2013 Martian Manhunter art by PLUT0N

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Watercolors & digital painting. DeviantART gallery

“We've always been at war with Pale Martians... There's no such thing as Pale Martians”

Back in 2009, I posted There Is No New Mars about how I used to calls Mars II "New Mars" because that's what Superman called it in one story, but no offense to the Man of Steel-- he was likely wrong. Anyhow, thanks to Superman, I used "New Mars" in error all over my old Martian Manhunter: The Rock of the JLA site and on message board postings for, like, a decade.

So I'm going over all this Commander Blanx material with a fine tooth comb, including pointing out other sites incorrectly dubbed Blanx “Benn” when I come to a troubling realization. I've been talking about the differences between Pale Martians and White Martians since 1997, even though I hadn't bought the actual comics the Pale Martians appeared in until after I started this blog. The thing is-- those two comics? They don't ever feature the words "Pale Martians." The Pole Dwellers are referred to as "pale-skinned Martians" once or twice, but for sixteen years, I've been calling them "Pale Martians" like a nitwit.

Presumably, I read the line "What, dear? No more talk of the 'Pale Martians' of the Poles, I trust?" in 1996's Justice League: A Midsummer's Nightmare #1 and it caught in my brain with a rare tenacity in the face of the White Martians' introduction a few months later, and my ignorance from not having read any legitimate "Pale Martian" appearances held fast even after I remedied that oversight.

The worst thing? I really want to post "Master Characters: Commander Blanx" before the end of the month, which is about 2/3rds written, and there are some long abandoned Blanx art projects I hoped to get back to but haven't touched. See, I've spent hours and hours on a Commander Blanx video project that looks to demand a few hours more yet, which at least the audio portion is all done on... where I repeatedly reference "Pale Martians." I'm not taking it out, but I'll definitely need to de-capitalize in the transcript, maybe add a disclaimer, and how about all those old posts that need corrections...? ...Suffice to say, expect a week or so in November to get Commandeered, as well...

The Invading Forces of the Pole Dwellers

Commander Blanx led an army from the polar region of Mars against the Desert Dwellers in order to capture the Blue Flame of Mars. The Pole Dwellers' primary offensive weapon depicted in their scant comic appearances were green metal vehicles that moved on tank treads while saucer-shaped modules attached by a crane device fired lasers above. Presumably, these vehicles were piloted by Blanx's men, who were shown as uniformly white-skinned with bald heads and of similar build. All of Blanx's men wore a simplified variation of the Commander's own costume, with marked differences. Most were identical to Blanx save for a brown cape and the absence of a headpiece, but others had color variations or bare legs. These forces had no single defining name, referred to as "soldiers" & "intergalactic hoodlums" by the Flash, "lieutenants" & "minions" by J'onn J'onzz, and "allies" by Blanx himself. Each appeared to carry a ray gun as standard issue. They presumably had the same abilities and vulnerabilities as other Silver Age Martians, including a lack of powers on their home planet, and weakness in the presence of extreme heat. They fought and were defeated by the Justice League on two occasions.

First Appearance: Justice League of America #71 (May, 1969)

2013 Martian Manhunter Movie Fan Casting: Jason Isaacs as Commander Blanx

Commander Blanx is one of the easiest casting decisions I could make. Blanx is a perfectly stereotypical grandiose movie villain with no great specificity or depths to plume. My perfect, all time pick would be Richard Lynch, one of the go-to cinema bad guys of the '70s & '80s. There's actually a lengthy list of alternates I could draw from depending on when lensing would have taken place. If the character had existed in the 1950s, Hugh Marlowe mighty have gotten the nod, while William Sadler would have been ideal in the '90s. Most of my favorites are now too old for the role, and to go a tad younger and more relevant, I almost chose Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, but he seems too hot with Game of Thrones. Since my other leads are in their 50s, I figured I could allow Jason Isaacs to squeak by. Before finding international fame as Lucius Malfoy, Isaacs specialized as the evil British dude in such films as The Patriot, which is exactly the sort of shorthand for "handsome, charismatic, but genocidal Aryan" I'm looking for.

Diabolic Movie Fan Casting

• The Cheetah @ Diana Prince is the New Wonder Woman
• Chronos @ Power of the Atom

“Benn Blanx”

I've got at least four things that I'd really like to do across the last days of "October Commandeered" that I think would be very cool to let out into the wild. However, I am quite tired and unmotivated to bring any of those projects to fruition starting at 4 a.m. So I'm taking today off, hopefully to return energized for the rest of the month. To prevent today from being a complete waste and to remain on topic, I'd like to make a brief clarification.

Commander Blanx has appeared in exactly two published comic book stories. In neither of these stories was he given a first name. The only official DC Comics publication to reference Blanx was Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe, which did not offer a first name. Blanx was also mentioned in the non-canon Super Powers mini-series and on the card back of the Kenner Martian Manhunter action figure, but again, only as "Commander Blanx."

I believe I first saw the name “Benn Blanx” on an internet website in the late '90s, it is currently featured at DC Comics Database (Wikia), and occasionally pops up on the likes of Wikipedia edits. If anyone could direct me to a citation for this name, I would happily give it a look, but I'm pretty sure this is a long lived viral mistake, most likely involving confusion with B'enn B'urnzz. So, barring substantiation, cut that out. With notable exceptions, Martians lack the fixation on alliteration prevalent in Silver Age comics.

The Bloodworms of Mars vs. Solomon Grundy

The B'ool Sporath
Debut: 2001
Nemesis: Martian Manhunter
Other Major Foes: Martians
Appearances: one comic story
Powers: Enormous strength and durability, tunneling, mild telepathy, and acid projection capable of liquefying organic matter.

Bio: A predatory animal species dangerous enough to unite Green & White Martians.

Vile Menagerie Stats
Win: Scary Monsters (8-3), The Swarm (?)
Lose: Antares (2/3); B'rett (2-12)
Draw: 0





Cyrus Gold
Debut: 1944
Nemesis: Green Lantern (Alan Scott)
Other Major Foes: Batman, the JSA, Starman, Superman
Appearances: 350+ comics, numerous cartoons, live action TV, musical references, video games, and toys.
Powers: Immortality with extraordinary strength, stamina and durabilty making him relatively invulnerable.

Bio: Cyrus Gold had a miserable, impoverished 19th century life before finding wealth through shady means, and was murdered for it in a Gotham City swamp. He resurrected as a hulking undead menace in the 1940s, and has plagued humanity with his murderous rampages ever since.

Vile Menagerie Stats:
Win: 0
Lose: 0
Draw: 0

The Commander Blanx Exhibit Revisited

The Ashen Annihilator

Commander Blanx was the Pale Martian leader who saw to J'Onn J'Onzz's exile from Martian society for thirteen years, as well as an assassination attempt on Earth. During this time, Blanx sold the planet Mars to aliens under the condition that he would exterminate all other life on the planet. Blanx rendered Mars uninhabitable, the only survivors fleeing on a spaceship to find a new world. Blanx was apparently killed by the Martian Manhunter for his crimes.

Biography

• The Vile Menagerie: COMMANDER BLANX
• 1985 Super Powers #1 Martian Manhunter Biography
• Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe Volume XIV- Martian Manhunter (April, 1986)

Story Synopses

• Detective Comics #264 (February, 1959)
• Justice League of America #71 (May, 1969)
• Justice League of America #144 (July, 1977)

Data

• 1959 Martian Weapons
• The Blue Flame of Mars
• The Cultural Museum
• Microwave Pistol

Imaginary Stories

• DC Comics Mega Sampler 2010 (July)

Art Gallery

• 2010 Comicpalooza Bust Commission by Marat Mychaels
• 2013 Comicpalooza Full Figure Commission by Marat Mychaels
• 2012 Comicpalooza Figure Commission by Brent Peeples
• 2013 Comicpalooza Head Sketch by George Pérez

Commentary

• Commander Blanx: The Most Important Martian Manhunter Adversary
• Death-Orbit!
• Race & Mars
• 2011 “JLA FORTNIGHT: Race war to the stars!” commentary by Scipio Garling
• CSBG's "The Other Greatest Martian Manhunter Stories Ever Told"
• The Vile Tarot
• Rogues of Wikipedia
• Return to the Rogues of Wikipedia
• Commander Benson's Notebook: Mysterious Disappearance
• Martian Manhunter Fotolog's Top Ten Villain Countdown

