Absolute Martian Manhunter has never been a comic for the faint of heart. Writer Deniz Camp and artist Javier Rodriguez have something to say, and they’re going to get their point across whether you like it or not. This issue ramps up the political discourse, taking on modern society in a psychedelic explosion that will leave you desperate for the finale.
Title: Absolute Martian Manhunter #11
Creative Team: Deniz Camp (Writer), Javier Rodriguez (Artist/Colorist), and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (Letters)
Characters: John Jones, Bridget Jones, The Martian
Villain: Despair-the-Zero, The White Martian
Format: 12-Issue Maxiseries
Our Rating: 9.5/10 Stars
The Martian and Despair-the-Zero Clash In John’s Mind
John Jones, Despair-the-Zero, and the Martian are on the run, having narrowly escaped their government captors. The two aliens are battling for John’s thoughts, with Rodriguez rendering them like the devil and angel on your shoulder. He digs even deeper on a tremendous page two, showing John’s head with fragmented panels inside it, each one depicting different positive and negative thoughts the two aliens are trying to push.
We soon see Despair-the-Zero is winning the battle. He asserts how little we’re in control of our thoughts, contending that outside forces like poverty, racism, propaganda, and violence make our decisions for us. It’s a stark reminder of our own reality, and forces the reader to feel the same helplessness as John. The Martian can do little to fight back. He’s too distracted protecting John from the pursuing government agents. Rich greens, reds, and blues burst from the panels, wrapping the action in mind-bending color.
Bridget’s Escape Shows The Power Of Human Connection
Meanwhile, John’s wife, Bridget, is being controlled by the White Martian, who has possessed their son, Tyler. Rodriguez uses sinister white smoke to visually portray the White Martian dominating the household. Bridget’s thoughts are pacified, but they start drifting to her husband. Letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou uses the smoke emanating from her skull to cover John’s name in her thought boxes. It’s clear how the White Martian’s influence is muddling her mind.
It’s not all bleak. Camp contends that genuine human connection is still the best way to cut through all the noise. Bridget’s desire to find John leads to her escaping her house. She eventually finds him, crumpled on the ground after succumbing to Despair-the-Zero’s misery. She holds him tight in an emotional ending. It may seem like the villains have succeeded, but Bridget and John’s love is back. Maybe that’s what we need to overcome the odds.
Despair-the-Zero’s Challenge
I have to mention the brilliant cutout on page seven. Despair-the-Zero wants to challenge the Martian’s belief that most people are good by testing the readers themselves. With a mocking grin spread across his face, he dares you to tear along the perforated line, sparing yourself a page of gratuitous violence that has no bearing on the story. He wants you to prove you’re a good person. I wonder how many people took him up on his offer.
Absolute Martian Manhunter #11 is Camp at his most political. Despair-the-Zero infects John and the reader’s minds with intrusive thoughts, while Rodriguez wraps every panel in bursts of beautiful color and Otsmane-Elhaou uses white smoke to show the brain fog. The challenge of the cutout forces you to look inward. There’s one issue remaining. It is officially my most anticipated series finale of the year.
‘Absolute Martian Manhunter’ #11 Review: Our Minds Are Being Invaded
Absolute Martian Manhunter #11 is Camp at his most political. Despair-the-Zero infects John and the reader’s minds with intrusive thoughts, while Rodriguez wraps every panel in bursts of beautiful color and Otsmane-Elhaou uses white smoke to show the brain fog. The challenge of the cutout forces you to look inward. There’s one issue remaining. It is officially my most anticipated series finale of the year.
