Absolute Martian Manhunter #8 – Deniz Camp, Writer; Javier Rodriguez, Artist
Ray – 10/10
Ray: The most surreal book in the Absolute line – and one of the most strange and unique titles DC has ever put out – continues its stream towards a twisted finale with this issue, which takes us deeper into the dark underbelly of the country at the moment through the filter of a oddball sci-fi tale. John Jones’ bond to the Martian has unraveled his life, costing him his family and nearly his job. He’s taken to drowning his sorrows in alcohol, as the pressure of a constant psychic connection is near-unbearable. At the same time, the White Martian seems to be striking again, with the FBI suddenly getting a rash of calls of people informing on their neighbors, friends, and even family. This topic was relevant when this was written already, but over the last few weeks, this tale about a rash of paranoia turning everyone into enemies seems even more so – to an uncomfortable degree.
The stress of this situation has gotten to John to such a degree that his relationship with his “other” is breaking down, and he asks the Martian to leave him alone for a day – let him sort things out privately. The Martian agrees, and we follow the two of them through their own days. John tries to reconnect with his wife, but it’s clear there are some deep rifts as long as she’s convinced she’s a danger to him and everyone around him. As for the Martian, he goes through his own adventures, bonding with one person after another – and that raises the attention of a shadowy group that may have been tracking him all along. The visuals in this issue are on a new level, with Rodriguez playing some fascinating games with format. And the ending introduces a major new player, leaving readers with a pit in their stomach. Again, there simply isn’t even the slightest hint of a weak link in this line.
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GeekDad received this comic for review purposes
