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Absolute Martian Manhunter was almost called Absolute Martian Mindfucker, and Scott Snyder fought DC for it
Scott Snyder and Deniz Camp’s original unused name for Absolute Martian Manhunter is actually kind of perfect
NewsbyChris Arrant, Editor-in-Chief
Published on Mon Aug 17 2026
Popverse’s coverage of Comic-Con International: San Diego 2026 is brought to you byDark Horse Comics.
Don’t sleep on Absolute Martian Manhunter, because it might be one of the wildest books DC is putting out. The Absolute Universe maxiseries, written by Deniz Camp and penciled by Javier Rodriquez, is not a traditional superhero comic; it’s a psychological thriller with elements of horror and psychedelia. Rodriquez’s art is colorful, trippy, and there’s so much in every page that the more you look at it, the more fun hidden details you notice.
Deniz Camp’s script goes to some unexpected and dark places, as John Jones tries to grapple with the Martian living inside his head – and his presence feels less than friendly. That’s one of the reasons why Deniz Camp and Scott Snyder had a different name for the title when they were building the pitch.
“The original pitch for Absolute Martian Manhunter, it was actually the Absolute Martian Mindfucker, and [Scott Snyder] did everything he could to make that the actual title of the book,” Deniz Camp says during a panel at San Diego Comic Con 2026.
Snyder, who has a godfather role in DC’s Absolute Universe Line, made the case directly to DC Comics publisher Jim Lee, but he wasn’t having it. “I actually did. I had a Zoom with Jim Lee. Now I feel like he would totally do it,” Snyder says.
It may not have been the title of the book, but the phrase still appears in the story. If DC wants to do something bold, it’s not too late to use it as a title for the inevitable omnibus edition.
Need more? Here’s our picks for the best DC Comics stories of all time.
About Comic-Con International: San Diego
Comic-Con is the premier event for all things comics and related popular art, including movies, television, gaming, interactive multimedia, and so much more! Enjoy cosplay galore and take part in unique programming, exclusive previews, and presentations, not to mention the expansive and diverse Exhibit Hall featuring merchandise and displays representing all fandoms.
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Chris Arrant: Chris Arrant is the Popverse’s Editor-in-Chief. He has written about pop culture for USA Today, Life, Entertainment Weekly, Publisher’s Weekly, Marvel, Newsarama, CBR, and more. He has acted as a judge for the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, the Harvey Awards, and the Stan Lee Awards. (He/him)
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