Writer: John Ostrander Artists: Tom Mandrake, Carla Feeny(c) Publisher: DC
Plot: J'onn hunts down the Martian criminals.
The one scene I really enjoyed in Martian Manhunter has little to do with the plot. John Ostrander reveals another of J'onn's identities. His feisty ace reporter Goldie Johnson is a treasure clearly patterned after Rosalind Russell's Hildy from His Girl Friday. A strong "woman" with an attitude that can plow through a brick wall, I found myself more interested with "her" interactions with her editor than the trite von Daniken meets Doctor Who plot.
Tom Mandrake also excels when depicting Goldie. He gives a very acerbic, doubting look to "her" eyes and a complimentary smug smile. "Her" body is as powerful as "her" personality, and "her" dress sense is a smashing success. Love the fedora.
As for the rest of the book, it's drivel really. Neither Mr. Ostrander or Mr. Mandrake has given one solid reason why the menace had to be green Martian criminals. Mr. Ostrander gives each of these characters individual super-powers which makes their Martian heritage of shape-shifting rather superfluous.
J'onn acts like a rank amateur. He should know how dangerous his people can be. The "surprises" in store for him would have been acceptable if these idiots weren't Martians, but they are, and their attacks should have been anticipated. It's not like he hasn't dealt with Martians before, or does this are of Hypertime fail to acknowledge Grant Morrison's JLA?
Mr. Ostrander to further confuse the issue opens a number of doors and tries to walk through all simultaneously. He suggests, the Martian colonists conducted genetic experiments on humanity and that these experiments blended in with humanity--which implies that any gift of humans to acquire power is Martian in origin. He also suggests the Martian colonists can transfer their minds into humans. He implies that the planet grew toxic for the colonists which I have to admit puzzles me since J'onn is still alive after being swept away by Erdel in the fifties. It's all a mess.
