Martian Manhunter: The Hardest Man to Write About?

#1 Posted by Kallarkz (3300 posts) - 2 years, 1 day ago - Show Bio

All of us know the big green man from Mars who was one of the founding members of the J.L.A.

I was wondering in recent days way M.M was unable to hold his own run for as long as characters such as Batman, Flash, GL, WW or even get more mini-series like Aquaman.

Martian Manhunter has a very interesting past and origin story. A series about him could be based upon his time on Mars pre his teleportation to Earth or even stories about his investigations like his original series was based upon.

I've talked with others before and they stated that M.M seemed too much like a green Superman. But I see various differences in their story. Like how their people were killed, their power set, their reasons for remaining on Earth, One key fact factor to M.M that I find interesting is based upon a comment he told Superman during his "Others Among Us Run". He told Superman that they are more alike than he knows but the difference is that Superman looks like a human while humans usually fear M.M and do not trust him because of how he looks.

Was wondering if users from the Vine could shed some light on either why M.M's popularity didn't reach Flash, GL, B.M. WW or S.M levels or why they believe he should receive a chance now to shine.

#2 Posted by PrinceIMC (5340 posts) - 2 years, 1 day ago - Show Bio

I think Martian Manhunter is just too alien. Like you said Superman looks like a white human male, while MM can appear that way Clark was also raised on Earth while J'onn came to Earth as an adult. I don't think a lot of comic readers can really associate with him. Sure he's an outsider experiencing Earth but so is Wonder Woman really and she's at least got the whole leaving home and her mother to discover the world. J'onn was just accidentally brought here. Flash is a man who gets powers in an accident, Green Lantern is given a powerful weapon....much more relatable than J'onn's origin.

#3 Posted by Caligula (12417 posts) - 2 years, 1 day ago - Show Bio

Between Him and Superman. If you make a successful story for either of them, you know you have what it takes to be a writer.

#4 Posted by Kallarkz (3300 posts) - 1 year, 11 months ago - Show Bio

@PrinceIMC said:

I think Martian Manhunter is just too alien. Like you said Superman looks like a white human male, while MM can appear that way Clark was also raised on Earth while J'onn came to Earth as an adult. I don't think a lot of comic readers can really associate with him. Sure he's an outsider experiencing Earth but so is Wonder Woman really and she's at least got the whole leaving home and her mother to discover the world. J'onn was just accidentally brought here. Flash is a man who gets powers in an accident, Green Lantern is given a powerful weapon....much more relatable than J'onn's origin.

Well...I tend to focus more on the way he stayed more than how exactly he arrived.

Theres more alien life out there in the Universe and he certainly has the powers to get to those other places.

But he stays on a planet where he knows people fear him for how he looks because he wants to help them and believes that one day they will change.

#5 Posted by Gregorski (15 posts) - 1 year, 11 months ago - Show Bio

I suppose it doesn't help that he's as easily relatable. I always thought characters like Zauriel would have been interesting to read about but the fact that he's never been human and has powers and a back story that noone can relate to make it difficult to read up on. That being said, MM is one of my all time favourite characters and I've picked up previous short series' based on him. And I think they've been outstanding on occasion.

#6 Posted by Kallarkz (3300 posts) - 1 year, 11 months ago - Show Bio

more than surprising that DC has not mentioned anything at all about this character. He has contributed so much to the DC Universe and this would be a perfect time to remake his character and probably tweak his origin. I know some people can't seem to connect with the whole teleported to Earth concept.

Keep M.M DC

#7 Posted by SC (9847 posts) - 1 year, 11 months ago - Show Bio

Hardest Martian. Plus then he could always go intangible. Uh...

I always though Martian Manhunter could be written like a really interesting mix between Silver Surfer, Superman, and Professor X. He is my favorite male DC character, but yeah, I feel he is underutilized. I think he just needs a passionate about him writer to champion him! Interesting what will happen to him in months to come.

#8 Posted by JonesDeini (3589 posts) - 1 year, 11 months ago - Show Bio

@SC:
Bingo, I don't think any character's impossible or that difficult to write, especially when you're passionate about them. I think Johns/Tomasi did a very solid job of working with him during Brightest Day. Just wish they ha'd dedicated more time to him. I would very much so pick up a new Manhunter title.

#9 Posted by Sylver (1528 posts) - 1 year, 11 months ago - Show Bio

@SC said:

Hardest Martian. Plus then he could always go intangible. Uh... I always though Martian Manhunter could be written like a really interesting mix between Silver Surfer, Superman, and Professor X. He is my favorite male DC character, but yeah, I feel he is underutilized. I think he just needs a passionate about him writer to champion him! Interesting what will happen to him in months to come.

I agree entirely :-)
I adore this character. He's got a very deep story behind him, one with more feeling than even Superman's. A writer who really really wants to put MM into the spotlight should take him on, make the story very insightful, especially into his thought life. Sure, we know MM's powerful as all get out, but I think it would help people who aren't as into him to know him more personally.
Gosh I hope they get him right in the JLA movie (whenever they make it); he's freakin' cool :-)

#10 Edited by Kallarkz (3300 posts) - 1 year, 11 months ago - Show Bio

MARTIAN MANHUNTER LIVES!

