Matt Kindt Mindmelds with "Martian Manhunter"

[CBR News]

Matt Kindt explains J'onn J'onzz' DCU status, his plans for the JLA leader and why a "Martian Manhunter" spinning out from a "Justice League of America" backup feature to an ongoing series would be his dream project.


Full article here.

[Rakzo]

Ooooohhhh!

I will take this as a confirmation. Nice!

[Mr. Holmes]

Wonder if this is going to be like a Travis Bickle approach, where we can sympathize but hardly understand the character.

[Desaad]

Hasn't really given us anything to go off of for his backups, and what he's saying about "Great Power/Great Responsibility" is sort of nonsensical since he's an ADULT and presumably he would have learned the (martian) concept of right/wrong/responsibility on that planet. How that conflicts with modern american values is another story entirely, but he doesn't need that 'guiding force' on earth, he would have had it (or not had it, as the case may be) on Mars.

Lets hope Kindt is drawing on the weirdness of the Ostrander run and the humanity of Cooke's take from New Frontier. Those are the two strongest intepretations of the character ever.

Anyway, as I said on another thread, extremely chuffed about 'a bunch more stuff for DC' coming from Kindt, as I think he's got real talent. Two books for Fialkov, two books for Fawkes, two books for Venditti, 'a bunch of stuff' for Kindt (presumably at least one ongoing in addition to this?), one book for Soule? Thrilling.

Since I'm sure it's DC listening to me that is doing this, more names for you; Jeff Parker (soon to be out of work at Marvel, if rumors are to be believed), Bryan Q Miller (if he can find the time), Ales Kot (if he can go a bit more mainstream), Si Spurrier, Al Ewing, Mike Costa, John Rozum.

And, if he's at all willing, more China Mieville!

[Ves]

Remind me to wet myself next time I read something with Saint Walker, because such a powerful alien who didn't have a human guardian to raise him and teach him how to act properly must be the scariest thing ever.

[Johnny P. Sartre]

Hasn't really given us anything to go off of for his backups, and what he's saying about "Great Power/Great Responsibility" is sort of nonsensical since he's an ADULT and presumably he would have learned the (martian) concept of right/wrong/responsibility on that planet. How that conflicts with modern american values is another story entirely, but he doesn't need that 'guiding force' on earth, he would have had it (or not had it, as the case may be) on Mars.

Lets hope Kindt is drawing on the weirdness of the Ostrander run and the humanity of Cooke's take from New Frontier. Those are the two strongest intepretations of the character ever.

Anyway, as I said on another thread, extremely chuffed about 'a bunch more stuff for DC' coming from Kindt, as I think he's got real talent. Two books for Fialkov, two books for Fawkes, two books for Venditti, 'a bunch of stuff' for Kindt (presumably at least one ongoing in addition to this?), one book for Soule? Thrilling.

Since I'm sure it's DC listening to me that is doing this, more names for you; Jeff Parker (soon to be out of work at Marvel, if rumors are to be believed), Bryan Q Miller (if he can find the time), Ales Kot (if he can go a bit more mainstream), Si Spurrier, Al Ewing, Mike Costa, John Rozum.

And, if he's at all willing, more China Mieville!

Kot... Really?

He hasn't impressed me at all.

[Desaad]

Kot... Really?

He hasn't impressed me at all.

That one is a big leap of faith, because he hasn't impressed me either. But we're coming from similar places, re: influences and interests, and I think he's got a lot of AMBITION to try something different, to try something new.

But no, I understand what you're saying; he has yet to write a coherent story peopled with characters, and he's more often than not trying very, very hard and crossing into pretension.

But I appreciate someone - anyone - who is drawing upon the source material he is. He's sort of a hyper version of what I'm seeing a lot of in guys like Spencer, Hickman, etc. Interesting ideas but a lack of some very basic storytelling skills.

[Johnny P. Sartre]

That one is a big leap of faith, because he hasn't impressed me either. But we're coming from similar places, re: influences and interests, and I think he's got a lot of AMBITION to try something different, to try something new.

But no, I understand what you're saying; he has yet to write a coherent story peopled with characters, and he's more often than not trying very, very hard and crossing into pretension.

