I always liked that J'onn ends up with an older woman. Someone who's also lived a long time, not as long as he has clearly, but long enough that she maybe understands his loneliness.
J’onn has always been my favourite Justice League member, I’m sad he’s not as mainstream as he was in the 2000s and 90s. There’s great potential and he’s one of the most tragic characters in dc comics, we need more Manhunter.
Honestly, I cannot believe I am saying this but I recommend that you watch _Supergirl_ the TV series if you have not done so already. They nerf the hell out of him and he obviously takes a backseat to Supergirl but he really has a great arc in that show.
lets be honest with how incompetent many writers are now its best he is left alone. The only good superhero writers working right now are the ones on the superman and lois tv series and john favaro (iron man) if he took an interest. Writers today would lean heavily into the alien aspect and tie that into racism or illegal immigrants in a lazy way smh
Honestly, i still cry in that Christmas episode in the end with J'onn. The fact he's in his Martian form, he's humming the carol he heard the night before, and hes petting the Kent's cat. He's content. Right there, he doesn’t feel the need to be Martian Manhunter, be anything but himself. He's in a world that is still foreign to him, but happy, just where he is, at a friend's home. Its so beautiful, something that maybe I just miss. To be happy, and not feel the need to be someone else.
He's not just singing a carol, he's singing a song of his people, in his own language and in his natural form without any shame or barrier shielding him from his trauma. It's him at his most open and vulnerable, truly a gift for the Kents to have him trust them that much.
Also, remember the cat was terrified of him when he first met it, and now it's contentedly sitting on his lap being petted. It's seen behind his appearance to the "true" person within. Even now that he is in his true form, which is probably even more alien looking to the cat than the old one, it's not afraid.
I always thought that J'onn feeling the most lonely made the most sense. He's a psychic species and probably comes from a culture where everyone is far more connected than we could imagine. That loss and disconnect would be a massive roadblock in connecting with earthlings, where even the psychicly gifted would value separation and privacy.
Probably also bolstered by the fact he routinely sees the literal worst of humanity, despite constantly being in the watchtower, surrounded by heroes. He's literally the eyes in the sky, pretty much watches all the carnage happening around the globe all the time. It makes a lot of sense he'd feel isolated, especially with what you said too
Growing up as someone autistic, I felt a real connection with how the Martian Manhunter's loneliness and identity were explored in JL and JLU. More importantly, he gave me a model to follow for how to build a community around you, even as an outsider. He exemplified how to build and maintain relationships with people who are incredibly different from you, and most importantly, how to accept help from the people who care about you. As I get older, I always think about J'onn's journey to discover his identity and purpose and it gives me the strength and inspiration to press onwards as a fellow outsider. I feel so blessed that I got to grow up in a time where I could have such a hero to look up to. This was without a doubt my favorite video so far from this channel.
He understood that he couldn't save people while being so disconnected with them, in order to make Earth a home worth protecting, he needs to feel at home on Earth. He'll always be an immigrant, but embracing people will make him feel welcomed. He'll always be a lone survivor, but having a life here, he won't be alone He'll always be different, but living among humans he will understand that everyone is different Thanks for the video, man
Thanks for this video. It's sad J'onn is barely acknowledged now compared to the early 2000s. Ever since he was replaced by Cyborg as a founder of the Justice league, he doesn't get as much love as he once was. I'm glad he got a lot of love due to the Arrowverse, though they did him dirty a few times. I really do hope we keep getting more of him.
*Martian Manhunter to me is one of the most fascinating members of the JL and perhaps DC's most underrated hero.* Seriously he is such a multi-faceted character whose gone through a tragic life despite being so powerful in his shapeshifting and telepathy that even Superman fears his powers. It is such a crime that he never really gets enough focus without being tied to the Justice League, he deserves his own project and more focus in the spotlight. Hopefully, he can get a project in James Gunn's DCU
I agree, I hate that his story lines aren't given as much attention as they once were. I'm glad the Arrowverse was able to put some love back into the character.
Yeah because he has so much potential because I thought of there are these individuals that want the Martian Manhunter to join because that John is not the same glory and admiration as the other members are getting so he starts developing doubt.
@@leargamma4912He made the Guardians of the Galaxy, Peacemaker and Suicide Squad all household names all with complex, three-dimensional, and emotional characters and stories that pulled on people's heartstrings. I think he'll do wonders with a character like Jonn, besides I'm sure he'll bring in another director/writer to handle Jonn with care.
A generation truly honored us with their gifts of storytelling……. and they have now gone to the stars. I do not know if subsequent generations will ever adopt their lessons, but your video honors them. Well done.
Some will. Some won't. Some will never know of the stories told at all. But I believe the generations that grew up with these shows will carry those stories with them even without realizing it while creating a whole new one.
@@danielthedudeI can confirm this, I've studied storytelling of the past, and have been using what I've learned in the development of my comic over the past half decade
J'onn always played well off Superman. They have similar origina but very different perspectives. I think it was great idea for the Tomorrowverse to put J'onn in Superman's first movie. Superman, who sees the good in humans because he was raised by good people. And J'onn trying to learn about humans from a more outsider perspective.