Stormwatch #1
(Who is the guy to the to Apollos right?)

#11 Posted by MutenRoshi (851 posts) - 1 year, 11 months ago - Show Bio

He just needs a good writer that is all

#12 Posted by aztek_the_lost (30738 posts) - 1 year, 11 months ago - Show Bio

@Kallarkz said:

MARTIAN MANHUNTER LIVES!

Stormwatch #1
(Who is the guy to the to Apollos right?)

Midnighter...but neither he or Apollo look like their original versions at all, the only reason I can tell who they are is the chest logos

Moderator

#13 Posted by mlj (3 posts) - 1 year, 8 months ago - Show Bio

Personally, I think Martian Manhunter is a great character to write, seeing how he's got a lot of pathos and angst one can explore, and while it's easy for some to classify him as another Superman, I think he's very different from The Man of Steel. I think with a good story, MM could really shine as a title character.
http://jonnjonzzjohnjones.tumblr.com/

#14 Posted by Mega_spidey01 (2119 posts) - 1 year, 8 months ago - Show Bio

he my favorite justice league character besides wally west. they could give him a great solo explore his past and present and what means to be an outsider looking through the glass wondering why humans are the way they are and falls in love with a human woman.

#15 Posted by Hyperlight (2053 posts) - 6 months, 4 hours ago - Show Bio

@PrinceIMC said:

I think Martian Manhunter is just too alien. Like you said Superman looks like a white human male, while MM can appear that way Clark was also raised on Earth while J'onn came to Earth as an adult. I don't think a lot of comic readers can really associate with him. Sure he's an outsider experiencing Earth but so is Wonder Woman really and she's at least got the whole leaving home and her mother to discover the world. J'onn was just accidentally brought here. Flash is a man who gets powers in an accident, Green Lantern is given a powerful weapon....much more relatable than J'onn's origin.

to be honest. I think MM's plight was much more relatable than Supes because MM actually had a life before earth. Spuerman never knew krypton... nor what its like to be on krypton. He cant miss krypton because he never had it. the only way supes is relatable because he is looks like a human white male but im pretty sure MM was on earth longer than Supes

#16 Posted by Avenging-X-Bolt (8829 posts) - 6 months, 1 hour ago - Show Bio

@Hyperlight said:

@PrinceIMC said:
I think Martian Manhunter is just too alien. Like you said Superman looks like a white human male, while MM can appear that way Clark was also raised on Earth while J'onn came to Earth as an adult. I don't think a lot of comic readers can really associate with him. Sure he's an outsider experiencing Earth but so is Wonder Woman really and she's at least got the whole leaving home and her mother to discover the world. J'onn was just accidentally brought here. Flash is a man who gets powers in an accident, Green Lantern is given a powerful weapon....much more relatable than J'onn's origin.
to be honest. I think MM's plight was much more relatable than Supes because MM actually had a life before earth. Spuerman never knew krypton... nor what its like to be on krypton. He cant miss krypton because he never had it. the only way supes is relatable because he is looks like a human white male but im pretty sure MM was on earth longer than Supes

yup. since before Clark was born

#17 Posted by MartianManhunterIsBetterThanCyborg (157 posts) - 1 month, 4 hours ago - Show Bio

Because no one at DC cares to go back and use MM's supporting characters or villains. If Johns did the same thing on Brightest Day: MM like he is doing now with Cyborg and Aquaman he would be at a much better place.

Also DC gave Cyborg new logo, when MM also should have gotten one too! And people stop mistaking the X as his symbol, its the pi circle.

#18 Posted by Avenging-X-Bolt (8829 posts) - 1 month, 3 hours ago - Show Bio

@martianmanhunterisbetterthancy said:

Because no one at DC cares to go back and use MM's supporting characters or villains. If Johns did the same thing on Brightest Day: MM like he is doing now with Cyborg and Aquaman he would be at a much better place.

this.

Also DC gave Cyborg new logo, when MM also should have gotten one too! And people stop mistaking the X as his symbol, its the pi circle.

technically DC gave him a new one pre reboot but it didnt stick, so they used a color swapped version of his kuru pendant.

#19 Posted by CrazyScarecrow (89 posts) - 1 month, 3 hours ago - Show Bio

I think the problem is that no one has a imagination. I mean so many complain he is hard to write or hard to relate to because he doesn't act like a human or has so many powered. All you need is a great imagination and realize these are comic books and not all characters in comics are humans. Me personally would run and buy a book about MM the day it is released on shelfs like I usually do for Batman. He is my all time favorite member of the JL along with Batman and Barry Allen.

#20 Posted by colonyofcells (1842 posts) - 1 month, 2 hours ago - Show Bio

Maybe reboot as the Mexican Manhunter : Juan Juarez ?

Martian Manhunter

Decades ago, J'onn J'onzz was teleported to Earth from Mars and stranded here. Since then he has used his extraordinary abilities to protect and serve the people of Earth. He has been affiliated with Stormwatch and the Justice League. He now leads the Justice League of America.

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