Just Imagine – Trial of the Martian Manhunter! – MK Stangeland Jr.

(A JUDICIAL ENFORCMENT & PURSUIT OFFICER MK-OMEGA UNIT, the nanobot android better known as the ‘MARTIAN MANHUNTER’ was sent to EARTH by a totalitarian regime on MARS to hunt down and eliminate remnants of rebels who have sought refuge on the planet.)

(6 Panels)

Panel 1: High atop an under construction skyscraper, where MARTIAN MANHUNTER has located the leader of the Martian Rebel Refugees, JONN ZONJ’JU.

ZONJ’JU: Do what you will. I’ll die before I’ll betray the others.

Panel 2: MARTIAN MANHUNTER’s arm is extended, pointed at ZONJ’JU. The hand at the end shifts in an angular, square-like pattern as to ‘create’ a space gun in his hand.

MARTIAN MANHUNTER: JONN ZONJ’JU…

Panel 3: The gun in MANHUNTER’s hand has rotated around as he offers the weapon to ZONJ’JU.

MARTIAN MANHUNTER: …I HEREBY PLACE MY FATE IN YOUR HANDS.

Panel 4: ZONJ’JU is left speechless as he looks at MANHUNTER.

Panel 5: MANHUNTER continues to look at ZONJ’JU as he holds the weapon out, free for ZONJ’JU to take at any time.

MANHUNTER (1): MY TIME ON THIS WORLD HAS BROUGHT NEW REALIZATION TO MY OWN EXISTANCE.

MANHUNTER (2): DESPITE MY VAST VISUAL CAPABILITIES, I HAVE BEEN BLIND TO MY OWN REALITY.

MANHUNTER (3): DESPITE MY UNPARALLELED CAPACITY FOR CALCULATIONS, I HAVE NEVER TRULY THOUGHT FOR MYSELF.

MANHUNTER (4): FOR THE FIRST TIME I NOW SEE AND CALCULATE MY OWN ERRORS.

Panel 6: ZONJ’JU has the gun in his hand, though it is unclear what is going through his mind.

MANHUNTER (1): I HEREBY LEAVE IT IN YOUR HANDS.

MANHUNTER (2): I ASK THAT YOU GRANT WHAT THESE EARTHBORN REFER TO AS ‘FORGIVENESS’, THAT I MAY ATTEMPT TO ATONE FOR MY CRIMES AGAINST LIFE.

MANHUNTER (3): BUT I TRUST THAT IN YOUR OWN CAPACITY FOR REASONING YOU WILL ARRIVE AT THE CORRECT CONCLUSION.

(END PAGE)

Martian Manhunter - Women Are From Venus - Matt Duarte

Martian Manhunter in “Women Are From Venus” by Matt Duarte

Imagine this in a 50's art style. In my mind, this would be drawn by Darwyn Cooke.

Panel 1

Description: The door of an office, which reads “John Jones, P.I.” Inside, we can see a silhouette.

CAPTION: I don’t get it. This always works. They always fall for the damsel in distress act.

VOICE (from inside door): You MUST help me Mr. Jones, I fear my life is in danger.

Panel 2

Description: A woman in a striking black dress is sitting on a desk seductively, this is Ms. Swan (new character). Behind the desk sits John Jones (a.k.a. Martian Manhunter in his civilian identity), completely nonplussed by her.

CAPTION: I’ve done this a dozen times, always works flawlessly. Why isn’t he taking the bait?

SWAN: My ex-husband is a very jealous and violent man, and he has been following me around these last days. He may even be outside this building this very moment.

JONES: Ms. Swan, I assure you that you are in no danger. There is no one waiting for you outside this building.

Panel 3

Description: Ms. Swan is now grabbing Jones’ tie, pushing her face close to his. Swan is smiling, while Jones remain as unimpressed as ever.

CAPTION: Get the private investigators away from their office. Steal their confidential photos. Make profit.

SWAN: You don’t understand, Mr. Jones, I need protection and I’m willing to pay for it... handsomely.

JONES: I’m afraid that it’s you, Ms. Swan, who doesn’t understand. I don’t think we should enter any relationship, business or otherwise.

Panel 4

Description: Ms. Swan is now backing away from Jones, frustrated. There is an angry look on her face, looking away from him. Meanwhile, Jones is now smiling confidently still sitting behind the desk.