I really loved the Christmas episode and Clark’s Family welcoming him. Also Clark being a wholesome dork. Martian man hunter being more isolated in the background for a few seasons in unlimited was great
"One of the consequences of loneliness and implicit vigilance for social threat is a diminished capacity for self-regulation." Well shit, that explains some problems I've been having lately.
This hits me personally, and particularly today, in a good way. J’onn was always one of my favourite members in JL/U, but I never fully knew why. This helped me figure it out. I’m an introvert, and I really struggle with putting myself out there. Today I missed out on something because of that and already regret it. But worse? I don’t feel I have anyone I can talk to about it. I never realised how much I can relate to J’onn’s position sometimes. However, it’s nice to have this help deal with that, show that it’s ok and you can do something about it - but you need to make that choice to do it. Ultimately I think that shows why JL/U is such a good super hero show, it works for people outside of the show, not just the ones in it. Sorry for rambling, thank you to anyone who read all this
Hey there. You have us. Nerds stick together, so you're among friends. Struggling to put yourself out there can really kneecap your ability to experience what life has to offer. That means the good and the bad - and the fear of the bad usually leads to social paralysis. But you'll end up regretting letting life pass you by, I promise. Movies and comic books and TV shows will always be there for you to return to, but people and experiences won't. That's part of why media is so comforting - Goku and Superman will never tell you to leave them alone. But they also can't wrap their arms around your body and comfort you when you need it. People aren't perfect, none of us are, so disappointment and conflict are inevitable, and getting hurt is sometimes the only way to move forward by learning a lesson the hard way. But missing out on the highs for fear of the lows isn't worth it. Martian Manhunter found friends on Earth. They're a rich orphan, a poor orphan, a mythical woman, an African-American veteran, a double agent, and a chadbro. Two of which are also aliens, one of which is also the last of his kind. How? Because they all are united by a common goal, not necessity because they're all so similar. Maybe your journey is to find your own Justice League, where you stick together through it all. Maybe it's to have your own Bat-Family, where the marks you leave on each other stay forever, even after you all move forward and it drives you apart. Maybe your future is still for you to decide, and you get to choose what your journey is for. Hope this helps. Better luck next time, Matt.
As others already said, J'onn is underrated and really deserves more recognition. I've always saw him as kind of an interesting counterpart to Superman, something that got lost when they booted him from the founding members of the League in the comics :/
When J’onn came back near the end of JLU I flipped out! That was one of the best scenes, even when the old man turned into a red dragon I was like “who is that?”. So used to him making all his monsters green, and it definitely caught me off guard the first time!
Man, yeah i practically screamed when i see the old guy shapeshift(i was a bit skeptical too though, but literally the second they show j'onn i need a solid minute to compose myslef). I love J'onn so much man, i just want to hug him :,)
Martian Manhunter has such a beautiful story. I related to him a lot. Sure Superman lived a life feeling like an outsider, but he grew past that, because he was at his core, human. But Martian Manhunter's inert alienation and loneliness are really relatable.
I've always liked J'onn. He's the heart and soul of the league, and I can empathize with him. I'm a half breed, half white and half hispanic... neither side of my family sees me as anything other than the other side. Too dark to be accepted by the white side, but not mexican enough for the other. So I'm kind of always in limbo with my family. And even the people that know me, usually only see a Mexican, but my mannerisms, speaking patterns, and the like are southern American, with "y'all" passing out of my mouth pretty frequently. J'onn is the perennial outsider, until he accepts himself, and even if he wasn't with someone romantically he'd have been in a much better place than before. Even if Wally is my favorite character in the show (next to Booster Gold ™), J'onn makes the show a better thing than without him. In fact it would be less of a show.
Gotta thank the JL animated series for pretty much making Martian Manhunter and the Flash the Heart of Justice league. Like I just love John’s story of finding his new family in the justice league and being a reliable guy who tries his best to support/help his new family
I know it didn't need to be said, but one of J'onn's episodes that always stood out to me was the one where Morgan le Fey tries to turn J'onn against the league and Earth in general but offering to use the unlimited magic in a powerful artifact to restore Mars. In the end while we can assume Morgan was going to refuse to keep her end of the bargain, I remember the way J'onn turns her down that it doesn't matter if she was truthful or not. Even if she was being sincere, J'onn simply says the cost was too high even to get everything he ever wanted.
Yeah because I had thought an idea that he starts having doubts with humanity because his teammates get all the glory and admiration and that this another alternative version of the justice league as monsters as in Universal monsters convince him to ditch the humans and live with them
Recently I've been rewatching Justice League with some friends and I was reminded with how much I adored J'onn. I liked him a lot as a kid but his issues with loneliness really hit me now. I had moved to a city far away from my family and remaining friends, and just now I feel as if I'm branching out more despite living here for years. It's difficult to adjust and reach out, but you need to.
It's actually quite fascinating that in the Young Justice series, Martian society is actually alive and thriving as opposed to John being one of a scant handful of survivors.
One thing I wish they would do more with: J'onn is a worshiper of Dream of the Endless as one of the Martian Gods, and seemingly the most feared. Like, they're all psychic, did they all share space in the Dreaming and consider that just a part of life where they all interacted and were together too? Imagine a scene where J'onn is alone in the Dreaming, still always where his people would be, and Daniel shows up. J'onn immediately realizes something has happened because this is Dream but isn't Morpheus, and they comfort each other over the loss of family.
