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!