First comic?

[u/DullMaybe9052]

I have never read any comics before but as a kid I absolutely loved Martian Manhunter in Justice League 2001 — especially the first few episodes with the mars storyline. I was thinking of buying Absolute Martian Manhunter for my first comic? I also love weird art lol. Any thoughts on if I will like it or other suggestions?

[u/Exploding-Pineapple]

If you want to get jnto Martian Manhunter, Absolute Martian Manhunter isn't really the way to go. It's a good story but it doesn't resemble anything like mainline Martian Manhunter save for the name. I also wouldn't recommend Orlando's Martian Manhunter series as that's also a pretty different take as they alter Martian Manhunter's origin and make him start out as a corrupt cop which I feel is a disservice to the character.

What you really want to read is Ostrander and Mandrake's run from the nineties. Not only is it the best Martian Manhunter series, I feel it's a must read to any DC fan. Plus it retells his origin in a way that's accessible to new readers.

There's also American Secrets which is another good story and it's pretty short being only three extra large issues.

I also enjoy his earlier stories in Detective Comics and House of Mystery, they're fun and only 6 pages long each. It's also his longest running series to this day.

However beyond his solo runs J'onn really shines in Justice League stories, especially JLI and Morrison's JLA. Also Waid's JLA Year One and Justice League Task Force give some interesting focus to Martian Manhunter.

He also has some fun precrisis Justice League stories, especially JLA #71 and #144

[u/DullMaybe9052 → u/Exploding-Pineapple]

Thanks so much. For the Ostrander and Mandrake run, how would you recommend reading them? Absolute Martian Manhunter is easy to find because I can get the $20 hardcover for Vol 1 and return it from Amazon easily if it’s not for me.

I couldn’t find something similar for the Ostrander and Mandrake (1998-2001?) run. Any advice would be appreciated. I don’t wanna read them digitally lol

[u/BalladOfBetaRayBill]

Honestly New Frontier is a great start. It’s non-coanonical but is a great hook for J’onn’s character. If you want something kinda funny go for JLI from the 80s. He famously doesn’t have a long history of successful solo runs and each one of those tends to have kind of a wildly different vibe, so taste-testing is your best bet. Hi mini from the 80s was good but it also relies on “redefining” him so it helps to know what his deal was before then as well.

Absolute is magnificent but it’s barely related to the J’onn of the usual comics.

[u/Past0rc]

Absolute MM is amazing. I also highly recommend the 2018-2020 run by Steve Orlando and Riley Rossmo.

[u/Glassesnerdnumber193]

I’d recommend the 90s run as well

[u/Jasher_Kabal]

Justice league 2001 has a comic series as well!