some more snippets of this universe as i plan a longer piece 🤔
i did NOT want to draw Rinzler's black suit anymore, so i figured Tron was due for another upgrade. i liked the idea that the color palette in the scene in Legacy would be his actual colors. that as he upgrades he continues to look more human (more on that later) 👍 (also, i've never watched Tron: Uprising, so any lore or backstory from the show won't be included here).
for those of you unfamiliar with Tron, "AlanOne" is the username of his creator.
transcript:
(Set after Connor meets Tron)
Markus: How'd it go? Did you find any helpful information?
Simon: Run into any bugs?
Connor: ..I.. found someone.
Markus: Found someone..
Simon: “Someone”?
Josh: We were just looking for files! Who's in there?
North: What'd I miss? Who are we fighting?!
(Set after the Bonus Page)
Hank: So how's that “program” friend of yours- what's his name again?
Connor: He goes by AlanOne.
Hank: Yeah, him.
Connor: He's.. he interests me. His code was written so long ago, and yet he seems both more and less deviant than we are.
Hanks: Thanks, that answers everything.
Connor: Nothing about him implies he's acting outside of his coding. But in some ways he's more organic than I was expecting. Was he created that way? Or did he break free before androids and deviancy were even concepts..? I'd like to ask him.
Hank: That sure sounds right up Kamski's alley. Not a suggestion by the way. That freak can rot his whole like for all I care, new CEO or not.
Sumo: BORF
Hank: You tell'm, Sumo.
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Who should play Martian Manhunter in the DCU?
Martian Manhunter always felt like one of the most important members of the Justice League to me. He is an alien, making him a sort of mentor and friend to Superman, but he is not an Earthling like most. He is a foreigner, the last of his kind, and must shift his likeness in order to assimilate to a new world. As a person of color, his story always felt the most sad, and all too real.
While the Manhunter from Mars is an original member of the Justice League and a staple member of JLA in Justice League Unlimited, J'onn J'onzz has been largely absent from live action films.
While he was retconned as Calvin Swanwick in Zack Snyder's Justice League, we don't get much of him, and he doesn't really contribute to any fight.
With the DCU reboot already featuring alien/alien adjacent heroes such as Blue Beetle, Hawkgirl, Superman, and Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter's return can fit in nicely real soon.
If that is to be true, I have a couple of picks I think can add something new to the character, and become a very fun recurring character for The Justice League and other DCU movies to come.
First, as always, let's answer some questions:
What depictions are we drawing from?
When it comes to Manhunter, there are quite a few solid iterations in both Live Action and Animation. Let's start with the big one.
Carl Lumbly - Justice League/Justice League Unlimited
It's hard to not talk Martian Manhunter without bringing up Justice League Unlimited.
Carl Lumbly provided the voice for the character, which is often the voice people hear when they think of Manhunter. He brings wisdom, strength, and sorrow to the character that people often try to emulate, but can never truly duplicate.
He also brought an awkward energy to humanity I quite love. I think it has been missing in other versions. I'd love our Manhunter to be unfamiliar with earth customs, and more importantly question them.
David Harewood - Arrowverse
I don't think any show or movie has used Martian Manhunter as effectively as Supergirl.
The initial twist of not being Hank Henshaw and instead being the last son of Mars is still one of my favorite moments in the series. Ever since then, J'onn is used as a mentor to most heroes, sometimes team leader, but always the inspiration of the team.
David Harewood brings a righteous anger to Manhunter at times that I absolutely love. I'd love to carry that over.
This version of J'onn is slightly more optimistic than most, seeing the good in humanity, and believing the world deserves saving.
Overall, he is a fantastic Manhunter, and if you haven't seen Supergirl, you should definitely give it a shot.
Henry Lennix - DCEU
While he is mostly a shut in, there are aspects of this character I quite like.
Manhunter being a reveal in the DC Universe is fun for fans. Trying to figure out what a guy is up to and turning out to be one of the best DC heroes can be a delight if done right.
