Review – Absolute Martian Manhunter #3: Into the Fire
Absolute Martian Manhunter #3 cover, via DC Comics.
Ray: This is by far the most offbeat of the Absolute books so far, and also one of the most intriguing. There are no signs of connections to a larger DCU, and it's street-level in a deeply surrealist way. We're just alone with this strange, haunted detective and the Gumby-esque psychic imprint of a Green Martian who's hitching a ride in his brain and giving him color-coded psychic powers. But now, the martian is giving John Jones hints of something horrible to come – a White Martian bound for Earth, with sadistic plans for the planet. And it seems to be manifesting in horrific crimes. After last issue's racist mass shooting, things only get worse when a homeless man is burned to death – by someone who's not sure why they did it. And making things worse, 23 other homeless people are killed in the same manner, at the same time, with the motive being a complete mystery even to the culprits. Dark fire. Via DC Comics.
Deniz Camp is doing a great job of combining some surreal elements with crimes that feel all too real. The targets – Syrian refugees, street homeless – are exactly the kind of victims who often fall through the cracks, and Jones' doggedness when investigating even confuses his partner in the field. As the arsons escalate, targeting other people around the city, it becomes clear that there's a theme to whoever – or whatever – is doing this. As John's visions escalate and the colors become more surreal, the situation at home grows more and more strained, and the psychic imprints he gets of his wife sort of tell the tale. The story here is great, but it wouldn't work half as well without Rodriguez's surrealist art – the jarring use of colors makes us feel as disoriented as John does, and that's an experience that's hard to get in comics. This book is an experience in the strangest way possible.
To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.
GeekDad received this comic for review purposes. Liked it? Take a second to support GeekDad and GeekMom on Patreon!
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