Created in 1955, J'onn J'onnz (pronounced "John Jones"), the Martian Manhunter, is a member of DC Comics' flagship team, the Justice League. He has appeared on and off in Justice League titles since his creation and despite his obscurity as a character he has made numerous appearances outside of the comic books as well.
Shapeshifting in Animation
J'onn J'onnz is one of the core of seven heroes who form the Justice League in the animated series of the same name, voiced by Carl Lumbly. When the series shifted to Justice League Unlimited, the Martian Manhunter became the team's strategist, spending most of his time in the League's orbiting headquarters, the Watchtower. From the Watchtower he assessed threats and assigned teams of heroes to deal with villains and natural disasters, rarely taking part himself.
In several episodes, J'onn faces the ugliness of humanity and eventually separates from it by cocooning himself in the Watchtower. Finally, he resigns from the League, only to return in the series finale to aid the League one last time.
In The Batman, the Manhunter is the driving force behind bringing Batman into the fold of the Justice League in season four of the show. With the voice provided by Dorian Harewood, the Martian Manhunter returns in season five of the show to help Batman deal with a returning alien threat.
Justice League: The New Frontier deals with J'onn's origins as both a superhero and a detective, taking the character back to his roots in the DC Universe. Miguel Ferrer provides the voice. One largely ignored aspect of the character, his strange costume of shorts or briefs, suspenders over a bare chest, boots and a cape is finally pointed out in The New Frontier when another character remarks "It's okay. But real men wear pants."
Live Action
In the 1997 pilot of the Justice League, respected actor David Ogden Stiers of M*A*S*H fame, was cast as the alien shapeshifter. In full costume, Stiers portly form was obviously not suited to a superhero role, despite his best efforts. Fortunately for Stiers, the show was never picked up as a series.
Actor Phil Morris is the latest person to take up the mantle of the Manhunter, this time on Smallville. Morris's Manhunter appears to get fledgling Superman, Clark Kent, out of trouble when the younger man gets in over his head. So far, the character has not formed an alliance with the other Justice League members who have appeared on the show.
James Richardson - James Richardson is a freelance writer of fiction and non-fiction. He is the resident critic and recap writer of the television show LOST ...
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