with J'onn in command and often including his protege Gypsy. During this time, Gypsy is killed but is miraculously returned to life by J'onn, who pleads with his god, H'ronmeer, to restore her life.

After some League restructuring, it eventually became a training team for the younger members of the Justice League. J'onn was again the leader of this group. His leadership style was more strict than with the JLI, including matching uniforms and a decidedly intense approach to training. This team was dissolved along with the American and European branches when they were consolidated as a single JLA.

JLA

With the JLA

The League was reformed after the White Martian invasion and included some of Earth's premier heroes. J'onn would again be an integral part alongside Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash ( Wally West), Green Lantern ( Kyle Rayner), and Aquaman. He would often link his teammates telepathically to coordinate their plans. The ghosts of his Martian heritage would be a problem on more than one occasion and J'onn would often be key to beating them. When the White Martians attacked again, it was J'onn who helped provide the means of victory nearly sacrificing himself in the process.

He would also have to foil the schemes of his brother, Ma’alefa’ak. Unbeknownst to J'onn, Ma'alefa'ak had survived the death of his people caused by the plague he had wrought and intended to finish the job by killing J'onn.

Confronting Fernus

Another piece of J'onn's Martian heritage would trouble the JLA, the Burning Martian called Fernus. J'onn had been attempting to overcome his fear of fire with the help of Scorch. The therapy triggered ancient genetic memories that had been repressed by the Guardians of the Universe and transformed him into a being of fire and hate. As Fernus, he attempted to asexually reproduce by causing a nuclear strike in Japan. The League was little match for his immense physical powers and his psychic assault. However, a joint effort by the League, Scorch, and most importantly, Plastic Man allowed J'onn to re-assume control of his body. In the epilogue of this story, J'onn claims to have overcome his weakness to flame, unless the flames have psychic or magical dimensions.

52 and One Year Later

Following the events of the Infinite Crisis, J'onn, much like the other heroes went to find himself. During 52 we learn that J'onn has been working undercover to destroy Checkmate and avenge the death of Blue Beetle at the hands of former Black King, Maxwell Lord. He is successful, albeit temporarily as Checkmate is later reformed. He is also one of the first heroes to confront Black Adam as he rampages on week fifty.

One Year Later Martian Manhunter

In an attempt to get in touch with his Martian heritage, J'onn decided to take a form closer to his natural, private Martian shape. This debuted as part of One Year Later. Shortly thereafter he encounters another Green Martian, something that changes everything he has ever thought about his past. J'onn finds there is a small group of them who are being held at a secret facility. J'onn rescues them and hides them. He soon learns that they are in fact White Martians who had been hypnotized into thinking they are Greens by an actual Green Martian Cay'an in an attempt to get revenge for J'onn's perceived failure to protect the Martian race from his brother's machinations.

Salvation Run/Final Crisis

Imprisoned during Salvation Run

During the events of Salvation Run, J’onn volunteered to disguise himself as Blockbuster in order to infiltrate the planet and monitor their movements. Martian Manhunter kept Batman informed of situation on the prison planet, but he was soon discovered by Catwoman who betrayed him to the other villains. Once they discover who he truly is they begin to torture him and left him in a cage to die while they escaped the planet and teleported back to Earth.

This lead directly into Final Crisis, as J'onn is brought to Earth and stabbed in the heart by Libra's spear, killing him. In his final moments, J'onn broadcast a telepathic message to Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Gypsy, and Black Canary simultaneously; that night, they each record part of J'onn's life story in their sleep. He is laid to rest in his ancestral home on Mars, in a funeral attended by various colleagues from his various adventures.

Black Lantern - Blackest Night

Black Lantern J'onn J'onzz

Not long after his death, leading into Blackest Night, a black power ring entered J'onn's tomb on Mars and attached itself to one of his fingers. By its power, his corpse was reanimated as one of the first Black Lanterns. He journeyed to Earth and confronted Hal Jordan and Barry Allen in a Gotham City cemetery. The three fought, and J'onn was joined by more deceased members of the Justice League to overwhelm the two resurrected heroes.

Like all Black Lanterns, this was not truly J'onn. His spirit was not inhabiting his body any longer. The black power ring was controlling his corpse and using all that he knew in life against his former friends, trying to elicit emotional reactions which the Black Lantern Corps could use to power their central battery.

