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Like Steven Seagal, J'Onn J'Onzz is... HARD TO KILL
 J. Caleb Mozzocco is a freelance writer based in Columbus, Ohio who keeps a comics blog, Every Day Is Like Wednesday
 An ongoing attempt to solve all of the comic book industry's problems in roughly the same manner as a drunken crazy hobo screaming on a street corner seeking to reform the U.S. government. And with about the same success rate.
In an exceptional essay Like Steven Seagal, J'Onn J'Onzz is...Hard To Kill, Caleb laments the possibility that DC Comics might do away with J'Onn J'Onzz.
I'll be pretty bummed out if J'Onn J'Onzz is killed, even though I'm sure it will be temporary. While he's never really broken through and become a transcendent sort of character, he's been around for decades, which indicates a certain amount of lingering appeal. Something about the Martian Manhunter clearly works on some level, even if it's not often the company and/or itss creators find the right way to isolate and capitalize upon what it is exactly. And this perpetual second banana status is something that I personally find enormously appealing; like his slightly more popular unpopular Justice League peer Aquaman, J'Onn is a cool character that its easy to feel proprietary about. Like, as a fan, you feel that you see his true greatness, even if so few others can, you know?
He goes on to note that J'Onn is just not the killable type.
And then elaborates, bringing examples from the Manhunter Saga, on the several supposed deaths of J'Onn we're already familiar with, and analyses them in arriving at his conclusion.
So what have we learned? Killing J'Onn J'Onzz is a lot more difficult than it may look. And, also, never listen to Superman if he tells you J'Onn's is dead. He's 0-2 when it comes to pronouncing his teammate dead now.
Strong evidence that sending J'Onn to the graveyard will be easier said than done, even for DC and Morrison.
Superb images. Superber reading.
Elayne Riggs and Martha Thomases at ComicMix
 As promised, in her 50th column (Congratulations Elayne!) at ComicMix, Elayne Riggs talks about death, and especially that of the heroes. Death, Warmed Over.
A lot of comics bloggers have been discussing comic book deaths this past week, as we're about to see the ascension of Bucky (once known as the Only Character Who Will Always Be Dead, except for Uncle Ben and he was revived as well) to the title of Captain America following the death of his mentor Steve Rogers (who, it must be remembered, Will Always Be Dead). Val D'Orazio asks, "Are we ever going to see a death that matters in comic books any more?" Artist Michael Netzer is spearheading a campaign to save a character whose death is merely rumored to be on the chopping block over at DC.
Are we at long last tired of death as entertainment? Has our fictional bloodlust been sated, possibly even put to shame, by an insane invasion and occupation about to enter its fifth year that's stolen countless actual lives? Are long-time comic fans ready to move on and say "fool me once, shame on you, fool me 20 more times and you won't get my money?"
Alas, I fear this scenario is as unlikely as those same fans vowing never to pick up another Spider-Man comic after the recent cosmic reset button.
Very insightful essay which also cites an equally thoughtful one on the same subject by Martha Thomases, also at ComicMix. Ballad of a Thin Man.
Using death in fiction can be moving, but it can also be over-used so that it loses its impact. The current rumors about which characters will die in DC’s Final Crisis are a case in point. Maybe the story will kill off Martian Manhunter or Aquaman, but no one really cares. Superhero comic fans expect the dead to be brought back to life. It’s a cheap stunt, and it de-humanizes the characters, instead of making them heroic.
When Superman died in 1992, it felt important to the fans because DC Comics spent months showing how his loss affected the people around him. It told a human story about a superhuman character. When Green Arrow was killed a few years later, it was a meaningless stunt, throwing away a classic character for some shock value. And now, in 2008, we’re speculating in advance, waiting for Vegas to give us odds.
WE . ARE . FAMILY
 I've talked before about the solidarity that existed between the comics creators community in the 1970's. The pre-electronics age necessity of living in the New York area, along with the rather closed-circle profession that producing comics was then, and how all this contributed to a feeling that we were a family of sorts. I've also talked about how much this has changed since. But has it?
Frank Lee Delano, in a recent post, The Atomic Bomb, following the Ray Palmer Atom sketch for Damian, and noting the solidarity in our regard for the Superheroes we grew up with, causing a sometimes spoken tension between past and present versions of the same character, has articulated a thought provoking sentiment on the unofficial ring of blogs devoted this notion, which at its center, The Idol-Head of Diabolu, The Tiny Titan, and The Aquaman Shrine have been inadvertently brought together throughout this campaign to save The Martian Manhunter.
Is it so important to continue to alienate old readers with morbid sensationalism, while simultaneously turning-off new readers by forcing them to understand the dead's archaic history in order to appreciate the loss? If you succeed in telling the death well enough to hook the new readers, where can they go with a dead hero or a new incarnation, anyway? It's all so pointless and self-defeating, especially when you can't even claim you're following the author's intentions, other than through the obfuscations of work-for-hire contracts?
Regardless, when made aware of our shared preference for Ray Palmer, Michael Netzer whipped up a second piece, teaming both Ray and Manhunter, and through a sort of inherent continuity, Ryan as well. We. Are. Family. Added bonus: the second appearance of Diablou© Brand Cream-filled Chocolate Cookies, and the hope that at the least Ryan and J'Onn will live to form a friendship of their own. We shall see.
