HBO Max's Zack Snyder's Justice League introduces a brand new character to the DCEU with a long, significant history in the comics: the Martian Manhunter. Though he doesn't play a major role in the movie, he's been a major part of the Justice League and in DC Comics history going back to the Silver Age.
The Martian Manhunter is in many ways as important a character as the evil Darkseid in the greater cosmic mythos of DC Comics. But outside of comic book fans, people may not know a lot about him or his long unique history through several decades to the modern-day.
Silver Age Hero
The Martian Manhunter first appeared prior to the formation of the Justice League in the comics. He debuted in Detective Comics #225 in November 1955, co-created by writer Joseph Samachson and artist Joe Certa. J'onn J'onzz was a green-skinned alien from Mars, pulled to Earth by an experiment of Earth scientist Dr. Saul Erdel.
In one version of the story, J'onzz lost his memories and was given a backstory that drew from sci-fi classics like the Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Samachson was a science-fiction writer outside of comics, writing 'pulp' stories for Galaxy and other magazines in the 1950s, including a novel that took place on Mars.
One Of The Original Members Of The Justice League
The Martian Manhunter played a role in various comics until he became a founding member of the Justice League in the 1960s. He's with the team in their first appearance in The Brave And The Bold #28. This issue established him as one of the seven original members of the team, including Superman, Batman, Aquaman, Flash, Green Lantern, and Wonder Woman.
He then appeared with the team in the ongoing Justice League of America #1 in October of 1960. A story in issue nine of the series established how the team came together, uniting to fight back an invasion of Earth by the alien Appellaxians.
Evolving Powers
Like many of his Justice League of America peers, Martian Manhunter's power set evolved over time. His powers morphed almost from the beginning, with his Martian superstrength and stamina augmented by precognition a few issues after his debut. He then later added the ability to fly, as well as telepathy and telekinesis.
His most significant addition came in the form of 'atomic vision,' or 'Martian beams,' which allows him to fire red energy from his eyes not unlike Superman. He is among the most powerful DC superheroes in the comics and would be among the most powerful in the DCEU.
Shape Shifter
The Martian Manhunter's most significant power is the ability to shapeshift. This allowed him to remain on Earth in the guise of a human being for years before acknowledging his identity publically after joining the Justice League.
As a member of the Green Martian race, he can assume virtually any physical form he sees. He also occasionally grows an extra pair of arms that he uses in combat. He's also able to form weapons out of his hands and limbs. Martian Manhunter can augment his size as well.
John Jones
Batman is often cited as the world's greatest detective, but he has a serious rival in the Martian Manhunter. When J'onn J'onnz first became stranded on Earth, he took the guise of human detective John Jones in the city of Middletown (later Middleton in revised continuity following events like Crisis On Infinite Earths).
His extrasensory prowess as a Martian, like super hearing, smelling, and vision, made him such a great detective that Batman noted him as an 'amalgam of Batman and Superman' in his private files, revealed in the 2005 comic Justice #1.
Not Always The Only Martian
His evolving backstory changed quite a bit over time. Originally, J'onn J'onnz was simply from Mars, stranded with no way home. Then it was revealed that all Martians had died of a deadly plague, and he was the last survivor. That changed again with the introduction of other Martians, not notably Miss Martian.
M'gann M'orzz is a White Martian, a more war-like race than the peaceful Green Martians, and she has been a member of the Teen Titans in the comics. She has also been a prominent character in the CW Arrowverse Supergirl television series.
Obsessed With Oreo Cookies
One of the most unique and fun things about the Martian Manhunter is his obsession with Oreo cookies. This fun quirk was established in the late '80s when the Justice League comic was revamped. The series relaunched in 1987, with plots by Keith Giffen, scripts by J.M. DeMatteis, and art by Kevin Maguire.
This series took a much more humorous tone than earlier versions and in many ways every other comic at the time. DC eventually renamed then 'Chocos' in the comics to avoid any copyright issues with the famous Oreo cookies.
Zook
One of Martian Manhunter's earliest partners in the comics was a tiny alien named Zook. He probably wouldn't rank among the best superhero sidekicks, though he was a part of the hero's life for a long period of time. Zook first appeared in 1963, in Detective Comics #311.
Zook was a being from another dimension that wound up on Jade Island on Earth, after coming through a dimensional portal. He encountered Martian Manhunter there and they became fast friends. Zook fell out of fashion in the comics but was referenced in the Justice League animated series as well as an episode of Supergirl.
Blood Rivals With Malefic
Martian Manhunter's past and character would continue to be embellished over time. Eventually, it was revealed that Malefic, the twin brother of J'onn J'onzz, was the creator of the telepathic plague that destroyed their people in the past, known as H’ronmeer's Curse.
Malefic (an abbreviated form of his true Martian name, Ma'alefa'ak) survived in the ruins of Mars and later came to Earth. He first appeared in 1998 and was co-created by writer John Ostrander and artist Tom Mandrake.
Dwindling Presence In The Justice League
The Martian Manhunter is a tease in Zack Snyder's Justice League, which is reflective of his general lack of prominence within the team in the comics. Though a major member from the start, essentially because early on DC Comics didn't want to feature Superman and Batman regularly in the title, he's lost his post on the team to newer members.
With the New 52 reboot in 2011, he was replaced by Cyborg, traditionally a member of the Teen Titans, but now a major member of the League. Martian Manhunter remains very connected to the team though, and depending on continuity, eventually joins up or works with them.