While the Martian Manhunter, is nowhere to be seen. While Martian Manhunter may not have the following some of his compatriots do, one Justice League quote proves exactly why the DCEU needs its most famous Green Martian.
Martian Manhunter is a member of the Justice League, and one of the lesser-known figures in the group. As a shapeshifting telepath from Mars, J’onn J’onzz is indisputably one of the most powerful heroes in the League, yet he is also one of the smartest and most comionate. His unique perspective as a Green Martian and outsider serves as a tempering presence to the of the League, while his powers make him a feared force on the battlefield when push comes to shove. His recent on-screen appearances include Justice League Action and Zack Snyder’s Justice League.
In JLA: Classified #15 by Warren Ellis and Butch Guice, the League is facing a fearsome legion of mind-altering, hyper-advanced robots that have been wreaking havoc. As the League begins gaining the upper hand and cutting the robots down to size, Martian Manhunter drops a fearsome quote reminding the League’s foes exactly who they’re messing with. As the Martian so elegantly puts it: “We're the Justice League. We've beaten up real gods and made them cry. You are nothing to us.” This is after when in the previous issue, Martian Manhunter tells the president of the United States that since he’s a Martian, the president of a nation of Earth is not intrinsically special or important to him.
While J'onn is often depicted as an empathetic and caring soul in the comics and related media, Martian Manhunter knows he has a scary side, and knows how to play it up when the situation merits it. J’onn’s natural Martian form is intimidating enough, and coupled with his impressive roster of powers, he knows how to humble just about anyone. By playing up his inhuman form and powerful image, Martian Manhunter can be the most intimidating member of the League, and that can be a critical asset to deal with uncooperative government officials, or overly-cocky villains. Lastly, despite being such a fierce hero, J’onn is a genuinely caring person. He’s the heart of the team for a reason, and he’s a heart that can beat extremely fiercely. His perspective as a ferocious yet comionate outsider is a foundational pillar of the League.
The Justice League’s roster is a collection of some of DC’s mightiest heroes and these paragons of virtue have been getting their silver screen debuts in turn. While Martian Manhunter may not seem like an obvious pick for a feature-film, his quotes and demeanor in JLA: Classified prove exactly why he’s such a strong core for the group, and an integral part of a successful team dynamic.
