Martian Manhunter (real name J'onn J'onzz, alias John Jones) is a Martian and a founding[5] member of the Justice League. He is Miss Martian's mentor and uncle.
Martian Manhunter is a serious and level-headed voice of reason for the Justice League. He always speaks with politeness to his associates, both young and old, and has not shown any sign of anger or ego, although he can be stern at times.[3]
He is caring and protective of his niece, Miss Martian, who he initially did not bring to the Hall of Justice to meet with the other young heroes.[3] Eventually he changed his mind and introduced her to the Team.[6] He later visited her at the Cave to see how she was doing, multiple times.[7][1]
Physical appearance[]
Martian Manhunter generally prefers to take the form of a tall, green-skinned humanoid. His head is completely bald, and his face is oddly proportioned, with heavy brows, thick lips and red eyes.
His costume is primarily black, with red accents, and a large red belt and x-shaped straps across his chest. He always wears a blue cape that is fastened by gold clips.[3]
In his civilian identity of John Jones, he takes on the look of a bald, middle aged African American male with brown eyes.[1]
History[]
Early life[]
J'onn J'onzz was born in 1875,[2]and spent his early career as a M'hontrr, a member of the Martian police.[8]
In 1955, J'onzz was transported from Mars to Earth due to a Zeta-Beam accident that took place during an experiment conducted by Dr. Erdel.[9]In 1960,[10] he began transmitting Earth TV to Mars.[11]Stranded on Earth for decades, J'onn became the hero Martian Manhunter in 2002.[12] He lives in an apartment in Chicago.[13]
In February[14]2003,[15] the Martian Manhunter worked together with six other heroes[16] to defeat an Appellaxian invasion, and eventually drove them off the planet.[5]The seven assembled heroes then formed the Justice League,[14] with them as the founding members.[3]
In 2006,[17] the Joker tricked Lucas Carr into leading him to the Justice League's secret headquarters. After invading the cave and subduing Carr, Joker set a trap for the League: a large surprise giftbox. When Flash went to open it, it burst open with monkey clowns. J'onn's attempt to subdue the Joker psychically failed. The exact resolution of the encounter is unknown, but the Leaguers all survived.[18]
In June 2010,[19] he discovered his niece had stowed away on his ship on a trip back from Mars.[20]After contacting her parents and receiving their permission,[21]he decided to let her stay with him for the time being.[22] Miss Martian is the daughter of J'onn's sister from an interracial marriage to a White Martian.[23] Though the Bio-Ship had been originally intended for J'onn, M'gann bonded with her first, so she remained with her.[24]
When Batman, Flash, Aquaman and Green Arrow decided it was time to take steps in which to induct their sidekicks Robin, Kid Flash, Aqualad and Speedy into the League, J'onn and Red Tornado were both present at their first visit to the Hall of Justice. He welcomed them inside and gave them a short tour, culminating in the library, and which point Speedy confronted the adult heroes about all the stuff that had been kept from them such as the orbiting satellite headquarters called the Watchtower. As Speedy stormed off, Green Arrow inquired if J'onn was glad that he didn't bring "you know who" along, which J'onn couldn't help but agree with.[3]
After the sidekicks managed to defeat Blockbuster at Cadmus Labs, the League agreed that the kids had made an impressive team, and opted to turn them into the League's covert operative group. Seeing what the newly created Team had accomplished, J'onn decided it was time to introduce them to Miss Martian.[6]
Some time later, J'onn paid a visit to the Team's base inside Mount Justice, where he greeted his niece very warmly, and proceeded to watch the Team's first combat training sessions with Black Canary, shortly before they were assigned a mission by Batman.[7]
A few months later, he and Red Tornado helped Miss Martian and Superboy prepare for their first day of school. Martian Manhunter revealed that his Earth name was "John Jones", while Red Tornado went by John Smith", and suggested that Superboy might go by "John" as well. Superboy goes with "Conner", a name Miss Martian selected, and the last name "Kent", which Martian Manhunter suggested.[1]
Following the attack on the Cave, Martian Manhunter helped repair the computer systems with Captain Atom. During the repairs he stopped and petted Sphere.[26]
After the Injustice League attacked several world cities with mutated plant creatures, the Justice League responded in full force. Aquaman and Martian Manhunter took care of a plant that had completely covered the Eiffel Tower. They got help from Icon and Rocket.[27]
After the Team defeated the central control plant, the Justice League turned their attention to the Injustice League and helped the Team take them into custody.[27]