Fan Fiction

• Manhunter from Mars Annual #1 (1984)
• Manhunter From Mars Annual #1 (Conclusion)
• 2012 New 52 Wave 3 Martian Manhunter #1!
• 2013 New 52 Villain’s Month: Malefic #1!
• 2013 "Fan-Casting DC's JUSTICE LEAGUE" by Ryan Daly
• 2010 The Martian Manhunter Archives Volume 6 Fan Mock-Up Cover by Tom Hartley
• 2010 Martian Manhunter Archives Vol. 6 Create-Your-Own Back Cover by Tom Hartley
• 2012 Martian Manhunter Super Spectacular #2 Mock-Up

Miscellanea

• Commander Blanx versus Baron Blitzkrieg
• Commander Blanx vs. General Zod
• The Greatest Martian Manhunter (Related) Covers of All Time!
• Which Martian Manhunter Villains would you like to read about here 2010?
• Martian Manhunter Menagerie March Madness 2011
• Martian Manhunter Menagerie March Madness 2012

Justice #11 (June, 2007)

The Martian Manhunter turned one of his arms into a guillotine/The Pit and the Pendulum type thing and bloodlessly punched Giganta in the face with it. Later, an action figure was made of J'Onn J'Onzz in this state, based on the single unexceptional image. Metamorpho and Red Tornado joined in on this attack of a fifty foot woman, which can be taken as either a credit to Giganta's stamina as a Wonder Woman villain, or the same lack of imagination and research that went into the aforementioned action figure. Even adding Hawkman and Hawkgirl couldn't get the job done, but the sprawling battle abruptly halted on page thirteen because the Fighty McFightenstein was threatening to overwhelm the entire series without allowing space for poorly constructed resolutions.

The heroes' supporting casts were released from their doom-y captors and reunited with their headliners. J'Onn J'Onzz was warmly embraced by Captain Harding Diane Meade Zook J'en no one at all because Alex Ross is a child of the '70s who never read a Martian Manhunter story before Crisis. Instead, J'Onn nodded at Black Canary and Green Arrow as they supported the ailing Elongated Man, all essential to liberating the hostages. Well, not J'Onn. He just had to punch a monkey and managed to screw that up, almost blowing the rescue. Talking of whom, Grodd crawled out of some wreckage, and Flash began to race at him. "You will never hurt anyone I love again, Grodd!" In his most impressive display of the entire series, the Alien Atlas calmly halted the Scarlet Speedster in mid-blur before he could get his next manslaughter indictment rolling.



J'Onzz read the not-so-Super-Gorilla's pressing thoughts. "I see. Brainiac's nanotechnology has taken control of the weapons systems of this world's governments. Every weapon of mass destruction in the world is under his control. According to Grodd, Brainiac has just initiated the countdown sequence. What began as a nightmare vision to elicit the help of the world's super villains, well, it is becoming real. There's no reason to believe this wasn't Brainiac's plan all the time."

Thanks for all that exposition, Manhunter, but a) how did Grodd know all that, b) why didn't Grodd act on it sooner, and c) why doesn't Brainiac nuke us from orbit, just to be sure? If all Brainiac wants to do is kill Earth, there has to be an easier way, if he puts his mind to it. Meh.

"Chapter Eleven" was plotted and painted by Alex Ross. The script was provided by Jim Krueger, and the penciled layouts by Doug Braithwaite. I had to take a nap after writing this. I think my brain shut down as a protective measure. Ross is as lousy a writer as he is great as a painter.

Continue the story through these character-specific posts:

• The Atom, Hawkman, Hawkgirl & Red Tornado @ PotA
• Wonder Woman & Wonder Girl @ Diana Prince
• Aquaman, Elongated Man, Zatanna & more @ Justice League Detroit
• Green Lantern, the Doom Patrol, & more @ DC Bloodlines

2011 “J'onn J'onzz vs Venom” fan art by José Ramiro Acosta Pérez

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"Another pic of the 'Justice Leaguer' vs 'Spiderman's foe' series.

J'onn J'onzz, The Martian Manhunter, versus The Lethal Protector, Venom."

Well, if any deadly foe of Spider-Man was going to step up to the Alien Atlas... okay, any without fire-based powers... no, pretty much none of them could step up to the Martian Marvel. Firelord?

The Cultural Museum

Per J'onn J'onzz, the Cultural Museum was "a place originally dedicated to celebrating [Martian] civilization." Commander Blanx critiqued that the museum was supposedly "dedicated to the glories of Mars," but saw its pictures and statues as "things of weaklings!" The museum also contained "implements of war" largely abandoned as the planet strove for peace. After the destruction of Mars by the Blue Flame, a substantial portion of the multi-story museum remained, though a large globe was made worse from wear after being used to crush Blanx during his final confrontation with J'onzz.



First Appearance: Justice League of America #71 (May, 1969)

1959 Martian Weapons

Commander Blanx detected a teleportational probe-ray coming from Earth near J'Onn J'Onzz's place of exile over a span of several days. Blanx set up a "trial offering," a space capsule filled with a cache of Martian weapons, to test their journey. The capsule arrived safely on Earth and was recovered from an empty lot by the notorious ex-convict Buggsy Roach and his gang. The hoodlums then used the "super-powerful Martian weapons" to commit crimes in Middletown, U.S.A.

The weapon dubbed by Earthlings as a "Super-Magnet" was of similar size and shape to a tuba, which was used to target and draw out bags of money from an armored car.



Another fantastic weapon fired "paralyzing rays" that halted armed guards for an unspecified period of time.



A "ray gun" rifle emitted a "super-heat wave" capable of melting terrestrial bullets fired in mid-air.



Finally, the Super-Radarscope could detect approaching Martians, even when they were invisible. In fact, J'onn J'onzz confessed vulnerability to all of these weapons from his home world. They are believed to have been destroyed in an explosion, per Detective John Jones' official police report.

First Appearance: Detective Comics #264 (February, 1959)

Who's Who: The Definite Directory of the DC Universe #10 Hows and Whys (December, 1985)

I'm not in the habit of reading 28 year old letter columns from reference books, so I'm thankful to WHO’S WHO: The Definitive Podcast of the DC Universe, Volume X for pointing out the following Bel Juz reference, the femme fatale's only mention in a DC encyclopedia in probably ever, as well as editor Len Wein's response...

Dear Mr.Wein,
What do you have against Green Lan­tern? Well, Green Lantern villains, at least. I recall a letter from Kent A. Phenis asking for the reappearance of the Dazzler and the Bottler. Well, Kent, I hate to tell you this, but they no longer exist. Unless Mr. Wein devotes an issue to villains who were left out. And if he does, we'll also have to see the Crumbier (another GL villain; it must be a plot).

And how about Bel Juz, who started the Earth-Mars war, or Erg-Master from DC COMICS PRESENTS #79. Dr. Sivana— come on, how could you have missed him? And the Cryonic Man? As you may have guessed, I like super-villains, so don't for­get I'll be watching. Also, AMBUSH BUG #4 implies that you won't include Itty (also from GL, it's a conspiracy!). I think I've complained enough, so I'll let you get back to writing your Forgotten Villains issue (wait, you've already included them. How can I complain?).

Michael Cleveland
No Address Given

We don't intentionally leave heroes or vil­lains out of the book, but sometimes sacri­fices must be made for space consider­ations. There are far too many villains who have appeared only once to include them all, such as Bel Juz or Erg-Master. The Crumbier, however, was an accidental omission and will be in a future update. Dr. Srvana will be found under S, sometime next year,

When we have the space, we try and get in everyone, such as next month's entry on the Invisible Destroyer, A Green Lantern vil­lain who appeared only twice—SHOW­CASE #23, 1960.

For the record, Bel Juz had appeared in four issues of two series, and was a major player in both J'Onn J'Onzz's departure from and return to Earth, not to mention prompting the formation of the Detroit era Justice League. Wein's reply appeared in an issue that featured Harpis from the Omega Men, Son of Tomahawk, Helix, the Heroes of Lallor, and Lieutenant Hunter's Hellcats, which certainly did nothing to shut the door against nitpicking. Popular artist Phil Jimenez also got a letter printed that month, which is peachy!

