Absolute Martian Manhunter Volume 1: Martian Vision by Deniz Camp (writer) and Javer Rodríguez (art). DC, 2025. 9781799505204. Contains #1 – 6.
This reinterpretation of DC’s Martian Manhunter for its new Absolute universe is worth reading whether you’re familiar with the original character or not. FBI Agent John Jones survives a bomb blast through the intervention of a “Martian” who bonds with him to save his life. Now the alien is a voice in his head trying to share its perceptions with him as it masters English. It’s confusing. John’s world is now filled with colored “smoke” that emanates from people; by inhaling it Jones can absorb some of their thoughts. (There are even some pages at the end of chapters to help the reader experience Martian vision themselves. Cool.)
Jones is going to need the Martian’s powers and help to defeat a cosmic-level threat determined to wipe out humanity. Arson plays a part, and there’s quite a bit of violence that’s more realistic than in many other superhero books.
It’s worth noting that the story is brutal in parts; though there’s no age range noted on the back of the book, this is clearly a graphic novel for adults. And if you enjoy the more psychedelic graphic novels by Grant Morrison, I think you’ll find a lot to love in the story and in Rodríguez’s art.
