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On this day in 1955 within the pages of Detective Comics #225, Martian Manhunter – aka J’onn J’onzz) first came to life for fans.
In a story written by Joseph Samachson (who also penned adventures for Batman, Sandman, and Green Arrow), readers first met the Martian telepathic peacemaker who was the last of his people and found himself transported to Earth. The issue was illustrated by Joe Certa, and “The Strange Experiment Of Dr. Erdel” had the manhunter stepping into a teleportation beam which strands him on our big blue marble of a world. As the mythology grew, J’onn eventually had the Martian taking the name of John Jones and serving as a police detective in Middleton, USA where he could continue his crime-fighting duties in relative solitude.
As tends to happen these days in the world of superheroes, the Manhunter has been fortunate enough to appear in several live action projects. Actor Phil Morris took up the mantle aboard the WB’s long-running Smallville show, enjoying a run that stretched over ten different episodes. Also, actor David Harewood did the last surviving Martian justice throughout the entire run of Supergirl on The CW. Additionally, actor Harry Lennix filled in the heroic shoes – albeit briefly – when the character made a late appearance aboard Zack Snyder’s Justice League in 2021.
Given the fact that the Martian Manhunter has been around now for decades, it can be challenging to point out anything by way of trivia that might seem novel or truly tickle the fancy of fans near and far; but in my research one thing has risen to the top. It was within the pages of Martian Manhunter #24 that readers and their Martian peacemaker came face-to-face with what some have dubbed his “Choco Cookie Madness” when fellow Justice League International members Blue Beetle and Booster Gold stole their teammates supply of favorite cookies. Lo and behold, such deprivation turned the Manhunter into a hulking destructive creature who tore up the city streets in search of his beloved snack. Eventually, Batman learned that Chocos actually behaved like a narcotic in the Manhunter’s digestive system; and the team helped their comrade overcome the addiction for the betterment of his self and mankind as a whole.
So … Happy birthday to the Martian Manhunter … and here’s to many move!
-- EZ