Well, you certainly can't accuse Mr. Netzer of having a self-esteem problem.

I don't really care much what happens in Final Crisis. The status quo of the books may be different, and it may be something closer to the DC of 30 years ago, but the quality of the stories will be exactly the same as they are now -- some good, some bad, some in-between. I prefer the continuity of 1978 to the continuity of 2008, but I'd rather read a good book set in 2008 than a mediocre book set in 1978, and no matter how many Crises they do, that's not going to change.

It does become tediously boring when devices are used over and over again. Here's hoping for a change and at least a marginal part in it.

I wouldn't have noted what's been said about my MM series had I not run across it repeatedly. Just relaying my impressions.

Thanks for the good words, Greg.

"Won't give 'em a dime." From your mouth to Paul Levitz's ear.

Jason: What Netzer's post brought to mind was Steve Englehart's reminiscences about his Detective Comics run, which was apparently the starting point for Batman for everyone else in every medium ever since.

I must be lurking in the wrong corners of the internet, as I've never seen the adoration for Mr. Netzer's Martian Manhunter run that he and Greg reference. To be fair, I never see people saying much of anything about the Martian Manhunter, and I'm sure there are people out there talking about him. So I guess now I need to try to track down that run on Adventure Comics.

And since Mr. Netzer is here reading, let me just say that I'm not too familiar with most of your work, but I did really enjoy the art you did for the Legion of Super-Heroes back in the 70s. And judging by the pictures on your website, you've still got it. If I heard you were doing the art on a new book, I would definitely be interested in picking it up. Would that the publishers' understanding of what the current marketplace desires would allow for that.

Doesn't the hype for the post-FC "In Blackest Night" Green Lantern megastory pretty much rule out a global reboot?

(Unless it's a global reboot with the Intracrisis continuity becoming Geoff Johns' private reserve, much like Earth-2 was for Roy Thomas, I suppose.)

I remember being intrigued by this short-lived series at the time, but IIRC, it felt like it was going to lead somewhere but ended up essentially as a one-off story. The Martian Manhunter had exiled himself from Earth, and at the end of the story (which appeared in World's Finest #245 in a Superman/Batman story with Curt Swan art) he remained off Earth. As Netzer recalls, he did bring the brow back here--pulling J'onn out of his "green Telly Savalas" period.

My theory about Rich Johnston's rumor on the deaths of Martian Manhunter and Aquaman is that Dan DiDio picked up a random issue of a comic--in this case, Adventure #449--and decreed that everyone inside should be killed. Unfortunately, upon opening the comic book, he discovered that Aquagirl and Flash were already dead, Green Lantern has only recently been resurrected, and Aqualad was presumed dead not too long ago. That really only left Aquaman and the Martian Manhunter, although Tempest probably ought to watch his back, anyway.

"in this case, Adventure #449"

How about B&B #28? J'onn and Arthur are the only two original Leaguers not to be killed and ressurected. Heck, J'onn was just pushed through a "Grim and Gritty" phase as well.

Not that I think DiDio is enough on the ball to want to consciously level the playingfield in time for Morisson's denoument. But I do think a subconscious "Let's kill all the bitches" niggling may be at work.

It is interesting to see how in the big 2's efforts to maximize profits on comics sales, there really exists little evidence that this truly matters to anyone at DC and Marvel. The lion's share of profits come from merchandising and licensing, while the comics themselves primarily serve as a testing ground and idea pool, along with the vehicle which maintains the characters in the public eye.

And while we know that J'Onn will not ultimately perish, and noting the mundane-to-death phenomenon that the execution of heroes has become, it would still be a little more elevating to read a story where that death had a profound purpose and meaning, as the deaths of heroes are hoped to be. But I suppose this little episode hit close to home at a time that a graceful opening to offer art services to DC was certainly a welcome development.

And so, I've widened the scope of this campaign into The Movement to Save The Manhunter From Mars, with an updatable resources headquarters page including links to relevant articles, banners for use on sites and forum signatures... and a petition to save J'Onn which can be effectively signed by leaving a comment on the page.

There is also a collection of reactions to the plea from across the comics web, including some of the comments here... and a superb profile of the Martian Manhunter by Maurice Kane.

To all those disposed to pitch in, please do come by and leave a comment in support of the effort. Certainly not for the fanboy sensationalist value it holds, but rather to show that the people can and do have a voice in shaping the fates of heroes who surf the waves of market profitability on the wings that comics lovers and consumers provide.

Let's not give Levitz or DiDio a dime...

but let's not give the creators responsbile a dime either.

Johns, Morrison, Bedard, Winick, McKeever, Beechen- they're ALL culpable.

In 2008, hating the game isn't enough: It's the playas' turn.