Wednesday, November 30, 2011

CSBG's "The Greatest Martian Manhunter Stories Ever Told"

Yeah, I'm a lone wolf (*affects rebel sneer*) but the downside of not having a network of minions is that I'm occasionally caught flatfooted on Martian Manhunter goings on. For instance, I didn't know Brian Cronin had restarted Comics Should Be Good's Greatest Stories reader polls until Rob Kelly and Joe Slab were already correcting "The Greatest Aquaman Stories Ever Told". As I often do, I followed the link to see if there was a Manhunter variation...


"Here’s the latest of the daily voting threads for The Greatest ____ Stories Ever Told!

Our next character up for voting is Martian Manhunter.

J’onn J’onnz, the Martian Manhunter, was one of the rare superheroes DC had in the years between the Golden Age and the beginning of the Silver Age (although he was not really much of a “superhero” to start – more of a science fiction character). One of the founding members of the Justice League, Manhunter served with the team in most of the incarnations of the League, taking on a higher profile on the team during the 1980s. Manhunter had an ongoing feature for a number of years in Detective Comics and House of Mystery and had a solo title during the late 1990s/early 2000s. He currently is a member of Stormwatch.

You have until 11:59 PM Pacific time, November 13th to vote for your top ten favorite comic book stories starring Martian Manhunter! Your choices will be revealed on November 14th. I will leave what “starring” entails up to you."

Voting began on the 8th, offering readers a week to send in their emails. According to them, these are The Greatest Martian Manhunter Stories Ever Told!

10. JLA Secret Files and Origins #1 “A Day in the Life”

Probably the first and sometimes the only Martian Manhunter solo story many readers brought in by the surprise success of JLA have ever read. Pretty nifty one, too.

9. JLA #84-89 “Trial by Fire”

This was something of an updated Bronze Age story. It has all the hallmarks: J'Onn going nuts; beating up other super-heroes for no good reason; a romantic interest that never shows up again; massive alterations to continuity and the people of Mars; despicable, genocidal villain. I figured the appeal of this thing would wane over time, but I guess folks still like it. The absence of any serious Fernus coverage over four years of blogging probably expresses my own feelings...

8. Final Crisis: Requiem

The only issue on the list to come out since I started the blog. A great looking book with an alright story that gets points for remembering Gypsy but loses them for neglecting Manhunter history prior to 1997.

7. Martian Manhunter #17 “Hidden Faces”

This one was the biggest head-scratcher for me, since it undid several years of work into making the Manhunter an international hero with longstanding secret identities across the globe.

6. Martian Manhunter #1,000,000 “The Abyss of Time”

This one I get. It was essentially the mission statement of the entire Ostrander/Mandrake series. It introduced a slew of new villains, infused the New Gods into Martian life, foretold the ultimate defeat of Darkseid, and offered a roadmap for Manhunter stories across millenia.

5. DC: The New Frontier #1-6

No other character benefited from this book like John Jones. It combined elements of the original stories with retcons of the 70s, 80s & 90s into one well received package that introduced a lot of people to material they'd never seen before. The book also led to the first recognizable origin story to hit animation, after the liberties taken on Justice League. Having already been familiar with the source material, I never felt as strongly about this book as others, but I appreciate its impact and new additions (King Faraday, J'Onn's interest in John Henry, etc.)

4. Martian Manhunter: American Secrets #1-3

This is the one I'd expect readers here to rally around, based on a seeming consensus. I see this as the closest thing so far to a Watchmen for the Martian Manhunter set, but it's also a difficult, quirky book lacking flash and action.

3. Martian Manhunter #33-36 “In My Life”

I found this one really interesting. Rather than the origin story from #0 or the story arc that introduced Malefic, fans took to this piece on the early days of the J'Onzzes and the impact of Apokolips on Mars. It's not a bad story, and it's much tighter (yet more expansive in scope) than other Ostrander arcs. Still, it traded Tom Mandrake for Ed Barreto at his worst, plus a tacked-on ending with Jamal Igle to wrap up some subplots.

2. Martian Manhunter #20-24 “Revelations”

No surprise here. Manhunter fans love stories where he's woven into the fabric of DC history, and the series of short stories were well received upon release. However, the majority of votes came from "Double Stuff," the humorous JLI flashback with guest art by Doug Mahnke. I suppose "Mars Needs Chocos!"

1. Justice League America #38-40 “Justice League versus Despero

In terms of the great Martian Manhunter nemesis, this blog's Great Taste/Less Filling debate has always trended toward Commander Blanx vs. Malefic. Ma'alefa'ak may have smoked Blanx on this countdown, but it's pretty clear Despero is the true threat. Considering I run Despero theme months here, and made a point of covering this epic last year for Despero's 50th birthday celebration, I'm cool with that. This is certainly one of the greatest and most broadly read Manhunter stories, though the shared spotlight and aspects of the ending sees it lowered in my esteem.

Now that you've heard my thoughts on CBR readers' choices, I'd like to hear yours! Drop a comment, or vote for the best of CSBG's selections in our new poll on the sidebar. We'll be revisiting this topic a few times in the near future...

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Demon Knights #1 (November, 2011)



In the 12th century or so, on the last night of Camelot, a knight of King Arthur delivered the sword Excalibur to the Lady of the Lake. The sorceress Xanadu was`among those carrying Arthur to Avalon, but said "sod this," and tried to dive in after Excalibur. It didn't pan out. Meanwhile, Merlin imprisoned the Demon Etrigan in the human host Jason of Norwich.

