Absolute Martian Manhunter #2 Review

In Absolute Martian Manhunter #2, Agent Jones slowly begins to piece together. The issue begins with a man named Trigger Taylor, who murders his parents, believing they’re infected by an alien consciousness. As the issue progresses, Trigger arms up and heads to another part of town, Little Damascus, populated by mostly Syrian immigrants, to kill everyone he believes is also infected.

Meanwhile, Agent Jones walks the city streets as the “green smoke” takes shape and gives him snippets of information. The entity isn’t from Mars but a part of the universe too far for humans to comprehend. It uses Mars as a placeholder for simplicity’s sake. The entity has come because Earth is under attack by another but similar race of aliens, which explains the global uptick in mental anxiety, rage, and violence. As the man and unseen entity move through the streets, it helps Agent Jones practice reading the minds of people they pass, seeing their deeds and misdeeds in the different colors of smoke that emanate from their minds.

Trigger reaches his destination and opens fire on random citizens. Agent Jones receives a call and races to the shooter’s location. When he arrives, the Martian invades the shooter’s mind and feeds Agent Jones enough information to keep the shooter busy pretending to be an old friend. Eventually, the Martian finds a nugget of distortion in Trigger’s mind and destroys it, returning Trigger to clarity. Sadly, an arriving police officer kills Trigger.

The issue ends with the Martian confirming Trigger was corrupted by a “White Martian” and Agent Jones beginning to make peace with his new partner.

How’s the Art?

What’s great about Absolute Martian Manhunter #2?

What’s not great about Absolute Martian Manhunter #2?

Beyond the obvious concerns about having a Martian Manhunter comic when the alien isn’t hunting men and isn’t from Mars, there’s a specific concern about the way this story plays out. It could be nothing, but given Deniz Camp’s track record, it bears watching.

From a few phrases used by Trigger, who he targets, and the description of the “infection,” Camp appears to be using this first mission as an allegory for American men radicalized to commit violence in the name of xenophobia. You pick up references to replacement theory and us-versus-them mentality. Plus, the choice to send a stereotypical, basement-dwelling, white male after a neighborhood with a heavy Middle Eastern population tips Camp’s hand that he’s trying to say something without outright saying something. 

In fairness to Camp, this reviewer could be reading too much between the lines. However, Camp’s past behavior is an indication of his future behavior, so we shall see.