The Headmaster vs. Brainiac

Thaddeus Romero Hoskins
Debut: 1998
Nemesis: Martian Manhunter
Other Major Foes: None
Appearances: 2 comics
Powers: Superior strength, energy-projecting gauntlets, and an army of headmen.

Bio:
Assumed Earth was doomed. Made himself into a big ol' cyborg. Created spider-legged robots who murdered hobos and used their bodies as automatons. Built a space ark. Martian Manhunter trashed all of it in issue #1 of his ongoing series.

Vile Menagerie Stats
Win: 0
Lose: TOR (6-7); Weapons Master (5-8)
Draw: 0




Vril Dox
Debut: 1958
Nemesis: Superman
Other Major Foes: Superman Family, Vril Dox II
Appearances: 600+ original comics, decades of animated series, live action television, toys, video games and more.
Powers: Twelfth-level intelligence enabling a near limitless number of additional superhuman abilities.

Bio:
Alien Society.
Computer Tyrant.
Shrunken Cities.
Millions Captive.

Vile Menagerie Stats:
Win: 0
Lose: 0
Draw: 0




Idol Speculation:
I feel like the Headmaster could have done better against the Weapons Master, although that's definitely disputable. The Headmaster is a reasonably powerful guy whose standing in the Vile Menagerie bares improvement, but then again, Weapons Master did hold off a respectable JLI line-up. Hopefully I can get Headmaster a decent match eventually to notch a win. This won't be it. The Headmaster got beaten handily by the Martian Manhunter in his only story appearance, while Brainiac is one of the few Superman villains people like and respect. Crossovers have been built around the threat of Brainiac. Headmaster didn't even rate a story arc, nor multiple appearances, making him a lesser creation of the Ostrander/Mandrake run. He's simply outclassed in every way here.

Justice #10 (April, 2007)

Even though the various super-heroes were known to still be alive and active, the Legion of Doom all drank wine and put on tuxedos and unfurled "Mission Accomplished" banners. Gorilla Grodd got speciesist with Giganta, then stated, "These humans are fools to celebrate now, if that is indeed what they are doing. I am not always certain I can sense what is at their core. Brainiac is mechanical. Luthor has his own... manipulations to keep his thoughts hidden from me. The Weaponer's ring was lost as well. Neither has mentioned it. This is part of their damnable plan. Somehow it is all a component of their ambitions. They will deal with me for as long as I am essential to them. Still, they cannot control me, can they?"

At the shindig, Brainiac tried to use Aquaman's baby whose brain he'd rewired from Radio Shack electrodes to mind-control the Super-Gorilla, but it just seemed to make him irate as he cursed the sudden but inevitable betrayal discussed one story page and a spread ago. "You planned this, didn't you? Et tu, Luthor?" Oh, did I forget to mention the monkey trap was sprung as Grodd was informing the gathered super-villains that he'd detected all the super-heroes about to smash through their door, because that happened. The professional story writing continued as Captain Cold shapeshifted into the Martian Manhunter, who punched Grodd once in the face and left him unconscious on the floor for whole minutes.



Setting aside that J'Onn J'Onzz wasn't wearing his godawful purple armor from last issue (ever again,) leaving him vulnerable to Brainiac's enslaving nano-worms... and also setting aside that taking Grodd out was essential to a stealth initiative meant to rescue the captive supporting casts of the heroes, which it failed to fully accomplish because Grodd soon awoke and alerted counter agents... but also that one punch was the resolution to the massive power struggle between Martian Manhunter and Grodd from earlier in the series. The Alien Atlas relives the destruction of Mars and burns under unquenchable flames for several issues, and retaliates with a single ineffectual love tap before flying off to wrestle with Giganta in the background of other characters' scenes for the rest of the book. Given the choice between an Alex Ross cover and an Alex Ross story, you're better off with just the cover.

"Chapter Ten" was plotted and painted by Alex Ross. The script was provided by Jim Krueger, and the penciled layouts by Doug Braithwaite.

Continue the story through these character-specific posts:

• The Atom, Hawkman and Hawkgirl @ PotA
• Wonder Woman & Wonder Girl @ Diana Prince
• Aquaman, Elongated Man & more @ Justice League Detroit
• Flash, Doom Patrol, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Black Canary & more @ DC Bloodlines

2011 “JLA FORTNIGHT: Race war to the stars!” commentary by Scipio Garling

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A caustic review of 1969's Justice League of America #71 from The Absorbascon regarding the debut of Commander Blanx and one of comics' earliest and most outrageous retcons!

2013 "Fan-Casting DC's JUSTICE LEAGUE" by Ryan Daly

Ryan "Count Drunkula" Daly of the Black Canary blog Flowers & Fishnets has taken it upon himself to provide Warner Brothers with an outline for producing a Justice League movie, because this is the sort of thing they come up with when left to their own devices. Daly's plan to avert the doomsday scenario of a single team origin film without a Marvel Studios style multiple-solo-picture-build is to turn the Justice League origin itself into as a slow-(team)-building epic trilogy. After laying some ground rules (basically ground zero continuity with all new actors,) Daly fan-casts Batman and Superman. His movie opens with a minimalist origin sequence for the World's Finest heroes. Daly put a notion into my head where there would be literal dueling DePalma-flavor split screen sequences, but he meant overlapping, though I like my directing better because it's mine and speaks to me (finally! Something designed for someone exactly like myself!)



Part 3 offers an extended Gotham City sequence involving Mr. Freeze, Commissioner Gordon, Harvey Bullock, and Renee Montoya. Where the film becomes of interest to this blog is Part 4, with the casting of Thomas Kretschmann as Commander Blake. I confess to not being terribly cognizant of the actor, despite having seen Blade II, Downfall, and Resident Evil: Apocalypse, though in my defense only once each. Blake is an astronaut who transmits data to the Middleton Space Center, whose mission director is Dr. Saul Erdel (character actor Bob Gunton, active since 1981 in at least one movie everyone has seen. Miguel Sandoval & Richard Gant are offered as color blind alternatives, but no, we're all up in Gunton.) The space station goes kablooey, so it's Superman to the rescue, with Lois Lane & Perry White reporting afterward.

John Jones has a cameo in Part 5, but isn't cast yet, with Daly favoring Lucius Fox, Selina Kyle, and John Corben. Part 6 is all about the aliens, as we learn Commander Blake sabotaged the space shuttle to drop Starros on Earth, and he's in secret communication with Lex Luthor's executive assistant Mercy Graves (the beguiling Sanaa Lathan.) Part 7 sees Dr. Erdel and Superman investigating the sabotage, and casts Jimmy Olsen & Lex Luthor. Mercy Graves meets Bruce Wayne and Lucius Fox in part 8, while the plot thickens with cameos for John Henry Irons and Professor Vale in part 9. More importantly for us, John Jones is properly introduced here. I didn't start watching Breaking Bad until this summer, and no disrespect to Lance Reddick, but Giancarlo Esposito is the better choice for the role. Daly also offered Javier Bardem, but again, no, he was right the first time.



"Detective" Jones investigates Middleton in part 10, which also involves the first meeting between Superman and Batman. Maggie Sawyer and Dan Turpin are tapped next as the consequences of a run-in with John Corbin are played out. An assassination attempt is made by a Martian warrior in Part 12, which I've tried not to spoil, but was revealed links ago if you're clicking along.

The first big battle between Superman and Commander Blanx leads to Bruce & Lex on the run from Starros and betrayers, with Dr. Erdel and John Jones acting on the periphery. The Martian Manhunter and Commander Blanx clash, while Lois Lane needs saving from Saul Erdel, Mercy Graves preps a legion of Starro drones, and John Corbin becomes Metallo. J'Onn J'Onzz and Lois Lane team up to save Earth from the fate of Mars, while Bel Juz makes her presence known. Blanx and Bel Juz struggle to effectively counter the resistance, then comes the epilogue.



I enjoyed Ryan Daly's very Manhunter from Mars friendly movie proposal more than I'm likely to appreciate any forthcoming actual films of a similar vein. John Jones doesn't get a lot to do, but J'Onn J'Onzz does, and of course it's great that Commander Blanx and Bel Juz are at the fore. They're not 100% in line with the comics, borrowing heavily from Ma'alefa'ak, Cay'an and others, but what else is new in the adaptation game? Remember, General Zod was a minor Superboy villain before Mario Puzo and Tom Mankiewicz got their hands on. I'm looking forward to more from Count Drunkula, and will revisit this linkography if the Red Planet hijinks continue, but you can get ahead of me by following Flowers & Fishnets!