 Damian Maffei himself has also not been at a loss for words of inspiration at The Tiny Titan. We Will Not Go Quietly Into The Night...
Regardless of what happens, Ray looks awesome here, dishing the upward sass at the two preoccupied heroes. This is just another outstanding piece of artwork from a severely talented man. One whom should be re-routing a certain green, bald man-hunter's life. Maybe JJ, Arthur, and Ray can form their own squad in their own comic. They'll be known as: M.A.M.L.S.S. (Multiverse, air, micro-worlds, land, sea, space) (it’s a work in progress.) Perhaps the first page will read:
"We will not go quietly into the night...
We will not vanish without a fight!
We're going to live on!
We're going to survive!"
 Rob Kelly celebrated Aquaman's birthday this week, (1.29, Happy Belated, Sea Monarch!) and also commemorates the campaign to save J'Onn with Martian Manhunter week at The Aquaman Shrine.
In honor of Michael Netzer's efforts to save the Martian Manhunter, this week on the Shrine I'll be posting all the stuff I can find that features both the Sea King and the Manhunter From Mars. It won't be easy--J'Onn didn't make it onto too much merchandise pre-JLU--but I'll do my best, by H'ronmeer!
He likewise extends the festivities to Coming Super-Attractions.
Shameless Plug Department: It's also an all-Martian Manhunter week over at Coming Super-Attractions, featuring nothing but ads concerning everyone's favorite endangered Martian! All you Manhunter fans check it out!
A swell commemoration indeed, much gratitude, Rob! A several days old raging snow storm, causing electrical and communications outages here in Israel, has somewhat hampered posting and progress on that Aquaman/JJ sketch, which in the best family tradition also includes Ray Palmer. But a sneak peek at the black line stage is certainly in order (above, with Atom detail above that). Shouldn't be much longer now.
THE STORM RAGES ON...
Comics Related
 Chuck Moore, founder and keeper of Comics Related, is thankful and happy to have Comic Related's J'Onn J'Onzz forum thread appear in the Save the Superheroes Press Release link-list, and has posted it at the front end section of the site.
Much gratitude Chuck! Exactly the type of push we're hoping for.
Pop Culture Safari
 If you're looking for humor to surprise you at Pop Culture Safari, just hang around for their spot link plugs for the campaign to save J'Onn J'Onzz. At their second reference to it in Pop Links, the fun loving folks there could hardly believe the campaign press release they received.
Comics artist Michael Netzer now wants to save ALL the superheroes.
The gods of the internet, however, know how reciprocate such fun. No, PC Safari did not change their Blogger template, as the image shows. They were apparently simply trying other possiblities but decided to stick with their dark choice anyway. It reverted back a moment after it was captured for this item. The white background looks nice, actually. But one can't rightfully argue with another's aesthetic preferences, can they?
So... about this one time only cosmic-gods-of-the-internet-intervention screen capture. Very rare indeed. Quite similar, for example, to a single issue comic book misprint, of say, Captain America's death scene, where his costume is colored yellow and green. A collector's item. No other such image to be found anywhere.
We'll take the highest bid.
Mego Museum
 Toyroom started this thread on the campaign to save J'Onn at Mego Museum Forums
Toyroom: DC doesn't need to kill the character...just find someone good to write a monthly book for him (a split book with Aquaman would be cool!) and revert him back to his classic look instead of the Conehead wannabe.
Bo8a_Fett: Signed...let's hope it'll do some good...he's another character that has been badly treated in the countdown/52 fiasco....
starbuk: I'm in. Those in charge at DC needs to pull their Heads outta their arse! What good comes from killing off a Classic character like J'onn ? If they need to start wiping out lame-o's I can think of quite a few that qualify better than J'Onn.
samurainoir: Other than in Giffen's JLI, I'm really indifferent towards MM, and even in that case more often than not he was the straight man. My favourite appearance was when he guest starred in Animal Man. Although I did enjoy his appearances in Smallville.
The Bat: Never been a Fan of the Character...so it wouldn't bother Me if They killed Him.
ctc: Didn't they do this the LAST time the 80's happened; with Jason Todd? I seem to recall a phone in campaign or somesuch as to wether he should live or die. And in the end they'd decided to kill him ahead of time anyhoo. The rest was just for publicity. Nice to see 'em trying something NEW for a change....
Toyroom: DC is not behind the "Save J'onn J'onzz" petition....it's Michael Netzer, a former DC artist, who feels the Martian Manhunter is still a viable character.
Sharpshooter Entertainment
 With so many forum discussions taking place, time spent on this site hasn't allowed for participation in them. Still, certain comments need to be answered from a perspective of understanding the essence of this movement. Here is a brand new thread started by Leviathan at Sharpshooter Entertainment Forums.
Kraul: I've never understood why people get so up in arms over a character's death in a comic book. If the character is popular enough, then there's a good chance that he or she will return somehow. An actual permanent death all across the board is kind of rare (like with Gwen Stacy). Comic creators are just too eager to hit the reset button.