CAPTION: That’s it. I’m bailing out of this office and trying it somewhere else.

SWAN: It’s like you are from Mars and I’m from Venus, and the gravity of the situation is lost in the translation! I will find a more cooperative investigator elsewhere.

JONES: Ms. Swan, I assure you, my “Martian” brain can understand you perfectly. However, I can’t allow you to leave the room...

Panel 5

Description: Jones has stood up and grabbed Ms. Swan’s arms. She looks terrified, as if she had seen a ghost. Now it’s Jones who is putting his face close to hers.

JONES: Your extortion days are over. The police have already been alerted and are on the way here.

CAPTION: Impossible. How did he know?

CAPTION (green color): I have my ways, Ms. Swan.

The End.

Martian Manhunter – Targets – Ryan K Lindsay

1. Two trick-or-treaters walk down a street in Anytown, USA holding hands. One is dressed as Martian Manhunter, the other is Darkseid.

Caption: People say they want to be different.
Caption: They say they celebrate difference.
Caption: But it’s a lie.

2. A car speeds down the street coming from behind these two fun-loving characters.

Caption: Anything outside the norm is an aberration.

3. A young redneck leans out the window, his rat-tail flapping in the wind, a brick in his hand.

Caption: That’s how nature works.

4. The redneck has thrown the brick and we see it colliding with the back of “Martian Manhunter’s” head.

Caption: While people want you to believe that difference is what makes us individuals.

5. “Martian Manhunter” is on the ground, blood pooling out, “Darkseid” is reacting in horror.

NO COPY

6. “Darkseid” has removed his mask, it's still in his hands. He weeps openly.

Caption: Difference is actually what makes us a target.

Martian Manhunter – A Date With…? – Rol Hirst

Panel One.

J’onn J’onzz, in his human identity of Detective John Jones sits across a table from us in a welcoming diner. There is a glass of milk on the table before him along with a plate of Oreo cookies. Jones is not looking at us, his head is down – sad, but also a little embarrassed. He’s talking to a woman, unseen, sitting across the table where we are.

J’onn: I lost my wife a long time ago. Since then, I haven’t really…

J’onn: There hasn’t been… anyone else.

Woman: Maybe you just haven’t met the right girl?

Panel Two.

Wider shot of the diner. It’s night time, John and his “date” are the only ones present except for a waitress behind the counter who has fallen asleep with her face propped up facing a small portable TV set.

We’re watching this scene from further back than in the first panel, so we still can’t see much of the woman opposite J’onn – just the back of her head and her shoulders. She has long dark hair and is wearing a sleeveless black top.

J’onn: That’s what Boo… erm, Michael, my friend Michael, that’s what he keeps telling me.

J’onn: It was Michael who encouraged me… to join this... website.

Woman: You look like someone who’s seen a lot of pain in his life. A lot of… death.

Waitress: Zzzzzzzzzzzz

Panel Three.

Close on John. He’s feeling a little more confident, a little more comfortable. He’s looking the woman straight in the eye, a sad smile on his face.

J’onn: More than I could ever begin to tell you.

J’onn: Though, to be perfectly honest, it’s neither my grief nor my lack of experience that’s holding me back…

J’onn: If anything, I suppose you’d say… it’s prejudice.

Panel Four.

Exterior shot. The diner from outside. It’s raining. A taxi drives by, splashing water from the puddles. Though the diner isn’t particularly well lit, there is a warm cocoon of light around John and his date, marking them out as silhouettes in the window.

Woman: Oh, I know. People can be so narrow-minded, can’t they?

Woman: They get so wrapped up in how you look… or where you come from…

J’onn: Exactly.

Panel Five.

Close on John again… is he ready to confess all?

J’onn: Although I suppose I can’t really blame them.

J’onn: That is… if I were to show you how I really look… tell you where I really came from…

J’onn: I wouldn’t blame you if you never wanted to see me again.

Woman: Maybe you ought to try me…

Panel Six.

Reveal of John’s mystery date – it’s Death of the Endless. She’s smiling sweetly as she places her hand on top of his.

Death: I’m pretty much unshockable…

Death: That’s what my brother's always telling me, anyway.