Martian Sightings for January, 2014

Click To Enlarge


According to Comicvine, the Martian Manhunter has appeared in 2,222 comics to date. Fun odometer read.

Martian Manhunter

MARTIAN MANHUNTER: SON OF MARS TP
Written by JOHN OSTRANDER and JOHN ARCUDI
Art by TOM MANDRAKE and JAN DUURSEMA
Cover by TOM MANDRAKE
On sale FEBRUARY 19 • 240 pg, FC, $19.99 US

These tales from MARTIAN MANHUNTER #0-9 begin as the Manhunter tells Superman how he came to Earth. In his guise as Detective John Jones, he tracks a serial killer and investigates a mystery at Cadmus Laboratories, then saves the Justice League from the threat of Malefic.

We're getting a new book. This is only the second time a full color Martian Manhunter trade paperback has been published for the U.S. market, following 2007's The Others Among Us mini-series collection. Even the second and final volume of Showcase Presents: Martian Manhunter dropped the month after his murder in Final Crisis. It's S.O.P. Hopefully, I like that series better than this one, which began to routinely infuriate me with the issue immediately following those collected in this trade. "Son of Mars" is a cute play on Jemm's presence and production history, and all the best issues not involving Chocos or DC One Million are here. I'm hopeful we'll get "Malefic" and the various Mandrake illustrated bio/origin/pin-up pages from this period, as well.

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #11
Written by MATT KINDT
Art and cover by EDDIE BARROWS and EBER FERREIRA
1:25 SCRIBBLENAUTS UNMASKED variant cover
“We Can Be Heroes” Blank variant cover available
On sale JANUARY 15 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Combo pack edition: $4.99 US
Retailers: This issue will ship with four covers. Please see the order form for more information.

A FOREVER EVIL tie-in! Survivors Martian Manhunter and Stargirl make a perilous trek across a Super-Villain occupied United States. Their first stop may be the last as they enter Gotham City and Clayface-occupied territory! This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.

Hey, Batman fans? How you doing? Listen, do you appreciate how much damage the CSA would have to have to have dealt to the Martian Manhunter for Clayface to survive 60 seconds against him? Anyway, Eddie Barrows draws a better Alien Atlas than Dave Finch, so hopefully he'll draw the spin-off series we're totally getting.

FOREVER EVIL #5
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art and cover by DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND
On sale JANUARY 22 • 32 pg, FC, 5 of 7, $3.99 US
RATED T • Combo pack edition: $4.99 US

With everything to lose, Lex Luthor and his Injustice League raid the stronghold of the Crime Syndicate with consequences so devastating, the DC Universe will never be the same!

Meh

SCRIBBLENAUTS UNMASKED: A CRISIS OF IMAGINATION #1
Written by JOSH ELDER
Art and cover by ADAM ARCHER
1:25 DC Collectibles variant cover
On sale JANUARY 22 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED E • DIGITAL FIRST
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for more information.

It’s here! Straight from the hit video game Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure comes an all-new, all-ages adventure featuring Maxwell, Lily and as many DC characters as you can imagine! You don’t want to miss this!

Cameo?

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA OMNIBUS VOL. 1 HC
Written by GARDNER FOX
Art by MIKE SEKOWSKY and BERNARD SACHS
Cover by MIKE SEKOWSKY and MURPHY ANDERSON
On sale MARCH 26 • 896 pg, FC, $99.99 US

Collecting THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #28-30, JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #1-30 and MYSTERY IN SPACE #75! Together, Aquaman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter and Wonder Woman stand against such rogues as Starro, Despero, Kanjar Ro, and Felix Faust!

During the first year of this blog, I checked out the initial two Showcase Presents collections from the library and did write-ups for 30-odd issues of this series. They were pretty funny synopses in my humble opinion, but they were lost in a drive crash that I've given up all hope of ever recovering. The reason they were never published before that calamity is because I lacked color art for the prospective posts, which I could scan from glossy stock in this Omnibus. On the other hand, I found these seminal stories to be some of the dumbest comics I've ever read, and the thought of spending a c-note on them is troubling. Do I really want this crap on my bookshelf for the rest of my life?

JLA VOL. 4 TP
Written by GRANT MORRISON, MARK WAID and D. CURTIS JOHNSON
Art by HOWARD PORTER, MARK PAJARILLO and others
Cover by HOWARD PORTER and JOHN DELL
On sale FEBRUARY 5 • 384 pg, FC, $24.99 US

In this latest trade paperback collecting JLA #36-46, the team is up against a new, deadly Injustice Gang led by Lex Luthor. And then, Ra’s al Ghul continues his quest to save Earth from its inhabitants by thinning the ranks of humanity – starting with the Justice League!

Let's see: this volume collects "World War III," featuring one of the most badass Martian Manhunter moments in his publishing history. Then there's "Tower of Babel," one of the all-time greatest Justice League stories. In the middle, a forgettable Atom guest appearance, but an awesome collection all in all.

JUSTICE LEAGUE: TRINITY WAR HC
Written by GEOFF JOHNS, JEFF LEMIRE, MATT KINDT and RAY FAWKES
Art by IVAN REIS, JOE PRADO, DOUG MAHNKE, CHRISTIAN ALAMY, MIKEL JANIN, EBER FERREIRA, RENATO GUEDES and others
Cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
On sale MARCH 5 • 320 pg, FC, $29.99 US

The blockbuster event of the summer is collected in this new hardcover featuring JUSTICE LEAGUE #22-23, JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #6-7, JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #22-23, CONSTANTINE #5, TRINITY OF SIN: PANDORA #1-3 and TRINITY OF SIN: PHANTOM STRANGER #11. When the three Justice Leagues go to war with one another, whose side will everyone be on? Allies will be born, friends will become enemies, and the DC Universe will never be the same!

Thumbed through my copies, but knowing the gist of it all via the interwebs, can't be bothered to actually read them.

Miss Martian

SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 SPECIAL #4
Written by BRYAN Q. MILLER
Art and cover by CAT STAGGS
On sale JANUARY 29 • 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T • DIGITAL FIRST

Jay Garrick has opened a school for youth with special talents and abilities, to train a promising new generation of Super Heroes. However, things fall apart as a mysterious foe, determined to take down the new Titans team, attacks the San Francisco Pier—pushing these young heroes to their absolute limits.

It seems like the guys doing digital first comics are the ones writing the DC Universes people really want to read.

Mongul

BATMAN/SUPERMAN #7
Written by GREG PAK
Art and cover by BRETT BOOTH and NORM RAPMUND
On sale JANUARY 8 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Combo pack edition: $4.99 US

Batman versus Superman! Trapped by the Toymaster and Mongul, our heroes turn on each other! Who will save Batman and Superman if they can’t save themselves? This epic issue is presented in a special sideways format!

Having read the Villain's Month Mongul story and seen that there is no connection between Mongul and Martian Manhunter in the New 52, I will take this opportunity to discontinue Mongul coverage on this blog. Good day, sir!

The Martian Manhunter Encyclopedia Update '13

Back in early September, shortly after I started on Twitter, one of my top five favorite Martian Manhunter writers, Mark Waid, offered the following tweet:

My favorite thing today: http://t.co/dysaxkEcHt
— Mark Waid (@MarkWaid) September 9, 2013

It was very flattering and I got a few hundred extra hits thanks to the attention, but it also made me realize that I hadn't updated the "Encyclopedia" since it was posted in the middle of 2012. I rushed to correct that error, only to find the problem was much worse, in that I had decided to reach a stopping point on writing/coding the thing prior to publication, so that it had in fact been out of date better than a year prior to that point. After a lot of work and constant use of CTRL+C/CTRL+V, I present the first ever to-the-minute (comrades excluded) valid Martian Manhunter reference source for the blog, which includes incorporating pedantic recommendations from The Comic Bloc Forums. It's an ongoing one man work in progress, you smug entitled half-wit.



