Absolute Martian Manhunter is published by DC Comics under their Absolute line and produced by writer Deniz Camp, artist Javier Rodriguez, and letterer Hassan Othmane-Elhaou.
DC’s Absolute Martian Manhunter finally makes its long-hyped return from hiatus this month with issue seven. Originally intended as a six-issue limited series, the public feedback and sales numbers were so robust that DC made the correct decision to transition the title into an ongoing series. While the initial six issues felt like a complete, self-contained story—witnessing J'onn and the Green Martian seemingly defeat the White Martian—issue seven faces the daunting task of building upon that epic and esoteric conclusion. The question is: does it deliver?
Issue seven picks up three months after the climax of the previous arc. The world is now living with the consequences of universal "euphoria" and total mutual understanding. While this was initially considered a blessing, we quickly learn it has become a curse; when everyone knows everyone else’s secrets, society begins to fray. Furthermore, the issue reveals that the White Martian may not be as dead as we were led to believe—and it may be inhabiting J'onn’s own son as its new host.
How Did We Get Here? Absolute Martian Manhunter #1-6
I will lay my cards on the table: I absolutely adored the first six issues of Absolute Martian Manhunter. It was exactly my kind of book, reading more like a high-concept indie comic than a standard release from the "Big Two." With its exploration of the complexities of human emotion and its vibrant, "new wave" color palette, the series felt deeply reminiscent of indie classics like Ghost World. It is clear that the creative team took heavy inspiration from that era of alternative comics.
One of my biggest takeaways from that initial arc was the deliberate ambiguity surrounding the Martians. Deniz Camp masterfully kept the reader questioning whether these beings truly existed or if they were the manifestations of a profound mental breakdown. While the finale overtly confirmed the White Martian as a literal, tangible threat, the journey remained grounded in that "unsure" quality. It ended on a high note—memorable, existential, and sweeping in its conceptual scope.
What Comes After? We Need To Talk About Issue Seven
Issue #7 faces the incredibly difficult task of justifying its own existence. If the initial story felt complete, what more could this world offer? Is the book doomed to live in the shadow of its first arc? While it is too early to answer those questions definitively, I believe issue seven is a worthy follow-up. Deniz Camp successfully sows the seeds for a compelling next chapter.
Comparing the writing to where we left off in August, I don’t think Camp has missed a beat. A prime example occurs when J’onn asks the Green Martian to show him his origin. The reader is treated to an esoteric and visually mesmerizing history of the Martian color spectrum—a sequence designed to be intentionally difficult to comprehend.
It is this specific style of writing that makes the series feel cosmic and grand, yet somehow deeply relatable. To me, it feels as though Camp is using the Martian mythos as a metaphor for the human psyche. I’m certain there are scholars of the medium with more complex theories, but it feels as if Camp has tapped into a deeper understanding of consciousness than the rest of us. Of course, the credit is shared equally with the incomparable Javier Rodriguez. His ability to visualize these grand, abstract concepts is what makes the book work. DC struck gold by pairing two creators who share such obvious chemistry and a unified vision.
The Art of Separation
The writing in this issue brilliantly depicts the "fallout" of separation. You can feel the characters' palpable loneliness and their longing for one another, even as they intellectually accept that their distance is for the best. From the fantastic opening dream sequence—which immediately calls the status quo into question—to the somber scenes of the characters living their isolated lives, the emotional stakes remain high.
A highlight of this issue is the return of the ingenious "Martian Vision." This visual device perfectly captures the fragmented, multi-dimensional way J’onn perceives the world, turning his sensory experience into a narrative tool that heightens the reader’s sense of his alienation.
I suspect the reveal of J’onn’s son as the new host for the White Martian will delve deeply into the trauma of parental separation. We know the White Martian preys primarily on emotional instability; the boy's vulnerability following the loss of his father makes him the perfect, tragic target. Where this series goes next is still up in the air, but Deniz Camp has laid substantial groundwork here. I truly hope this return continues to justify itself, as the potential for a masterpiece is clearly present.
The Art of Absolute Martian Manhunter
The art of this book works beautifully in tandem with the writing. As I stated before, I adore the chemistry between Deniz Camp and Javier Rodriguez. The "New Wave," Roy Lichtenstein-inspired aesthetic adds a deeply personal flair that separates this title from any other Absolute book—and, frankly, any other major comic on the stands today. I could pick a random page from issue seven with my eyes closed and likely want it framed on my wall.
The standout moments for me remain the visceral, high-concept origin of the Martians and the somber, minimalist depictions of isolation. Rodriguez proves he is a master of contrast, capturing both the loud, bombastic cosmic scale and the quiet, lonely poetry of the human (and alien) condition.
But does Javier Rodriguez maintain the energy of the original six-issue run? In my opinion, absolutely. The art doesn't just keep pace; it ups the ante. I honestly cannot wait to see what visceral dreams Rodriguez conjures up next.
The Final Verdict
All in all, this is a brilliant comeback for arguably the most poetic and interesting comic currently being printed by one of the "Big Two." Comic fans owe it to themselves to jump on the Absolute Martian Manhunter train before it’s too late. With the first trade paperback—collecting the initial six-issue arc—having just been released, there is no better time to catch up on this psychic masterpiece.