Can you handle the heat? That is the question being posted in the Absolute Universe breakout hit. John Jones and the Martian have been tested early. Their partnership has put them on the trail of the White Martian. It has also caused Jones a breakdown of his family life.
ABSOLUTE MARTIAN MANHUNTER #4 by Deniz Camp, Javier Rodríguez and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou puts the unlikely duo in the hot seat as a heat wave takes over Middleton.
Let’s take a closer look at where events land now.
ABSOLUTE MARTIAN MANHUNTER #4 by Deniz Camp, Javier Rodríguez and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (DC Comics)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Camp continues to redefine the mythos of the Manhunter. As he assesses the situation, he finds more than bargained for. Using the heatwave as a cover is a very unique notion. The writing doesn’t shy away from the gritty aspects of the White Martian’s influence. It paints a disturbing picture that only grows. Readers watch as it turns out that is not the only grave challenge standing in front of Jones.
Bridget Jones steps into the spotlight for this chapter. Her frustrations with John come to a full-on implosion. Camp has been slowly building this over the chapters. It provides a monster pay-off. the dialogue is a stark view of a shattered relationship. The dialogue doesn’t hide Bridget’s pain. It elevates it into an inescapable level. Even with John trying to make headway, it falls flat. With how intense these pages get, it goes without saying how flawed John is as a character. This leads into the closing page. Events come full circle as more gas is thrown on an already combustible landscape.
Rodríguez continues to spotlight his skills with this series. The opening page involving the sun is eye catching. Coloring takes the scene to new heights. It makes the moment pop before heading into Bridget’s start. The use of Otsmane-Elhaou lettering brings out a deeper understanding of Jones’ wife. Only when the heat wave terror takes hold does the art shift. Readers see how the city is exploding with rage. The yellow coloring drives that point home before giving the spotlight back to Bridget.
Arguably, the strongest points of this chapter belong to their fighting. The grey and white tones reflect how empty she is inside. Even with the Martian watching inside John’s eye, nothing defers from her anger. The “Mind-Blowing” (literally) near full page speaks volumes. It offers readers a glimpse of how far Johns has slipped. Once events snap back into reality, coloring swings gears into a new path. It echoes a return to normalcy. The time is fleeting as the final page hits. Readers are left with little doubts on what is the endgame here. Another stellar chapter that keeps raising the game.
OVERALL GRADE: 9.4
Love doesn’t live here anymore. That is the message driven into readers as the Middleton heatwave sinks in. Camp pens an emotionally driven chapter with the writing. Rodríguez & Otsmane-Elhaou craft a visionary look at the chaos brewing with the art. There’s nothing like this experience on the shelves at the LCS!
Let me know in the comments below your thoughts on Absolute Martian Manhunter #4. Thanks for reading!