Well I have an idea for him is that I have thought of another alternative version of the Justice league as monsters where they feel bad for J’onn because he is not getting the same glory and admiration as the others are getting because they are good looking while the Martian Manhunter isn’t so he starts devolving doubts and they convinced him to ditch the humans and live with them where going a pocket dimension where the monsters can live in peace and be themselves, also who’s Daniel?
What if his Martian physiology leads to a sort of disconnect with humanity too. He is inherently more fluid - telepathic, shapeshifting, empathy - and how martians interact is more connective than humans. They can feel each other, hear each other, and that mask that humans wear with each other doesn’t inherently exist with martians. My point is, J’onn is very empathetic and he is existing among a species (and a team) that doesn’t have those abilities and culture foundation. So, you know… a disconnect.
What’s interesting is that the role J’onn has on his home planet was touched on a teeny bit in recent Young Justice seasons. Him sending home Earth culture that his niece would like is definitely a hint that not all of his relationships are as strained as his society. Strained relations tend to make people distant and seem lonely.
Martian Manhunter being with an older woman instead of a young hottie made all the sense in the world when I first saw it. Alien shape shifter. Appearances don't matter and no real appreciation for outer and/or human beauty. Psychic with a stressful job. You want someone you can spend time with and chill. Being young also means a lot to deal with, growing up to do, and drama. I'm so much more at peace with myself in my 40s than 30s and 20s. (The 20s are rough, y'all.) So yeah. Being with an older woman you can just tourist the world and have dinner makes sense.
Easily my favorite aspect of the DCAU is how seamlessly they connect even obscure, non-superhero characters to their overarching plots. I know J’onn’s desire to connect to humanity didn’t happen overnight, but I love that the story of Viking Prince was what pushed him to make those necessary connections.
I always felt that this episode showed how Clark feels about his friends. He made J'onn feel at home with his family, and even bitched about yule tide bullshit. Then he pets the cat in the end. Kick ass ending
He's the perfect representation of heart over hierarchy. Potentially the most powerful being, stripped of identity by trauma. It made him closed off but not cold hearted. Being the strongest telepath doesnt make him less empathetic. The most removed, most abled and least human personifies compassion and humanity in a way that makes humans look like cold callous brutes. His trauma is deeper than superman's since he had a life and family, age and experience from his world. And he was still the best human youd ever meet.
J'onn J'onzz means so much to me. Growing I was the only Italian boy in my school. All the other kids would makes jokes about my last name, so much so that I would actively try to avoid saying it or alluding to my family's cultural background. At 12 years old I got diagnosed as Autistic. I'm not saying J'onn is Autistic nor am I trying to compare people on the spectrum to aliens. I just remember as a kid watching a character who was quiet and unfamiliar with social norms. A character who tended to be literal and straight forward, and when he'd get overwhelmed he go off by himself to calm down. And on top of that he often felt like outsider being the only one of his kind present. I remember feeling really special to have a character with most of the traits and experiences that make me who I am on the screen as a superhero. They could've easily dehumanized him but his longing to feel apart of family who would accept him was the most relatable part of him.
"There are over [7] billion people on this planet, and yet I still feel alone." -- Peter O'Toole, "Creator" That line has always resonated with me, but I don't believe I ever fully understood it until I watched this video. Thanks, Leo.
not gonna lie one of my all time favorite episodes of JLA, is Clark taking J'onn to the kents for christmas, superman can be prone to making mistakes because of his boy scout way of thinking but god dam is he one not to let you be alone during the holidays, the kents are wonderful people and they raised superman on that same way of thinking also... it made me chuckle they had to lead line his presents and say santa did it cause supes is a naughty boy trying to peak! All of this combined is why J'onn and supes are some of my favorite characters, right alongside the flash in this series
One of the best moments I loved of him was the Task Force X episode. They planned out everything and was ready for any heroes. But they still were aware of HIM. Like if they let MM catch on to their shenanigans they know they done
Now, hear me out: a TV series about Martian Manhunter and Superman trying to deal with being the last of their respective species and protecting humans from extraterrestrial threats. That would be a massive hit if directed properly.
Loneliness is something I struggle with too. Not for a lack of trying, im more social online than real life. I just feel like I dont have enough charisma to be interesting. All the friends I have are from high school, im approaching my mid 20s and still havent made one adult friend. Not even going to get into never having a girlfriend. Dont know what I have to do to change my circumstances.
I always thought nobody will talk about this episode and only I gonna love it to the end of the VHS I have it on. :D I am really happy to be proved wrong
If only WB would've gotten their stuff together. We could gotten an amazing live action Martian Manhunter based off of the DCAU. Them not tapping into their goldmine of animated content is like Lucasfilms ignoring the expanded universe.
Part of why I love Jon Jones so much in Justice League and Justice League unlimited was because in the end he just became the simplest most best of humanity. He found someone he could love He had a full-time job that he loved he was doing good in the world and he was proud of the people that he was spending his time with.
