Justice League reinvents its most underrated hero as the Kryptonian conqueror he was always meant to be

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

The world’s heroes come under attack as Waller uses his robot squad to strip the heroes of their powers and imprison them. Modeled after the founding members of the Justice League, these Amazos have achieved the greatest powers in the DC Universe. But only one of Waller’s Amazos demonstrates the true power that Martian Manhunter has been hiding all along.

Martian Manhunter Copycat Is a Superman-Level Nightmare

Global Guardian destroys a wave of international heroes

IN Absolute Power: Task Force VII #7 Dan Watters, Fran Galan and Dave Sharp, Red Star monitors the heroes’ activities on Earth from Intercorps headquarters in low Earth orbit. Red Star warns every international team they can that Waller’s Amasos are leaving the United States and attacking all the heroes around the world. Unfortunately, the warning comes too late, as Nightrunner and a team of Eurocorps heroes are already in the middle of a battle with the Global Guardian. Amazo, who stole the powers of several Justice League members (including Martian Manhunter’s powers).

Nightrunner is joined by other international heroes who come to the aid of the Eurocorps. Assuming that Amazo has the weaknesses of Martian Manhunter in addition to his abilities, Jack O’Lantern attempts to destroy him with fire. However, Global Guardian lacks J’onn’s classic weakness. Luckily, Thunderbolt delivers a powerful blow that cuts off the Global Guardian’s arm, causing it to malfunction and giving the heroes enough time to escape. But it’s not long before The evil Martian Manhunter uses his healing factor to grow a new arm and stalks the heroes.

All of the remaining Intercorp heroes gather at Intercorp headquarters to discuss their future plans. Unfortunately, they cannot come to an agreement, and soon the Global Guardian sneaks into the interstellar headquarters. Global Guardian uses psychic techniques stolen from Martian Manhunter to invade their minds as they are sucked into the vacuum of space. Jack O’Lantern manages to save a hero named Belphegor. but even they fall due to the deprivation of power by Global Guardianwho finally ends the hunt for the targets assigned by Waller.

Martian Manhunter is the Justice League’s most powerful asset

Global Guardian proves J’onn is a real threat

When it comes to brute force in Justice League, many look to Superman (rightfully so, given his impressive Kryptonian abilities). However, Martian Manhunter is more often than not overlooked, even though he has shown similar levels of power in the past. Heck, even Superman 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. And yet, again and again, Martian Manhunter being overlooked in favor of Justice League’s Man of Steel.

But Global Guardian shows the kind of hell that Martian Manhunter could bring if he were ever pushed or corrupted. While all of the Amasos in Task Force VII are impressive, Global Guardian is the only android that destroys heroes on a global scale. It doesn’t hurt that in addition to invisibility and strength, he also stole J’onn’s psychic powers, no doubt helping the automaton hunt down any heroes that escaped his grasp. People often worry that Superman will lose control, but The Justice League should probably keep a closer eye on J’onn..

Of course, J’onn isn’t in danger of falling to the dark side anytime soon. But despite being in the League longer than most heroes, Martian Manhunter simply doesn’t get the respect he should. But as Global Guardian shows, these abilities, when used correctly, can turn anyone into one of the most formidable fighters in the DC Universe. It is simply tragic that these powers fell into the wrong hands. But hopefully one day Absolute power said and done, fans will be able to look at the underrated Justice League force with a little more appreciation.

Martian Manhunter deserves more respect

From his Justice League teammates and readers

Luckily, Global Guardian’s time with J’onn’s forces would not last long. But once Martian Manhunter gets his powers back, we hope everyone will look at him with more respect. J’onn may be one of the more reserved and quiet members of the Justice League, but underneath his humble form he hides great power. Global Guardian was just a small showcase of what J’onn could do if pushed to his limits, showing the real potential of the underrated Justice League hero.

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

Absolute Power: Task Force VII #7 (2024)
	Writer: Dan Watters Artist: Fran Galan Colorist: Fran Galan Letterer: Dave Sharp Cover Artist: Pete Woods