#
The 3-In-1 Man: see "Thantos."

A
Abel Carmody was the 19th Century U.S. Calvalry soldier and industrialist who built Carmody’s Folly and was an ancestor to Kishana Lewis.

Alex Dunster is a master thief and scientist who once stole/recreated Dr. Erdel's robot brain. He was the first atypical hood to face Detective John Jones.

Alex Ferguson was a doctor at S.T.A.R. Labs who before his death was manipulated by Cay'an in a plot against J'Onn J'Onzz.

The Alien Arsenal was a museum of ancient weapons from the planet Vonn that accidentally and repeatedly teleported to Earth. It was seemingly wrecked in a battle involving Superman and a Thythen.

The All-Martian Council was a governing body on the planet Mars

Andre Rennay was a French criminal with ties to Vulture. Now deceased, his identity was briefly assumed by J'onn J'onzz.

Anthony Ivo, Prof.: see "Professor Anthony Ivo."

Apex City: see "Middletown"

The Arkymandryte was an early enemy of Mongul.

Armek is a White Martian who appeared as a robotic entity to take part in the ersatz Hyperclan super-team that fought the JLA.

Arnold Hugo: see "Professor Arnold Hugo."

B
B'enn B'urnzz is a Martian Desert Dweller criminal from the year 2062 who escaped to the present before being captured by Martian Manhunter and Futureman.

B'rett is a yellow-skinned Martian convict who escaped captivity to Earth before being recaptured by Martian Manhunter. He was responsible for altering J'Onn J'Onzz's powers and revealing his existence on Earth.

B'urnzz, B'enn: see "B'enn B'urnzz."

Bak'sar, Tybalt: see "Tybalt Bak'sar"

Baltaz is an underground city located on Mars II with an atmosphere deadly to Martians.

Baltaz's Council is the ruling authority of the buried city of Baltaz on Mars II.

Barreto, Eduardo: see "Eduardo Barreto."

Bel Juz is a Martian Desert Dweller who secretly betrayed her people to the Thythens. She became lover and confident to the Marshal of the Red Brotherhood during his military coup against Martian Manhunter.

Ben Stoves: see "Human Squirrel, The."

Bette Noir was a D.N.Alien with potent psychic abilities who fought the Martian Manhunter in a number of comics published between 1998-2002

Bill Smith was an African-American alter ego used by J'onn J'onzz in 1963.

Blanx, Commander: see "Commander Blanx"

The Blue Flame of Mars was an energy source that, when unleashed by Commander Blanx, wiped out signs of life and rendered uninhabitable most of the surface of the planet Mars.

C
Capsule Master: see "Vulkor, the Capsule Master."

The Captive-Ray Gun was a powerful weapon developed by Vulture.

Carmody, Abel: see "Abel Carmody"

Carmody’s Folly was a fortress built by Abel Carmody to fend off the Scary Monsters that have threatened to possess all life on both ancient Mars and Earth.

Carré, Pierre: see "Pierre Carré"

Cay'an is a Natural Martian who holds J'Onn J'Onzz responsible for H'ronmeer's Plague due to his unwillingness to kill his brother Ma'alefa'ak before his initiating the genocide. She developed an intricate plan for revenge involving brainwashed White Martians and the Department of Homeland Security that ultimately failed.

Certa, Joe: see "Joe Certa"

Charles Brigham Dade was a C.I.A. operative whose grief over the death of his fiancée led him on an anti-alien mission involving Jemm and Superman. He was killed by Saturnian robots.

Cluzot was the leader of a French unit of Vulture.

Colan, Gene: see "Gene Colan."

Commander Blanx was the Pale Martian leader who saw to J'Onn J'Onzz's exile from Martian society for thirteen years, as well as an attenpted assassination attempt on Earth. During this time, Blanx sold the planet Mars to aliens under the condition that he would exterminate all other life on the planet. Blanx rendered Mars uninhabitable, the only survivors fleeing on a spaceship to find a new world. Blanx was apparently killed by the Martian Manhunter for his crimes.

The Conjurer is a fantastic human magician who used slight-of-hand for daring thefts in Middletown before being captured by Detective John Jones.

Cott, N'or: see "N'or Cott"

The Countryman: see "Martian Criminal, The"

The Crystal Key was entrusted in J'onn J'onzz by the Largas to prevent it from making the Warworld operational.

Crystal Mountain resides near the city of Baltaz on the planet Mars II.

The Cube-Trap was a devious device employed by Mongul throughout the Bronze Age.

D
D'Kay D'Razz was an insane Martian serial killer who arrived on Earth before J'Onn J'Onzz and tried to mate with him before her death.

Dade, Charles Brigham: see "Charles Brigham Dade."

Dalbert, Wiley: see "Wiley Dalbert."

Darkseid is the other-dimensional "New God" lord of the planet Apokolips. His attempted takeover of Mars in pursuit of the Anti-Life Equation led to the death of J'Onn J'Onzz's father and inspired the genocidal madness of Ma'alefa'ak. Darkseid has clashed with the Martian Manhunter ever since, throughout a possible future spanning millennia where the Alien Atlas delivers Darkseid's ultimate defeat.

Deidre Johnson was a NASA scientist and the fiancée of Charles Brigham Dade killed while investigating a Saturnian spaceship.

Dal'en is a White Martian who was captured by Cay'an, brainwashed into believing that he was a green-skinned Natural Martian, and sold to a government research lab. His normal form slowly reasserted itself, and his murderous rampage was halted by J'Onn J'Onzz.

Despero's jetboat was used on the planet Sirkus.

Despero's Super-Ship was used to slaughter an ersatz Justice League on the planet Sirkus.

The Devil Men of Pluto were alien bandits led by L'lex Xanadar who sought a prize on Earth after killing their former associate, the scientist Nar. The Devil Men ran afoul of J'onn J'onzz, and were killed by a booby trap left by Nar

Diabolu was an ancient Babylonia wizard who so loathed mankind that he created an Idol-Head full of monstrous evils to be unleashed at his pleasure. Diabolu died, but centuries later his Idol-Head was activated, wrecking havoc at monthly intervals.

Diane Meade was the daughter of the police commissioner of Middletown who herself became a patrolwoman in the Silver Age of Comics. She was a recurring character in the last several years of original Detective John Jones stories, and was revived in the modern era in the mini-series JLA: Year One as a harder edged plainclothes investigator working with Denver P.D.

Director Ergon is an alien scientist on the planet Sirkus who kidnapped Superman and tried to create a false Justice League of America to fend off the advances of Despero.

Doctor James Erdel: see "Erdel"

Doctor Samedi is a villainous voodoun active in Central America who ran afoul of the Martian Manhunter and the heroine Fire.

Doctor Saul Erdel: see "Erdel"

Doctor Trap is a human serial killer who blames superhumans for the death of his wife, and sets elaborate traps to execute them in retaliation. Martian Manhunter is among his foes.

Doomsday is an alien creature who through experimentation became an extremely proficient berserk killing machine. He has a special enmity toward Kryptonians, drawing him repeatedly into conflict with Superman and his friend J'Onn J'Onzz.

The Dreaded General commanded an army of heavily armed criminals that were routed by the Alien Atlas.

Duffy is a Denver-based serial cop killer who collected his victim's eyes until his capture by J'Onn J'Onzz.

Dunster, Alex: see "Alex Dunster."

Dyer, William: see "William Dyer."

E
The Mars-Earth Comet passes each planet once a year over a two hour period.

Eda, Re's: see "Re's Eda"

Eduardo Barreto was the most prolific artist seen on Martian Manhunter merchandise in the 1990s, and drew the 1992 mini-series American Secrets.

Eel-Creatures are semi-humanoid beings that live on the planet Sirkus and were once employed by Despero.

Erdel is the surname of the various scientists responsible for teleporting the Martian Manhunter to Earth. In 1955, Professor Mark Erdel accidentally used his Robot-Brain for the job, stranding J'onn J'onzz after a fatal heart attack prevented Erdel from reversing the process. In a 1981 Hawkman story, the cause of death was changed to murder. In the 1988 Martian Manhunter mini-series, it was revealed that amateur scientist Saul Erdel was not only alive, but had fabricated most of the Alien Atlas' Silver Age history as a coping mechanism to replace the traumatic memory of Mars' plague death until J'Onzz could sufficiently recover. At the launch of the 1998 Martian Manhunter ongoing series, Doctor James Erdel used recovered Martian technology to deliver J'Onn J'Onzz, then died in a resulting explosion. In the 2010 Brightest Day maxi-series, Dr. Saul Erdel and his daughter Melissa accidentally inflicted D'Kay D'Razz on Earth, then intentionally summoned J'Onn J'Onzz as a countermeasure, though both Erdels were rendered incapable of explaining this rationale by death and brain damage respectively.