Four hundred years later, during the Dark Ages (although technically, Camelot was also part of the dark ages, and another half a millennium before that even,) the Horse of the Questing Queen marched. The Queen demanded an infant sacrifice from an occupied village. Her love Mordru used his magic to summon a demon to possess the child, and consult it for prophesy before the weak vessel burst. The path to Alba Sarum was indicated, meaning travel through the Dagger Pass and a tiny village called Little Springs.

Madame Xanadu and her lover Jason o' th' Blood hoped to pass through Little Springs without incident, though Xan openly expressed the unlikelihood, given their usual troubles. Vandal Savage was shouting at an innkeeper, demanding entry, and burst down a door when refused. Jason and Xanadu had last met him ninety years earlier in Brigantia, but saw no reason that they should have to wrestle with him now. In fact, they all had drinks. Savage confessed, "I've`always been jealous you two fellow immortals were at the fall of Camelot. I have almost no ethics myself, you understand-- but I like them in others. And I'm pleased that glittering example once existed."



The Shining Knight called them all "liars" and "rogues," claiming to have also been at the fall and not seen them there. Then again, "Sir Ystin" didn't appear to be an actual sir, despite the gleaming armor on her slight frame. The Saxons figured, "The Celts have odd ways. Nod and smile. Greetings, Sir Ystin!"

There was an argument when the bartender refused the coin of Al Jabr, but his amazonian companion Exoristos intimidated improved service. "I come from an island where men are castrated-- and women are pleased."

Outriders of the Questing Queen's Horde tried to seize the flock of a friar outside town, but they were killed by the archery of a woman on horseback. Other outriders raided the inn tavern, prompting Jason to release the Demon Etrigan in defense. Xan whimpered "Just one quiet pint. That's all I ask." Etrigan kissed Xanadu, who he believed was leading Jason on and truly in lust for the Demon. "...I really prefer-- a bit of rough."

As hostilities escalated, Mordru detected magic in Little Springs, and delivered from afar some of his own. "Dragons" were released from wormholes in space...



"Seven Against The Dark" was by Paul Cornell, Diógenes Neves and Oclair Albert. The characters are a lot more fun in this book than Cornell's Stormwatch, and the story is clearer, but it seems kind of pointless. This is like a JLA of immortality, meaning that the characters that are best known are perfectly safe, so your reading enjoyment is dependent upon your interest in watching the leads going through the motions. Madame Xanadu is more flippant and sexually adventurous than I recall. The Demon is more amorous and gullible, plus I don't like the wings. Vandal Savage is more thuggish and boisterous-- more of a tuna sandwich-- and I appreciated the working in of his serpent belt buckle. It would be interesting if Al Jabr turned out to be Adam One. I suppose it's cute seeing these characters in earlier days, and the playing with magic as advanced science (dragons = dinosaurs) is nice. With a name like "Demon Knights" and all these Daemonites running around the DCnÜ, you just know there will be some amusing tie-ins to come. I guess that's something to look forward to, but it's still asking a lot for me to think of this as anything more than a short-lived aside, if not an outright lark.

New 52's Day

Monday, November 28, 2011

The Greenwashing of M'gann M'orzz

Click To Enlarge


Let's begin by stating that Miss Martian started off life as a gimmick. As revealed by Ben Morse in The Secret Origin of Miss Martian, Geoff Johns "was trying to come up with new characters for both the One Year Later roster and for what eventually became Titans West, and that he wanted to do more legacy characters for heroes and villains who didn't actually have any yet." A great many of these characters ended up as cannon fodder for 52 and Teen Titans. Given that they were adolescent "legacy" cyphers of established lesser DC IPs, the killings didn't stop there, either. Johns likely was specifically looking for a sidekick to the Martian Manhunter as a story point, although he hadn't tipped that hand yet. Inspired at a dinner party by the classic comic book alliterative naming possibilities of Ben marrying his then-girlfriend (which he actually did do a few years later,) "Megan Morse" was born.

Following Johns' Infinite Crisis, the DC Universe jumped forward a year in continuity. One of the few books to really dive into the possibilities of that lost year was Johns' Teen Titans, where Miss Martian was introduced in passing during the story arc "The New Teen Titans." She was one of the dozens of characters briefly associated with the team during an extended rudderless period following the (temporary) death of Supergirl, a lengthy hiatus for Robin, the premature aging of Kid Flash, and so forth. Miss Martian wasn't really relevant until Johns' next and penultimate arc on the book, "Titans Around the World." The returned Robin was trying to put the band back together, which involved a global search for a traitor that had sabotaged the team during his absence. The original July 2006 solicitation art for Teen Titans #40 depicted a coy M'gann with her arms behind her back against a suspiciously plain background. One of the rumor columns got its hands on the cover as eventually published, showcasing Miss Martian in the center of a collage of infamous Titans traitors. Treachery is something of a Titans tradition. To gild the lily, they even added the word balloon "I'm Miss Martian. Of course you can trust me!"



As an added punch, readers learned that M'gann M'orzz was not related to the Martian Manhunter, nor was she even the same race, but was instead a White Martian of the sort that tried to conquer Earth in the first JLA arc. However, the creators doth tease too much, as despite the secrecy behind Miss Martian's origin, she was truly an innocent heroine who helped uncover the true traitor in the group. The character became part of a fresh line-up formed for Johns' final story arc, and then she was the next creative team's problem. The book meandered for three guest issues tying into two inter-company crossovers before Miss Martian was confirmed as part of a revised line-up under the incoming creative team.

