The opening pages of Absolute Martian Manhunter #5 open with a simple statement: “Everyone has a dark side.” At first glance, that could refer to the darker thoughts and desires we all keep to ourselves, but DC fans know that’s a sentence with a double meaning, especially where Darkseid, whose actions have shaped the Absolute DC Universe, is concerned.
I bring this up because both of those points are addressed during Absolute Martian Manhunter #5. John Jones is continuing to investigate the blackouts in Middleton, which coincide with a rash of horrific crimes. Very soon, he uncovers the culprits, but soon finds himself in the crosshairs of a new threat. Meanwhile, his Martian half learns a horrifying truth about the existence of this universe.
You’d think at this point that I’d run out of things to say about Javier Rodriguez’s artwork, but you’d be wrong. Every issue of Absolute Martian Manhunter is a chance for him to flex his artistic skills in a new way, and use color in a way you’d never expect. In the case of issue #5, he utilizes plenty of blacks to create shadows. Shadows are a large part of the book’s story; the bloodstained spot where a dog is murdered uses a canine’s shadow, while a chase scene showcases John and the Martian’s shadows emblazoned on a massive brick wall and looking extremely cartoonish.
DC
Make no mistake, though: there’s still plenty of colors utilized throughout the issue. There’s the ever-present cloud of rainbow smoke swirling around John’s head. There’s the Martian’s emerald green skin and glowing red eye, which stand out no matter how dark the page gets. But there’s one element that readers won’t miss, and that’s the collection of glittering golden fireflies that pop up throughout the issue. In a comic full of chaos, these fireflies provide a somewhat serene image.
Deniz Camp dove into some wild moments in previous issues, but Absolute Martian Manhunter #5 takes it to another level with the big reveal of what’s driving this crime scene. It’s absolutely ludicrous, and yet it makes complete sense. To say any more would spoil the surprise, as would a major reveal which touches on the origins of the Absolute Universe. If Camp was aiming to blow readers’ mind, he definitely succeeded.
But these reveals dull the impact of the previous issue’s reveal, which hinted at a major revelation surrounding the Martian’s backstory. Maybe Camp was intending to save that reveal for a future issue (especially since Absolute Martian Manhunter received a six-issue extension), but having read his other work, I know Camp can be far smoother with the plot progression. It’s only a minor speed bump in what’s been a smooth ride so far.
Absolute Martian Manhunter #5 continues to balance between being utterly outlandish and utterly profound, delivering a pair of major revelations in the process. It’ll have readers immediately scrambling for the next issue, while also wondering “how the hell are they going to top this?”
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