2013 Martian Manhunter and Zook “The Origin of the Diabolu Idol-Head” color art by Enrique “Quique” Alcatena

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"When the Martian Manhunter, assisted by his interdimensional tiny sidekick Zook, lived his adventures in the back pages of Detective Comics first, and house of Mystery afterwards. When the great Joe Certa illustrated Jack Miller´s scripts..."

I've felt that Zook has deserved his own theme month for years, but it took stumbling upon the eight fantastic pieces crafted by Alcatena to motivate me to realize that good intention. Funnily enough, I commissioned Diabolu the Wizard & his Idol-Head from Cody Schibi at Comicpalooza 2013 without being aware that Alcatena had already offered a parallel interpretation. It was a good year to be the misanthropic Ancient Babylonian wizard with his own supernatural bestiary! While the Idol-Head tasked J'onn J'onzz and Zook with its monthly menaces for a couple of years, Diabolu himself only ever appeared in 1966's House of Mystery #158, a story which seems to be represented in Alcatena's image. Thanks again to the outstanding artist for these awesome pieces, and do check out the Quique Alcatena blog, or if you prefer to specialize, Superheroes x alcatena. As for us, well, this art makes for a nice segue into my plans for February...