It seems Miss Martian's remaining under new writer Sean McKeever likely hinged on her opening gimmick. Revisiting an earlier story foretelling a dark future for the Teen Titans, an adult Miss Martian was revealed as having embraced the murderous inclinations of the White Martians (though retaining a largely human physical appearance) and become a femme fatale. Miss Martian inadvertently killed her evil future self, setting up an ongoing subplot where she was haunted by a psychic remainder that gave her something of a multiple personalty disorder. Mileage could be found in her still being a potential traitor, plus she took on a very Martian Manhunter style covert identity in a plot involving the Terror Titans.

Sean McKeever left the book after a couple of years, and once she was used as a mourner to help sell the tragedy of the death of teammate Kid Devil (they were close, and nobody else cared much,) Miss Martian was benched on the injured list by replacement writer Felicia D. Henderson. It's worth noting that on the way out, she was mind-controlled into killing another person. A pattern emerges of M'gann M'orzz being a sweet-natured naive heroine often embroiled in deadly, treacherous situations with quite a few issues with mental stability and blood on her hands.



In a surprising move, Miss Martian was included in the line-up of the Cartoon Network animated series Young Justice, beating out the more popular and better known Wonder Girl. The show's web site states "M'Gann M'Orzz has a sweet, bubbly personality, but is hiding a secret past." I haven't been following the Young Justice cartoon or comics directly, relying more on fandom osmosis to maintain my awareness. However, back in early October, The Aquaman Shrine offered thirteen pages of scans from the comic Young Justice #6 that piqued my interest in a big way. They purportedly depict M'gann's origin story and an interpretation of Mars not seen in comics since 1984.

As told, Mars is dominated by a green-skinned race whose men seem identical to J'Onn J'Onzz and whose women all resemble M'gann M'orzz. Miss Martian comes from an enormous family of double-digit siblings and triple-digit extension. Despite this (including living parents,) her closest relative is her Uncle J'Onn, which absent an explanatory context is rather disquieting. All these Green Martians live in underground, upside-down cities of vaguely Arabic design, but are otherwise domesticated in a fairly Atom Age Americana fashion (including a panel paying homage to Norman Rockwell.) There is also a minority of Red Martians that seem acceptable to Greens, and a class of White Martians who face incredible prejudice. M'gann claims that her own family is progressive, but with some pregnant pauses.



Readers of this blog are likely aware that most DC Martians were wiped out after 1988, in comics by a plague, and in animation by genocidal alien invaders. Silver Age Martians of either gender came with or without hair of various colors. Modern Martians have been a tribal people living in huts and pyramids above ground, and descended from saurian origins that precluded mammalian characteristics like hair. Rather than an oppressed minority, White Martians were a warrior race bent on conquest against their own species and others. They created a clone slave race, which prompted Greens to develop red-skinned clones to prevent being overrun by sheer numbers. These "red Martians" lived around two planets back, and developed into Saturnians once the White Martians were exiled to the Still Zone and Green Martians receded from galactic prominence to occupy Mars alone.

In the recent YJ comic story, M'gann M'orzz tells her teammates that the Martian Manhunter became the most famous member of his species through his televised exploits with the Justice League (shades of Roh Kar.) It seems like J'Onzz has always worn the José Ladrönn designed costume from the 2006 mini-series, and the basics of it appear to be standard Martian active wear. One day, J'Onzz decided he needed a kid sidekick, and held a competition amongst the entire youth population of Mars for the chance. M'gann M'orzz was so hungry to visit Earth and become a hero, she beat everybody else on Mars in the contest, even though her elder seemed to be rooting against her. In other words, she told everyone Wonder Woman's origin, on a show where she replaced Wonder Girl.



We return now to that "secret past." There were murmurs when M'gann was introduced as J'Onn's niece, these being characters who haven't shared many panels in the comic books. With the DCnÜ reboot, it would be easy to erase M'gann's White Martian past entirely, and given that there are more eyes on any given episode of Young Justice than most anything DC publishes in a month combined, it would make sense to mainstream the character in the model of the cartoon. However, the cartoon has made some allusions to white being a skin color M'gann has issues with, and her supposed origin story is so blatantly derivative as to be downright incriminating. On the other hand, J'Onn J'Onzz did bring the character into Young Justice, establishing a far stronger bond than was ever present in the comics. One also wonders if M'gann would chance a lie as big as a populated Mars. Perhaps M'gann is still a White Martian, but it seems likely that the more sordid elements of her comics backstory will be discarded. More importantly, this Miss Martian may come from a very different Mars than we've seen in decades, and I'd be very interested to see if her cartoon continuity has an impact on the books great enough to massively rewrite the story of J'Onn J'Onzz. In "going green," the gimmicky tale of Miss Martian may end up wagging the dog that has been much of the Martian Manhunter's half century career...

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Previews Vol. VI, No. 9 JLA Cover (September 1996)



Here is the original solicited cover to JLA #1 by Howard Porter and John Dell. I like how the red makes the Martian Manhunter pop, but it was decided to switch to green for fear that the color scheme would spoil the secret of the Hyperclan (given the planet in the background.)

