10 Shockingly Dark Origins Of Comic Book Heroes
3. Martian Manhunter
Centuries ago, J’onn J’onzz was born as one of two twins. His brother, Ma’alefa’ak, didn’t possess his race's innate ability to communicate telepathically. J’onn became a Manhunter, married, and had a daughter. His brother grew to despise his own culture and engineered a contagious virus called H’ronmeer’s Curse. The virus passed telepathically and attacked the innate Martian fear of fire. The effect was so intense that it caused the victim’s mind and body to burst into flames. J’onn was so horrified to see his wife and daughter fall to the plague, that it drove him nearly insane.
On Earth, Dr. Saul Erdel had created a transmitter machine based on Martian technology. Hoping to contact extraterrestrial life, the scientist pointed it at Mars. Unbeknownst to him, it traveled through time and space and brought the distraught Martian Manhunter to Earth. Through a mental link that J’onn established, Erdel helped him heal his mind and regain his sanity.
J’onn used his race’s shape-shifting ability to take on a human form. The shock caused Dr. Erdel to have a heart attack. Before dying, Erdel asked for J’onn’s forgiveness for trapping him on Earth. J’onn took on the identity of police detective John Jones. He was also the Bronze Wraith in the short-lived team the Justice Experience and a founding member of the Justice League.