Brightest Day

Channeling the White Lantern power

After the events of Blackest night, J'onn was one of the Black Lanterns fully resurrected by the Entity. Brightest Day begins for J'onn with a visit from Hal Jordan and Guy Gardner on Mars. Guy brought him a large box of Oreo's and milk. J'onn then showed him a tour of his desecrated and deserted homeland, but informed that he had discovered a water deposit deep underground and that with it he might be able to reignite life on Mars. "I am your only Martian, for now". In his search for an alien serial killer whose M.O. seems disturbingly familiar to him, The Martian Manhunter contacts the Teen Titans looking to ask M'gann for her assistance on his investigation. Reaching Superboy instead, he is informed by the boy of steel that M'gann was on the reserve roster and that she was at her home in the Tanami Desert. J'onn then flies to Tanami only to find M'gann's bloody corpse hanging from the roof of her pyramid. Carrying M'gann in his arms, J'onn tries to revive her by making telepathic contact, when suddenly a The White Light takes over him, transforming J'onn into a White Lantern only for a brief moment, though long enough to cure M'gann of her fatal wounds, thus fully restoring her to perfect health. He is then informed by M'gann that the being that attacked her was another green martian, who linked with him mentally to show him. He then searches for proof of this by going to the White Lantern forest in Star City. There he loses control and begins to attack the White Lantern tree in the forest, learning that that forest isn't the one he was supposed to destroy. Green Arrow prevents him from destroying the forest further and helps J'onn regain control. J'onn decides to return to Mars, and destroy the forest he started and discovers that the forest had created the Black Lantern symbol.

Returning to the Light

J'onn senses the other martian in his home and says he will kill her. She tries to persuade him to join her in recreating the green martian race by loving her, even going as far as to trap him in a mental hallucination of bringing all the green martians and Mars back to life. He becomes the green lantern of Mars and is forced to look down at the corpses of his friends in the Justice League. He realizes he's under a hallucination and attacks D'kay. She tries to persuade him again, but he forces her to listen to every thought on Earth to weaken her by psychic overload. He learns about the plan of the White Lantern, during this, but shrugs it off to deal with D'kay. He picks her up and keeps her entwined with his body as they fly into the sun. She dies from the intense flames, but J'onn comes back unharmed due to the White Lantern Light. It says his mission is complete and that he must chose either Earth or Mars as his home. He chose Earth and returns to it and ends up meeting Deadman. Boston tells J'onn that he is being forced to kill him, even though he is trying his best to fight against the ring. J'onn tells him that he knows that and that he knows what the White Ring has planned and has accepted it. He is then absorbed into the Earth by the White Light. Martian Manhunter is resurrected as the earth elemental. He, along with the other elementals, is placed within the new Alec Holland Swamp Thing. Alec Holland was returned to life and seconds later transformed into The Swamp Thing. Martian Munter, Aquaman, Firestorm, and Hawkman are returned intact. Hawkgirl uses her life to keep the new Swamp Thing from becoming fully corporeal.

DC One Million

For J'onn, years now no longer have a meaning; he registers time's march by the passage of seasons in 853rd century on Mars (Malaca'andra in the old tongue).

In the next millennium, as humanity took to the stars to seek its destiny, J'onn went with them, mostly as a protector, but also searching for something he never found. J'onn lost himself amidst other alien races, taking their forms, living their lives, hearing himself being turned into a legend. He revealed himself briefly with the Legion of Super-Heroes, standing with them as he had stood with the Justice League, fighting a great evil. Afterward, J'onn disappeared again and drifted among the races of the galaxy, returning only at dire need. He thought it more important that humanity depend on itself. Once he waited almost too long, and many paid the price as a result.