Saturday, November 26, 2011

2000 DC Comics Promo 8327-G



Another cardstock placeholder in the event Silver Age: Justice League of America #1 (July, 2000) happened to sell out. Despite Ty Templeton's providing a fond look back at the 1960s super-team of Superman, Batman, the Flash, Aquaman, Green Lantern and the Manhunter from Mars, a Post-Crisis concession was made in replacing Wonder Woman with Black Canary.

Friday, November 25, 2011

Mars Needs Black Friday!



Today is Black Friday, so I thought it would be a good idea to start collecting all the great Martian Manhunter related merchandise under one easy to visit banner, for your Christmas shopping needs...

Action Figures

Activity Books

Apparel

Bookmarks

Candy & Prizes
1969 Fleer Martian Manhunter Temporary Tattoo
1967 Super Candy & Toy
1970 Fleer Justice League of America Gum & Tattoo
2006 Justice League Power Dip

Collector's Plates

Commercials

Costumes

Figurines

Foreign Editions

Games

Glasses & Mugs

Greeting Cards

Jewelery

Magazines

Magnets

Mini-Comics
Justice League America Kellogg's Cinnamon Mini Buns Mini-Comic (1993)
Super Powers Collection #14: Martian Manhunter (1984)

Point of Purchase/Merchandising Displays

Postcards

Posters/Prints/Wall Scrolls

Sculptures (Busts, Statues, etc.)


Trading Cards

Universe Retro Argentinian Detective Martiano Trading Card
1966 Comic Book Foldees Card #15 (Topps)
1989 Mayfair Games DC Heroes Martian Manhunter Character Card
1991 Impel DC Comics Cosmic Cards #121: Martian Manhunter
1993 Justice League Task Force Official Membership Card
1993 Skybox DC Cosmic Teams Cards #43: Bloodwynd
1994 Skybox Superman: Man of Steel Platinum Series Card #40

1996 DC Outburst: Firepower
#04: Martian Manhunter by Chris Renaud
#75: Martian Manhunter by Chris Renaud

1997 Fleer/Skybox Justice League (JLA) Overpower Collectable Card Game

2004 Post Cereal Justice League Trading Card #5 of 7: Martian Manhunter (s04)

2005 Upper Deck VS System Collectible Card Game: Despero- Master of the Third Eye

2007 Alfajor Maxi Max Cookies DC Super Heroes Cartas De Poder

2007 Rittenhouse Archives DC Legacy Card #21: Martian Manhunter

Thursday, November 24, 2011

More Pictures of Martian Manhunter



I hadn't updated the art section of the blog since the middle of last year, so I figured some housecleaning was in order. You know, in the four years I've been doing this blog daily, nearly one year is represented by art posts. New additions to the list are at the top, with the old stuff following the second pic. I'm also thinning out the main art directory to exclude any remaining pictures of Miss Martian, fan art, the Vile Menagerie, etc. They now have or will have menus of their own, although many are still present in the old links below.

Arthur "Art" Adams
1992 Venev Alien Parasite Model Sheet

Israel S. Algarin
2010 Hulk & Martian Manhunter by Israel S. Algarin
2010 Silver Surfer, J'onn J'onzz, Superman, Gladiator and Goku

Josh Allar
2007 "Manhunter Inked"

Mike Allred
1999 Unused Community Chest Card #2 Art

Gary Anderson
2010 Justice League Unlimited Martian Manhunter

Joseph "zeruch" Arruda
2002 the Martian Manhunter

Mahmud Asrar
2007 Rittenhouse Archives DC Legacy Sketch Cards #3 & 110

Mark Badger
Martian Manhunter Convention Sketch
1987 Martian Manhunter Watercolor

Al Barrionuevo
2008 "Para Fran" Head Sketch

David Michael Beck
J'Onn J'Onnz, Martian Manhunter

Jonah Block
2010 Minimal Martian Manhunter art

Nick Bradshaw
2007 Justice League of America Babies at the hangout by Nick Bradshaw

Eric Canete
2006 Justice League Unlimited Warm-Up Sketches

Darwin Cooke
"J'Onn J'Onzz from THE NEW FRONTIER"
2005 San Diego Comic-Con International DC: The New Frontier - Martian Manhunter Sketch

~DasTenna
2008 "In better times"

Rob Duenas
2009 Martian Manhunter 001

Ryan Dunlavey
2008 Martian Manhunter Sketch Card

Tommy Lee Edwards
1997 JLA Gallery

Brendon & Brian Fraim
2009 "Martian Manhunter!" Sketch Card by Brendon & Brian Fraim
2010 Martian Manhunter 2 Sketch Card

David H.
1996 Martian Manhunter Oil Painting

Curt Franklin and Chris Haley
2008 "Martian Manhunter Riding A Unicorn"

Patrick "Pat" Gleason
2011 Martian Manhunter Convention Sketch

Fred Hembeck
2011 Fred Hembeck Sketch Card: J'onn J'onzz and The Hulk 1 of 1

Don Hillsman II
2010 Despero versus the Justice League Personal Sketch Card

Tom Hodges
2007 Martian Manhunter Sketch

Tan Eng Huat
2009 JLA Commission

Andy Hunter
2010 "Team Justice 2"

Jamal Igle
2010 CBLDF Head Sketch

Daniel Irizarri
2010 "Heroes In Need" Martian Manhunter

Isucklikehell
2006 "JLA - J'onn J'onzz n Scorch"

Ryan Jenkyns
2010 The Martian Manhunter

~joseph
2010 "Manhunter from Mars"

