In the series that first brought the "Magnificent Seven" JLA together as a team, J'Onn J'Onzz had been living in a fabricated recreation of Mars housed in (essentially) Area 51. Ignoring signs that something was amiss, J'Onn was delighted to be with his beloved wife and daughter again, far from the strife he had once known. Even when the Justice League tried to "rescue" him from happiness, he turned his back on his past life and embraced the illusion. However "Sparkers," temporarily empowered agents of Know Man, caused J'Onzz's false family to perish again amidst an inferno. After an anguished cry, the Manhunter from Mars emerged from the smoke, his body contorted by his unimaginable anger.
Green Lantern Kyle Rayner hoped he was okay. Wonder Woman asserted, "J'Onn is many things-- okay does not seem to be one of them." On learning who was responsible for this travesty, Martian Manhunter declared, "When this day is over-- each of your gods will know the meaning of a Justice League!" Then he shut all their brains down...
Check out more highlights from the past 75 years of DC Comics at The Truly Most Memorable Moments of the DC Dodranscentennial
Whoa....I've never heard of this story before!! I've got some reading to do.
ReplyDeleteAnd that is the exact some expression I have on my face at the end of the day on a Friday...
Few characters have gone through as much as J'Onn J'Onzz. He has seen, in various continuities, the destruction of his world and his family. He has found himself against his will among a strange species that calls itself human. Yet he always has found the strength to go forward, no matter how deep his personal losses. Perhaps that is the definition of a hero: doing what is right and necessary despite the cost.
ReplyDeleteThere are two moments that made me a Martian Manhunter fan. The first was his reaction to Mr. Miracle's disastrous landing of a S.T.A.R. Labs shuttle onto & through an embassy roof in the early JLI story "Moving Day." This was the second, and most directly influenced my creating my original Martian Manhunter fan site in 1999.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I feel like I probably have this in the archives somewhere, I'm off to go searching...
ReplyDeleteAfter searching for this, it really torques me off how many Martian Manhunter-centric trade paperbacks are not in print, or never even made it to be collected as paperbacks. Grrr.
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