F
Faceless: see "Mister V"

Falcon, The: see "Human Falcon"

Faust, Felix: see "Felix Faust"

Felix Faust is an evil sorcerer and one of the earliest foes of the Justice League of America.

Ferdinand, Rio: see "Rio Ferdinand"

Ferguson, Alex: see "Alex Ferguson"

Fouchere, Marie: see "Marie Fouchere"

Flamebirds are winged humanoid beings with psychopyrrhic powers that live on the planet Sirkus and were once employed by Despero.

G
Gammeron is a galactic bounty hunter whose untold history with J'Onn J'Onzz dates back to the destruction of Mars. Once captured Despero, leading to an antagonistic association with the Justice League Task Force.

Gammeron, Glenn: see "Gammeron"

Gene Colan was the co-creator and artist of Jemm, Son of Saturn and its related concepts.

General, The: see "Dreaded General, The"

General Synnar was the father of Synn, and led the White Saturnian forces in a bid for conquest of H'ronmeerca'andra that unintentionally wiped out most of its population. He went mad and was killed by Jogarr.

The Getaway King: see "Monty Moran."

The Getaway Mastermind: see "Monty Moran."

Glenn Gammeron: see "Gammeron"

The Golden Pyramid: see "Ta'-Dun."

Gorla of Saturn was the green-skinned alien sent to Earth to determine it's suitability as a new home for his race in the Golden Age of Comics.

Governor Kwim presided over the planet Sirkus at a time when it was conquered by Despero.

The Guard Belt was a levitation device used on Mars to confine prisoners.

Gypsy was a teenage runaway named Cynthia "Cindy" Reynolds with powers of illusion. She joined the much maligned mid-1980s incarnation of the Justice League of America based in Detroit, MI. It was there that she first became acquainted with J'Onn J'Onzz, who treated her as an adoptive daughter after her parents were murdered by Despero. Gypsy served on the Justice League Task Force, where her relationship with J'Onzz became strained, but they remained in communication throughout her 1990s and 2000s appearances. In the New 52, Gypsy is a princess from another dimension with no known connection to J'Onn J'Onzz.

H
H'ronmeer is the primary deity worshiped by J'Onn J'Onzz and the Green Martians. The plague that wiped out most Martians of all races is often referred to as "H'ronmeer's Curse" due to its association with fire.

H'ronmeerca'andra is the Martian name for the planet Saturn. It is inhabited by the descendants of Martian clones. The red-skinned Saturnians were engineered by Green Martians, while the white-skinned ones were created as slave labor for White Martians.

Haven: The Broken City is a prison colony which political dissidents managed to convert into a spacecraft that crash landed near Coast City, California. The survivors within sought asylum, and interacted with many Earth heroes before the city's flight capabilities were restored and they departed.

Havok, Lord II: see "Maxwell Lord IV"

The Headman: see "The Headmaster"

The Headmaster is a mad scientist who implanted his brain into a cyborg body. Believing Earth to be doomed, Headmaster began harvesting other human minds to outlive the planet in his spaceship, which was destroyed by J'Onn J'Onzz.

Hugo, Arnold: see "Professor Arnold Hugo."

The Human Falcon, in story simply called "The Falcon," is an elaborate thief with a fixation on birds who was captured after a heist in Middletown by J'Onn J'Onzz.

The Human Squirrel Ben Stoves was a costumed acrobatic burglar who went straight as part of the Ex-Convicts Club.

Hunter Commander J'en was a lover of J'onn J'onzz on Mars II before their estrangement and her joining the militant group the Soldiers of the Red Brotherhood. J'en assisted J'onzz in halting an invasion of Earth by Martian forces.

The Hyperclan are ancient White Martians who were released from the Still Zone in modern times. They pretended to be super-heroes before launching two separate invasion attempts against Earth.

I
Inflict is a member of the extraterrestrial battle lords Conquerer Rex who was defeated in battle by Martian Manhunter.

The Invaders from the Space Warp are fugitives from another dimension who were captured by Martian Manhunter and R'ell. Unintentionally facilitated Zook's arrival on Earth.

Ivo, Prof. Anthony: see "Professor Anthony Ivo."

J
J'en: see "Hunter Commander J'en."

J'onn J'onzz (Silver Age) was a Martian scientist transported to Earth in an experiment by Professor Mark Erdel, then stranded when the elderly man died from a heart attack over the shock of his success. Coming from a society without war but still struggling to complete its first travels into outer space, J'onzz decided to help Earth battle crime until he could return home. As "John Jones," the Martian served as a detective for a number of years on the Middletown police force in the United States, secretly aided by his alien abilities. Later, the Martian's presence was revealed to the world, and he soon after joined the new Justice League of America as the "Manhunter." The sorcerous Idol-Head of Diabolu artifact appeared to kill "John Jones," so the Manhunter abandoned that identity and began a lengthy search for the infernal device with his other-dimensional pet Zook. Once that task was completed, J'onzz was recruited to battle the international criminal organization Vulture under the cover identity of "Marco Xavier" while based in the Mediterranean. Finally, J'onzz unmasked their seemingly faceless leader Mister V, who then died in an explosion. This continuity was rendered moot as a false memory implant in a 1988 mini-series.

J'onn J'onzz (Bronze Age) was a green-skinned Martian military-science leader who clashed with the white-skinned Commander Blanx over an energy resource. Defeated and in exile, J'onzz was accidentally teleported to Earth in 1955 by the "robot brain" device of Professor Mark Erdel, and left stranded by Erdel's sudden death. J'onzz avoided period paranoia by assuming a disguise and secretly aiding Earth for a number of years. In 1959, J'Onzz clandestinely co-founding the Justice League of America as the "Manhunter from Mars." Blanx rendered Mars uninhabitable in 1969, so J'onzz joined the survivors in resettling on a distant world dubbed "Mars II." J'Onzz returned to Earth and the Justice League after helping to foil a Martian invasion attempt. This continuity was rendered moot following the Crisis on Infinite Earths.

J'Onn J'Onzz (Post-Zero Hour) was a green-skinned Natural Martian law enforcement "Manhunter" until most of his race was wiped out by a plague manufactured by his evil twin brother Ma'alefa'ak. Driven nearly mad by the deaths of his wife and daughter specifically, and the global tragedy as a whole, J'Onzz was eventually teleported to Earth when the amateur scientist Saul Erdel tinkered with recovered Martian technology in 1955. After Erdel perished in an explosion, J'Onzz used his shapeshifting and other abilities to explore his adoptive world. In the modern heroic age, J'Onzz assumed the form of a deceased police officer in Colorado, as well as countless other identities throughout the planet. As the Martian Manhunter, he co-founded the JLA. J'Onzz experienced many radically transformative events, including his death and rebirth, prior to this reality's ending at Flashpoint.

J'onzz, J'onn: see "J'onn J'onzz."

(Dr.) James Erdel: see "Erdel"

Jargon the Mighty was the legendary monarch of H'ronmeerca'andra who extorted peace between the White and Red Saturnians centuries ago. Jemm is his modern day descendant.

Jarlla: see "Queen Jarlla."

Jasonar is the Kalanorian scientist who fled to Earth with his daughter Saranna to enlist the aid of the Justice League of America in overthrowing Despero.

Jaxx: see "King Jaxx."

Jemm is the messianic and somewhat pacifistic prince of H'ronmeerca'andra, better known as the "Son of Saturn." Originally conceived editorially as a Martian who would carry on Bronze Age narratives, Jemm was reworked as a Saturnian amidst clear analogues for J'onn J'onzz and others over the course of his 1984 maxi-series. Saturnians were rendered clones of Martians by a 1998 retcon, drawing Jemm back into the sphere of the Martian Manhunter. Jemm's relationship with J'Onn was made more complicated by J'Onzz's illicit affair with his fiancée Cha'rissa, and Jemm has demonstrated a more antagonistic posture in his most recent appearances as Saturn's ruler.