Marcus Kelligrew
2009 "JLA-Martian Manhunter" by Marcus Kelligrew

Kid Marvel J
2006 Legion of Superheroes Academy : Martian Manhunter

Jun Bob Kim
2009 Power Girl & Martian Manhunter commission

Koma Designs
Martian Manhunter Resin Model Kit

Rafael Lam
2010 "M. Manhunter - Minimalismo"

Jeff Lemire
2007 Justice League Print by Jeff Lemire

Kevin Maguire
1988 Justice League International Postcards: Martian Manhunter
2010 HeroesCon Head Shot by Kevin Maguire

Tom Mandrake
2009 Baltimore Comic Con Sketch
2010 "Grim..." Convention Head Sketch by Tom Mandrake and John Ostrander

Sheldon "Shelly" Moldoff
1999 Justice League battle scene

Christopher Moeller
1998 DC Direct Martian Manhunter Poster
1998 Unused Martian Manhunter Cover Art by Christopher Moeller

Gilbert Monsanto
2010 "DC Ultra Spread C"

Ajay Naran
2010 "Manhunter"

Mike Nasser/ Michael Netzer
1977 J'onn J'onzz Disapproving Convention Sketch
2010 FBCC Sketches | Martian Manhunter

Oliver Nome
2010 Baby Martian Manhunter by Oliver Nome

Eddie Nunez
2010 Martian Manhunter

Kristin Palach
2008 "Superhero Rock Band"

George Pérez
2008 Justice League of America "Original Seven" Piece

Howard Porter
Howard Porter Martian Manhunter Convention Sketch

Tone Rodriguez
2009 Rittenhouse Justice League of America Archives Sketch Card

Alex Ross
2006 Martian Manhunter: From Bruce Wayne's private files in the Batcomputer

Marty Salsman
2008 "50s Martian Manhunter B n W"

Chris Samnee
2010 "Minimalist JLA"

Karl Savage
2011 The Incredible League of America Martian Manhunter

Evan “Doc” Shaner
2008 Martian Manhunter Sketch Card

Peter Simeti
2010 Martian Manhunter Sketch Card

Ryan Sook
2010 Martian Manhunter Brightest Day Variant Cover

Cat Staggs
2006 Upper Deck VS System World's Finest Game Card DWF-101 "Technocrat, Geoffrey Barron" Card
2007 Rittenhouse Archives DC Legacy Martian Manhunter Multi-Case Incentive Sketch Card

Kyle Starks
2010 The Martian Manhunter Costume Redesign
2011 Martian Manhunter watercolor

Philip Tan
2005 JLA Portfolio Sample

Tommy Tejeda
Tommy Tejeda Martian Manhunter Art Gallery
2001 Justice League Team Silhouette Design
2001 Justice League Animated Art by Tommy Tejeda

Loston Wallace & Miguel Menendez
2006 Justice League

Pete Woods
2011 Batman vs the Martian Manhunter

Daniel Zezlj
1997 JLA Gallery

Miss Martian Gallery





When I look up to the skies
I see an alien super-hero of beryl
I rush home to the Watchtower
I sense Martian Vision to my marrow
I wake next morning, tired, still yawning
Detect your telepathy peering through my window

Pictures of Martian Man Hunter
Mirages of Martian Man Hunter
All I ever see is them and you...


Below is a gallery of professional art featuring images taken from sketches, pin-ups, merchandise, and so on. All showcase either the Martian Manhunter or, occasionally, a member of his extended family or foes. They are sorted by the artist's surname and date produced where available...

Dusty Abell
1996 Martian Manhunter Special #1 Group Pin-Up

Arthur "Art" Adams
1988 Action Comics #600 Pin-Up
2004 Justice League Art/DC Legends Card DCL-058: Stalwart Defense
2006 Convention Head Sketch

Josh Allar
2007 "Manhunter Inked"

Jim Aparo
1991 Who's Who in the DC Universe #13: Starro the Conqueror

Sergio Aragonés
1999 DCU Holiday Bash III

Darren Auck
2007 Rittenhouse Archives DC Legacy Sketch Card

Mark Badger
2009 Martian Manhunter & H'Ronmeer (with Toby Mays)
2009 Martian Manhunter & The Spectre (with Toby Mays)

Michael Bair
1997 Unused Original Art Page

Art Baltazar
2008 Convention Sketch
2008 Tiny Titans #1 Pin-Up (Miss Martian)

Eduardo "Ed" Barreto
1992 DC Comics American Secrets House Ad

Al Barrionuevo
2006 Classic Draped Martian Manhunter Convention Sketch

Ziggy Blumenthal
2007 One Year Later Convention Sketch

Brian Bolland
1982 London Editions Magazines Superman Official Annual 1983

Danishson “Dan” Borgoños
2007 Rittenhouse Archives DC Legacy Sketch Card

Bové
Who's Who Update '88 Vol.3: Queen Bee

Daniel Brandão
2007 Rittenhouse Archives DC Legacy Sketch Card

Craig Brasfield
1991 Who's Who in the DC Universe #7: Felix Faust

John Byrne
1986 DC Comics Legends Promotional Ad

Steve Carr & Joe Rubinstein
2008 "Celestial Domes" Martian Manhunter and Moondragon Commission Piece