I also like that this Manhunter is working behind the scenes to help heroes like Superman. Having him starting as a mentor character already and then being a mentor superhero is a fun concept.
While I don't like how much he is on the sidelines for the DCEU, setting him up in multiple movies to finally face his fear and come from the shadows as a person we've already known could've been amazing had Snyder continued on.
And of course, Lennix also has a fantastic voice.
What ethnicity is Martian Manhunter?
Well, he's a martian.
In most depictions, Manhunter is portrayed by black actors. I think continuing this is important, as his story is an immigrant story, and it appears to be a staple aspect of the character.
Any other stipulations?
I'd like our Manhunter to feel older than our other main characters. If Superman is 30, I'd like Manhunter to feel a couple decades older.
I'm looking for someone in the 50-70 range, but I'd say more towards 50 as he has to feel formidable.
This actor should have a great voice, feel like he a mentor, project strength and sadness, and most importantly, be able to be part of an ensemble.
I'm not looking for a leading man technically. Manhunter feels crucial to the League, but I don't necessarily see him leading his own project. More like Vision in the MCU who comes up in key places and is always a delight.
Unlike other heroes, Manhunters build is inconsequential, as he can shape shift into Manhunter using CGI. So really, any build is good.
As always, I don't want an actor widely known for any other superhero role.
Unlike most of my fancasts, I think I found three I like a lot and would be extremely happy with any of them. It was very close and I went real back and forth. Let's get into it:
3. Rick Worthy
While he is known for other roles such as Supernatural, Battlestar Galactica, The Man in the High Castle, or Vampire Diaries, Rick Worthy has caught my attention from his role as Dean Henry Fogg in The Magicians.
As the Dean, Worthy mentors young heroes on how best to use their abilities all while keeping secrets of his own on a looming threat. If that doesn't scream Manhunter, I don't know what does.
Worthy's Manhunter could be a little more fun than the others. I can see him poking fun at the man dressed as the Bat, or shape shifting into the other heroes to mock them.
I think having a character with a background in Sci-Fi could make the Manhunter reveal harder for people to see coming. I also think Worthy is an actor who won't be bigger than the role.
My main concern is I think he could struggle with the mentoring of heroes without being sarcastic. I'm not sure how genuine Worthy can be as Manhunter, which is why I have him third.
I can still see Worthy playing this role for decades to come, and really chew up scenery.
2. Blair Underwood
Known for roles in films like Rules of Engagement, Set it off and shows such as Agents of SHIELD, American Crime Story, and Dear White People, you've probably seen Blair Underwood in a really well acted piece of media.
Underwood has a smoothness the other actors do not. I can absolutely see Underwood's Manhunter gain a high level job based on his skill and charm.
Underwood also has the most experience being a part of great ensembles. It's an often overlooked skill to be great and amplify the skills of other great actors without being overshadowed. Underwood has that skill which is why he has such an incredible career.
He has experience playing FBI, experience playing a shape shifter in Agents of SHIELD, a mentor (although a bad one) in Dear White People, and perfected all of them.
If I had to put money down as to who would get this role, Underwood has my bet. I could see him cast tomorrow for Superman Legacy and fit in perfectly. But I do have one more I really love.
1. Andre Braugher
You see it now don't you?
Known for roles in The Good Fight, Bojack Horseman and Men of a Certain Age, Braugher really launched into the zeitgeist as Captain Raymond Holt in Brooklyn Nine Nine.
Captain Holt may be the perfect audition tape for Martian Manhunter.
Older experienced mentor who is othered for being different, doesn't always understand social human interactions, extremely smart, kind, but with a righteous anger.
That's Manhunter.
Braugher through his time in Brooklyn Nine Nine also demonstrated how funny and/or dramatically poignant he can be. Both are needed for Manhunter.
Much like Underwood, Braugher has experience being in large ensembles and bringing out some of the best in other actors. Imagine a scene as good and emotional as the final scene between Holt and Jake between Manhunter and Superman.
That's the kind of Manhunter the DCU needs.
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