He's a gentle giant capable of thoughtful tenderness to all but himself. It reminds me of a similar parallel of m' gan and superboy's shared journeys into finding family, self acceptance, love and learning about themselves through humanity
looking back on his JL/JLU episodes, new frontier, and alex ross' "world's greatest superheroes" I am realizing just how underutilizing we are using Martian Manhunter when it comes to films/shows. he is such a great thematic character for storytelling and could make for some of the best superhero films
Wonderful video and analysis. I can relate to J'onn in that I care deeply for others but also struggle to fit in and open up. So I can relate to his loneliness in a way. Your analysis is spot on. This is a beautiful video.
Hey just want to say I love you videos and I I'm always excited whenever I see you post a new one. Thank you for making everyday in mundane things exciting 😊
Love J’ohn. Because of your videos I’ve gone back and watched the Justice League shows. I’ve been a little depressed lately and I’m so happy feeling nostalgic. I love how you keep diving into the minds of our favorite childhood superheroes. Thank you! Please keep doing what you’re doing. It’s affected me in such a positive way
The Supergirl show got me interested in the Martian Manhunter. I just like it when he is used as a character, as more than just another overpowered alien hero on the Justice League.
Ever since i found out that odin from tacoma and j'onn have the same voice actor last week its a blessing to watch you just cover him and his phenomenal works
Thank you for this Martian Manhunter video. As brief as your videos are, you should know they are quite touching. I just wanted to thank you for it. Greetings from México.
Fantastic video and Martian Manhunter is my favorite Justice League member a hero that never wants the horrors that happened to him to happen to his new home is great and I love also J'onn having a wife at the end is perfect Secret Invasion ending lol
When alls taken into account, J'onn's story has a bitter sweet ending by the end of the Tim-Verse (the animated series). As he said, he's a Martian, which is meant to mean he will live a very long time. He would have spent all that time with his wife and son, but with their deaths, and him being the last of his kind, he will now outlive anyone he makes a relationship with, such as his new wife, or his friends in the justice league. The only one who will be there for him would be Wonder Woman, since she's the only immortal member of the team.
Everyone talks about the parallels between Superman and J'onn, but there are parallels between him and Hawk Girl as well. Clark and J'onn both are the last of their race, true, but Clark doesn't really remember it, there was always a disconnect between himself and Krypton, oh he loved Krypton, but Superman will always be an All-American Farmboy first, truth, justice, and the American way. When it comes to Shayera, J'onn and her both are fully aware of their societies that were left behind, that they can never go back.
Brilliant analysis our my favorite Martian! Thanks for giving the DCAU all the love and attention it deserves, and maybe 1 day you could look at the Patriot Act episode too
It always seemed like Superman and Wonder Woman could relate to him the most. It’s probably because Superman and Wonder Woman are technically alien to Earth’s general society. Though Superman was more accepted because he is identical in appearance to humans and Wonder Woman is confused by the behavior of people outside of her home.
I always liked that J'onn ends up with an older woman. Someone who's also lived a long time, not as long as he has clearly, but long enough that she maybe understands his loneliness.
It just feels….right.
@@GDKF0238 It also makes for a badass reveal when he transforms. Wouldn't have hit as hard if he was a young guy.
milf hunter j'onn
J’onn has always been my favourite Justice League member, I’m sad he’s not as mainstream as he was in the 2000s and 90s. There’s great potential and he’s one of the most tragic characters in dc comics, we need more Manhunter.
Honestly, I cannot believe I am saying this but I recommend that you watch _Supergirl_ the TV series if you have not done so already. They nerf the hell out of him and he obviously takes a backseat to Supergirl but he really has a great arc in that show.
I remember the 90s and 2000s but do not remember Manhunter ever being mainstream.
@@henrypeters5291 honestly I’ve watched a few clips of it and he seems decent, I might actually check out the full thing :)
lets be honest with how incompetent many writers are now its best he is left alone. The only good superhero writers working right now are the ones on the superman and lois tv series and john favaro (iron man) if he took an interest. Writers today would lean heavily into the alien aspect and tie that into racism or illegal immigrants in a lazy way smh
@@gregwessendorfWell, "as mainstream." It's relative, since the New 52 in 2011 J'onn hasn't even been a founding Justice League memeber.
Honestly, i still cry in that Christmas episode in the end with J'onn. The fact he's in his Martian form, he's humming the carol he heard the night before, and hes petting the Kent's cat. He's content. Right there, he doesn’t feel the need to be Martian Manhunter, be anything but himself. He's in a world that is still foreign to him, but happy, just where he is, at a friend's home. Its so beautiful, something that maybe I just miss. To be happy, and not feel the need to be someone else.
"And he said he didn't bring a gift."
He's not just singing a carol, he's singing a song of his people, in his own language and in his natural form without any shame or barrier shielding him from his trauma. It's him at his most open and vulnerable, truly a gift for the Kents to have him trust them that much.
Also, remember the cat was terrified of him when he first met it, and now it's contentedly sitting on his lap being petted. It's seen behind his appearance to the "true" person within. Even now that he is in his true form, which is probably even more alien looking to the cat than the old one, it's not afraid.
I always thought that J'onn feeling the most lonely made the most sense. He's a psychic species and probably comes from a culture where everyone is far more connected than we could imagine. That loss and disconnect would be a massive roadblock in connecting with earthlings, where even the psychicly gifted would value separation and privacy.