Freedom Reborn
 Another fresh thread started by Benton Grey at Freedom Reborn Forums.
Benton Grey: Howdy guys, I was curious if anyone has heard about this. DC has been making rumblings that they were going to kill off the Martian Manhunter. Well, this fellow has launched a campaign to spare the green guy. I was curious as to the thoughts of the FR community. As for myself, on the one hand, I really love the character thanks to JLU, and I would hate for him to be killed off, however, on the other hand, I consider there to be little to live for in the modern comics world, so I can't imagine that it would necessarily be worse than so many other decisions. I'll keep my other thoughts to myself, I'm mostly curious about what you think.
Bat1987: He got the info from lying in gutters, which was proven wrong a lot of times. The message is yellow lighted so it`s not verified. What I hate is that Dan Didio or someone else at DC thinks that u can`t have a Crisis event without some big death. No one needs to die if the story is good. But if I had to choose who should hit the bucket, it would rather be Martian Manhunter than Batman (another rumor started by `lying in the gutters` later confirmed to be false), Superman, Hal Jordan, Wonder Woman, Nightwing (Didio wanted to kill him during the previous crisis) or someone more iconic than MM. I like the character and all, but he would be my first choice for the `big death`, presuming that there is gonna be one (which I dislike in the first place)
Comic Bloc
 This thread eluded our radar for a week. Started by Bob Mitchell at Comic Bloc Forums.
Bob Mitchell: His campaign seems to be building up a wee head of steam.
mmk123: I would hate to see either the Martian Manhunter or Aquaman get killed off but if they are going to kill off Aquaman, I would think that it would be the current one, who is the replacement Aquaman. This would pave the way for the original Aquaman to come back (and did not Geoff say that he would love to do some stuff with Aquaman).
Captain America1941: Here we go again with the DC cycle of Death. When will it end?? I have no problem with a character dying if it is a decent storyline, but nowadays its all just for shock value and the character eventually comes back anyway which makes the original story, good OR bad, totally pointless!
Brupaste: Go Netzer Go!!!
DaBears: I hope it ends out with Jonn surviving. I really like the character.
matches: Netzer draws a heckuva J'onn.
mmk123: I would love to see Mike Netzer return to drawing comics. I remember his work very fondly from the late 70's, primarily his run on the Green Arrow and Black Canary solo series that were in World's Finest (when it increased to an 80 page Dollar Comic). Mike probably drew the absolute sexiest Black Canary ever.
Petition Comments
Mario: Save J'Onn
Don't kill one of my favorite Superheros, save the multiverse!
Bo8a_Fett: Save J'Onn
Do Not Kill J'Onn off....period!
The Toyroom: Save J'Onn
Since the OYL revamp didn't seem to work for ol' JJ, why not revert him to his classic look and give him a new monthly "split" book that he can share with the ORIGINAL Aquaman?
Starbuk: WTF?
Leave J'onn alone DC! How about Killing off someone LESS interesting like Vixen or Firestorm ?
Mr.Thomson: C'mon
Don't Kill J'Onn... please. He's the great and classic Superhero from DC. If DC kills Martian Manhunter, DC will kill the dreams of a little fan... DON'T KILL HIM... (C'mon, Aquaman suks!)
Steve Rogers
This is the reason I read few new comics anymore. The present state of the DC Universe is laughable at best and pitiful at the worst. I didn't start reading comics to be depressed and killing off major characters is a sorry substitute for an interesting storyline. I sincerely hope DC changes their mind about Martian Manhunter and listens to those who really love the character.
Bug
Please DON`T KILL THE MARTIAN!!
AirDave817
He's one of the founding members of the Justice League of America, and has played a pivotal role throughout the Silver and Modern Age!
Tue Sorensen
I was never really a big fan of the Manhunter - until now! This movement is a touching gesture, and DC will catch hell if they kill the character anyway! :-)
Luis Carr
What the hell!! Martian Manhunter is one of the BEST characters in the DC Universe. Killing him off is just CRAZY! Let me tell you one thing, I'm one of the ones that thought that the whole "death" of Superman was one big waste of time. Yes it boosted sales - temporarily, but the quality of the stories was not improved.
Please DC, as a loyal reader for many years I beg you - DON'T KILL THE MANHUNTER!
David Farley
Stop killing Iconic characters just because you can! Please! J'Onn is one of the best character in the DC universe
ADELAIDE COMICS AND BOOKS REVAMPED
Due to the campaign, other site content is temporarily on hiatus. But the revamping of Daniel Best's Adelaide Comics and Books - ACAB comics creator interview, articles and resources web site needs mention as the site is rich in unique content, illuminating the legendary comics creators of yesterday as well as today. New site structure and design make navigation of the robust wealth of material there a pleasure. Have a look around and get to know the comics creators you love a little better.
Sign the Petition to Save J'Onn J'Onzz
Click here to leave a comment and sign the Petition
and get banners to help promote the campaign.
Click here to download and distribute the
Save J'Onn and the Superheores
PRESS RELEASE
Click here for the
Save J'Onn J'Onzz
ARCHIVES
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