But I appreciate someone - anyone - who is drawing upon the source material he is. He's sort of a hyper version of what I'm seeing a lot of in guys like Spencer, Hickman, etc. Interesting ideas but a lack of some very basic storytelling skills.

100% agree with you; he has a lot of potential and like any young writer it's hard to get voice and skill right away.

If he is wanting to work at DC or Marvel and gets an offer, I hope it's when he's mastered or at least gotten his storytelling technique under control. I don't want him been thrown in right away and getting his named smeared because he hasn't gotten the basics down.

[Paladin King]

Hasn't really given us anything to go off of for his backups, and what he's saying about "Great Power/Great Responsibility" is sort of nonsensical since he's an ADULT and presumably he would have learned the (martian) concept of right/wrong/responsibility on that planet. How that conflicts with modern american values is another story entirely, but he doesn't need that 'guiding force' on earth, he would have had it (or not had it, as the case may be) on Mars.

Lets hope Kindt is drawing on the weirdness of the Ostrander run and the humanity of Cooke's take from New Frontier. Those are the two strongest intepretations of the character ever.

Anyway, as I said on another thread, extremely chuffed about 'a bunch more stuff for DC' coming from Kindt, as I think he's got real talent. Two books for Fialkov, two books for Fawkes, two books for Venditti, 'a bunch of stuff' for Kindt (presumably at least one ongoing in addition to this?), one book for Soule? Thrilling.

Since I'm sure it's DC listening to me that is doing this, more names for you; Jeff Parker (soon to be out of work at Marvel, if rumors are to be believed), Bryan Q Miller (if he can find the time), Ales Kot (if he can go a bit more mainstream), Si Spurrier, Al Ewing, Mike Costa, John Rozum.

And, if he's at all willing, more China Mieville!

Heh....with that public flame-out, I wouldn't hold my breath for Rozum. Crying shame, of course.

[will_from_chicago]

Hasn't really given us anything to go off of for his backups, and what he's saying about "Great Power/Great Responsibility" is sort of nonsensical since he's an ADULT and presumably he would have learned the (martian) concept of right/wrong/responsibility on that planet. How that conflicts with modern american values is another story entirely, but he doesn't need that 'guiding force' on earth, he would have had it (or not had it, as the case may be) on Mars.

Lets hope Kindt is drawing on the weirdness of the Ostrander run and the humanity of Cooke's take from New Frontier. Those are the two strongest intepretations of the character ever.

Anyway, as I said on another thread, extremely chuffed about 'a bunch more stuff for DC' coming from Kindt, as I think he's got real talent. Two books for Fialkov, two books for Fawkes, two books for Venditti, 'a bunch of stuff' for Kindt (presumably at least one ongoing in addition to this?), one book for Soule? Thrilling.

Since I'm sure it's DC listening to me that is doing this, more names for you; Jeff Parker (soon to be out of work at Marvel, if rumors are to be believed), Bryan Q Miller (if he can find the time), Ales Kot (if he can go a bit more mainstream), Si Spurrier, Al Ewing, Mike Costa, John Rozum.

And, if he's at all willing, more China Mieville!

DeSaad, I love your comments. I do see J'Onn J'Onnzz as fundamentally different than Superman. J'Onn grew up in an alien culture, is biologically quite distinct from humans, and yet still believes in a humanity that may never truly accept him. In the New 52, J'Onn has shown some signs of the compassion that we have seen in previous incarnations, such as his concern for his comrades on Stormwatch and serving as a mentor to a young hero.

I do have some qualms with what Kindt said here;

I think so. He's basically Superman without the human upbringing. It's like, what if Superman was without Krypton and had deal with his alien-ness all alone? There has always been that struggle with him to fit in or not fit in. He didn't have a human dad to show him how to do things. And this is how you should be. "With great power comes great responsibility." He didn't have an Uncle Ben. He didn't have a Pa Kent. He didn't have any of that.

Having him react with humanity and basically be as strong as Superman is, I think, a little scary. As a human being from Earth, who knows what he's really thinking. What's his story?