Leno Carvalho
2008 Ms. Martian Manhunter vs. Her Adam Warlock

John Cassaday
1999 Secret Origins featuring JLA TP Cover Art

Craig Cermak
2007 One Year Later Martian Manhunter

Mario Chavez
2009 Color Art Commission

Gene Colan
January 1986 Who's Who Vol.XI: Jemm

Simon Coleby
1997 JLA Gallery Pin-Up

Mike Collins
1997 Fleer/Skybox Justice League (JLA) Overpower "The Brave And The Bold" Mission Card 6 of 7

Katie Cook
2007 Rittenhouse Archives DC Legacy Sketch Cards

Darwin Cooke
2004 Justice League of America vs. Starro (DC: The New Frontier #6)
2004 "For Robert!" Convention Sketch
2005 San Diego Comic-Con International "Natural Martian" Sketch by Darwyn Cooke
2006 "MMM... OREOS" Convention Sketch by Darwin Cooke
2007 The National Colored Pencil Convention Sketch

Dennis Culver
2008 "Team Green"

Carlos D'Anda
2010 Fringe alternate universe mock Justice League #1 cover by D'Anda, Kirby & Berry

Dan Davis
2006 Gem City Con Sketch

John Delaney
1997 JLA Gallery: Justice League of America vs. Professor Ivo & Amazo
1998 Wizard Magazine JLA Animated Holiday Mini-Poster

Ulises Farinas
2009 “Rise” Lego-Style Blackest Night Art

Mitch Foust
Female Versions of Green Lantern and Martian Manhunter

Chris Giarrusso
2005 Convention Sketch

Patrick Gleason
2002 Green Arrow "Ollie's Stupendous Chili Recipe (Just Like Mom used to make!)" Pin-Up

Matthew Goodmanson
2007 Rittenhouse Archives DC Legacy Sketch Card

Grant Gould
2007 Rittenhouse Archives DC Legacy Sketch Card

Craig Hamilton
1997 JLA Gallery Justice League of America vs. Starro Pin-Up

Dean Haspiel
2004 Convention Head Sketch

Rob Haynes
2005 Martian Manhunter Color Art

Fred Hembeck
1981 The Comic Reader #197 Back Cover

Adam Hughes
1991 Martian Manhunter Convention Sketch
2003 Convention Sketch (w/James Lyle)

Jamal Igle
2005 Head Sketch
2006 Sketch
2010 Head Sketch

Carmine Infantino
1985 Who's Who Vol.VII: The Elongated Man

Mark Irwin
2000 Martian Manhunter Convention Sketch

Phil Jimenez
riot Magazine #0 JLA cover

J.G. Jones
Final Crisis: Requiem #1 J.G. Jones Cover

Dan Jurgens
1993 Skybox DC Cosmic Teams Cards:
#43: Bloodwynd
#121: Weapons Master
1993 Who's Who in the DC Universe Update #2 Bloodwynd Profile (1/93)

Juvaun "J.J." Kirby
2005 Flying Pin-Up
2010 Fringe alternate universe mock Justice League #1 cover by D'Anda, Kirby & Berry

Louie Lapalombara
2009 Despero Wizard World Philly Convention Color Sketch

Greg LaRocque
1995 Convention Sketch

Jae Lee
2006 JLA Charity Commission

Jeff Lemire
Justice League of America Pin-Up
2005 Justice League of America vs. Starro Pin-Up

Tim Levins
2004 Toronto ComiCon Booklet Cover

James Lyle
2003 Convention Sketch

Kevin Maguire
1988 Justice League International Postcards: JLI Group Shot
1991 Impel DC Comics Cosmic Cards #121
1996 Justice League: A Midsummer's Nightmare Cover Triptych
Munching Martian Manhunter Sketch

Doug Mahnke
Final Crisis: Requiem #1 Doug Mahnke Cover

David Malki!
2010 Marco Xavier Mediocre Convention Sketch

Tom Mandrake
1984 DC Sampler #2 New (Detroit) Justice League of America Preview Pin-Up (over Chuck Patton)
"Batman and Friends" Commission
Sketchbook Piece
1998 Legends of the DC Universe 3-D Gallery: Martian Manhunter
2007 Tom Mandrake Mid-Ohio Con Sketch

John McCrea
2004 Convention Sketch

Luke McDonnell
1986 DC Wall Calender House Ad
1987 Vibe (Who's Who Update '87 Vol.5)
1987 Vixen (Who's Who Vol.XXV)

Mike McKone
Martian Manhunter Style Guide/Turnaround
1997 JLA Gallery vs. Xotar Pin-Up

Jon McNally
2010 All-Ages All-Stars: Martian Manhunter art

Linda Medley
1988 Action Comics #600 Pin-Up

Al Milgrom
August 1978 The Comic Reader Number 159 cover

Mike Mignola
1987 Convention Sketch

Rich Molinelli
2007 Rittenhouse Archives DC Legacy Sketch Card

John Mundt, Esquire
2001 Martian Manhunter Sketch
2001 "The Members of the Justice League of America" Sketch

Mike Nasser/ Michael Netzer
1976 Mike Nasser/Terry Austin World's Finest Pin-Up
1979 J'onn J'onzz Convention Sketch
1980 Whizzard Fanzine Cover Art by Michael Nasser and Terry Austin
2004 Hawkgirl, J'Onn J'Onzz & Hawkman Convention Sketch
2007 "The Idol-Head Of Diabolu, A Blog For J'Onn J'Onzz" Banner
2008 Aquaman & Martian Manhunter Preliminary Sketch
2008 Martian Manhunter, Aquaman & Atom Art
2008 Martian Manhunter and the Atom (Ray Palmer) Art
2008 Martian Manhunter and the Atom (Ryan Choi) Art
2008 "Take Me... But Don't Kill J'Onn" Promotional Piece
2009 "J'onn J'onzz R.I.P." Pin-Up
2010 Martian Manhunter Commission Pencils by Michael Netzer