As part of the Team's training, Batman and Martian Manhunter devised a telepathic simulation that would teach them how to deal with an alien invasion after the League was killed in action. However, after Artemis was "killed" in the mission, Miss Martian's far superior mental powers took over the simulation. In order to regain control, he had to enter the illusion. But in the process, his mind was overwhelmed by the Team's emotional turmoil, and he could not remember why he entered. Only after all other members of the Team were killed could he get through to his niece. He "killed" her, so the telepathic trance would be lifted.[28]
Mount Justice October 16, 16:21EDT
He was shocked his niece possessed telepathic powers which, although crude, outmatched his own. He expressed his concerns to Batman, who had his hands full in consoling the Team after their traumatic experience.[28]
Martian Manhunter and Batman kept close watch on the Team, who were still not fully recovered from the trauma. Manhunter admitted he himself was still shocked by the simulation and can only imagine the turmoil the Team is feeling. He also took offense to Batman hoping the Team would recover immediately, reminding him trauma, like his, tends to linger. After Superboy ran off with the transformed Sphere and reported back, Martian Manhunter agreed with Batman that they should investigate Sphere.[29]
Martian Manhunter fought alongside his niece at one of five flying ice fortresses that covered the United States with snow. He telekinetically destroys a defensive turret, before Zatanna brought the airship down.[30]
Martian Manhunter was with Batman to ease Green Arrow and Black Canary after viewing surveillance footage of Canary apparently kissing Superboy. J'onn assured her it was a common game on Mars, and Conner likely knew it wasn't Black Canary. It did not fully satisfy Dinah.[11]
Martian Manhunter took a vocal role in the discussion to admit more members to the Justice League. He feared that a larger League would spark opposing groups like the Injustice League. Superman offered him the opportunity to vote no on all candidates. After discussing Red Arrow's maturity, Martian Manhunter questioned age, as his niece was adult in human years, but not yet biologically. She was eventually added to the list of candidates.[31]
After being made a slave of the Light's mind control, Martian Manhunter welcomed Vandal Savage aboard the Watchtower with a silent kneel of obedience.[32] In the time he was enthralled, the Light used him and five other Leaguers to attack Rimbor. For sixteen hours, they went on a rampage, and told all present to beware the Justice League, and Earth.[5]
When Black Canary, Red Tornado and Red Arrow came to the satellite and Klarion discovered they weren't under mind control, he summoned the six heroes that were on a mission back to the base. Martian Manhunter wanted to attack Red Arrow, but he was taken down by an incendiary arrow.
When the Team arrived, he fought his niece. Though he caught her trying to sneak up on him, she changed into her true form and placed him in a telepathic inferno. She then placed a cure-tech patch on him.[33]
Martian Manhunter was one of several Justice League members who had responded to the emergency in Metropolis. He was unable to contact anyone inside the force field telepathically, nor could he density shift through the field.[35]
Martian Manhunter decided to confront Metropolis's attacker. He levitated Flash and himself to the ship and hailed it verbally, telepathically and on all frequencies. They were backed up by a squad of Team members inside an invisible bubble generated by Zatanna.[35]
Metropolis December 1, 17:45EST
Martian Manhunter, the Flash, and Atom sneaked aboard the alien vessel, and were soon approached by the Collector of Worlds. Martian Manhunter telekinetically levitated the Collector, and attempted to disable him. However, the Collector's reinforced skeleton proved to be too powerful to dismember. Martian Manhunter and his team were eventually defeated by the Collector, and dropped, via a hatch, from the Collector's ship.[36]
After Nightwing contacted Martian Manhunter that they were inside the ship, J'onn lifted Flash and Atom to safety.[37]
Metropolis December 1, 19:03EST
Martian Manhunter phased back aboard the ship, where those who had been on Kylstar's vessel had joined them. The original Coludroid was destroyed, but dozens more coludroids showed up and surrounded the heroes. Nightwing and Atom persuaded the Collector to shut down the beam that shrunk the city.[38]
Metropolis December 1, 22:03EST
Back on the ground, Martian Manhunter discussed the double alien incursion with Captain Atom, Nightwing and the others.[38]
After an attack by Lobo on a Krolotean in the UN building, the League and the Team convened a meeting how to deal with the matter. Martian Manhunter brought his friend Adam Strange along, who could supply them with plenty of information on the Kroloteans, and a related theft on Rann. The League and the Team were split up into several squads to deal with the Kroloteans on Earth.[39]
After Gamma Squad saved hostages from the Kroloteans and destroyed their main base, Martian Manhunter arrived on the scene with the rest of the Justice League and the Team.[39]
