The Onion Gives Props to J'onn J'onzz!

[Karkull]

In the new issue of the Onion A.V. Club -- the serious entertainment section of the humor periodical -- J'onn J'onzz is mentioned as an "underrated superhero" in an article entitled "The Underrated List." They had a nice write-up for him, and the image they use is of the lovely Justice League statue that came out a few years ago.

Because the magazine has language that some might find questionable, I'll reprint the J'onzz caption here. If you want to read the article, click here (http://avclub.com/content/node/41706):

Why? Pity poor J'onn J'onzz, sometimes known as the Martian Manhunter. While the general public knows Aquaman as a walking punchline, the image of J'onn's bald green head usually produces nothing but puzzled expressions. But he's been in comics ever since his introduction in the back pages of Detective Comics 50 years ago. A key player in every incarnation of the Justice League, J'onn is a leader with super-strength, telepathic powers, shapeshifting skills, a cool blue cape, and a soulful demeanor that would surely drive the lady Martians wild if he weren't sadly the last member of his race. Sure, there's that whole fear-of-fire problem (not to mention the fact that he seems to have died recently) but if his character hadn't been inconveniently exploring space when the Super Friends series was created, it's easy to imagine him being as common a household name as Batman or, um, Apache Chief.

The evidence: Bruce Timm and company have made excellent use of J'onn on the Super Friends-for-big-kids series Justice League and Justice League Unlimited. Or drop in on virtually any phase of the comic-book Justice League's existence, and it's clear that J'onn is the glue holding it together. Yes, even during the years when the group operated out of Detroit and featured such superstars as Vibe and Gypsy.

It's always great to see J'onn get a mention somewhere.

[ryeck]

In the new issue of the Onion A.V. Club -- the serious entertainment section of the humor periodical -- J'onn J'onzz is mentioned as an "underrated superhero" in an article entitled "The Underrated List." They had a nice write-up for him, and the image they use is of the lovely Justice League statue that came out a few years ago.

Because the magazine has language that some might find questionable, I'll reprint the J'onzz caption here. If you want to read the article, click here (http://avclub.com/content/node/41706):

Why? Pity poor J'onn J'onzz, sometimes known as the Martian Manhunter. While the general public knows Aquaman as a walking punchline, the image of J'onn's bald green head usually produces nothing but puzzled expressions. But he's been in comics ever since his introduction in the back pages of Detective Comics 50 years ago. A key player in every incarnation of the Justice League, J'onn is a leader with super-strength, telepathic powers, shapeshifting skills, a cool blue cape, and a soulful demeanor that would surely drive the lady Martians wild if he weren't sadly the last member of his race. Sure, there's that whole fear-of-fire problem (not to mention the fact that he seems to have died recently) but if his character hadn't been inconveniently exploring space when the Super Friends series was created, it's easy to imagine him being as common a household name as Batman or, um, Apache Chief.

The evidence: Bruce Timm and company have made excellent use of J'onn on the Super Friends-for-big-kids series Justice League and Justice League Unlimited. Or drop in on virtually any phase of the comic-book Justice League's existence, and it's clear that J'onn is the glue holding it together. Yes, even during the years when the group operated out of Detroit and featured such superstars as Vibe and Gypsy.

It's always great to see J'onn get a mention somewhere.
Awesome. Thanks Karkull. In case anyone had any doubts, of course I am very happy to see this mentioned. Just look at my avatar :D

Oh, and Karkull, love the updates on "The Watchtower". In fact, I dig your site so much I have it bookmarked in with my Favorites on my computer.

[Sue]

It's nice to see a non-comics site praise J'onn as opposed to either mocking him or wondering who the hell he is. Thanks for the link Karkull :cool:

[FALLEN ELDOR]

My sister's boyfriend grew up in the Super Friends generation so he didn't have any clue as to who Martian Manhunter was when he began watching justice League with his kids. Not uncommon to be sure! What's so great is that he once said to me that J'onn is his favorite character. :)

[A.J]

I didnt know anything about the Martian Manhunter when I first saw JL. I had no idea who he was nor where he was coming from. It was just some green alien for me when I wacthed Secret Origins.

However, today, he is one of my favorite heroes and I wouldnt like JL or JLU without him in the League. I hated when he was assigned to monitor duty, mainly because he was an excellent fighter in many JL battles (except some certain Season 1 episodes). I am happy for his recently twist on the show (Another shore) and I cant wait to see where this goes. However, I do believe he still needs some more spotlight in general, so more people could know about him.

[Sirkenz17]

You have to hand it to the people at The Onion, at least when it comes to stuff comic-related, they know more of what they're talking about (case in point, MM).:zim:

[Bones Justice]

Wha...? How could they not mention David Ogden Stier's (Major Winchester from M*A*S*H) brilliant performance as the Martian Manhunter? :D

[Anwar]

Bout time someone gave him some respect, we're talking about a dude who's on the same power tier as Superman and Captain Marvel.


Sucks that Mark Waid made him a mental cripple (due to his power level) in KC so he could do the Cap/Supes fight without interference...

[Silly McGooses]

Wha...? How could they not mention David Ogden Stier's (Major Winchester from M*A*S*H) brilliant performance as the Martian Manhunter? :D
David Ogden Stires....wha???
I'm sorry, is this a joke that I am not getting or did this happen in something I haven't heard of?

[Simpler Simon]

David Ogden Stires....wha???
I'm sorry, is this a joke that I am not getting or did this happen in something I haven't heard of?
There was a pilot for a live-action JLA series produced around 97...which notably featured Stiers as the Martian. I love the guy's work, but he just doesn't have the....physique to pull off a green guy wearing spandex. Takes J'onn's Oreo obsession to a whole new level...

[Silly McGooses]

...wow...that does sound bad. I have to research this, I'm surprised I haven't heard of it.

[superfriend]

A key player in every incarnation of the Justice League ...Any JLA comic fan worth his salt knows that J'onn took a leave of absense for the ENTIRE satellite era. He 'quits' in JLofA issue 71, and heads off the develop "new Mars". The team moves to the satellite HQ in 78. His appearances in that era are minimal at best.

#100. J'onn appears in one or two panels.
#144 He gets props in a flashback story in ("The Origin of the JLA - Minus One": read it!).
#177 & 178. His next appearances.
#200. He pops in to complete the original roster in an awesome story (read it!)
#228,229,230. He comes back to Earth. for good in the story that destroys the satellite and ends that era of the League. He rejoins the team in the following story (note the aliens here were originally the white martians, this is retold in the current continuity in JLIncarnations #4, with a different alien menace).

That's 230 - 71 or roughly 160 issues or 13 years where he wasn't a member.

(J'onn also appears in DC Comics presents #27 where Superman goes to new Mars to see him.)


Or drop in on virtually any phase of the comic-book Justice League's existence and it's clear that J'onn is the glue holding it together...

Although a member during the International years, Blue Beetle was the soul of that team.