Oliver Nome
2006 One Year Later Martian Manhunter

Irv Novick
1986 Professor Ivo (Who's Who Vol.XVIII)

Glen Orbik
2000 Justice League of America Plate

Jerry Ordway
1985 Commander Steel (Who's Who Vol.V)

Rhiannon Owens
2006 "The JLA" painting
2008 Justice League of America painting by Rhiannon Owens
2008 "The Original Seven" painting

Bruce Patterson
1990 "Justice League America vs Lobo" Color Commission

Chuck Patton
1984 DC Sampler #2 New (Detroit) Justice League of America Preview Pin-Up (with Tom Mandrake)
1985 The Cadre (Who's Who Vol.V)
1985 Gypsy (Who's Who Vol.X)
1986 Steel (Who's Who Vol.XXII)

George Pérez
1981 Justice League of America #195 Justice Society of America Pin-Up
1983 Justice League of America vs. The Avengers page 12 pencil art
1983 Justice League of America vs. The Avengers page 12 pencil art detail of Martian Manhunter
Justice League of America vs. The Avengers pencil art detail of She-Hulk/Martian Manhunter
1984 The Martian Manhunter Postcard
1996 Justice League/Avengers Headshot Commission
1998 Crisis On Infinite Earths Hardcover cover (painted over by Alex Ross)
2002 ACTOR JLA/Avengers auction piece
2005 Crisis on Infinite Earths: The Absolute Edition cover art
2006 George Pérez Convention Head Sketch
2008 Convention Sketch
2009 Autograph Doodle

Joe Phillips
1994 Skybox Superman: Man of Steel Platinum Series Card #40

Robert Pope
2004 Toyfare Magazine #90 JLU-style Crisis on Infinite Earths #7 homage

Howard Porter
1996 JLA Howard Porter/John Dell Promotional Piece
1997 Fleer/Skybox Justice League Overpower 6 Value Any-Power Card
1997 Fleer/Skybox JLA Overpower Universe Ally "Zauriel" Card

Brian Quinn
2006 Convention Sketch

Humberto Ramos
2005 Head Sketch

Cezar Razek
2007 Rittenhouse Archives DC Legacy Sketch Card

Chris Renaud
DC Outburst: Firepower, card #04 (1996)
DC Outburst: Firepower, card #75 (1996)
1997 Fleer/Skybox JLA Overpower Tactic Double Shot Card

Paul Rivoche
2004 JLA-Z #3 Martian Manhunter Pin-Up

Tone Rodriguez
2007 Rittenhouse Archives DC Legacy Sketch Card

Alex Ross
Ajax (Martian Manhunter) Tattoo by Fernando Shimizu
1998 Crisis On Infinite Earths Hardcover cover painting (over George Pérez)
1998 Justice League Plate
2000 Batman Christmas Plate (featuring the JLA)
2001 "World's Greatest Super-Heroes" & "Liberty & Justice" Cover Concept Sketches
2002 JLA: Secret Origins: Justice League of America
2002 Justice League of America vs. Starro
2003 DC Direct JLA: LIBERTY & JUSTICE Collector's Plate
2005 DC Direct Martian Manhunter Statue Design Art
2007 Alex Ross Shazam Proposal: Martian Manhunter Redesign
2008 "Infinitely Heroic" Giclee

Craig Rousseau
2003 Head Sketch

Paul Ryan
Convention Head Sketch

Chris Samnee
2007 "10 Minute Sketch: Martian Manhunter"

Fernando Shimizu
Ajax (Martian Manhunter) Tattoo

Paul Smith
2007 The Justice League of America Commission

Uko Smith
2007 Rittenhouse Archives DC Legacy Sketch Card
2007 Rittenhouse Archives DC Legacy Heroes Sketch Cards

Ryan Sook
2007 Unpublished Batman and the Outsiders Promo Page

Jim Starlin
1986 Who's Who Vol.XVI: Mongul
2007 Convention Sketch

Arne Starr
Martian Manhunter by Arne Starr

Joe Staton
1978 "The DC Explosion!" Ad

Brian Stelfreeze
Undated Convention Sketch
1997 Convention Sketch

Marcio Takara
2008 "The League: Past & Present"
2009 "50 Tiny Characters"

Ty Templeton
1990 Who's Who in the DC Universe #2: Maxwell Lord Profile Detail

Mark Texeira
2006 Justice League of America Painting

Koi Turnbull
2007 Unpublished Batman & The Outsiders #1 Cover

Tom Valente
2007 Watercolor Painting
2007 "ICE COLD MILK and AN OREO COOKIE" sketch
2009 "LATE NIGHT SNACK..." color art
2009 Rittenhouse Justice League of America Archives Sketch Cards

Ethan Van Sciver
2007 Miss Martian "Megan's Sketch Book of Mystery"
2009 Black Lantern Martian Manhunter
2009 Black Lantern Martian Manhunter Blackest Night Teaser Ad
2010 Zook Convention Piece by Ethan Van Sciver

