[Editor’s note: This review may contain spoilers.]
Writers: Steve Orlando, Frank J. Barbiere & Jim Fanning
Artists: Aaron Lopresti, Jerome Moore, Hi-Fi & John Loter
Summary
The Martian Manhunter must prevent Marvin the Martian from destroying the Earth.
Positives
The cover by Aaron Lopresti is cool. I like the DC Universe design of Marvin. The background is nice with the planets and asteroids behind Marvin.
The interior art features pencils by Lopresti, inks by Jerome Moore and colors by Hi-Fi. It’s really solid work. J’onn looks great and is very expressive. It’s very colorful which works for this crossover.
I like Steve Orlando and Frank J. Barbiere taking Marvin to the extreme. He has become a conqueror trying to destroy every Earth in the multiverse. Additionally, I love that J’onn spends most of the story trying to reason with Marvin. He’s desperate for connection, especially with a Martian, and he doesn’t want to fight Marvin. J’onn’s resolution is good too; it’s tragic but also necessary. I liked the ending a lot.
The issue features two stories. The first one, with the previously mentioned creative team, is set in the DC Universe and takes up most of the issue. At the end is a short story written by Jim Fanning with art by John Loter. This story is more in line with a Looney Tunes cartoon. I like that both styles get to be featured in this. I do prefer Fanning’s story because it’s a little sillier and I enjoyed seeing the Martian Manhunter in a Looney Tunes cartoon. The art’s great; it fits the style of those cartoons very well.
Negatives
While I do like Orlando and Barbiere’s story, I do think it’s a little long. The novelty wears off at a certain point and it actually gets kind of boring once the action starts. It’s not bad but there isn’t a lot to be invested in outside of the amusement of the two characters meeting. The story has comments on prejudice with the military assuming J’onn is working with Marvin but that just felt weird. J’onn is a public superhero who even worked for the government at one point. How do they not know who he is?
Verdict
This is an okay issue. It is a fun concept and I’m glad I read it. The art in both stories is cool and I like that both universes were played in. I do think the first story gets a little dull at a certain point but the second story makes it worth reading. I recommend checking this out.
