REVIEW: ‘Absolute Martian Manhunter’ Issue 4

Absolute Martian Manhunter Issue 4 is published by DC Comics and written by Deniz Camp, with art and colors by Javier Rodríguez, and letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.

An immense heatwave threatens to tear a city apart as Detective Jones desperately tries to stop his marriage from falling apart.

The heat is now driving out problems that were bubbling under the surface. The ferocity of a hot, unrelenting sun is making the city angrier, leading to riots and violence. Said violence is pretty drastic, getting progressively more personal and vicious. It’s not just gang wars but neighborhood spats that have turned extremely violent.

There is a calm pace to the book, but it is unrelenting, powered by the roaring heat from the sun. It’s like the whole city and the people in it are slowly being cooked. The structure splits between Jones and the Martian, trying to stem the violence in the city, and the ever-growing resentment and anger from Bridget at home. Her isolation and hatred towards Jones get worse, mainly because he ignores her, right until it explodes.

Camp perfectly weights the mix between absurdism and domesticity. There’s the talk of Martians, but in the middle of that are humans and regular relationships falling apart. In this series, it’s difficult to determine what is being caused by human interaction and what has been influenced by an alien being. That confusion is fine because this entire comic is malleable. The level of the fight between Jones and Britney is incredibly intense, surprising by the end.

The dialogue is genius in Absolute Martian Manhunter Issue 4. There is brilliant narration. It’s delivered like a noir diary, beautifully expressed. It’s achingly poetic. It’ll discuss things the Martian is doing, with a matter-of-fact tone, but also as if Jones doesn’t fully understand yet. There’s text everywhere, not all of it intelligible. The Martian next to Jones is talking, making observations, and gibbering.

This can happen around major plot points and dialogue from the characters. Which is precisely the point. Jones is overwhelmed by everything, so he is struggling to focus on those most important to him. That strain is particularly harsh, and the heat has only intensified it. Jones’ blank personality is not only recognized by the reader, but also by his wife.

And here you get explosions of what he’s really like, but still contained within that numbness. And the exposition and history are expertly delivered, shouted in the heat of the argument that reveals more mystery and explains why Bridget feels so isolated.

The art continues to be mesmerizing as Absolute Martian Manhunter Issue 4 changes the landscape. The effect of the heatwave is captured superbly. Everyone is gritting their teeth and looking grouchy, with what looks like actual steam coming out of their ears. That personal touch of the art blends so nicely with the chassis and the weirdness. Jones has become comfortable with the Martian, and the giant creature molds itself around things.

The city has turned into a war zone. The residents also have guns and small metal soldier helmets. Whether these are affectations or actually there is unknown. When the words that Bridget wants to say are written on her face, they genuinely are. There is something close to a celestial quality to the issue as well. The Martians interfere with the sun, seemingly manipulating it. It’s mind-blowing and wonderfully enthralling.

The colors are so pivotal for telling the story. It unleashed the full force of the heatwave. A yellow and orange glow descends, sizzling those below. The people develop very red cheeks and become extremely hot at times, indicating that they reach beyond the boiling point. That yellow covers everything, inescapably suffocating and intense. There are still signs of those very prominent primary and secondary colors, sometimes exploding outwards as minds get blown. The lettering scatters text all over the page. That is exciting, because there are so many secrets and hidden thoughts.

Absolute Martian Manhunter Issue 4 is an extraordinary experiment in storytelling. Every page is a delight to read, featuring a unique technique or an innovative artistic idea. There is so much intelligence, but it can be followed, too. The domestic side is a terrific anchor, even if it’s planted in shaky waters. All of a sudden, despite the blank personality of Jones, we care about him now. And then the White Martian rears its head, and there are still questions about whether it’s real or not.

Absolute Martian Manhunter Issue 4 is available where comics are sold.