Kindt, to use a phrase, comes across as a bit of a "human chauvinist pig." There are lots of alien heroes who show far more compassion and concern for others than many of the human characters in the DC Universe. I hope that J'Onn can be portrayed as a hero who cares for humanity, but has a different take on us than someone like Superman who is psychologically an alien in name only. As a telepath, J'Onn probably has gained a keen understanding of humanity but processes it through his experiences and culture. So, I hope that Kindt can create a Martian Manhunter who is powerful, interesting and someone whom the readers care about deeply. I hope that Kindt is up for the challenge.

[Mr. Holmes]

It's kind of a silly thing to say, but I don't think Kindt means it in that kind of chauvinist way. In an earlier interview, he compared J'onn to Doctor Manhattan. That sounds more right to me. The idea that you need Pa and Ma Kent's upbringing to be Superman is kind of inane (it's one of those things that doesn't really ring true when you think about it, but it's been repeated over and over to where it's accepted as fact), but the idea that Martian Manhunter is more alienated and a little detached with respect to humanity sounds right to me.

[DarkKnghtJared]

It's kind of a silly thing to say, but I don't think Kindt means it in that kind of chauvinist way. In an earlier interview, he compared J'onn to Doctor Manhattan. That sounds more right to me. The idea that you need Pa and Ma Kent's upbringing to be Superman is kind of inane (it's one of those things that doesn't really ring true when you think about it, but it's been repeated over and over to where it's accepted as fact), but the idea that Martian Manhunter is more alienated and a little detached with respect to humanity sounds right to me.

I think the point of it isn't so much that baby Kal-El needed the tender care of Jonathan and Martha Kent to be a good person and become Superman, but that being raised by regular humans loved him and instilled good values in him. Clark Kent is basically human in mind/spirit, despite his alien heritage. J'onn, on the other hand, was born and raised in a completely different, alien culture, and looks at Earth as a complete outsider. It's one of those things that COULD be creepy or dangerous, depending on what kind of being J'onn is.

[Mr. Holmes]

I wouldn't say Superman is necessarily human in mind/spirit, at least not 100% (things like Birthright and Elliot Maggin's novels give some insight into a more unique POV Superman has with his powers) but I'd agree with that overall.

Duncan Jones's pitch for a Superman movie was to make him more alienated and Manhattan-like. It's an interesting take that doesn't really fit Superman himself, so I'm interested in seeing it here.

[Flash Gordon]

Anyway, as I said on another thread, extremely chuffed about 'a bunch more stuff for DC' coming from Kindt, as I think he's got real talent. Two books for Fialkov, two books for Fawkes, two books for Venditti, 'a bunch of stuff' for Kindt (presumably at least one ongoing in addition to this?), one book for Soule? Thrilling.

Since I'm sure it's DC listening to me that is doing this, more names for you; Jeff Parker (soon to be out of work at Marvel, if rumors are to be believed), Bryan Q Miller (if he can find the time), Ales Kot (if he can go a bit more mainstream), Si Spurrier, Al Ewing, Mike Costa, John Rozum.

And, if he's at all willing, more China Mieville!

Hot diggity damn that's some fine talent.

I'd love to see Jeff Parker on DOOM PATROL. I loved his Agents of Atlas.

[will_from_chicago]

I think the point of it isn't so much that baby Kal-El needed the tender care of Jonathan and Martha Kent to be a good person and become Superman, but that being raised by regular humans loved him and instilled good values in him. Clark Kent is basically human in mind/spirit, despite his alien heritage. J'onn, on the other hand, was born and raised in a completely different, alien culture, and looks at Earth as a complete outsider. It's one of those things that COULD be creepy or dangerous, depending on what kind of being J'onn is.

I missed the interview where Kindt compares J'Onn to Doctor Manhattan. However, Kindt did not seem to come across to me as well as he perhaps intended. I do see J'Onn being a bit alienated from humanity, but still cares about us as shown in some of his relationships with other characters. (Ironically, Kara Zor-El was also raised in a non-human society. However, Kryptonians and Martians are quite a bit different even when their powers overlap.) He may understand us but have a very different take on aspects of human society based on his alien upbringing. This could make J'Onn seen creepy, dangerous or strange depending on many things, including those whom he is interacting with at the time. (I imagine someone with a fair amount of exposure to aliens might give J'Onn a bit more leeway than some other characters who have not interacted with many aliens.)