Martian Manhunter interrogated a Krolotean captured by Robin, Blue Beetle and Lagoon Boy in New Orleans. He tried for days to work on the translation of the alien language, but could not get through. Miss Martian interrupted the interrogation and extracted the information of the Krolotean's mind, which left him comatose.[5]
South Pacific January 6, 20:32HAST
Martian Manhunter and Miss Martian broke in the Krolotean base on Malina Island, disguised as Kroloteans. While the Justice League and the Team were discovered by the Manta Troopers and the Kroloteans, they stole a data disk containing schematics of the Kroloteans and escaped the base.
They entered the Bio-Ship and waited until the Team and the Justice League evacuated the base, before the bomb went off. They flew away in the ship, nearly being engulfed in the explosion.[5]
Martian Manhunter and the other accused Leaguers had to leave for Rimbor to stand trial for their actions under the Light's mind control. Martian Manhunter said goodbye to Miss Martian, and asked her to water the plants at his apartment.[5]
L-Ron showcased an image of Martian Manhunter to Despero, as one of Earth's most powerful beings that could challenged for a match. However, he moved on to other prospect contenders, due to Martian Manhunter's absence from the planet.[13]
Martian Manhunter watched on as Superman pleaded his case to the Tribune. When the trial was interrupted by a message that the Reach was on Earth, John Stewart explained their history to Martian Manhunter.[40]
Rimbor June 20, 00:16UTC
Manhunter and the other Leaguers were found guilty of all charges and taken away. Superboy, Miss Martian and Adam Strange arrived in court, presented new evidence and argued the Tribunal should reverse its decision. After further deliberation, the charges against J'onn and the Leaguers were dropped and they were released from custody.[41]
Rimbor June 20, post-00:16UTC
As Manhunter and the other Leaguers walked the streets of Rimbor, ready to return to Earth, Vandal Savage broadcast a message through holographic monitors, declaring Earth off limits to alien invasion. Superman was skeptical about Savage's threat, but then Batman pointed to a giant satellite, the Warworld, passing through Rimbor.[41]
The League finally arrived at Mount Justice, J'onn among them. The mountain was in ruins, and Superman wondered whether they were already too late in dealing with the invasion that embroiled the Earth before and during their absence. Members of the Team descended from the heavens, acting as a welcoming committee. Batman asked Aqualad, who in their last meeting was still a traitor, what happened there. Aqualad reassured them that the crisis has passed, but not without loss.[41]
When the Team was summoned to the mission room for a face-to-face meeting with members of the League, Martian Manhunter was among the leaguers present. Batman informed them that they would now operate side by side with the Justice League from the Watchtower. Not because Mount Justice was destroyed, but because they earned the right to do so. The League then left the Team to its own devices.[41]
Manhunter was among a contingent of Leaguers fighting the forces of Apokolips. He witnessed a strange creature die after fighting Black Lightning. The group were horrified when Alanna informed them the creature was in fact a human teenage girl.[44]
Manhunter and the other mind-controlled Leaguers stopped Beta Squad of the Team when they attempted to rescue Halo. Manhunter cut their psychic link. This gave M'gann, on Alpha Squad, a warning that Beta had been compromised. Alpha came in and had Miss Martian brain blast everyone, but Granny Goodness and Overlord were able to expose Alpha to the Equation as well.[45]
Manhunter and the other thralls stood by as Gretchen Goode appeared and merged back together with Granny. Vic Stone then boom tubed in an freed Halo, who in turn cleansed Manhunter and everyone else of the Equation. They then destroyed Granny's Ghost Dimension device, took her minions into custody, and liberated the captive meta-teens.[46]
Manhunter and several other Leaguers aboard the Javelin called in to a meeting of the Justice League, the Team, the Outsiders and Batman's team on the Watchtower. After the "Anti-Light"'s activities were officially revealed, Manhunter was part of the unanimous vote to make Black Lightning the League's new leader.[47]
Martian Manhunter was making last minute preparations aboard Bio-Ship as he alongside M'gann, Conner and Garfield prepared to travel to Mars for M'gann and Conner's long-awaited wedding. He informed M'gann that all the supplies and equipment were stored away and ready for their journey. With everyone aboard, they left Earth and were finally on their way to Mars.[48]
Arriving at the main capital, Martian Manhunter, Miss Martian, Superboy and Beast Boy were greeted by Em'ree J'onzz, M'gann's older sister who welcomed the wedding party, but were surprised to learn she was in charge of the Mars Zeta project. Em'ree happily greeted her uncle, but realizing the tensions between M'gann and Em'ree, Manhunter excused himself and gathered the equipment. He opted to begin work on the Zeta project before the wedding.
