Absolute Martian Manhunter #7 is a Hauntingly Beautiful Return (Review)

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Like many fans, I’ve been eagerly awaiting the newest edition of Absolute Martian Manhunter. While DC Comics’ Absolute line has been very popular, Deniz Camp and Javier Rodríguez’s comic truly stands out. Though Absolute Batman and Absolute Wonder Woman are excellent, Absolute Martian Manhunter generated a lot of buzz, becoming one of the best-selling graphic novels in November. Its success led DC to expand what began as a short, six-issue series.

Four months ago, the first big story arc of the series ended. Detective John Jones and his psychic partner, the Martian, had a major fight with the White Martian – the Martian’s complete opposite. They fought the White Martian and the people it had taken over, and John was able to connect with his feelings, which helped the Martian fight back using powerful empathy. However, despite everything, the White Martian survived by secretly taking over the body of John’s son, Tyler.

Rating: 4.5/5

PROS CONS
Amazing continuation from previous arc More introspective than action-packed
Stellar art as always Definitely requires familiarity with story

Absolute Martian Manhunter #7 is a Poignant Return to Form

Issue #7 of Absolute Martian Manhunter by Camp and Rodríguez picks up a few months after the last issue. The town of Middleton is still reeling from the White Martian’s attack, which caused everyone to experience a shared vision of each other’s thoughts and feelings. This has left people feeling embarrassed and ashamed. Beyond the town’s collective trauma, personal lives are also in turmoil. John and his wife have separated, and while the details are unclear, it appears his confession about a psychic parasite significantly damaged their relationship.

John has returned to his job at the FBI after being fully cleared of any involvement in the White Martian’s attack, though he’s now stuck with desk work and under constant scrutiny from a distrustful colleague. Despite wanting to move on, John receives a warning from the Martian: the strange activity in Middleton is a sign the White Martian is back, secretly planning an even more devastating attack on humanity.

Absolute Martian Manhunter’s Second Act Improves Everything Fans Loved

Fans often rave about Absolute Martian Manhunter for good reason – it’s a truly exceptional story focused on character development and features incredibly imaginative visuals, making it one of the best books in the Absolute line. Writer Camp and artist Rodríguez continue to work brilliantly together. While I enjoy the exciting action in titles like Absolute Batman, Absolute Martian Manhunter really stands out for its ability to convey deep, human emotions in a concise twenty-page format.

What really makes this comic work is John – he’s a compelling character. Even with an alien psychic war happening around him, all he wants is to rebuild his life. The story truly explores how difficult it can be to be emotionally open. John’s confession about the Martian led to the end of his marriage, and the shared minds of Middleton’s citizens have left everyone feeling embarrassed and disconnected. Honestly, each issue feels like a deep therapy session, making me think about my own feelings and relationships.

I absolutely love Rodríguez’s artwork. The choice to wait for him to return, rather than have someone else temporarily take over, was definitely the right one. His art really adds to the emotional impact of the story. And for those curious, there’s a new ‘Martian Vision’ page – a cool effect where two pages combine when viewed with a light – but this time it’s used to emphasize Jones’ strained relationship with his family, making his struggles even more powerful. Both artists are really delivering their best work with this new story arc.

Absolute Martian Manhunter #7 delivers everything fans have come to expect from this series: it’s strange, emotionally challenging, and surprisingly beautiful. It’s unusual for a comic to evoke such a wide range of feelings, and this issue continues that trend. If you’ve been enjoying Absolute Martian Manhunter so far, you’ll love this one. And if you’re new to the series, now is a great time to start reading!

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2025-12-24 18:42