The Clanetary System completed their odyssey and sought to take over the planets of Sol with Antares VII the colossal space-ark robot called Antares VII. They all began terraforming planets with their only explanation being the omnipresent: It is necessary. The creatures who lived upon it were no more than parasites, to be crushed or enslaved. Each of the planets was remade into a vast orbiting fortress. There was a purpose to their annihilation and J'onn tried to find its meaning, but in the end, it all came to war. Antares VII was the last to fall. It was only afterward - after the millions had died and the planets were decimated - that he was able to link together the final pieces and understand the Clanetary System. They themselves had been fleeing another enemy, had been searching for a place on which to make a stand - an enemy that caused them to fear, one they knew only as the swarm. From the remnants of Antares VII, J'onn learned their approximate location almost 10,000 light years away. And he knew that humanity was not yet ready to face them. So he journeyed outwards to meet this swarm. For most of those 10,000 years, J'onn slept - and dreamed of Mars as he knew it when he was young.

J'onn found the Swarm and he found there was no understanding them, no communicating with them, no reasoning with them. The swarm came in, stripped a planet of all it had, left it with a husk, and went on. For another 20,000 years, J'onn fought them - from system to system, always seeking to slow them down or delay them - hoping that, by the time they reached humanity, humanity would have evolved enough to stop them. And so the fight came to Earth. J'onn was asked to lead the fight, to be the chief tactician. He laid out the battles and fought side by side with them. He bled with them while they died. But the swarm was stopped. Unable to go forward, refusing to retreat, the swarm no longer could replenish themselves and thus were exterminated. But J'onn felt no triumph. He had fought too long and the cost was so high. He wished never to fight again. He went back to Mars, and walked upon its sands once more. He lost track of the time; he just wandered. Gradually, he became himself once more and trusted himself again. And others came to him - human and alien of all sort - and J'onn talked to them of his life and what he had learned from his journeys. He talked to them of heroes - of the values they embraced, that they embodied. J'onn was happy and hoped to do nothing more than this for the rest of his days. Then, Darkseid came.

Darkseid of Apokolips, the darkest of the New Gods. J'onn and he shared an old grudge. Because of that grudge, he chose Mars as the focus for his newest stratagem, turning it into a copy of his own bleak world, a new Apokolips. The humans were crushed into his lowlies - the hunger dogs of his new regime. And from this base, Darkseid was determined to conquer the entire Solar system. J'onn opposed him - at first from the shadows and then ever increasingly in the open as he prepared himself and the others for the last great fight. On the streets of the new Armagetto came the final battle. It was a battle they could not win, but winning the battle was not the point. It was to lure Darkseid into position for the final trap to be sprung. When a boom tube materialized, he gave a final heave, and both Darkseid and J'onn fell into it. It fed them directly into the heart of the Source. Darkseid was taken away and J'onn told the Source he wanted Mars as he remembers it, clean and free. He wanted peace.

J'onn then became one with the Source. He returned to the core of Mars, and merged his atoms with that of Mars. He became the planet to save the planet. As his body conformed to his thoughts, Mars did too. J'onn chose what he wanted to be. So he became Mars, and the humans who lived there consumed him, for his DNA was linked with everything that grew. And slowly, a few humans living on Mars, over the centuries, even acquired some martian traits. And thus J'onn has been ever since. His race, in a sense, are reborn, and these are now his people - his children.

The New 52

J'onn Battling the JLA

Since the DC relaunch into the new 52 J'onn has been portrayed as a less public hero than the character has been seen previously. While he is known to the general public as having been associated with the Justice League, he is most active as a member of Stormwatch, who operate in an extremely covert manner.

J'onn is no longer a founding member of the Justice League, the only one of the original seven members who has been changed; in his place is Cyborg. J'onn is shown in flashback to have been the first new member added to the League. His membership apparently lasted only a short time before some sort of falling out, ending in a battle with his former teammates. It is implied he got the better of the conflict and was able to elude the rest of the League. It is shown that he is currently keeping tabs on them without their knowledge, and the League state they have no knowledge of J'onn's current whereabouts or activities.

Powers and Abilities

The Martian Manhunter possesses powers and abilities common to all Martians but has been shown to be the most powerful of his race, largely due his training as a Manhunter of Mars and his years of experience as a hero on Earth. During the DC One Million event he noted that he has shape shifting DNA, which implies that he can copy any inborn metahuman ability. In the Silver Age he was regularly shown to take on the attributes of anything he changed into, although in the Modern Age this has not been said to be expressly so.

