Tuesday, April 3, 2012

"1967 The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure: Manhunter from Mars Segment Intro"



"Accidentally transported to Earth in an experiment, Middletown Police Detective John Jones is secretly the shape-shifting... MANHUNTER FROM MARS! Alien Atlas, who with his other-dimensional pet Zook thwarts a vile menagerie of bizarre menaces. Sleuth from Outer Space! MANHUNTER FROM MARS!"


In 1967, CBS began running the Filmation animated series The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure. Besides the lead features, the show offered additional alternating cartoon shorts, including the Atom, the Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkman, the Justice League of America, Superboy and the Teen Titans. A Martian Manhunter cartoon was not produced, but an unaired scored test introduction was uncovered on my computer with the help of modern day technology. It's a safe assumption the attempt was related to the success of the low budget 1967 Manhunter from Mars Movie. It's too bad more animation isn't available.

All art is by Joe Certa, although it's been altered/simplified to enhance the illusion of animation. All characters and art are copyrighted by DC Comics, used for promotional and non-profit hobby purpose only. The music is "Blacksheep alien" by Cyril Pereira from his album The Revenge of Glory. It is available through a Creative Commons limited license.

6 comments:

mathematicscore said...

Vile Menagerie is the dead give away. Cool as hell though. Cool as hell.

Hero Supreme said...

Ha ha. Awesome job.

Sphinx Magoo said...

Dang it! This needs a massive "Like" button. If only you had someone who could imitate Ted Knight...

Diabolu Frank said...

I did my best, but my throat is nowhere near as golden as Ted Knight...

Joseph Brian Scott said...

Love it! Joe Certa's art really meshes with the Filmation vibe.

Diabolu Frank said...

Hilariously, I just stumbled upon a Facebook page promoting my crude "cartoon" where a few people thought it was a real Filmation production. Hah!

https://www.facebook.com/ComicsAllTooReal/posts/406702266026434

Comics All Too Real: "1967: A Martian Manhunter show that never was. It's a bit creepy, though."

Jim Taylor: "A BIT creepy? It looks like they were just running out of ideas by that time!! The animation is so poor... it's like it was an "idea" reel or something!"

Comics All Too Real: "True. No wonder it never aired. And that side-kick... I think that's the most horrible part of it."

Karl Anthony Pierre: "It isn't a fake?"

Comics All Too Real: "Well, it did never air. And it is in line with some of the shows they did at the time. I don't know if it's a fake, though."

Jean-Pierre Vidrine: "I have a few old comics with that sidekick. I think he's been conveniently forgotten by DC continuity along with Brainiac's monkey, Koko."

Comics All Too Real: "Ow, he did exist? That's horrible!"