Joe Certa was the co-creator of the Manhunter from Mars and the artist on the strip from 1955-1968.

Joe Samachson was the co-creator of the Manhunter from Mars and the writer on the initial strips.

Johnson, Deidre: see "Deidre Johnson."

J'Onzz, Ma'alefa'ak: see "Ma'alefa'ak"

Jornell was a White Martian who was captured by Cay'an, brainwashed into believing that he was a green-skinned Natural Martian, and sold to a government research lab. He was assassinated by Giggs.

Juz, Bel: see "Bel Juz."

K
K'Don-Fete is a Martian holiday.

K'hym J'onzz was the daughter of J'Onn and M'yri'ah J'Onzz who perished during H'ronmeer's Curse.

Kar, Roh: see "Roh Kar."

King Jaxx was the father of Jemm and the former ruler of H'ronmeerca'andra, better known as Saturn. He was believed killed by General Synnar.

Kishana Lewis is a California Forest Service fire fighter who as the descendent of Abel Carmody inherited super-powers to defend the Earth against the Demons of Black Spirit Lake. She was briefly the lover and ally of J'Onn J'Onzz.

Korge, the Last Angry God is an enormous, powerful alien entity discovered on the planet dubbed Mars II who fought the Justice League of America.

The Krill are a nearly extinct alien race who once forced Despero and the Justice League of America to fight for their entertainment.

The Krypt-Kicker was a rifle developed by the C.I.A. to be capable of bringing down Superman.

The Kuru Pendant is a medallion given to every adult Martian containing ancestral memories.

L
L'lex Xanadar: see "Devil Men of Pluto, The."

The Largas were a peaceful race who discovered the abandoned Warworld and entrusted its key to J'onn J'onzz for the safety of the universe.

Larry Trapp: see "Doctor Trap."

The Last Angry God: see "Korge"

Lewis, Kishana: see "Kishana Lewis."

The Lizard Men are a saurian alien race who briefly conquered much of Earth in the late 1950s before being defeated by Martian Manhunter.

Lord Havok II: see "Maxwell Lord IV"

Lord, Maxwell: see "Maxwell Lord IV"

M
M'yri'ah J'onzz was the wife of J'Onn and mother of K'hym who died from H'ronmeer's Curse.

Ma'alefa'ak is the evil twin brother of J'Onn J'Onzz introduced in Post-Zero Hour continuity as the creator of "H'ronmeer's Curse," the plague that wiped out Martian civilization. As "Malefic," he continued to menace the Martian Manhunter until his apparent demise. To date, Ma'alefa'ak is the only villain created to fight the Alien Atlas to be adapted by an outside medium, via the animated movie Justice League: Doom.

The Magician-Thief: see "Martian Criminal, The"

Malefic: see "Ma'alefa'ak"

Manhunter from Mars: Partial name of the comic strip "John Jones, the Manhunter from Mars," which ran in the back of Detective Comics from 1955-1964. The strip was retitled "J'onn J'onzz, the Manhunter from Mars" when it moved to House of Mystery, where it ran until 1968. For the named character, see "J'onn J'onzz."

Marie Fouchere is a French double agent who had a history with Marco Xavier, and helped the Martian Manhunter defeat Vulture agent Abba Sulkar.

The Marshal of the Red Brotherhood is a Martian Desert Dweller military leader associated with Bel Juz who staged a successful coup on Mars II. He launched a failed invasion of Earth, which was routed by Martian Manhunter and the Justice League of America, ending his career in shame.

The Martian Criminal escaped captivity on his world to land on Earth and initiate a crime spree while disguised as a human. He was soon returned to prison by Detective John Jones, who referred to him alternately as a "countryman" and "Magician-Thief." The unnamed criminal was the first super-powered and Martian foe to appear in a Manhunter from Mars strip.

Martian Manhunter: Title of a comic book series running from 1998-2001, as well as mini-series from 1988 & 2006. For named character, see "J'onn J'onzz."

Martian Meteorites tend to be green in color, and when heated or gaseous can have an unpredictable effect on the powers of an exposed Martian.

Martin Smith was the identity of a U.N. investigator assumed by J'Onn J'Onzz whilst following up on the shooting death of an alien life form.

The Master Gardener of Mars is a Natural Martian horticulturalist and survivor of H'ronmeer's Plague who masqueraded as the Father-God of the Lizard Men, with whom he briefly conquered much of Earth in the late 1950s. He was defeated by Martian Manhunter and is believed dead.

Maxwell Lord IV was a business tycoon and seemingly reformed murderer who helped instate the Justice League as an international operation with a United Nations charter. This brought him into close association with the American team leader J'Onn J'Onzz, with whom he struck up a friendship. Lord later "died," became the cyborg villain Lord Havok II, had his humanity restored, and turned out to be a double agent for Checkmate with a mission to destroy metahumanity.

Melissa Erdel: see "Erdel"

Mendez, Senor: see "Senor Mendez"

The Mercurian Renegade fled his world for Earth, where he developed superhuman powers and teamed-up with Vulture against the Martian Manhunter. The Alien Atlas overcame the pairing and ordered the Mercurian's deportation.

Mica'kel was a White Martian who was captured by Cay'an, brainwashed into believing that he was a green-skinned Natural Martian, and sold to a government research lab. His identity reasserted itself, and he engaged in apparently mortal combat with J'Onn J'Onzz. He is survived by his (presumed) son Till'all.

Microwave Pistol was a weapon used by Commander Blanx.

Middletown is the U.S. metropolis patrolled by Detective John Jones in comics published from 1955-1964, although it remained unnamed until late in that run. Sometimes referred to in fan circles as "Apex City," a term coined by the blogger Scipio Garling in 2008 and erroneously referenced in 2010's DC Comics Year by Year: A Visual Chronicle. Replaced Post-Crisis by Middleton, CO.

Mighty Ool of Saturn was green-skinned planetary ruler during the Golden Age of Comics.

Miss Martian is a White Martian who created a Green Martian super-heroic identity so that she could live a benevolent life on Earth. Anglicizing her Martian name of M'gann M'orzz to Megan Morse, Miss Martian was a popular member of the Teen Titans and figured prominently in the Young Justice animated television series. Despite serving as her obvious inspiration, Martian Manhunter's relationship with Miss Martian in published comic books is tenuous.

Mr. Moth is a bug-themed thief who was netted by the Manhunter from Mars.

Mr. Steele was part of a special secret department that first alerted the Martian Manhunter to the threat of Vulture.

Mr. V, A.K.A. "Faceless," was the mastermind behind the international crime organization Vulture. J'onn J'onzz assumed the new identity of Marco Xavier to bring down the operation. The masked manipulator's identity was repeatedly "revealed" as one proxy after another until he was presumably uncovered and killed in an explosion.

Modified AR-8 Sniper Rifle was the weapon used to kill Martians by a secret cabal in Homeland Security.

Mongul the Merciless was a dethroned alien conqueror who collected possessions of power to reclaim his empire. He debuted in a Martian Manhunter/Superman team-up story during the Bronze Age of Comics.

Mongul's Ship was massive in the Bronze Age of Comics.

Monty Moran is a master inventor, crime boss and thief who specializes in escape vehicles. He has fought Martian Manhunter and the Justice League of America, leading to his repeated incarceration. Sometimes called the "Getaway King" or "Getaway Mastermind."

Moran, Monty: see "Monty Moran."

Moth, Mister: see "Mr. Moth"

N
N'or Cott was the Commander of the Martian Army on Mars II who became embroiled in a plot to frame J'onn J'onzz for murder and treason. He revealed his part in the scheme before dying from exposure to the poisonous atmosphere of Baltaz.

Nar was an evil Plutonian scientist who was murdered by his cohort Devil Men.

Nemesus was a sorcerer in ancient Greece who attempted to dispose of his competition for a kingdom, but was thwarted by a time-traveling Manhunter from Mars.

O
The Old One is the guardian of the underground city of Baltaz on Mars II.

Ool: see "Mighty Ool of Saturn."

The Osprey is a flying super-villain who has a grudge against Martian Manhunter and the Justice League Task Force.

P
Pierre Carré was a friend of Marco Xavier whose Carré Company developed an "ultimate weapon" stolen by a disguised Martian Manhunter.