Martian Manhunter - Whatever Happened To The Manhunter From Mars? - Maxy Barnard

The Premise: Everyone wants their favourite character to have that defining story, that salutes the past and closes off the character, that perfect ending with which you could put a story down and leave it forever. Alan Moore's classic "Whatever Happened To The Man Of Tomorrow" is the greatest example of this, a tale that took everything the pre-crisis silver age of old presented and made it into this nigh-perfect example of how to close out a tale, touching on everything you could want from such a story. And of course in recent years Neil Gaiman has thrown the same sort of concept out with his take on Batman ("Whatever Happened To The Caped Crusader"). So here's a single page from my ideal two-part tale to close off the world of the Martian Manhunter.

And it's a detective tale that spans both of his worlds, and the very concepts of identity, especially those in an immigrant from a dead race (that old ticket), and ultimately what it means to be that reliable figure in a team, gone forever.

So, enjoy this opening page in an imaginary tale, and tell me how pretentious that previous sentence was.

-------------------------------------------

#.1
We open on J'onn J'onnz's face, somber, with some small amount of sweat on his brow.

Caption: I am no longer alive.


#.2
Moving back we see more of the scene. J'onn is in a black void, posed in the 'Atlas Pose', holding two large and out of view spheres, which i'll describe when we come to them. Where J'onn's feet should be there are typical ghost wisps, trails coming from the legs as his form fades out.

Caption: I have been told that death would bring with it a release from all burdens. And yet...


#.3
And now the full shot. J'onn J'onnz is holding two large globes, one on each shoulder (something that should hopefully still fit the Atlas Pose). The globes are in no particular order, Mars and Earth. Both are gripped tightly, so tightly in fact that J'onn's fingers are cracking the globes, digging into the surface of each as he holds on to both of them. As a symbolic show of his strong ties to both of his homes, natch.

Caption: ... I am still held down under the weight of the things that truly matter to me.


#.4
From what I'd want to call a distant over-the-shoulder viewpoint we see J'onn stoop a little lower under the weight of the worlds, and a bit further in front of him (an admittedly difficult concept in a blank void, it must be said) a small white light has appeared.

Caption: If I only knew why this is so, and how I even came to be here, it would be easier. But--

J'onn: What is this?


#.5
The light is much bigger now, and within we can see J'onn's silver age John Jones personality, in full detective clobber, staring blankly out at J'onn.

J'onn: Yes... I can use this. One more time, to find out the truth, to solve one last mystery. To know...


[The next page, for those wondering, would be a splash featuring John Jones standing in a bustling Middletown, in November 1955, that fateful month where he was pulled to earth for the first time, used as the starting point for J'onn's spiritual self to explore his 'ultimate mystery', with, in the sky, the title WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE MANHUNTER FROM MARS. Because, I guess that's how this story starts.]

Martian Manhunter - Flashback - Ben Rosenthal

The panel layout is a little different for this one. Panel 4 should almost be a splash of the entire page. The remaining panels begin small within the page, Panel 1 being situated in the top left hand corner of the page. Panel two would b diagonally down from it. Panel 3 is slightly larger, taking up a fifth of the page. Panels 5 and 6 should mirror the size of Panels 1 and 2, with Panel 6 being the same size as Panel 1, and Panel 5 the same size as Panel 2. PANELS!

1. A large metal door which has just been slammed shut. A click sound effect can be seen from the metal handle.

SFX: Click.

2. A vent with gas pouring through it.

SFX: pshhhhhhhht

3. Martian Manhunter stands, however he is in his human detective form John Jones. He is dressed in your typical 1920’s depression era detective attire. To the side of him is a lady, also garbed in similar period clothing. The lady lays at John's feet, propping herself up on one arms, with the other covering her nose. She is beginning to become overwhelmed by the gas.

LADY

*cough*..We’re trapped John. *cough* *cough* Whadda we gonna do?

4. The lady’s eyes have widened as John Jones has begun to morph into the Martian Manhunter we know – tall and green. To one side of the panel John Jones should be standing. Then some transforming things happening, then show the Martain Manuhunter on the right hand side.

MARTIAN MANHUNTER (In John Jones form)

For an ordinary human detective, this door would be impossible to move.

MARTIAN MANHUNTER (In Martian form)

But not for the MARTIAN MANHUNTER!

(NOTE: The Martian Manhunter should be a logo design).

5. Martian Manhunter is using his heat vision to burn a hole through a door. We are seeing this from behind the lady, who is still on the floor looking up.

THOUGHT BALLOON (Lady)

He...he’s not a man at all...

