Martian Manhunter #8 // Review
The word "alien" has just as many different definitions as the word "hero." Writer Steve Orlando explores the dramatic parallel dynamics of heroism and humanity in Martian Manhunter #8. Artist Riley Rossmo manages to hit tones of moody realism with his weird exaggerations of form. In an issue that feels cleverly framed thematically around deep problems facing society as a whole in an increasingly fragmented sense of modern identity. Ivan Plascencia's colors aid the visuals with depth and shadow. After ambling about in the margins of great potential, Orlando and Rossmo hit a surprisingly deep issue as the 12-issue mini-series reaches further into its second half.
J'onn J'onzz is having a beer with Diane Meade. They've just had a hell of a day (detailed in the previous issue.) She's learned something about him which has prompted her to tell him a bit about her as well. He may be an alien, but on a perhaps more profound, more familiar level, she has suffered from a similar kind of alienation. That the original John Jones helped her through on a path to relative stability in her life. Meanwhile, the martian villain Cha'rnn O'zzm has a sinister interaction with Ashley Adams-the kidnapped girl J'onzz, and Meade are pursuing.
Orlando manages a cunning glance into the nature of earthbound alienation as Meade opens up about her bisexuality and the toll its taken on her life both personally and professionally. The connection between Meade and Jones is illuminated in ways that mirror her relationship with J'onzz substantially. There's an excellent narrative economy about the themes of alienation in an issue that also features quite a lot of action that advances the plot as J'onzz and Meade continue along the trail towards Cha'rnn. Orlando balances action with drama quite cleverly in an issue that could set a higher standard of integration between the two elements as the series continues to come to a close.
Rossmo's rubbery expressionistic art has been hit-or-miss throughout the series. Thus far, the overly exaggerated anatomy and physicality of the visuals have served the more fantastic ends of the story far better, than earthbound emotionality. The detail that Plascencia adds in color layers another level of emotion to the page. As cheeks flush, rainfalls and BLTs sizzle with added depth thanks to the depth that Plascencia to brings to the page. The color really brings the strange fantasy of Rossmo's art into focus this issue.
Orlando and Rossmo are casually carving-out one of the more strikingly strange dramas in mainstream comics without veering too far from the basics of a traditional superhero genre serial. The distinctive art is quite unlike anything else on the rack. Orlando's story, though quite familiar to comics, brings a unique blend of dramatic tensions. Which would have felt more at home in an indie comic book even a decade ago. It's a fresh approach to old comic book themes that makes for an enjoyable 20 pages between the covers.