Probably also bolstered by the fact he routinely sees the literal worst of humanity, despite constantly being in the watchtower, surrounded by heroes. He's literally the eyes in the sky, pretty much watches all the carnage happening around the globe all the time. It makes a lot of sense he'd feel isolated, especially with what you said too
Growing up as someone autistic, I felt a real connection with how the Martian Manhunter's loneliness and identity were explored in JL and JLU. More importantly, he gave me a model to follow for how to build a community around you, even as an outsider. He exemplified how to build and maintain relationships with people who are incredibly different from you, and most importantly, how to accept help from the people who care about you. As I get older, I always think about J'onn's journey to discover his identity and purpose and it gives me the strength and inspiration to press onwards as a fellow outsider.
I feel so blessed that I got to grow up in a time where I could have such a hero to look up to. This was without a doubt my favorite video so far from this channel.
He understood that he couldn't save people while being so disconnected with them, in order to make Earth a home worth protecting, he needs to feel at home on Earth.
He'll always be an immigrant, but embracing people will make him feel welcomed.
He'll always be a lone survivor, but having a life here, he won't be alone
He'll always be different, but living among humans he will understand that everyone is different
Thanks for the video, man
refreshing to see j’onn portrayed as an actual character instead of a plot device
Thanks for this video.
It's sad J'onn is barely acknowledged now compared to the early 2000s. Ever since he was replaced by Cyborg as a founder of the Justice league, he doesn't get as much love as he once was. I'm glad he got a lot of love due to the Arrowverse, though they did him dirty a few times.
I really do hope we keep getting more of him.
Agreed
Yeah and so has Hawkgirl
He was leading the army in Man of Steel the entire time! 🤣
Memba?
I want him in the league, if they need a token black person well jon human appearance is dark skinned or better have john stewart latern.
@@CorbCorbin sad that never became canon and now we have a reboot universe
*Martian Manhunter to me is one of the most fascinating members of the JL and perhaps DC's most underrated hero.* Seriously he is such a multi-faceted character whose gone through a tragic life despite being so powerful in his shapeshifting and telepathy that even Superman fears his powers. It is such a crime that he never really gets enough focus without being tied to the Justice League, he deserves his own project and more focus in the spotlight.
Hopefully, he can get a project in James Gunn's DCU
I agree, I hate that his story lines aren't given as much attention as they once were.
I'm glad the Arrowverse was able to put some love back into the character.
Yeah because he has so much potential because I thought of there are these individuals that want the Martian Manhunter to join because that John is not the same glory and admiration as the other members are getting so he starts developing doubt.
James gunn doesn't have the heart, knowledge, or grit to make a character half as good as J'onn
@@leargamma4912He made the Guardians of the Galaxy, Peacemaker and Suicide Squad all household names all with complex, three-dimensional, and emotional characters and stories that pulled on people's heartstrings.
I think he'll do wonders with a character like Jonn, besides I'm sure he'll bring in another director/writer to handle Jonn with care.
Gunn should've included him in the new Superman movie instead of Metamorpho. Hopefully we see their friendship come to fruition in the DCU.
A generation truly honored us with their gifts of storytelling…….
and they have now gone to the stars.
I do not know if subsequent generations will ever adopt their lessons, but your video honors them.
Well done.
Some will. Some won't. Some will never know of the stories told at all. But I believe the generations that grew up with these shows will carry those stories with them even without realizing it while creating a whole new one.
@@danielthedudeI can confirm this, I've studied storytelling of the past, and have been using what I've learned in the development of my comic over the past half decade
J'onn always played well off Superman. They have similar origina but very different perspectives. I think it was great idea for the Tomorrowverse to put J'onn in Superman's first movie.
Superman, who sees the good in humans because he was raised by good people. And J'onn trying to learn about humans from a more outsider perspective.
Don't forget Shayera also.
I really loved the Christmas episode and Clark’s Family welcoming him. Also Clark being a wholesome dork.
Martian man hunter being more isolated in the background for a few seasons in unlimited was great
Pa Kent: Clark, I'm plugging in the lights.
Clark: That's my job, Dad!
"One of the consequences of loneliness and implicit vigilance for social threat is a diminished capacity for self-regulation." Well shit, that explains some problems I've been having lately.
This hits me personally, and particularly today, in a good way.
J’onn was always one of my favourite members in JL/U, but I never fully knew why. This helped me figure it out.
I’m an introvert, and I really struggle with putting myself out there. Today I missed out on something because of that and already regret it. But worse? I don’t feel I have anyone I can talk to about it. I never realised how much I can relate to J’onn’s position sometimes. However, it’s nice to have this help deal with that, show that it’s ok and you can do something about it - but you need to make that choice to do it.
Ultimately I think that shows why JL/U is such a good super hero show, it works for people outside of the show, not just the ones in it.
Sorry for rambling, thank you to anyone who read all this
It brings a tear to my eye knowing someone relates to this cartoon in a similar manner. Nice comment. 👍
Ey Don worry, it was a touching comment. We're all here to appreciate JLU after all.
Love what you got from it! They don't make cartoons like they used to
Not rambling at all, thank you for sharing your experience with the show. It made my day.
Hey there. You have us. Nerds stick together, so you're among friends.
