Martian Manhunter #8 - DC

This issue wraps up the Martian Manhunter mini-series. It was . . . ok. It just wasn't my cup of tea. Basically Jonn gained everything . . . and nothing. First of all he showed the world the bastard that Keane was. Of course he had help from Rio. She provided him with all the proof he needed. But in accepting it, he had to let her walk away, " . . . this is how the world works. You give something, you get something." He also found Till'all, and talked some sense in to him. They form an uneasy alliance, but as the story progress' they begin to trust each other more and more. He also finds out that the one behind all this, the one that brought the White Martians here, the one who was a Green as he . . . . was Sara. Well actually, she calls herself Cay'an. And she's a Green bitch with some attitude. And a pretty nifty costume too! Meowww! Sorry . . . but . . . she's hot. Well . . . except for her head. Anyways, she blames Jonn for the destruction of their homeworld, and for all the loved ones she lost. She knows that it was actually Jonn's brothers fault, but, she feels that Jonn should have anticipated what was going to happen, and . . . . take him out. His unfortunate decision, is his crime. They lose Cay'an, but Jonn and Till'all continue to talk and work together. John even takes him to meet his friends in the JLA. Like I said, overall it was an ok series. I thought AJ Lieberman put together a pretty decent story. A little complicated in a few spots, but overall pretty decent. And the artwork of Al Barrioneuvo was pretty impressive. This is a guy, who I think, hasn't reached his full potential yet, and he's already pretty damn good. I also don't think he gets enough credit. I think this is going to be an artist to watch. The blurb kinda' hints that Jonn may be doing something with the Outsiders next. Guess we'll have to wait and see.

Martian Manhunter #7 - DC

Ok, all of these Martians that Jonn has been trying to help, all seem to have turned on him. Apparently there's something in the Martian physiology that, if they believe something strong enough, they will resemble it. So basically, if they truly believe they are a cow, they will look like a cow. So, even though they're White Martians, someone made them believe, down to their core, that they were Green Martians. But, then they apparently shut off the programming. So now they've basically woken up from a dream, and since they're actually White Martians, they're in their usual murderous rage. And since they don't know what's going on, and Jonn is there, they think he is responsible. So now Jonn, is trying to take them down, without hurting them, so he can get them to calm down, explain things, and find out who is responsible for this travesty. Well he's not having much luck with that. The only person he can think of that may be doing it is Keane. But, when he confronts him, by blowing up his house with him in it, he finds out that he's not a Martian, like he thought, he's human. So, I'm thinking that Rio has something to do with it, but I don't really understand what. But, we only have one more issue, so it should all be wrapped up them. It's actually a very good story by Lieberman and Barrionuevo.

Martian Manhunter #6 - DC

I really do like this story. I think A.J. Lieberman is doing a great job with the story. And, I really like Al Barrionuevo's pencils. They're fantastic. My only problem is that the story is a little convoluted. There's a rat in the midst. But I could've told you that from book 1. There's also some involvement by the white Martians, but we don't know the full extent yet. And I could've told you that from book 1. What we don't know is exactly what the experiments the DEO were running on them. We also don't know why they wanted to pull Jonn in to it. I mean they obviously knew that if he found the medallion that he would want to know where it came from. And with a little digging, and his incredible resolve, it wouldn't take him to long to figure out where it came from, or that he would be compelled to release the others. So then, why did they need him to do that? They probably needed the Martians taken out of that lab for a reason, but why? And what does the virus that wiped out their planet have to do with any of this? Well there's only 2 issues left so they're going to have to fill us in sooner or later. Nice cliffhanger ending also. Jonn is chasing Dal'en as he tries to flee, but Dal'en turns in to his true white Martian form and has Jonn by the throat with his tail. Only 2 issues to go.

Martian Manhunter #5 - DC

I really like this book. I like that job that Lieberman is doing on the script. And I really like Barrionuevo's artwork. I mean, just look at that cover. That's how good the whole inside is also. I do have to say though, that the story is getting a bit complicated. That's not necessarily a bad thing. But it is a little hard to keep up. Somebody in Jonn's refugee group is a traitor. And somehow Scorch is involved. But we don't know how yet because Jonn can't find her. Also the one that died, was carrying the plague that wiped out Mars in the first place. So we're not really sure if the Govt. developed it when they had them captive, or if he already had it. Also the young martian of the group, is really looking up to Jonn. He/she (?) really idolizes him. And since he/she is a part of that refugee group, she probably knows some stuff about the others that Jonn's not privy to. And now, on top of all this, we have a kind of interim Justice League, put together at the request of the Govt., chasing Jonn down too. Jonn has a captured Govt. employee, Mr. Giggs, that he's trying to get information out of. But, at the end of this issue, he thinks he gets free, only to come across the one that I think is the traitor. So he may not be long of this earth. Good story, with lots of plot twists. It's just a little out of focus for me right now. But I still like it.

