Is Martian Manhunter Headed to the DCU?

Is Martian Manhunter Headed to the DCU?

As a gamer with over two decades of DC comics fandom under my belt and an unhealthy obsession with Martian Manhunter (J’onn J’onzz, to be precise), I am beyond excited about the prospect of seeing him finally get his due in the upcoming DC Universe. The teaser of Chocos, his beloved snack, has certainly piqued my interest and set my heart racing.


As a diehard DC fan, I can’t contain my excitement about the upcoming DC movies and TV shows set to drop over the next few years! The dynamic duo, James Gunn and Peter Safran, currently leading DC Studios, have promised an exciting mix of familiar favorites and unexpected twists from DC comics. Their lineup already includes a host of characters and titles for their new DC Universe, which has already sparked quite a buzz among fans like me!

In a unique twist to Martian Manhunter’s character, his fondness for Chocos has become an integral part of his persona, dating back to his appearances in the 1980s Justice League International comics. This love for snacks has also been incorporated into media outside of comic books, such as hints on Smallville and allusions in last year’s Blue Beetle movie. Although J’onn J’onzz hasn’t been officially confirmed to appear in any upcoming DC Universe projects, it’s possible that Chocos could be used to subtly introduce him to the audience.

Indeed, that brings up an entirely different query on how exactly Martian Manhunter could be integrated into the DC Universe. As of now, with the first new project from DC Studios yet to debut, numerous possibilities remain. It’s possible that the DCU could subtly include J’onn among its characters, only to later unveil him as the secret shapeshifter superhero. This tactic has shown varying degrees of success in shows like Smallville, Supergirl, Zack Snyder’s DCEU, and even the Justice League of America TV movie. One could argue that such a twist would fit well in almost any confirmed DCU project so far, whether live-action or animated.

In simpler terms, it’s possible that the DC Universe (DCU) might introduce Martian Manhunter without any unexpected twists, considering the direction the franchise appears to be heading. The upcoming Justice League, under the control of businessman Maxwell Lord, hinted by Superman, could imply the existence or future appearance of the Justice League International team. Given J’onn’s importance in this potential team, his introduction could differ from his previous live-action portrayals. Similarly, the DCU might incorporate Martian Manhunter, a founding member of the Justice League in both pre-Crisis and post-Crisis continuities, into the new live-action timeline.

In addition, the new DC Universe appears to offer opportunities for introducing Martian Manhunter as a character on the verge of becoming a prominent hero, possibly even starring in his own series. J’onn’s past as a private investigator or police detective, notably in Steve Orlando and Riley Rossmo’s 2018 Martian Manhunter maxiseries, could pave the way for another space-oriented detective story, complementing the upcoming Lanterns TV series. Furthermore, it is speculated that Gunn and Safran’s vision for the universe may lead to an adaptation of Darwyn Cooke’s cherished comic miniseries DC: The New Frontier, given their “Chapter One: Gods and Monsters” subtitle mirrors that title. Since Martian Manhunter plays a crucial role in the original storyline of New Frontier, it’s not unreasonable to expect him in a potential live-action version. However, as Gunn and Safran’s DCU is expected to be full of surprises, we can only guess whether Martian Manhunter will indeed be one of them.

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2024-08-24 07:39