Struggling to put yourself out there can really kneecap your ability to experience what life has to offer. That means the good and the bad - and the fear of the bad usually leads to social paralysis. But you'll end up regretting letting life pass you by, I promise.
Movies and comic books and TV shows will always be there for you to return to, but people and experiences won't. That's part of why media is so comforting - Goku and Superman will never tell you to leave them alone. But they also can't wrap their arms around your body and comfort you when you need it. People aren't perfect, none of us are, so disappointment and conflict are inevitable, and getting hurt is sometimes the only way to move forward by learning a lesson the hard way. But missing out on the highs for fear of the lows isn't worth it.
Martian Manhunter found friends on Earth. They're a rich orphan, a poor orphan, a mythical woman, an African-American veteran, a double agent, and a chadbro. Two of which are also aliens, one of which is also the last of his kind. How? Because they all are united by a common goal, not necessity because they're all so similar.
Maybe your journey is to find your own Justice League, where you stick together through it all. Maybe it's to have your own Bat-Family, where the marks you leave on each other stay forever, even after you all move forward and it drives you apart. Maybe your future is still for you to decide, and you get to choose what your journey is for.
Hope this helps. Better luck next time, Matt.
As others already said, J'onn is underrated and really deserves more recognition. I've always saw him as kind of an interesting counterpart to Superman, something that got lost when they booted him from the founding members of the League in the comics :/
When J’onn came back near the end of JLU I flipped out! That was one of the best scenes, even when the old man turned into a red dragon I was like “who is that?”. So used to him making all his monsters green, and it definitely caught me off guard the first time!
Man, yeah i practically screamed when i see the old guy shapeshift(i was a bit skeptical too though, but literally the second they show j'onn i need a solid minute to compose myslef). I love J'onn so much man, i just want to hug him :,)
Martian Manhunter has such a beautiful story. I related to him a lot. Sure Superman lived a life feeling like an outsider, but he grew past that, because he was at his core, human. But Martian Manhunter's inert alienation and loneliness are really relatable.
I've always liked J'onn.
He's the heart and soul of the league, and I can empathize with him. I'm a half breed, half white and half hispanic... neither side of my family sees me as anything other than the other side.
Too dark to be accepted by the white side, but not mexican enough for the other.
So I'm kind of always in limbo with my family.
And even the people that know me, usually only see a Mexican, but my mannerisms, speaking patterns, and the like are southern American, with "y'all" passing out of my mouth pretty frequently.
J'onn is the perennial outsider, until he accepts himself, and even if he wasn't with someone romantically he'd have been in a much better place than before.
Even if Wally is my favorite character in the show (next to Booster Gold ™), J'onn makes the show a better thing than without him.
In fact it would be less of a show.
Gotta thank the JL animated series for pretty much making Martian Manhunter and the Flash the Heart of Justice league. Like I just love John’s story of finding his new family in the justice league and being a reliable guy who tries his best to support/help his new family
I know it didn't need to be said, but one of J'onn's episodes that always stood out to me was the one where Morgan le Fey tries to turn J'onn against the league and Earth in general but offering to use the unlimited magic in a powerful artifact to restore Mars. In the end while we can assume Morgan was going to refuse to keep her end of the bargain, I remember the way J'onn turns her down that it doesn't matter if she was truthful or not. Even if she was being sincere, J'onn simply says the cost was too high even to get everything he ever wanted.
Yeah because I had thought an idea that he starts having doubts with humanity because his teammates get all the glory and admiration and that this another alternative version of the justice league as monsters as in Universal monsters convince him to ditch the humans and live with them
Recently I've been rewatching Justice League with some friends and I was reminded with how much I adored J'onn. I liked him a lot as a kid but his issues with loneliness really hit me now.
I had moved to a city far away from my family and remaining friends, and just now I feel as if I'm branching out more despite living here for years. It's difficult to adjust and reach out, but you need to.
It's actually quite fascinating that in the Young Justice series, Martian society is actually alive and thriving as opposed to John being one of a scant handful of survivors.
I really can’t wait for the day when he’s fully in a movie. He’s such an incredible character
One thing I wish they would do more with: J'onn is a worshiper of Dream of the Endless as one of the Martian Gods, and seemingly the most feared. Like, they're all psychic, did they all share space in the Dreaming and consider that just a part of life where they all interacted and were together too? Imagine a scene where J'onn is alone in the Dreaming, still always where his people would be, and Daniel shows up. J'onn immediately realizes something has happened because this is Dream but isn't Morpheus, and they comfort each other over the loss of family.
Well I have an idea for him is that I have thought of another alternative version of the Justice league as monsters where they feel bad for J’onn because he is not getting the same glory and admiration as the others are getting because they are good looking while the Martian Manhunter isn’t so he starts devolving doubts and they convinced him to ditch the humans and live with them where going a pocket dimension where the monsters can live in peace and be themselves, also who’s Daniel?
J'onn: I should be home for dinner.
Flash: we are in the end times.
Flash just sad he has no game.
What if his Martian physiology leads to a sort of disconnect with humanity too. He is inherently more fluid - telepathic, shapeshifting, empathy - and how martians interact is more connective than humans. They can feel each other, hear each other, and that mask that humans wear with each other doesn’t inherently exist with martians. My point is, J’onn is very empathetic and he is existing among a species (and a team) that doesn’t have those abilities and culture foundation. So, you know… a disconnect.
