As DC launches its bold new Absolute UniverseJustice League Icon The Martian Manhunter is getting a radical reimagining, as the ‘Soul of the League’ argues with an entire reality built above Darkseid’s evil. First appearing in 1955, Martian Manhunter is a longtime fixture of the Justice League, with incredible powers including telepathy, creation and intangibility. Indeed, the Manhunter’s powers are so extensive, Superman named him the one hero he would be afraid to fight, calling him, “The most powerful being on the face of the earth.”
Announced at New York Comic Con, Absolute Martian Manhunter Coming March 2025 from writer Deniz Camp and artist Javier RodrÃguez. The series will see an FBI agent possessed by an alien consciousness, giving him immense powers. DC’s new absolute continuity is totally reinventing the hero’s design, emphasizing his shifting nature as a being not confined to a single form.
The news was shared at DC’s All In/Absolute Universes panel, with a selection of character designs showing the titular character in different guises. Campaign wrote:
Martians, in this world, they are not really from Mars. This is one of the most dramatic reimaginings in the Absolute Universe. An FBI agent is invaded by an alien consciousness that selects “Martian” from its mind to describe what it is. The book is about a complete outsider’s perspective on the world combined with a complete insider’s view of the world.
Related
Absolute Martian Manhunter reinvents the alien hero
The Manhunter isn’t even from Mars
The Absolute Universe of DC is officially introduced in DC All In Special #1which saw Darkseid killed by a combination of Superman and the Spectre. Unfortunately, this only unleashes the god of evil to escape DC’s mainstream reality, reshaping an entire alternate universe with evil as the fundamental force in existence. The heroes of the world are stripped of every advantage they ever had – Batman has no luck, Wonder Woman is raised in Hell itself, and Superman never met the Kents as a child. Absolute Continuity began with the three new series Absolute Batman, Absolute SupermanAnd Absolute wonder womanBut NYCC has confirmed that these will be followed in 2025 by Absolute Green Lantern, Absolute flash And Absolute Martian Manhunter.
Although Martian Manhunter is a beloved fan-favorite, he lacks the same cultural footprint as many of his Justice League allies, largely because he was far less represented in live action. despite this, The heroes and fans of DC often refer to Martian Manhunter as the heart of the Justice LeagueAnd his presence has been used in the past to legitimize unusual team rosters. It’s only fitting that he makes his absolute debut alongside The Flash and Green Lantern.
Related
Javier RodrÃguez is the perfect choice for Absolute Martian Manhunter
DC gives creators a mandate to do something new
In terms of doing the Martian Manhunter justice, Javier RodrÃguez is ideal news for fans. Javier RodrÃguez’s bold use of color and unusual page layouts make his art instantly identifiable, with past projects like Defenders And Zatana: Burn down the house Showing fans what to expect from Absolute Martian Manhunter. Interestingly, Manhunter’s redesign is based on a Play-Doh sculpture by Javier RodrÃguezwho shared on X that he used the substance to capture the hero’s inhuman and imaginary form.
The Absolute Universe is already a huge success, as DC promises fans creative, high-quality new takes on beloved heroes. While few fans would have expected Martian Manhunter To share billing with the rest of the Justice League’s A-list, this is a very welcome surprise, especially since the reinvention of the hero perfectly captures the spirit of how radically the Absolute Universe is allowed to reinterpret DC lore.
Absolute Martian Manhunter #1 Coming from DC Comics March 2025.
Sources: DC, Javier RodrÃguez