Kistler's Martian Manhunter Files

OUR HERO IN A NUTSHELL

J'onn J'onzz (whose name means "light to the light") was born thousands of years ago on the planet Ma’lecaandra, a world that Earth people would later call "Mars." The Green Martians were one of the oldest races in the universe, enemies of the warrior race of White Martians who shared their planet. The Green Martians had much influence with the Guardians of the Universe (who formed the Green Lantern Corps) and with the celestial race known as the New Gods. They also created the clone race of red-skinned Saturnians.

J'onn was a family man, deeply dedicated to his wife M'yri'ah and his daughter Kh'ym. Like all his people, he held two roles in society, being both a philosopher and an agent of his planet's police force, the Manhunters of Mars. He lived faithfully by the Martian Manhunter code: "Once begun, to walk the path, to pursue the prey, to never turn aside, short of death, until justice is done."

After watching his entire civilization (including his wife and child) die from a telepathic plague, J'onn wandered the planet alone for centuries. In 1955, a human scientist named Erdel performed an experiment that accidentally transported the last Martian Manhunter to Earth.

Still a peace officer in his heart, J'onn couldn't help but do his best to protect his new home from evil forces. Thanks to his Martian heritage, he is gifted with incredible strength, speed, flight, telepathy, optic force blasts (called "Martian vision") and complete control over his body's physical state and density. His only weaknesses were fire, his own sense of compassion, and his deep-seated love for Oreo cookies (later referred to in the comics as Choco cookies for legal reasons).

With his shape-shifting abilities, J'onn assumed the role of detective John Jones and later established various other identities around the world in order to learn more about humanity. For a brief time, he acted in the guise of a human super-hero called the Bronze Wraith, working alongside a short-lived group called the Justice Experience.

Many years later, the debut and widespread acceptance of Superman convinced J'onn that Earth was ready to know about aliens and so he went public as the Martian Manhunter. Noticing that many super-heroes were based in the U.S. and Europe, J'onn made it a point to focus his efforts on the rest of the world. In Asia and Australia, he was considered as important and inspirational as Superman himself.

Along with his solo career, J'onn has been a cornerstone of the famous Justice League of America, since he not only helped found the team but has served as a member of nearly every incarnation of the group. Centuries old and a teacher at heart, this somber yet witty detective helped train and guide many younger heroes. Superman and Batman have often deferred to his experience and keen insight.

In recent years, J'onn realized he is not the last Martian. There is his psychotic twin Malefic, dedicated to the destruction and enslavement of all life. There is the heroic M'gann M'orzz, a White Martian who has forsaken the war-like ways of her people and has tried to be a hero on Earth as the green-skinned Miss Martian. And there are other Green and White Martians hiding on Earth, many of whom are villainous and corrupt.

Ready to learn more about this character, including his fate in the story Final Crisis? Then read on.

History of the Martian Manhunter

Martian Manhunter in Media (coming soon)