Absolute Martian Manhunter

For this entry in the Absolute line, which reimagines the backstory for classic heroes, Camp (the Ultimates series) and Rodriguez (the Defenders series) offer a fresh and resonant take on Martian Manhunter, the perennial Justice Leaguer. FBI agent John Jones shares a mind with a green entity with one ruby eye. The alien's "Martian Vision" reveals the thoughts and feelings of everyone around him in tendrils of swirling, psychedelic smoke. "Breathe in, BREATHE IN," exhorts the Martian, whom John glimpses in myriad forms emerging from the background of page designs. The playful storytelling dazzles, as the Martian's mercurial appearances prove a continual pleasure and surprise--while the familiar plot of a hero overwhelmed by humanity's needs is enlivened by Rodriguez's kaleidoscopic urban smoke-scapes. (Many pages would look great displayed on head-shop walls.) John acclimates to his dual-mind state, relying on Martian insights to solve crimes and bring to an end active-shooter standoffs. Along the way, he endures both a heat wave viscerally captured in Rodriguez's scalding yellows and a blackout that finds citizens' shadows encouraging wrongdoing. Unorthodox layouts force readers to untangle layers of reality, and it's a joy. Comics fans whose bottom line is beauty and spirited formal invention will relish this celebration of the narrative freedoms offered by the form. (Nov.)