DC Absolute Creators Piggyback On Red-Hot Man Of Tomorrow Cameo Rumors

Despite Supergirl disappointing in its box office earnings, though not at all in its actual execution of Kara Zor-El's introduction to those who'd never picked up a comic book in their lives, James Gunn and the DCU push forward with their bigger plan. That plan hinges largely on what happens with the Man of Tomorrow follow-up to David Corenswet's Superman (2025) and, finally, Martian Manhunter might have some say here.

Often overlooked by many as one of the most critical pieces of the Justice League, it is rumored that Martian Manhunter will make his DCU debut in 2027's Superman: Man of Tomorrow and Deniz Camp, writer of Absolute Martian Manhunter for DC Comics, had some strong advice after hearing that news.

Camp took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to offer up strong advice after hearing the news, saying, "If you want to understand Man of Tomorrow, you HAVE to read Absolute Martian Manhunter!" He's not wrong, by the way, but what exactly is Absolute Martian Manhunter?

Glad you asked, now buckle up.

• Writer: Deniz Camp
• Art: Javier Rodriguez
• Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
• Length: 26 pages
• Released: March 2025
• Price: $4.99 US (per issue)

Will Martian Manhunter Appear In Superman: Man of Tomorrow?

Anyone familiar with Man of Tomorrow arc knows Martian Manhunter a.k.a. J'onn J'onnz plays a key role in molding Superman's actions throughout the storyline. This was [re]visited in the Superman: Man of Tomorrow animated movie in 2020, a film created by Darren Criss and Zachary Quinto.

That means it's highly likely, if not a foregone conclusion, that the rumors of James Gunn's inclusion of Martian Manhunter in his live-action Superman sequel, opposite "real-life" David Corenswet, are true. And for those needing to understand a little more about why Camp insists you read Absolute Martian Manhunter before Gunn's third DCU movie arrives in 2027, well, there are definitely answers to that question.

Per the official synopsis of Absolute Martian Manhunter #2: "The other-dimensional alien consciousness calling itself the Martian continues its invasion — and transformation—of John Jones’ mind! The by-the-book FBI agent has been drafted into a cosmic war that will make him question the nature of reality and test his belief in good, evil, and free will! The weirdest hero of the Absolute Universe gets even weirder in this mind-bending, soul-baring issue #2."

For as unforgettable as the Absolute Universe has been, headlined by the trailblazer Absolute Batman, some view Absolute Martian Manhunter as arguably having a claim to the throne — it's that bold, and that good.

DC's Absolute Martian Manhunter Earned Rave Reviews

CBR's Maxwell Pishny, following its release, called Absolute Martian Manhunter "easily the strongest Absolute Universe debut", and he was far from the only reader heaping praise upon the project. FanFiAddict, another key reviewer, couldn't put it down once they picked it up, labeling it "an absolute masterclass of the comic book medium", noting that "it stands out as an example of what the art form can be at its very best."

That is stellar praise, and it goes to Camp's overarching point as to why readers should catch up to it before Superman: Man of Tomorrow premieres for the DCU in a little more than a year from now.

"You gradually piece together that a suicide bomber nearly killed FBI agent John Jones. Why is anyone’s guess, and it plagues the workaholic Jones as much as the strange multicolored smoke he seems to see everywhere," FanFiAddict said in their review of Absolute Martian Manhunter #1. "... The smoke John perceives gradually clarifies as the thoughts of others. He can read minds after his injury, it seems, but it doesn’t end there. He’s not himself. He may not even by John anymore.

They continued: ".. It’s as much a domestic drama as it is a sci-fi horror mashup. Jones’ wife is, at best, a work widow. His son is making clay figures of his family with his dad as the Martian we eventually understand him to be, in an almost Close Encounters of the Third Kind homage. Jones is a workaholic, an absent father and husband, and perhaps, not even human anymore."

Enough said — go and read Absolute Martian Manhunter, and you're welcome in advance.