What’s interesting is that the role J’onn has on his home planet was touched on a teeny bit in recent Young Justice seasons.
Him sending home Earth culture that his niece would like is definitely a hint that not all of his relationships are as strained as his society.
Strained relations tend to make people distant and seem lonely.
I'm pretty sure J'onn has the most appearances in episodes throughout Justice League & Unlimited. Phenominal character.
There's smtg really melancholic that I've come to understand & love J'onn. Great character who deserves more attention.
Martian Manhunter being with an older woman instead of a young hottie made all the sense in the world when I first saw it.
Alien shape shifter. Appearances don't matter and no real appreciation for outer and/or human beauty.
Psychic with a stressful job. You want someone you can spend time with and chill. Being young also means a lot to deal with, growing up to do, and drama. I'm so much more at peace with myself in my 40s than 30s and 20s. (The 20s are rough, y'all.)
So yeah. Being with an older woman you can just tourist the world and have dinner makes sense.
Technically, J'onn Jonzz was older than that woman he ended up being with at the end of the series.
i love j'onn!
Easily my favorite aspect of the DCAU is how seamlessly they connect even obscure, non-superhero characters to their overarching plots. I know J’onn’s desire to connect to humanity didn’t happen overnight, but I love that the story of Viking Prince was what pushed him to make those necessary connections.
This made me cry at work.
You gotta know how your essays are concentrated therapy for us neurodivergent ones.
Muchly APPRECIATED.
I am #JonnJonzz
How do you produce such high quality videos so quickly and consistently? Thank you for making this.
J'onn was AWESOME
I always felt that this episode showed how Clark feels about his friends. He made J'onn feel at home with his family, and even bitched about yule tide bullshit. Then he pets the cat in the end. Kick ass ending
He's the perfect representation of heart over hierarchy. Potentially the most powerful being, stripped of identity by trauma. It made him closed off but not cold hearted. Being the strongest telepath doesnt make him less empathetic. The most removed, most abled and least human personifies compassion and humanity in a way that makes humans look like cold callous brutes.
His trauma is deeper than superman's since he had a life and family, age and experience from his world. And he was still the best human youd ever meet.
YESSS THE J'ONN VIDEO
J’onns isolation and inability to self regulate is such a great comparison to modern Americans and their political climate.
you should do one for each of the justice league members😁
No Geo.
Yes
Bro he is already doing that
Oh absolutely
Yeah all FIFTY-TWO 😈
J'onn J'onzz means so much to me. Growing I was the only Italian boy in my school. All the other kids would makes jokes about my last name, so much so that I would actively try to avoid saying it or alluding to my family's cultural background. At 12 years old I got diagnosed as Autistic. I'm not saying J'onn is Autistic nor am I trying to compare people on the spectrum to aliens. I just remember as a kid watching a character who was quiet and unfamiliar with social norms. A character who tended to be literal and straight forward, and when he'd get overwhelmed he go off by himself to calm down. And on top of that he often felt like outsider being the only one of his kind present. I remember feeling really special to have a character with most of the traits and experiences that make me who I am on the screen as a superhero. They could've easily dehumanized him but his longing to feel apart of family who would accept him was the most relatable part of him.
J'onn is one of the best and underutilised characters in DC!
I don't blame him. It's better to be lonely than having to deal and to interact with human kind.
"There are over [7] billion people on this planet, and yet I still feel alone." -- Peter O'Toole, "Creator"
That line has always resonated with me, but I don't believe I ever fully understood it until I watched this video.
Thanks, Leo.
3:48 I would say that what really resolves that conflict for J’onn is that he got out of the big city and touched grass regaining his center
Being the sole survivor of his race being lonely is an understatement
Its incredible how the dcau is really deep and profund.
not gonna lie one of my all time favorite episodes of JLA, is Clark taking J'onn to the kents for christmas, superman can be prone to making mistakes because of his boy scout way of thinking
but god dam is he one not to let you be alone during the holidays, the kents are wonderful people and they raised superman on that same way of thinking
also... it made me chuckle they had to lead line his presents and say santa did it cause supes is a naughty boy trying to peak! All of this combined is why J'onn and supes are some of my favorite characters, right alongside the flash in this series
One of the best moments I loved of him was the Task Force X episode. They planned out everything and was ready for any heroes. But they still were aware of HIM. Like if they let MM catch on to their shenanigans they know they done
man from london here you have been getting me though some stuff really love your DCAU stuff you find things i never saw in these old cartoons
The most relatable hero.
One of my favourite superheroes it’s great to see a video talking about him
J'onn was one of my favorite parts of justice league. He has never been done near as well in my opinion, even in the comics
Now, hear me out: a TV series about Martian Manhunter and Superman trying to deal with being the last of their respective species and protecting humans from extraterrestrial threats. That would be a massive hit if directed properly.
J’onn deserves plenty of love.
Loneliness is something I struggle with too. Not for a lack of trying, im more social online than real life. I just feel like I dont have enough charisma to be interesting. All the friends I have are from high school, im approaching my mid 20s and still havent made one adult friend. Not even going to get into never having a girlfriend. Dont know what I have to do to change my circumstances.
