Absolutely Amazing – ★★★★
DC’s Absolute line of comics has so far been stellar, but their best comic may be here with Absolute Martian Manhunter. I shouldn’t have expected any less however, as the combination of Deniz Camp and Javier Rodríguez for the writing and art respectively seems like a recipe for success.
The book opens with the phrase “Why do people do the things that they do?” and repeats it throughout as we are introduced to FBI Agent John Jones as he begins to have a bit more than your average mid-life crisis after miraculously surviving a suicide bombing. Camp has already proven high concept writing in The Ultimates series with his ability to convey deeply moving or intriguing ideas with just a few lines of dialogue. From this, a starting point is created that throws heaps of questions at you, but rather than leaving the reader dazed and confused, it leaves you itching for more.
Ultimately, the most significant success of this first issue is Rodríguez’s art. That shows a deep understanding of the comic format beyond making colourful, absurd panels. The choice to depict Martian Manhunter’s telekinesis by having people’s thoughts be different coloured clouds of smoke is near genius and knots the art and the story tightly together. It also allows us to feel just as overwhelmed as Agent Jones walking as the bright oranges and pinks contrast against the cool urban backdrop.
Ending my gushing over this comic is the last page, which gives you an experience that is unlike any comic I have ever read before.
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