6. A close up of the lady’s face. Her eyes are wide with fear.

THOUGHT BALLOON

He’s a monster!

J’onn J’onzz: The Martian Manhunter – Grounded: Part Forty-Seven – Sime McDonald

PANEL ONE
J’onn J’onnz and Superman are in space, looking down at Earth. Superman looks uncomfortable, his arms crossed, frowning. J’onn is smiling proudly as he gazes at his adopted home.

SUPERMAN (1)

(telepathically)

I know they look up to us for hope,

but I wonder whether they know how often we

look down on them for the same.

SUPERMAN (2)

(telepathically)

I should go.

PANEL TWO
J’onn is still smiling, but there’s a slight hardness to his expression now as he challenges his Kryptonian friend. Superman’s eyes are bulging in their sockets.

J’ONN J’ONNZ (1)

(telepathically)

Ah, yes.

J’ONN J’ONNZ (2)

(telepathically)

Your inspirational tour of America continues.

SUPERMAN

(telepathically)

It’s not ---

PANEL THREE
Superman’s expression softens.

SUPERMAN (1)

(telepathically)

I need to be down there on the ground with them, J’onn.

I’ve lost sight of the goodness of mankind, and I --

SUPERMAN (2)

(telepathically)

I need to find it again.

So I can find myself again.

PANEL FOUR
J’onn drifts in front of Superman, one hand placed reassuringly on his shoulder, the other pointing at the ‘S’ symbol on his chest.

J’ONN J’ONNZ (1)

(telepathically)

I don’t question the validity of your walkabout.

People think, because of who we are, because of what we can do,

that we don’t experience moments of doubt; crisis’ of confidence;

questions of faith.

J’ONN J’ONNZ (2)

(telepathically)

Of course, we do.

We’re as entitled as they are down there to experience a

maelstrom of emotions.

J’ONN J’ONNZ (3)

(telepathically)

But you’re a symbol, Kal-El.

PANEL FIVE
J’onn is prodding his finger into Superman’s chest, the S-Symbol taking centre stage.

J’ONN J’ONNZ

(telepathically)

Of truth and justice.

Of hope.

You inspire us to be better than we are.

To achieve more than we can.

PANEL SIX
On J’onn, his expression stern.

J’ONN J’ONNZ

(telepathically)

You want to see the best of mankind, Kal-El…

PANEL SEVEN
Pull back. Superman’s mouth is a hard line. We’re seeing some of that old steely determination.

J’ONN J’ONNZ

(telepathically)

(off panel)

… but is mankind seeing the best of you?

Why J'onn J'onzz, the Martian Manhunter?

I love J'onn J'onzz

But I don’t know a thing about him. Not really. Not like I do the majority of DC’s other Justice League Members. Oh, sure, I know he’s a Martian. From Mars, in case you were wondering. He loves cookies. Seriously; loves them.  I know his biggest weakness is fire. And I’ve been told - umpteen times - he’s the heart of the League. Seriously, if I hear that one more time...

Aside from that, though? He's a mystery. I know bits and pieces; snippets of his backstory. And yet, somehow, I care about J’onn J’onzz. He reminds me of that friend we’ve all had in our lives, who is loved by everyone. If I was on the Justice League – and I am sure it’s only a matter of time – J’onn would be my best friend. He’s so compassionate. So nonjudgmental. Chatting to him would be therapeutic. Plus, we’d have a lot in common. Fire’s one of my biggest weaknesses, too.

Y’know something, else though? Take away those character elements, strip him down to the bare bones, and what’ve you got?

You’ve got a Martian with badass powers, man.

Telepathy? Yup. Shapeshifting? You better believe it. Super strength? Uh, duh. What else? Oh, just intangibility. Invisibility. Heat vision. Flight.

And a little something called Martian Vision. Now, I don’t know exactly what that is, but comparing that to Superman’s X-Ray vision? His telescopic vision? Please. I know which vision power I’d want.

So, after Green Wake, writing J’onn J’onzz should be a cinch. He’s a complicated character, sure. There's a lot of continuity there. You want to deal with that, go for it. But he also provides the perfect canvass for a classic action-packed super-hero page; the kind that allows a writer the chance to forget the backstory and just write a fun yarn.

And after the depressing – albeit finely crafted, and possibly some of our best - scripts from last week, I think we could do with some good old fashioned super-hero goodness.

But as always, dear Thought-Ballooner, the choice is yours.