Justice League reinvents its most underrated hero as the Kryptonian-bitter he always should have been

Warning! Spoilers ahead for Absolute Power: Task Force VII #7!The Justice League’s The greatest powerhouse is finally confirmed thanks to one doppelganger who stole his powers. Like everyone else in the DC Universe, Martian Manhunter had his powers stolen thanks to Amanda Waller’s insidious, all-amazo team, Task Force VII.

The heroes of the world are under attack as Waller uses her robotic squad to depower heroes en masse and incarcerate them. The Amazons, modeled after the founders of the Justice League, have attained the greatest powers in the DC Universe. But only one of Waller’s Amazons shows the true strength that Martian Manhunter has been hiding all along.

Martian Manhunter’s Copycat is a Superman-level nightmare

Global Guardian takes down a whole wave of international heroes

in Absolute Power: Task Force VII #7 By Dan Watters, Fran Galán and Dave Sharpe, Red Star keeps an eye on Hero activity on Earth from Intercorps HQ in low Earth orbit. Red Star warns every international team he can that Waller’s Amazons are leaving the United States and attacking every hero around the world. Unfortunately, the warning came too late as Nightrunner and the Eurocorps team of heroes were already mid-battle with Global Guardian, The Amazo who has stolen multiple Justice League members’ powers (including Martian Manhunter’s).

Nightrunner is joined by other international heroes who come to the aid of Eurocorps. If the Amazo has the Martian Manhunter’s weaknesses in addition to his powers, Jack O’Lantern tries destroying it with fire. However, Global Guardian lacks J’onn’s classic weakness. Fortunately, Thunderlord delivers a powerful blow that knocks out the Global Guardian’s arm, causing it to malfunction and giving the heroes enough time to escape. But it was not long before The evil Martian Manhunter uses his healing factor to grow a new arm and pursues the heroes.

Every remaining international hero gathers at Intercorps HQ to discuss their next plans. Unfortunately, they can’t come to an agreement and it’s not long before Global Guardian forces his way to the interstellar headquarters. Global Guardian uses the psychic techniques stolen from Martian Manhunter to attack their minds when they are sucked into the vacuum of space. Jack O’Lantern manages to rescue a hero named Belphegor, But even they fall to Global Guardian’s de-poweringWhich finally ends up hunting down the targets assigned by Waller.

Martian Manhunter is the Justice League’s most powerful asset

Global Guardian proves J’onn is a true threat

When it comes to raw power on the Justice League, many look to Superman (pretty much, given his impressive Kryptonian abilities). However, more often than not, Martian Manhunter is overlooked, even though he has demonstrated similar levels of strength in the past. Heck, even Superman has admitted that J’onn is one of the most powerful beings on Earth and that Clark would actually be afraid to fight Martian Manhunter in open combat. But, again and again, Martian Manhunter was overlooked in favor of the Justice League’s Man of Steel.

But Global Guardian shows the kind of hell Martian Manhunter can bring if he’s ever pushed or corrupted. While all the Amazons in Task Force VII are impressive, Global Guardian is the only android that takes on heroes on a worldwide scale. It doesn’t hurt that in addition to invisibility and strength, it also stole J’onn’s psychic powers, no doubt helping the Ottoman hunt down any heroes escaping his grasp. People often worry about Superman losing control, but the Justice League should probably keep a closer eye on J’onn.

Of course, J’onn isn’t in danger of turning to the dark side anytime soon. But despite being in the league longer than most heroes, Martian Manhunter just doesn’t get the respect he deserves. But as Global Guardian points out, these powers, when used properly, can turn anyone into one of the most fearsome fighters in the DC Universe. It is just a tragedy that the powers fell into the wrong hands. But hopefully, someday Absolute power Is said and done, fans will be able to Look at the underrated powerhouse of the Justice League with a little more appreciation.

Martian Manhunter deserves more respect

From his Justice League teammates and from readers

Thankfully, Global Guardian’s time with J’onn’s powers won’t be long. But once Martian Manhunter gets his powers back, hopefully everyone will look at him with a little more respect. J’onn may be one of the Justice League’s more reserved and quiet members, but he hides massive power beneath his unassuming form. Global Guardian was just a small demonstration of the things J’onn could do if pushed to his limit, showing the true potential of the underrated Justice League hero.

Absolute Power: Task Force VII #7 is available now from DC Comics.

Absolute Power: Task Force VII #7 (2024)
	Writer: Dan Waters Artist: Fran Galán Colorist: Fran Galán Writer: Dave Sharpe Cover artist: Pete Woods