• Super Strength – The Martian Manhunter possesses a level of super-human strength that puts him on par with individuals such as Superman and Wonder Woman. He was one of the few individuals that possessed enough physical strength to harm Superboy Prime. He was once shown, alongside Superman and Wonder Woman, and with the help of Hal Jordan's construct, pulling the Earth back into its correct orbit after an incident.
• Invulnerability – The Martian Manhunter has the ability to deflect blows from some of the strongest fighters. His natural invulnerability is many times that of a normal human being as he has the ability to increase the density of his skin so that he is as durable as characters such as Superman.
• Flight -- The Martian Manhunter has the psionic ability to defy gravity in Earth’s atmosphere as well as fly into outer space unaided. He has been seen to have maneuverability that rivals even Superman’s while in flight.
• Super Speed -- The Martian Manhunter's physiology allows him to accelerate his body to move at incredible speeds. His super speed not only allows him to move quickly but increases his reaction speed as well. Jonnz has the ability to process thoughts and react at incredible speeds as shown when he flew around the world destroying a number of different targets and was able to save Kyle Rayner's life at the same time. He has admitted in the past that he is not as fast as Superman but he does have the ability to catch bullets with ease at point blank range.
• Stamina -- The Martian Manhunter has an incredible amount of stamina that allows him to make long travels in space without the need to rest or to consume nourishment. He is able to exert himself at physical peak for an incredible amount of time before needing to rest. It is unknown however if J'onn requires food to live as he has rarely been seen eating anything other than his famous Oreo cookies. This however has been seen more as a sugar addiction rather than a form of nourishment that he is required to consume.
• Regeneration -- J'onn can quickly recover from almost any injury. He is able to reconstitute his body even when severed into several pieces. His regenerative abilities have allowed him to reconstitute his body from even an extremely small mass in only a matter of seconds, and he has even grown a new body from a severed arm.
• Shape-Shifting -- One of the Martian Manhunter's key attributes is his ability to shape-shift. All Martians have the ability to change their entire body structure or just a part of it. He has displayed this ability by growing weapons out of his arms or even by changing his own shape so that he might assume a human guise. His shape shifting ability also gives him control over his density and, by drawing matter from his surroundings, his total mass. He was shown increasing his size to several stories during his fight with Antares.
• Intangibility -- J'onn has the ability to greatly lower the density of his mass in order to become intangible. He has used this power to avoid enemy attacks, allowing them to pass right through him and pass through obstacles such as walls. He has been shown (as Fernus) phasing solid objects into other solid objects, when he trapped Superman in a solid table. It is unknown if J'onn is capable of this technique normally.
• Invisibility -- J'onn is able to control his visibility and render himself invisible, even to beings that can view the entire electromagnetic spectrum, such as Superman.
• Telepathy -- J'onn is considered the most powerful telepath on Earth, able to effect even the likes of Spectre and Doctor Fate with his telepathy. Aquaman has stated that J'onn's telepathy his own telepathy just "pings" off of it when they are near each other. J'onn is capable of broadcasting to the minds of all superheroes at once from a distance of the moon to all corners of the Earth. He is also capable of reading the minds of all inhabitants of Earth at once, although this is often shown to be taxing on his sanity. His telepathic abilities also allow him to create realistic illusions, telepathically trace and locate individuals, shut down minds, influence thoughts, reprogram or reorder minds and transfer information directly into individuals memory. He once forced the Joker to become temporarily sane. He is also capable of mentally shielding those around him from telepathic assault. His own mental defenses are so strong that he is able to telepathically shield himself from the combined might of several White Martians.
• Psionic Blast -- J'onn is able to project painful and destructive blasts of psionic energy from his eyes and his hands.
• Martian Vision -- J'onn can project powerful blasts of energy from his eyes. The power of these blasts is able to harm the likes of Superman himself. He is able to create an intense enough blast to sever his own arm.
• Telekinesis -- J'onn seems to have a form of optic telekinesis that allows him to perform basic telekinetic abilities, such as movement of objects. However, J'onn has only demonstrated this power rarely.
• Martian Breath -- J'onn has also demonstrated an increased lung capacity, allowing him to blow powerful wind bursts and when desired, freeze opponents with his breath. Early in the Silver Age, the former was used as a means of propulsion, effecting flight.
• Sonic Scream -- J'onn has on occasion demonstrated the capability to emit a devastating scream that has both vocal and telepathic effects.
• Extrasensory Input -- Martians have nine senses as opposed to a human's five senses. Additionally, the senses he shares with humans are much more sensitive.
• X-ray Vision -- J'onn once described this ability colloquially as ionized particulate matter mapped to a variable density wave packet. It allows him to see through objects.
• Longevity -- Martians have much longer lifespans than a normal human being. Likely thanks to his shapeshifting, J'onzz has shown no signs of aging and to date and has most often been portrayed as being in his physical prime. J'onn's current age is unclear, although he has been on Earth since the 1950's and before that had lived well into adulthood on Mars. In the possible future of DC One Million, he was shown to still be alive in the distant future, having survived hundreds of thousands of years.