I always thought nobody will talk about this episode and only I gonna love it to the end of the VHS I have it on. :D I am really happy to be proved wrong
If only WB would've gotten their stuff together. We could gotten an amazing live action Martian Manhunter based off of the DCAU. Them not tapping into their goldmine of animated content is like Lucasfilms ignoring the expanded universe.
Part of why I love Jon Jones so much in Justice League and Justice League unlimited was because in the end he just became the simplest most best of humanity. He found someone he could love He had a full-time job that he loved he was doing good in the world and he was proud of the people that he was spending his time with.
I always loved his final reveal of being a happy marrie old man.
A great character analysis of J'onn Jonzz from the DCAU. This is definitely my favorite version of the Martian Manhunter.
bro had the best solitary arc ever - this is what live action movies need. Character we can see and love and root for.
I always loved the green goof as a child. Growing up has really added layers to it and im not sure how i feel about it😂
Honestly always wanted the cartoon to do more with him and Killer Frost.
He's a gentle giant capable of thoughtful tenderness to all but himself.
It reminds me of a similar parallel of m' gan and superboy's shared journeys into finding family, self acceptance, love and learning about themselves through humanity
looking back on his JL/JLU episodes, new frontier, and alex ross' "world's greatest superheroes" I am realizing just how underutilizing we are using Martian Manhunter when it comes to films/shows. he is such a great thematic character for storytelling and could make for some of the best superhero films
Martian Manhunter is a criminally underused character today. One of my favorite comic book characters since the JL cartoon
Wonderful video and analysis. I can relate to J'onn in that I care deeply for others but also struggle to fit in and open up. So I can relate to his loneliness in a way. Your analysis is spot on. This is a beautiful video.
I wonder what his reaction could look like if he met Miss Martian, thanks to "Justice league vs fatal five"
Can't wait on your disection on the new Superman series characters/plots. I'm here for it
J'onn is my favorite comic book character! I loved this video, it really hits to the heart of one reason I love him.
so true
Hey just want to say I love you videos and I I'm always excited whenever I see you post a new one. Thank you for making everyday in mundane things exciting 😊
Love J’ohn. Because of your videos I’ve gone back and watched the Justice League shows. I’ve been a little depressed lately and I’m so happy feeling nostalgic. I love how you keep diving into the minds of our favorite childhood superheroes. Thank you! Please keep doing what you’re doing. It’s affected me in such a positive way
This is now my new favorite channel. The quality of your videos is through the roof.
The Supergirl show got me interested in the Martian Manhunter. I just like it when he is used as a character, as more than just another overpowered alien hero on the Justice League.
J'onn, Hawkgirl and Power Girl are three of my favorite DC characters
It's only as he finds that lost little girl, as he finds himself.
the way justice league gave the best og seven and made them all relatable and human and i want them back on my screen #jlreunion
Your videos make me feel things man. One of my favorite shows as a kid
There's so much heart, so much thought put into JL and JLU. I love it.
Finally!! I've been asking for this! J'onn is the GOAT
The Green Cookie Man
It's always great to check in every once in a while and binge the videos you put up. Thanks!
Don't even worry about not cranking out videos like you had been, I just love when you do upload!
Ever since i found out that odin from tacoma and j'onn have the same voice actor last week its a blessing to watch you just cover him and his phenomenal works
Thank you for this Martian Manhunter video. As brief as your videos are, you should know they are quite touching.
I just wanted to thank you for it.
Greetings from México.
Videos have been sparse? These videos seem practically daily! You're a machine!
Fantastic video and Martian Manhunter is my favorite Justice League member a hero that never wants the horrors that happened to him to happen to his new home is great and I love also J'onn having a wife at the end is perfect Secret Invasion ending lol
I personally loved the Christmas episode with him.
When alls taken into account, J'onn's story has a bitter sweet ending by the end of the Tim-Verse (the animated series). As he said, he's a Martian, which is meant to mean he will live a very long time. He would have spent all that time with his wife and son, but with their deaths, and him being the last of his kind, he will now outlive anyone he makes a relationship with, such as his new wife, or his friends in the justice league.
The only one who will be there for him would be Wonder Woman, since she's the only immortal member of the team.
One of my favorite superheroes of all time.
You knocked that 1 straight out of the park that was awesome.
J'onn my fav leaguer, always.
Everyone talks about the parallels between Superman and J'onn, but there are parallels between him and Hawk Girl as well. Clark and J'onn both are the last of their race, true, but Clark doesn't really remember it, there was always a disconnect between himself and Krypton, oh he loved Krypton, but Superman will always be an All-American Farmboy first, truth, justice, and the American way. When it comes to Shayera, J'onn and her both are fully aware of their societies that were left behind, that they can never go back.
Brilliant analysis our my favorite Martian! Thanks for giving the DCAU all the love and attention it deserves, and maybe 1 day you could look at the Patriot Act episode too
This is incredibly insightful character analysis.
J’ons has to be my favorite emotional arc in JLU
Shout out to his earth wife for teaching our boy how to be human
It always seemed like Superman and Wonder Woman could relate to him the most. It’s probably because Superman and Wonder Woman are technically alien to Earth’s general society. Though Superman was more accepted because he is identical in appearance to humans and Wonder Woman is confused by the behavior of people outside of her home.