Poora of Saturn was an alien prince in a Zatara story from the Golden Age of Comics who strongly resembled the future Martian Manhunter.

Professor Arnold Hugo is a human scientist who artificially expanded the size and capacity of his head and brain. He then began a crime spree in Gotham City before expanding to Middletown and beyond. This brought him into repeated conflict with and incarceration by Martian Manhunter, as well as a case involving Batman & Robin.

Professor Anthony Ivo is a scientist obsessed with immortality whose mind and body have been twisted by its pursuit. Early Justice League of America foe who created the Amazo android and was indirectly responsible for the deaths of Vibe and Steel II.

Professor Mark Erdel: see "Erdel"

The Prophet is an exceptionally powerful alien religious zealot who came into conflict with the Martian Manhunter.

The Pyre is a fiery entity destined to become one of Martian Manhunter's greatest enemies.

Q
Queen Jarlla was the wife of King Jaxx and the mother of Jemm, Son of Saturn. She was killed by a White Saturnian robot.

R
Re's Eda is the former best friend of J'onn J'onzz, whom he betrayed as part of a scheme to take over leadership of his people on Mars II. As part of Re's Eda's warmongering, he nearly lead his army into a city with a lethal atmosphere before being stopped and exposed by a team of super-heroes.

Rennay, Andre: see "Andre Rennay."

Rio Ferdinand performed black ops for the Department of Homeland Security until being sold out by her supervisor, Keane. Turnabout being fair play, she turned over incriminating evidence on Keane, including his involvement in torturous experiments on captured Martians uncovered by J'Onn J'Onzz.

The Robo-Chargers were weapons of the Thythen powered by the minds of Martian slaves.

Roh Kar is a Martian fascinated with Earth culture, especially law enforcement. The self-proclaimed "First Lawman of Mars" pursued the criminal Quork from Mars to Earth, teaming up with Batman and Robin to effect a capture. Roh Kar predated and influenced the creation of the Martian Manhunter character.

Roh'Kar was a White Martian made to believe that he was a Green Martian who was murdered during a secret government project.

S
S'vor was a well-armed Jovian criminal who escaped to Earth, but was recaptured by J'onn J'onzz and returned to the custody of lawmen from Jupiter.

Samachson, Joe: see "Joe Samachson"

Samedi, Dr.: see "Doctor Samedi"

Saranna is the daughter of Jasonar who fled with him to Earth to seek aid against the tyrant who had conquered their world, Kalanor.

Saturn: see "H'ronmeerca'andra."

The Saturnian Criminal was a powerful alien fugitive on Earth who briefly assumed the identity of John Jones before being exposed by J'onn J'onzz and Zook and turned over to his planet's authorities.

Saul Erdel: see "Erdel"

Savage, Vandal: see "Vandal Savage"

The Scepter of State is a sacred staff bestowed upon the leader of Mars II.

Scorch is a psychologically troubled young woman named Aubrey Sparks who was given flame powers and a demonic visage during a collaboration between Mr. Mxyzptlk and the Joker. She initially fought the Superman family, but eventually became more associated with the Martian Manhunter. J'Onn J'Onzz temporarily cleared up Sparks' mental state, while she briefly "cured" his vulnerability to fire, unknowingly releasing a monstrous ancestral Martian entity called Fernus. This creature's rampage further damaged Scorch's psyche and severed her romantic relationship with J'Onzz.

Section T2 was a lackluster division of Vulture captured by the Martian Manhunter.

Senor Mendez was a member of VULTURE's Section T2

Servitor was an automaton used by Mongul.

Smith, Bill: see "Bill Smith"

Smith, Martin: see "Martin Smith"

Sirkus is a planet that was once conquered by Despero.

The Spacefort was the colony created from salvaged technology to house the survivors on Mars II.

Starro the Conqueror is a giant alien starfish-type creature that uses a multitude of small copies of itself to control the minds of beings from the worlds it attempts to invade. The first published adversary of the Justice League of America. One incarnation of the "Star Conquerer" decapitated Despero, earning a mortal enemy once the Kalinorian regenerated his body.

Steele, Mr.: see "Mr. Steele"

Stoves, Ben: see "Human Squirrel, The."

The Swarm are alien parasites said to have destroy countless worlds, resulting in the Martian Manhunter initially confronting the threat in the 30th century and launching a 20,000 year war to finish them.

Synnar: see "General Synnar."

T
Ta'-Dun (The Golden Pyramid) is a vision seen by Martians on their way to the afterlife.

The Tablet of Tal is a sacred artifact of the underground city of Baltaz on Mars II.

Tal: see "Tablet of Tal."

Telok'Telar is a White Martian who was captured by Cay'an, brainwashed into believing that he was a green-skinned Natural Martian, and sold to a government research lab. His normal form eventually reasserted itself, but not his mind, and he was institutionalized by J'Onn J'Onzz.

Thantos, the 3-In-1 Man is a powerful other-dimensional thief who sought purchase on the earthly plane, but was denied by the Alien Atlas.

The Thythen are warmongers who drove off much of the native population of the planet Vonn, then briefly enslaved exiled Martian Desert Dwellers to power their Robo-Chargers. They were defeated by Superman, Martian Manhunter, and the latter's fellows.

Tom Trent: see "The Trickster."

TOR was a nigh indestructible robot built on Mars who was accidentally programmed for crime. TOR was eventually tricked into boarding a rocket ship bound for a planet whose atmosphere could destroy TOR. The robot briefly managed to project its mind into an Earthling host body, but eroded to nothing before he could kill the Manhunter from Mars.

Trapp, Larry: see "Doctor Trap."

The Transconsciousness Articulator is a Martian device that can read the mind of a subject and generate a psychic virtual reality from what it finds.

Trent, Tom: see "The Trickster."

The Trickster Tom Trent was a prop gimmick bank robber who went straight as part of the Ex-Convicts Club.

Triumph is a superhuman with electromagnetic abilities. One of the first heroes of the modern age, but due to temporal anomalies and constant misfortune he has been largely forgotten. His relationship with Martian Manhunter was violently antagonistic before Triumph was turned toward outright villainy and apparently killed.

Tronix is a sadistic White Martian warrior who as part of the so-called Hyperclan temporarily took the form of a human super-heroine in a plot against the Justice League.

Tybalt Bak'sar is a genocidal alien outfitted by the Weaponers of Qward who swore to kill his enemies J'Onn J'Onzz and Green Lantern Abin Sur.

V
V, Mr.: see "Mister V"

Vandal Savage is an immortal despot who has plagued many heroes over the centuries, including Martian Manhunter and the Justice League Task Force.

Vulkor, the Capsule Master is a Martian Desert Dweller criminal who employed a high tech vehicle to collect weaponry for use against Mars and beyond. He was arrested on Earth and extradited by Martian Manhunter and Green Arrow.

W
Warworld was in the Bronze Age a mobile Death Star which J'onn J'onzz fought to keep out of the hands of Mongul, no thanks to Superman.

The Warzoon were the warrior race who created Warworld, only to be killed by it one by one.

Wiley Dalbert is a 27th century human physicist who decided to travel backward through time in spurts before settling in the early 20th Century. Dalbert paid his way through theft, drawing him into conflict with Detective John Jones, Batman and others.

William Dyer was an alternate identity created by J'Onn J'Onzz during his conflict with a rogue faction of Homeland Security.

X
Xanadar, L'lex: see "Devil Men of Pluto, The."

Z
Zenturion is a White Martian who pretended to be a humanoid super-hero reliant on enhanced weapons as part of a ruse concocted by the Hyperclan.

Zook was the otherdimensional pet/sidekick of the Manhunter from Mars in the hero's solo strip from 1963-1968, primarily in stories revolving around the pursuit of the Idol-Head of Diabolu. He was unusually helpful and intelligent for a creature whose sentience was questionable, including speaking in broken/unsophisticated English. Zook had the ability to generate extremes of heat and cold from his body, a modest degree of physical elasticity, and could remotely track any being to have come within a reasonable proximity of his antennae. Zook made a handful of appearances in recent years, including his seeming death in 2008's Ambush Bug: Year None #2.

Züm is a White Martian who pretended to be a humanoid with super-speed while attempting to conquer Earth with the Hyperclan.