Martian Manhunter #4 - DC

I really do like this book. I find the Martain Manhunter complex, but intriging. I also really like the creative team. A.J.Lieberman writes some well thought out stories. They're intricate, detailed and flow very nicely. I also like Al Barrionuevo's artwork. Especially with Bit doing the inks. I really feel that each penciller has an inker that really compliments the work, like no other can. With Barrionuevo and Bit, I can see and feel what their hard work is trying to produce. I really liked this writer/artist team when they were on Gotham Knights. But I really feel like they've kicked it up a notch with this book. Now for the bad news. As much as I like it, I also have to say, it's just not a story that grips me. I want Jonn to be triumphant. But, I find it hard to buy in to, or really care about the rest of these Martian characters. The rest of the story, the plot line, the conflict, the antagonist and protagonist, I get. But, the only 2 characters that really interest me are Jonn and this Ms. Ferdinand. She's the one that seems to be out to get the Martians back, or kill them. She's the one that met with Alex, right before he was killed. But other than these two, the others are just smoke and dust floating around in our peripheral vision. Maybe next issue, when some of his JLA teammates show up, things will heat up a bit. And, I'm sure I'll keep buying the book until it's finish. Mainly just because I want to see how the story ends. But I'd really have a hard time recommending it to anyone else.

Martian Manhunter #3 - DC

This is another series that really shows a lot of potential. First of all it's done by A.J. Lieberman and Al Barrionuevo. For those unfamiliar, they were last seen on Gotham Knights. A series that I don't feel should've been cancelled. But, as evidenced there, and is seen even more here, their storytelling abilities take dramatic stides with each and every issue they produce. They're rapidly becoming masters of their crafts. Basically, Jonn has found 5 other Martians that were being held and experimented on. Actually, these 5 are what's left. As I said they were performing some really inhumane experiments, so we don't really know how many they started with. There appears to be 2 groups fast on their trails. One Govt. based and one non. Also, somehow the White Martians are tied up into this, but we don't know how exactly yet. Finally, at the end of the issue, we learn that the Dept. of Homeland Security, is putting together their own Justice League to go after Jonn, and the people he's responsible for freeing. It includes Black Canary, Zatanna, Green Arrow, Vixen and the Green Lantern. The depth of character development and interaction the A.J. puts into his stories, is phenomonal. You really feel as if you're getting an understanding for what these characters are thinking and feeling. And you can definitely feel their frustration. And Al's pencils really do get better and better. This is an 8 issue mini, and I'm sure any future plans will depend on the buyer's response to it. I for one, am hoping that it moves on. But, I guess that's up to you.

Martian Manhunter #2 - DC

Ok, the story is starting to come together for me. A few weeks ago, an amulet fell from space. The guy who found it, although altruistic, is also a conspiracy nut. So when someone from the Govt. shows up asking about the object they tracked, he clams up and pretends to not know what they're talking about. This gets his friend, who is there at the time, killed. Somehow Jonn finds out about it, I think through his telepathic report with all things Martian, and comes and talks to the guy and sends him off to England, where he says he will be safe. He's not though, because as soon as his plane takes off, someone blows it up. Jonn then finds an underground facility, where some of his fellow beings are being held. 5 to be exact. But, there are also 5 more empty suits. So the other 5 were tortured, or experimented on, or whatever. As they're trying to escape, the troops come rushing in, so Jonn has to cloak them all to hide their presence. This works, however, when in such close proximity of their captors, his fellow Martians use their telepathic abilities to take over the soldiers and make them shoot each other. This book is brought to us by A.J.Lieberman and Al Barrioneuvo. They're the same team that brought us the final issues of Batman: Gotham Knights. They work very well together, and the artwork in these issues is exceptional. Now I guess we'll see how the world handles 6 super powered Martians.

Martian Manhunter #1 - DC

First of all I have to admit that I've never been a huge fan of the Martian Manhunter. I liked him in the JLA, but that's all I really needed of him. This series may change that. We'll have to see. First of all it's brought to us by the team that did a long stint on Batman : Gotham Knights, Lieberman and Barrionuevo. These guys mesh together perfectly. Apparently there's a group, I wouldn't say Govt. because I don't think they are, however they do have some Govt. connections, that has captured a green Martian and are doing tests on him. They've had him long enough that they have him implanted, to keep track of him should they need it, and to develop a psionic weapon based on their technology. Both of which scare John Jonzz. In the Brave New World comic he had found the Kuru Pendant from his homeworld. That is what originally put him on this quest to find the being who had brought it, for it meant that he was no longer alone. Well the Martain breaks out of where he's being held into the streets of NYC. Scary even if you're from this planet. John finally catches up to him only to see him killed in front of him. Having read Lieberman's work in Batman, I know that this story is going to stretch out for a while. He likes to give us bits of information at a time, without giving up to much of the big picture. But, it'll be a fun, interesting ride. It's only a 6 issue mini, so we'll see how this one pans out.