DC's Absolute Universe Is Great, But Here's How Martian Manhunter Will Make It Even Better

Warning! Preview pages ahead for Absolute Martian Manhunter #1!It's early yet, but I seriously think DC Comics' upcoming series Absolute Martian Manhunter is going to take the new line to the next level. Everyone's been loving what they've seen from the Absolute Universe so far, but something really special is on the horizon.

Darkseid's death created the Absolute Universe, a more trying world where DC's heroes' lives have changed in radical ways. With a working-class Batman and a witchy Wonder Woman, it's been a solid line of comics. But in just a few short weeks, DC Comics is about to debut its new Martian Manhunter, and it may end up being the book that truly defines the Absolute Universe.

Deniz Camp Gives Sneak Peek at Trippy New Martian Manhunter

Absolute Martian Manhunter Creator is Making Big Promises for New Absolute Series

WhileAbsolute Martian Manhunter is still about a month away from release, writer Deniz Camp took to the social media site Bluesky to discuss his upcoming limited series. Over a series of posts, Camp walked readers through the premise of his book, which focuses on detective John Jones, who's mind is invaded by an alien consciousness. Camp reveals that Johns gets caught up in a cosmic war against “invaders of pure mind” as he struggles to keep his family together amid the chaos he’s discovered.

Camp describes the series as “a psychological scifi thriller with a body-horror buddy cop twist”. He also claims it’s for fans of ‘elevated superhero comics', much like Grant Morrison’s Animal Man and Doom Patrol, along with elements of Venom and Parasyte. The writer also digs into the themes of the book, saying it touches on ideas like “terrorism, crime and punishment, the nature of reality, good and evil, and free will”. Camp also mentions this will be an ambitious title that has an extra surprise for those who read the first issue physically rather than digital.

Along with Camp's commentary, he posted an unlettered preview of the series' debut issue. The preview follows John Jones as he investigates a mystery before being caught in an explosion. Jones' world becomes haunted by a shifting mass of colors as he tries to bond with his family, unsuccessfully mind you. The colors seem to follow Jones wherever he goes, disturbing his personal life greatly. Camp complimented Absolute Martian Manhunter artist Javier Rodríguez’s pages, calling him a genius and saying that the book “feels and reads like nothing else on the stands today”.

I Think DC Comics' Next Series is About to Blow Everyone's Minds

Absolute Martian Manhunter Looks Like It's Really Raising the Bar

I'll admit, I'm a huge DC stan and I get excited about upcoming books quite a bit. But I've been really impressed by what the creative teams behind the Absolute Universe titles have done so far. While it's been cool to see heroes with gimmicks like Wonder Woman being raised in Hell or Superman coming to Earth as an adult, the one thing I will say is they're not that unfamiliar from the versions we know. They're facing greater odds, no doubt, but the Absolute heroes don't try to deviate too far from their Prime DC counterparts.

Camp and Rodríguez’s Absolute Martian Manhunter, on the other hand? This book looks absolutely wild, and I'm thrilled to see how different and weird the creative team is getting here. I'll admit I'm not quite familiar with Camp's work, but I've heard great things about his new Ultimates series. Plus, he seems to get what the Absolute Universe is doing and is pushing it further than the previous titles. And, as a big Grant Morrison fan, I'm not exactly hating how he likens his book to Animal Man or Doom Patrol.

Just look at the art that Camp previewed here. It's mysterious, it's weird, it's relatable, yet inhuman. It takes the best elements of Martian Manhunter's lore and creates something completely new. Camp is really pushing for this book to be a must-read for the Absolute line, and I have to admit, it's working for me because I really want to know what he means by the "fun, unique extra" that comes with the physical copy. I’ve liked what I’ve seen from the Absolute Universe so far, but I think Absolute Martian Manhunter is going to seriously raise the bar.

The Absolute Universe is Only Getting Better with Time

Who Knows What Other Innovation Will Follow?

I was a bit skeptical when I first heard about the Absolute Universe, but it's been a hell of a ride so far. I'm glad to see creators flexing their creative muscles to give readers both old and new something that's ambitious and experimental. We're not even a year into the Absolute Universe and already people like Camp and Rodríguez are pushing the limits of what this line can do. It may be early, but I do think Absolute Martian Manhunter is about to be a major hit for DC Comics.

Absolute Martian Manhunter #1 is available on March 26th from DC Comics.

Source: Bluesky