Sal Velluto
1993 Justice League Task Force Official Membership Card
1997 Fleer/Skybox Justice League Overpower Cards:
Martian Manhunter Character Card
"Alien Physique" Special Card
"Malleable Form" Special
"Martian Strength" Special
"Martian Vision" Special
"Telepathic Probe" Special
2010 Wonder Woman & Martian Manhunter Commission

Steve Wands
2009 Martian Manhunter Sketch

John Watson
2005 VS Trading Card Original Painted Art

J.H. Williams III
December 1998 Legends of the DC Universe 3-D Gallery #1: Chase

Bill Willingham
2003 Convention Piece

Chuck Wojtkiewicz
1997 Fleer/Skybox JLA Overpower Universe Ally "Metamorpho" Card

Uncredited
1986 DC Comics Subscription Ad
1990 The Atlas of the DC Universe: Middleton, Colorado
1996 Martian Manhunter Special #1 Bloodwynd Pin-Up
1997 Dollar General Total Justice Jumbo Coloring & Activity Book
Martian Manhunter Kids' WB Online Graphic
Justice League Unlimited Comic Book House Ad
2010 Young Justice Animated Series Promo Art

Current as of 7/30/10

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Stormwatch #2 (December, 2011)

Adam One was born old at the Big Bang, and has aged backward ever since. A disembodied voice observed, "One day you're going to try to kill me."
"Oh. Yeah. Hi. Any chance of a pint? Whatever one of those is."

The Engineer roused Adam One from his flashback. She muttered to Jenny Quantum "He's no good under pressure. His brain is messed up. I should be leading this team." Adam heard her, and started screaming at her to follow orders.

In Moscow, Midnighter insisted to Apollo that he wasn't wearing a super-hero costume, but carbon armor. "For over a year I've been trailing you... We seem to share a point of view. I want us to work together... I know you pretty well, I think. I watched you slaughter that child porn ring, for instance. I really enjoyed it." Midnighter wouldn't allow Stormwatch to strongarm Apollo onto the team, since he felt they both were best staying apart from that whole scene.

From behind the pair, the Manhunter said "Hmm... It seems my decision to allow you to believe you had rendered me unconscious-- has been effective. From what I overheard-- I believe that Stormwatch might have a place for both of you-- and that your own causes are not so different from ours. We should talk about this-- unless you desire further futile combat. And gentlemen-- that would be acting like those you affect not to be, would it not?" Midnighter replied, "You're badass, Manhunter. I'll give you that." Except for his weird tendency to assume a human form resembling George Reeves era Clark Kent, except for brown hair. "If I am, it is because my leader is more so. Ah. He heard my telepathic report-- and arrives to share his wisdom." Manhunter seemed to also revive Midnighter's actual victims, Jack Hawksmoor and the Projectionist.

On the moon, Harry Tanner managed to resist the influence of the scourge of worlds, while still claiming to be a simple human swordsman. Tanner suggested that he could willing allow the scourge to enter his mind and infiltrate Stormwatch, so he could see that the humanity he sought to "toughen up" for a forthcoming threat were plenty tough already.

Through a teleportational "door," Adam One emerged in Moscow. Apollo said, "Listen, the Manhunter may think a lot of you, but don't--" He was interrupted by Adam making a sneering comment about the Projectionist's drug abuse, before ordering her to make the activity on the moon appear in the media to be the work of a random super-villain. This would keep the super-heroes like the Justice League out of Stormwatch's way, chasing strawmen like the Fox. Adam then admitted to Apollo that "The Manhunter's inducing a slight telepathic calming effect," which Apollo said he already knew and allowed, "But if you hadn't told me--"
"That's why I did. You see? Now we're negotiating!"
Midnighter protested that Apollo was the only partner he was interested in, but Adam noted their work was small potatoes compared to Stormwatch, which had been "defending Earth for centuries, sir."



On the moon, the Engineer and Jenny's arrival prompted a hostile response from the animated lunar surface. Jenny's "dark matter DNA" allowed her to do just about anything, as she learned that she could generate force fields. Engineer meanwhile planted a data miner to attack the scourge's information center. She also noted of Tanner "Harry's the greatest swordsman in history. And so he's the greatest at misdirection. That's his main power-- he's the prince of lies." Harry tried to coax consensual information out of the scourge, but failing that, he mind-raped it. He'd been in the scourge's mind when it entered his, and the data miner only made it vulnerable to the Eminence of Blades. "I'm taking your knowledge! Not Stormwatch! Not Adam! ME! I'm taking it ALL!"

The scourge had managed a major offensive before Tanner could act, sending a barrage of meteors toward Earth. Jack Hawksmoor could hear all of the planet's cities screaming in terror at once. The first missile struck what should have been the middle of nowhere, but Jack still sensed a city there. From out of that strike emerged a massive, multi-tentacled monstrosity.

"The Dark Side: Part Two" was by Paul Cornell, Miguel Sepulveda & Al Barrionuevo. The book is discussed at great length here. I'll add that I don't believe the name "J'Onn J'Onzz" has been used yet in the New 52, and while "Martian Manhunter" came up once in #1, he's only "Manhunter" in #2. That's how it was in 1960s solo stories, and calling him "The Manhunter" really emphasizes his singularity in a universe often plagued with manhunters. I like that a lot. Also, to my eye, Barrionuevo drew about nine pages, including all of the Moscow sequence. After eight issues of the 2006 Martian Manhunter mini-series, this marked his first take on a John Jones type, and a blessedly more palatable take on the Manhunter himself. Good stuff.

New 52's Day