Absolute Martian Manhunter #9: The Color of Despair

The Green Martian is missing in Absolute Martian Manhunter #9 and the result is an issue vastly different in tone. This starts, as so much does in this series, with the visuals. The coloring in John’s sequences, which make up most of the issue, is subdued relative to previous issues. Most panels are darkened, with twilight blues and purples taking center stage.

These color changes reflect John’s new partner, Despero, and his direct influence over John. Indeed, Despero outright says that people’s true colors are blue. Not surprisingly with a name like Despero, John’s new partner highlights only people’s worst feelings and instincts. Absolute Martian Manhunter #9 is a bleak issue. But it’s unclear whether that bleakness is more a result of Camp’s dialogue or Rodriguez’s coloring.

Rodriguez’s work remains the cornerstone of Absolute Martian Manhunter. After eight issues, it was almost possible to take it for granted. Absolute Martian Manhunter #9 is a reminder of how critical coloring is to this series. It is an in-world phenomenon, and John interacts with it.

This importance of color is best illustrated in a sequence where Green Martian’s captors appear to vivisect him. An eruption of bright neon colors bursts from his chest. Contrasted with John’s new Despero-Vision, Rodriguez suggests that all the good John sees and does in the world is connected to Green Martian and Martian Vision.

Camp pushes the sense of desperation in dialogue and inner monologue to the extreme with everything Despero says. It’s possible to see Despero as a little too on the nose and excessive. He influences John toward violence and even suicide. Despero’s darkness seems to come out of nowhere. Yes, John has been troubled in the series, but never this troubled. However, in combination with Rodriguez’s coloring choices, especially Green Martian’s apparent possession of all the color in John’s life, Despero’s attempts to influence John in this way works.

Camp continues to develop John’s family story as a major component of the series’ current arc. Originally the growing conflict between John and Bridget came across as simple character development–an example of how Green Martian’s influence was impacting John’s life. But the increased presence of John’s son Tyler and the Martian-related visuals that have accompanied him have elevated the family story to greater significance. Despero’s dialogue is particularly dark in relation to it. Camp has done a very good job shifting the spotlight to something that previously seemed more background than anything else.

Despero’s dialogue bubbles resemble something thrown against a wall that is starting to slowly drip down it. And they don’t connect to him via traditional tails. Otsmane-Elhaou helps develop the character significantly with this choice. Despero oozes through the world, representing the nastiest part of it. He’s a stain.