DC’s Absolute Universe kicked off with Absolute Batman in late 2024. Reimagining and modernising DC’s stable of heroes one by one, the latest character to get the Absolute treatment is Martian Manhunter. With this issue kicking off a six issue mini series, let’s check it out, and find out exactly what makes it so unique.

FBI agent John Jones, who works for the Stochastic Terrorism Task Force division, is involved in a terrible accident at work, and it changes everything for him. Are his suddenly heightened senses and synaesthetic visions the result of PTSD, or does he have a secret buried so deeply that even he isn’t aware of it?

Up to the release of Absolute Martian Manhunter #1, I hadn’t checked out any comics in the Absolute Universe line. That’s despite the critical and commercial success of the line so far; however, having seen some of the interior art (let alone that stunning cover!) from this issue, I couldn’t resist picking it up.

And I’m so glad I did; it’s a phenomenal comic, incredibly well written, with a truly intriguing premise and absolutely mindblowing art. The bursts of vibrant, kaleidoscopic colour and the experimental feel of numerous panels and pages makes this a truly intense, visually sumptuous experience.

There’s even a page which only truly ‘works’ if you have the physical copy of the comic, and it leaves the issue on one hell of a compelling cliffhanger. Though this aspect of Absolute Martian Manhunter #1 could easily have been added into the digital copy, I guess it’s a somewhat compelling reason for intrigued fans to get into a bricks and mortar comic book store to pick up the issue. It’s also been unreasonably hyped, so as impressive and fun as it is, do try to temper your expectations.

In any case, please do pick up Absolute Martian Manhunter #1 if you can; gimmick aside, it’s a superb read! Oh, and on the subject of that gimmick, it is fun and does make a physical copy worth having, so do pick it up IRL, as the kids say, if you can. Either way, if you do read Absolute Martian Manhunter #1, it’s sure to blow your mind too!

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