Abilities

J'onn J'onnz is considered one of the most logical minds on the Justice League roster and has had the chance to experience life in many different alien cultures. The Martian Manhunter is known to be a Master Detective who is multi-lingual and is also very highly empathic due to his telepathic abilities. J'onn was trained as a Manhunter on Mars, making him an expert crime fighter and combatant. Since his arrival on Earth, he has demonstrated a high degree of intelligence and great skill in detective work while working under the guise of Detective John Jones. J'onn is exceptionally logical and empathetic, making him a highly skilled diplomatic. He has often given extremely wise advice to his fellows during times of crisis and in personal struggles. He is looked to by many of the other JLA members as one of its most serene members and the person to whom they can count on in great times of need.

Weaknesses

The Martian Manhunter has usually been portrayed as having an inherent weakness to fire. This has been handled very differently by various creators so that there is not one consistent explanation for this weakness, nor is there a consistent explanation of its effects. He has occasionally removed or lessened this weakness, although it has been a part of his mythology in almost every iteration.

Evolution of the fire weakness

• In the Silver Age even the smallest flame was shown to remove J'onn's powers and on occasion render him unconscious. This was usually directly related to the needs of the story and lacked consistency.
• Post-Crisis On Infinite Earths, starting with the first Martian Manhunter mini-series it was revealed that the weakness was a psycho semantic phobia stemming from the stress of burning the martian dead in funeral pyres after the plague. This effectively removed the weakness both from J'onn going forward and as a characteristic of the Martian Race as a whole.
• Starting with Grant Morrison's JLA reboot, the Racial fire weakness was restored. No explanation was given, although it was a key plot point and was portrayed as severely weakening to Martians of any color. This became the status quo for quite some time.
• In the Martian Manhunter ongoing series, psychic fire was shown to be especially debilitating, particularly in his first encounter with Bette Noir.
• During the storyline Trial By Fire an explanation was provided. In the aftermath of the Obsidian Age, Martian Manhunter was determined to eliminate his vulnerability to fire, feeling it hampered his effectiveness in the JLA and put his teammates at risk. Working with Scorch, he was cured of his weakness to fire. This triggered the creation of Fernus, from race memory of proto-Martians, who thrived on fire. The Guardians of the Universe, after defeating the burning Martians, had placed within the Martian race a psychological fear of fire. After defeating Fernus, J'onn has stated that he no longer fears ordinary flames.
• As of this writing, the New 52 relaunch version has not yet been shown to have this weakness, or any special relationship to fire.

Vital Statistics

• Height: Normally 6'7" (variable due to shape-shifting abilities)
• Weight: Normally 300 lbs (variable due to shape-shifting abilities)
• Nationality: Martian (maintains identities in numerous countries on Earth)
• Marital Status: Widowed

Alternate Versions

Kingdom Come

For further details: Kingdom Come

J'onn in Kingdom Come

The alternate future shown in Kingdom Come series portrayed the Manhunter as a shell of his former self. He had tried to touch all of humanity's minds at once and was damaged psychically by the experience. Batman asks him to verify some information for him telepathically, but J'onn is unable to filter out anything useful. Later, he can be seen in at least six different panels (in a Martian form, reminiscent of Edgar Rice Burroughs stories) slightly before and during the battle at the Gulag (this may have been another character, however.)

