10 Superheroes You Didn't Know Had Shameful Origins
10. Martian Manhunter
DC comics favourite, Martian Manhunter, had it rough from the get-go. A family man, living happily on Mars with his wife and daughter, life couldnt be better. His beatific existence clearly ruffled fates feathers, perhaps pissy at his good fortune, and so his spouse and child both perished in a Martian holocaust. Never fear - he can always find another wife, right? Afraid not, as the catastrophic event also wiped out every other member of his race. Subject to a torment none of us will ever face, he sort of lost his marbles. Teetering on the brink of madness, at the point at which fate should have again stepped in kindly to end his suffering, he was suddenly transported to Earth. Brilliant, right? Of course, Mr. Manhunters shameful act was to take place on our planet (theres no doubt something akin to subtext going on here.) Upon his arrival, and before his induction into the Justice League Of America, he met scientist Saul Erdel; the man responsible for accidentally summoning him to Earth. Instead of offering an obligatory thank you for saving me from a lonely life of blistered palms he gave Erdel another gift - a massive heart attack brought on by the sight of Martian Manhunter, killing his saviour instantly.
Gem is a freelance writer, musician and librarian.
Her hobbies include: recreating movie death scenes from LEGO, concocting new types of bird suet cakes, walking on fresh snow and playing the glockenspiel - all at the same time.