Alongside Em'ree, Martian Manhunter worked on the Mars Zeta tubes until they were interrupted by Consul-General R'ess E'dda, who objected to the Zeta project, expressing his disapproval of relations between Earth and Mars and further began to insult both Em'ree and M'gann. J'onn grew angered and defended his nieces against R'ess E'dda, who blamed him for bringing Earth culture to Mars, but Martian Manhunter stood his ground and expressed no regrets for his involvement. J'onn spoke to Em'ree, realizing how badly the tensions on Mars have escalated. Em'ree confirmed his worries, but pleaded for him not to inform M'gann and Conner about the current troubles to prevent anything from spoiling their wedding.[48]
Martian Manhunter safely arrived on the Watchtower unharmed and worked alongside Superman and Cyborg to try and contact Mars and get back to help. They managed to get into contact with Em'ree, relieved to learn of her uncle's survival. Cyborg was locking in on their signal to boom tube them to Mars until the connection between Mars and the Watchtower was cut off when an Lor-Zod destroyed the M'arzz-Earth Communications Satellite. With the Zeta tubes destroyed and the Javelin days away until it's arrival, Martian Manhunter realized that M'gann, Conner and Garfield were on their own to deal with the mystery.[23]
Martian Manhunter and Superman arrived on Mars on the Javelin and were greeted by Em'ree who warmly welcomed her uncle back and was ready to take them to meet Superboy, Miss Martian and Beast Boy. However, they arrived too late and found that Superboy had perished after he sacrificed himself to stop Ma'alefa'ak's gene-bomb. Martian Manhunter and Miss Martian carried Superman, weakened due to the Kryptonite traces in the air, and urged his niece they had to leave for their own safety. Back at the Royal Arena, Martian Manhunter comforted Superman.[49]
Martian Manhunter watched as Miss Martian attacked M'comm's White Martian followers and angrily confronted her brother over Superboy's death, believing him to be responsible until M'comm confessed to knowing nothing about the Kryptonite. Martian Manhunter attempted to stop M'comm as he escaped through a boom tube, but failed and proceeded to comfort a distraught Miss Martian, who now had no one to blame for Superboy's death.[50]
Martian Manhunter contacted Hawkwoman on the Watchtower who informed him the Justice League had accounted for all known kryptonite on Earth and the Milky Way galaxy, but that none were missing. Martian Manhunter points out that doesn't mean there wasn't more out there they weren't aware of and though Hawkwoman agrees, they both sadly realized they have run out of leads in the investigation on who killed Superboy. Martian Manhunter signed off, but noticed that Miss Martian was listening nearby who then sadly density shifted away.[50]
Ma'aleca'andra April 21, post-00:49UTC
Martian Manhunter and Miss Martian were preparing to leave Mars and return to Earth until they were approached by Em'ree who wished to come with them. Em'ree expressed her wish to learn more about Earth and build a real sisterly relationship with M'gann. Manhunter happily welcomed Em'ree, but a depressed M'gann was less than enthusiastic, much to his worry and dismay. J'onn, M'gann and Em'ree traveled back to Earth in silence.[50]
J'onn, M'gann and Em'ree's journey back to Earth remained silent. Em'ree attempted to lighten the mood by joking if they were there yet, only to be informed by J'onn they still had one week left until their arrival. Em'ree asked for her uncle's assistance in making dinner. J'onn quickly realized Em'ree's intentions who expressed her growing concerns about M'gann, who completely closed herself off both emotionally and mentally in the few months since Conner's death. J'onn tells Em'ree that M'gann needs her family, specifically her family on Earth of Garfield, Artemis, Dick, Kaldur, Zatanna and Raquel to truly help get through the loss of Conner. Em'ree, however, is doubtful that M'gann could wait any longer and questioned how they would help her.
