Justice League of America #12 (DC)

via Comic Book DB

writer: Matt Kindt
artist: Eddy Barrows

I love Martian Manhunter as a character.  He's the perfect counterpart to Superman, the alien who can't (or won't) hide himself as just another human.  He's a big green, bald dude.  He's the outsider who in his best stories does better X-Men stories than the X-Men ever did.

Recently DC has been rereleasing some of his solo adventures.  His one and only ongoing series to date came about in the wake of Grant Morrison's JLA nearly two decades ago, and these John Ostrander/Tom Mandrake tales are finally being collected.  There's also a collection, out of print, from a mini-series that was released nearly a decade ago.

Since the New 52 launch, Martian Manhunter has been a featured player...in team books.  For some reason he was inserted into the new Stormwatch, and he was one of the notable figures in Justice League of America, which has recently relaunched as Justice League United, with him as one of the few connecting elements.

As I've followed reactions to Forever Evil, I couldn't help noting how little fans seem to enjoy what the New 52 has been able to sustain as its strongest feature, which is a strong focus on character.  Forever Evil, and what I've read about how this particular series tied into it, wasn't just about villains triumphant, but forcing the heroes to prove themselves all over again, which is to say, give us an opportunity to explore them once more.

Such is the case with this issue, naturally, which of course focuses on Martin Manhunter.  His stories tend to be a lot more psychological in nature, playing with the question of identity.  As he battles Despero (the big pink alien with the third eye and the fin), there are flashes of the true Martian form, and an interlude about a Martian legend.

The issue also features Stargirl (who was the first character Geoff Johns ever wrote for DC, and in fact his creation) as Martian Manhunter reflects on her budding career (which is a constant theme with her, a perpetual reminder of a new generation), and writer Matt Kindt does a fine job of juggling both.  This may not be the greatest issue for either character, but it serves as a reminder that both have the potential for greatness.

And I love that Martian Manhunter still gets moments like this.