Martian Manhunter
| Martian Manhunter | |
|---|---|
The Martian Manhunter as seen in promotional art for JLA: Secret Origins (January 2013). Art by Alex Ross. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Detective Comics #225 (November 1955) |
| Created by | Joseph Samachson Joe Certa |
| In-story information | |
| Full name | J'onn J'onzz |
| Species | Green Martian |
| Place of origin | Mars |
| Team affiliations | |
| Partnerships | Wonder Woman Miss Martian Plastic Man Superman Batman Vixen Aquaman Manhunter |
| Notable aliases | John Jones Gold Hunter Hank Henshaw Bloodwynd Calvin Swanwick |
| Abilities | See list
|
Martian Manhunter (J'onn J'onzz) is a superhero in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer Joseph Samachson and artist Joe Certa, the character first appeared in the story "The Manhunter from Mars" in Detective Comics #225 (November 1955). A roster member of the Justice League of America, he is one of the seven founding members and a reoccuring member for many incarnations and derivatives.
A green-skinned alien from Mars, he is accidentally teleported to Earth and is among the last living members of his species. Motivated by tragedies that include the loss of his own family and species, Martian Manhunter becomes a superhero and protector of his adopted homeworld. While among the most powerful of superheroes on Earth, J'onn is often marked for his wisdom, gentle character, and idealism in pursuing justice, making him an ideal leader and voice of reason in iterations of the Justice League.
He has also been featured in other DC Comics products, such as video games, television series, animated films, and merchandise like action figures. In live-action, the character first appeared in the television pilot Justice League of America, played by David Ogden Stiers. He also appeared in the series Smallville, played by Phil Morris, and in the Arrowverse series Supergirl, played by David Harewood. Harry Lennix played the character in the DC Extended Universe, under the guise of General Calvin Swanwick, in the films Man of Steel (2013) and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), with Martian Manhunter's true form appearing in Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021).