Baby May 14, post-04:06UTC
J'onn took over piloting Baby and watched Em'ree provoke an argument to help M'gann vent her pent up grief with success. J'onn smiled over the sisters strengthened bond and witnessed Em'ree comfort M'gann. J'onn, M'gann and Em'ree felt Baby almost collide with something, but brushed it off as a false alarm.[51]
J'onn attended Conner and M'gann's wedding. Before the ceremony, he listened as Black Canary explained her idea to set up a mental health sanctuary for the Justice League and its allies.[52]
Powers and abilities[]
Like all Martians, the Martian Manhunter possesses a lengthy number of abilities, including the following:[53]
Physical abilities:
Shape-shifting: J'onn is capable of shape-shifting,[54] which can be at the cellular level.[11] He takes the form of John Jones to show Superboy his Earth Identity.[1] He later takes the form of a Krolotean on a mission.[5]
Malleability: J'onn's malleability was copied by the android Amazo.[7] When controlled by the Starro-tech he shifts his body from back to front to apprehend Miss Martian who was sneaking up behind him.[33]
Healing:His shape-shifting allows him to heal faster than a human would.[54]
Camouflage:J'onn can change the appearance of his form(And his clothes) to bend the light waves around him to match with his surroundings,[55] making him almost—but not completely—invisible.[56][57]His chances of staying undetected are diminished if he is moving.[55][54]
Super strength:Like all Martians, J'onn has strength above that of a typical human.[54]Martians can augment their strength by focusing their telekinesis in their body and use it in a tactile way.[58]
Durability:Like all Martians J'onn's body is denser than a humans but not nearly as durable as a Kryptonian.[54] Martians may also be immune to human diseases.[59]
Density shifting (intangibility): J'onn is capable of altering the density of his body, which results in him being able to phase his body through solid matter [27]or become incredibly dense and difficult to damage.[58]
Mental abilities:
Telepathy: Telepathy comes naturally to Martians.[60] J'onn can establish a telepathic link with everyone in proximity, allowing for the sharing of thoughts and memories.[39] He used it to create a mental training simulation for the young heroes.[28]
Multilingualism: J'onn can speak Martian and English. He can also psychically translate languages. However, the Krolotean language was too complex with fundamentally different structure, that J'onn was unable to facilitate translation despite working for days on the task.[5]
Telekinesis: J'onn is capable of moving solid objects solely with the power of his own mind.[54]
Flight:By telekinetically moving himself, he can simulate flight.[54]
Equipment[]
Organic clothing: J'onn wears organic clothing that can change size, shape and colour in response to his mental commands.[1]
Weaknesses[]
Heat: J'onn can be weakened when exposed to direct heat or fire, or even a telepathic simulation of it.[33]
J'onn J'onzz is often considered one of the first Silver Age heroes. An alien stranded on Earth, he became a police detective until, one day, his fellow Martians would come get him. Especially in the Silver Age, he had a vast array of powers, often gaining new ones as the plot demanded it. Later appearances give him a more specific power set.
The costume that J'onn wears in the show is the second costume he wore in the comics. It was also the costume that J'onn died in during Final Crisis. J'onn was brought back to life during the Blackest Night crossover.
Young Justice marks J'onn's sixth animated incarnation. He has previously appeared in the DCAU (Justice League, Static Shock, and Justice League Unlimited), The Batman, Batman: Brave and the Bold, and in the DC animated moviesJustice League: The New Frontier and Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths.