ABSOLUTE MARTIAN MANHUNTER #11 (DC COMICS)
John Jones has hit his breaking point.
Ever since bonding with the Martian, his life has been turned upside down. Once the Agency captured The Martian after the pair split, Despair-The-Zero slid in as his new partner. The result has been endless chaos. This has extended into his personal life and family.
Johns has one shot to make it right. Reconnecting with the Martian feels like the right move. However, Zero’s not planning on quitting anytime soon.
ABSOLUTE MARTIAN MANHUNTER #11 by Deniz Camp, Javier Rodríguez and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou delivers its’ pen-ultimate chapter.
Let’s take a closer look at events.
ABSOLUTE MARTIAN MANHUNTER #11 by Deniz Camp, Javier Rodríguez and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou(DC COMICS)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Camp unloads the emotional arsenal for this special chapter. Jones’ battle within between the Martian and Despair-The-Zero continues to take a monster toll on his psyche. The dialogue is perfectly balanced in angel and devil on shoulder. It is unapologetic in every fashion. This only amplifies when the Agency comes calling. Readers watch as more dark secrets come to life while the fight rages. This challenge extends itself to Bridget and her understanding of Tyler’s life.
Her outlook struggles to accept things are perfect. The reality sinks in very fast. It showcases the wear on her own mind as events have played out. Even the manipulations steer her into a false direction. Once this breaks, it allows a somber vision to cement itself. Camp weighs this against John’s turmoil of more past trauma. This comes to a breaking point when a past moment with a Death Row Execution returns to the forefront. The dialogue is powerful in ripping apart any inkling of hope inside. This results in a devastating finish. It leaves John and Bridget in uncomfortable territory en route to a final confrontation with truth.
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Rodríguez & Otsmane-Elhaou open with a striking full page visual. Johns running with a full page split of day vs night kicks off his wild confrontation with the Agency. Another strong full page shot breaks down his mental struggles between partners. This is a stark contrast to Bridget’s current situation. The visual of uninvited guests spins into a disillusion of truth. Bridget’s weary acceptance of this reality is very evident. Tyler*’s manipulations play a solid counter to the warnings in the air.
Once events go back to the fight, panels explode with action. They carry an intensity fitting of Johns current state. Readers begin to question what is reality and fake. This gets amplified by Zeros constant tempting. Every move twists until it’s about to break. This mirrors the walls in Bridget’s home. As the cracks grow larger, it forces drastic measures. Johns’ memories of the Death Row prisoner begin to take over. An amazing two page splash brings the painful drama to the front. It moves events to a sad closing. Smaller panels connect a horrible truth. The final panel shows the after effects of accepting this news and what’s to come. Another incredible visual experience.
FINAL POINT: 9.7
The last stand of John Jones begins with a mind-blowing chapter you can’t believe. Camp pushes the broken hero into dangerous territory. Rodríguez and Otsmane-Elhaou don’t miss on delivering amazing imagery. An extraordinary display in superhero storytelling few others can reach.
Let me know your thoughts on ABSOLUTE MARTIAN MANHUNTER #11 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
