Scan barcode
angus_mckeogh's review against another edition
2.0
Novel-length collection of 12 comic books. I was anticipating a mysterious detective story about a murder; however, the majority of the story revolves around Martian Manhunter zipping in and out of the “thought stream” and trying to come to grips with his identity with his partner on the force. Slow-going and not all that interesting.
brandonadaniels's review against another edition
4.0
Pleasantly surprised by this. I was familiar with the character, but far from a fan. I checked this out for Riley Rossmo’s art, and I’m very glad I did. Its the best his art has looked, in part because it feels like a more natural fit than some of the stuff I have read of his, but largely because of the colors by Ivan Placencia. The story is solid, and probably the best thing I have read from Orlando. It’s a retelling of Martian Manhunter’s origin, and it reminds me a bit of Bendis’s Ultimate Spider-Man in the way it’s able to really let what seems to have historically been very compressed and messy origin breathe and stand in its own as a complete story. The Mars stuff in particular is very cool, much cooler than the little I have seen of ancient Mars in other DC stuff.
emaretea's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
coolbyte's review against another edition
4.0
An retelling of the Martian Manhunter. Not sure I like the retcon of making him a corrupt cop on Mars.
The story is based on the time before he reveals his identity to the world, so no other Super Heroes appear
The main story is about a case he is working on as cop on earth and has flashbacks back to his time on Mars.
I like the story. There was a bit of weirdness with the Martian Manhunter and his partner both coming out and revealing their secrets to their colleagues, but I think it worked.
The story is based on the time before he reveals his identity to the world, so no other Super Heroes appear
The main story is about a case he is working on as cop on earth and has flashbacks back to his time on Mars.
I like the story. There was a bit of weirdness with the Martian Manhunter and his partner both coming out and revealing their secrets to their colleagues, but I think it worked.
marvelarry's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
depreydeprey's review against another edition
4.0
Martian Manhunter as a story is at its strongest when it stays small. When it leans into the detective work and sense of loss and body horror of being a shape shiffter hiding in plain sight it is really interesting and I wish more DC stories were as small and self contained as the start of this one is. I also thought the world building of martian society and customs was vibrant and interesting thanks mostly to Riley Rossmo's visionary art and while they don't quite stick the landing I was happy I went along for the ride.
rabbithero's review against another edition
2.0
Meh. I understand what the creative team was going for, and could even go so far as say they did a good job with it, but it all just seems so basic by the end. Somewhere around the midway point, amidst all the weird genetics and midcontrol and hand-wringing anguish, this series just got too dopey for its own good, and I lost interest. I adore the Martian Manhunter, but this just seems to miss the mark with fleshing him out. In the attempt to give him his own angst origin, they sort of squeezed out all the things that makes John J'onzz unique.
Just your garden-variety superhero comic. Nothing special.
Just your garden-variety superhero comic. Nothing special.
More...