Flashpoint (1999 series)

The Sleuth from Outer Space - Flashpoint 1999

In the 1999 Elseworlds series Flashpoint, J'onn was an assistant of a scientist on Mars who attempted to use a device to harness the Speed Force. The device malfunctioned and obliterated all of the Martians, except for J'onn who was sent through a worm hole to Earth. In surveying Mars, a disabled Barry Allen and crew found the ancient Martian device. Learning of this, J'onn attempts to retrieve the device and is directed by private detective Ralph Dinby to Vandal Savage. Savage tricks the Martian, springing a trap, and he is ultimately killed.

Flashpoint (2011 event)

In this alternate timeline, J'onn was captured and manipulated by the Outsider shortly after being brought to Earth by Dr. Erdel. In the present of this story J'onn seeks revenge on the Outsider.

In Other Media

DC Animated Universe

J'onn and Batman

In the animated television show Justice League, J'onn helps to bring the League together. In it's second series, Justice League Unlimited, he takes care of the logistics of running the League. He later loses faith in humanity and leaves the League, only to rejoin them in their time of great need in their global battle against Darkseid and his invasion forces. He was voiced by Carl Lumbly.

J'onn also appeared in the Static Shock episode "A League of Their Own" along with the rest of his Justice League teammates. He was again voiced by Carl Lumbly.

The Batman

Martian Manhunter in The Batman

The Martian Manhunter has also appeared in The Batman, in episodes "The Joining" and "Lost Heroes." He is first seen practicing his shape shifting in front of a television. He also exhibited minor telekinetic powers, as he was seen levitating his TV's remote control. He was voiced by Dorian Harewood.

Justice League Pilot

Frames from the low budget JLA TV Pilot

In this low-budget adaptation, taking queues from the Giffen and Dematteis JLI, J'onn J'onzz appears as the founder of the Justice League. He claims to have fled from his homeworld (he describes it as having high temperatures, over 300 degrees, which is not consistent with Mars in reality) in a starship, which he parked on the sea floor to use as JLA headquarters. Aside from shapeshifting (which cannot be maintained for long without pain), he displayed no other powers. He was played by David Ogden Stiers of MASH fame, in rubber prosthetics.

Smallville

Phil Morris as J'onn J'onzz

J'onn Jonzz appears on TV's Smallville as John Jones, played by actor Phil Morris. He appeared in his human form for nearly all of his appearances except "Absolute Justice Part 2," where his true Martian form is briefly revealed. He is an intergalactic bounty hunter who worked with Jor-El to imprison many criminals in the Phantom Zone. When Jor-El's infant son was sent to Earth, J'onn agreed to watch over him. He made his first appearance in season 6, assisting Clark from time to time in apprehending escaped Phantom Zone prisoners such as Bizarro. In season 8, his role was expanded. Stripped of his powers, and taking the human name John Jones, he became a homicide detective in the Metropolis Police Department. J'onn worked to keep Clark's vigilante activities a secret. He regained his abilities midway through season 9, becoming a member of the fledgling Justice League. J'onn is regarded as one of the most powerful individuals in the Smallville universe as stated by Clark himself, and displays the abilities of super strength, invulnerability, speed, flight, shape shifting, telepathy, Martian vision, intangibility and the ability to produce heat from his hands. His vulnerability to fire was also explored in the series, as well as his love of Oreo cookies.

Justice League: The New Frontier

J'onn appeared in this movie, adapted from Daryn Cooke's mini series of the same name and was voiced by Miguel Ferrer.

Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths

J'onn appeared in the animated movie Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths and was voiced by Jonathan Adams. He is part of the team that infiltrates the alternate universe and he develops a romance with Parallel-Earth Rose Wilson while protecting her from the Crime Syndicate of Amerika.

Young Justice

Jonn in the Young Justice animated series

Martian Manhunter appears in the animated television show Young Justice as the uncle to Miss Martian, who becomes a core member of the currently-unnamed teenage superhero team (Young Justice). J'onn is a member of the Justice League and stops in occasionally to check in on M'gann to see how she is adjusting to Earth culture and her role as a superhero. It has been stated by the show's creators that the Martian race is still alive on Mars and that J'onn was brought to Earth accidentally by the Justice League during a test of their teleportation system. This was done to avoid too many similarities between J'onn and Superman.