Thoughts on the Martian Manhunter in JLAnimated

[Toddman]

I've never really had a soft spot for the character, so I'm not really sure what to expect from him in the new series.

I read that the creators have "powered" him down quite a bit, which seems like a wise move. It would be redundant for him to have all of the Superman-like powers in the cartoon that he possesses in the comics.

But I wonder if he will have the same vulnerability to fire that he has always had in the comics. It seems a little old-fashioned to me, and I wonder how more sophisticated kids of the year 2001 will regard such a plot device (compared to the kids of 1955 when the Manhunter was created). The weakness has been delt with rather cleverly in more recent comic book stories about J'onn J'onzz, at one point it was even suggested that the weakness was a psychological one rather than a physical one.

The other thing that makes me wonder is the character's NAME. The name "The Martian Manhunter" seems too B-Movie sci-fi to me. Will they just call him "Manhunter"? I guess if they did that, though, it might lead to some confusion when they introduce the group "The Manhunters."

Along those lines, what about the name "J'onn J'onzz"? That gag works fine on the printed page, but unless they find a way to sneak a visual spelling of the name into every episode that he is in, new viewers will think this strange being from outer space is named "John Jones".

Any thoughts from you Martian Manhunter fans out there?

Toddman

[Lucho]

I read they will be keeping the fire vulnerability, and as you say tone down his Supermanish powers, Instead they'll focus on the things that make him unique, Morphing, fazing, and I think telepathy. It's seems more of an eerie and solitary take, as he will be the loner of the group with his actual home being the Watch Tower. Personally I approve and am glad he was included.
Also It seems the biggest departure from the books is that this MM has no EARS!.
Which again I think works well for this style, I just wonder how long before the book version changes?
Lucho

[Knight]

Im a Martian Manhunter fan and I must say I didn't like when I first heard they where powering him down (mainly the "martian vision" but I dont mind because he doesn't act like he's on Supermans level in the comics too much now a days anyway.

I'm sure the weakness to fire will be there eithier physical or pshychological because he's always had it in the comics and I don't see why they would take it away from him in his first real animated appearance. If you think the Manhunters weaknesses is bad what about Green Lantern (not sure about the animated version yet of course)being vulnerable to the color yellow?

Personally I've never had a problem with either Martian Manhunter or J'onn J'onzz which I always thought was pronounced "Jay-On Jay-Onzz" but I could be wrong. true it would still sound similar to John Jones , but the special attention being put on the "J's would distiguish it a little when said.

[Joe Tully]

I really think they won't have the Green Lantern's weakness, for one thing it's been eliminated in the comics, Kyle Rayner doesn't have that problem. I think that's pretty much their way of admitting that it was kinda lame. I mean, if the guy caught you in a bubble or something, you could get out by peeing on it.:) I'm not sure how interesting battles with Sinestro could be with that, I haven't read many of Sinestro's stories, but I think it would get irritating pretty quickly. I mean, if Sinestro just makes himself some yellow armor, it's going to be hard to hurt him aside from a few really creative uses of the ring (maybe throw big rocks and trees, create a green bomb or explosive that has shockwaves that damage the armor, blinding him with green light, maybe some kind of sonic gun). Hmm...maybe that could actually be interesting, seeing how clever John could be...But still, I think the weakness would make the story more annoying/less believable (even for guys who fly around with power rings)

After the Kryptonite weakness and fire weakness, the color yellow is pushing it a bit far.

[NewMaxFranklin]

I no next-to-nothing about this character, asside from what I learned from the previous posts. So excuse me if I sound like an idiot. I don't want to give the fans a bad taste in their mouths.

The vulnerability to fire sounds like a good angle to pursue. I'd make it both a psychological and physical weakness. He could be vulnerable to heat in general, because of being very cold blooded, or something. Plus, he may have an aversion to fire. Like Batman with guns. He may have been unable to save someone from burning to death and the sight of fire freaks him out.

His personality should be distinct. He can't be a boyscout like Supes. Or a brooding, loner like Bruce. I'd like to see him portrayed as a benevolent, philosophical character. If Supes is like Cyclops and Batman is like Woverine, Manhunter should be a mix of Xavier and Storm.

Anyone else think they should have redesigned the costume from scratch. I don't like it. I want him to have a costume that's alien, yet understated. Like he's a monk from outerspace, or something.

[Knight]

Originally posted by NMaxFranklin

The vulnerability to fire sounds like a good angle to pursue. I'd make it both a psychological and physical weakness. He could be vulnerable to heat in general, because of being very cold blooded, or something. Plus, he may have an aversion to fire. Like Batman with guns. He may have been unable to save someone from burning to death and the sight of fire freaks him out.


Actually I beleive his wife and children ( in the comics anyway) died in a Great Martian Fire on Mars along with everyone else on the planet (but I'm not really sure I'll have to check on that).

[kid_flash]

I'm a huge fan of J'onn, and I personally can't wait for his animated appearance. Although the Martian Vision has been a big part of the character since forever, I can see their reasons for leaving it out. I'm kinda disappointed their not making him as strong, but I'll get over it. As long as he has invisiblity, flight, super-strength, and ESPECIALLY telepathy, I'll be happy. And I do like that their keeping him in the Watchtower. That's another big part of the character.

[kid_flash]

Oh, and it is pronounced "John Jones."

[xbuilder]

Originally posted by kid_flash
Oh, and it is pronounced "John Jones."

You know I always thought that John should have been the Black team member. His look lends easily towards a proud African American and I think even in Human form John would lean towards being an outcast.

If that was the case we could have my favorite GL Kyle Rayner slinging the ring.

but John Stewart would be my second choice.

[optimal321]

Originally posted by kid_flash
Oh, and it is pronounced "John Jones."

Man, that could get confusing having two people on the JL w/ names that are pronounced "John." MM and GL.