WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for Justice League Unlimited #4!WhileSupermanmay be the face of the DC Universe, the comic publisher revealsMartian Manhunteris its heart—embodying theJustice League’sspirit in a way the Man of Steel never could. In the wake of 2024’sAbsolute Powerevent, the League stands at a crossroads, but no one feels its impact more than J’onn J’onzz. Yet, amid the chaos, Batman delivers a powerful truth: Martian Manhunter isn’t just part of the League—he is its heart.
InJustice League Unlimited#4, written by Mark Waid with art by Dan Mora, Batman tracks down Martian Manhunter after he fled at the end of issue #2. Batman reveals that he knowsJ’onn lost his ocular and telepathic powersafterAbsolute Power.
When J’onn insists the Justice League can function without him, Batman cuts him off, reminding him that he has always been a friend and a constant presence in the League.To Batman, J’onnisthe Justice League—and he vows to help him reclaim what was lost.
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Batman Declares Martian Manhunter the Heart of the Justice League
Justice League Unlimited#4 by Mark Waid, Dan Mora, Tamra Bonvillain, and Ariana Maher
While not the most famous character in the DC Universe, Martian Manhunter has long been associated with the Justice League. He was among the team’s founding members in their 1960 debut and has remained a constant presence ever since. As such,J’onn has played a significant role in nearly every chapter of the Justice League’s legacy, with his own legacy becoming inseparable from the team’s. Whilethe League’s roster may changeas members join and leave, Martian Manhunter has always remained, serving as a steady presence amid the shifting dynamics of the team.
His kind soul, as well as his character and ability to see the world differently from most members of the League, makes him the heart of the team.
Additionally, while other characters, such as Superman, Batman, or Wonder Woman,may be more iconic than Martian Manhunter, their legacies are not as synonymous with the team as his.Those heroes, and others of similar stature, have enjoyed their own status quos and mythologies outside the context of the Justice League. In contrast,Martian Manhunter’s lack of success as a solo characterhas kept him from reaching A-list status like his contemporaries, but his continued presence within the League arguably makes him a more integral member than anyone else. Something Batman himself recognizes inJustice League Unlimited#4 when he says,“J’onn, in many ways, you are the Justice League.”
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Notably, this reputation is one that hasn’t gone unnoticed within the DC Universe.Superman himself acknowledges how important Martian Manhunteris to the Justice League, seeing him as the glue that holds the team together. J’onn’s legacy as the heart of the Justice League is well-earned, with his closest friends andconfidants understanding how important he is to the League—more than any member of the Trinity.His kind soul, as well as his character and ability to see the world differently from most members of the League, makes him the heart of the team.
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Batman has also affirmed Martian Manhunter’s importance, making it clear that no one represents the heart of the Justice League better than he does. While not the team’s most iconic member, J’onn has remained one of its most consistent, with a legacy inseparable from the League itself. This belief is shared by many of his fellow heroes, as J’onn’s presence has shaped the team in ways few others could. Through his kindness, wisdom, and steadfast commitment to the League,Martian Manhunterisn’t just part of the Justice League—he is its heart.
