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When Martian Manhunter was first introduced in the 1950s, his human disguise was that of John Jones, a white detective. However, in several excellent depictions since then, he has been portrayed by black actors, including Carl Lumbly, David Harewood, and Harry Lennix. What was the first instance, in either animation or live-action, where Martian Manhunter was portrayed by a black actor? Is there any information in regards to why this became a trend when casting the character in other media?

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  • When Did The Martian Manhunter "Become" Black?
    – Valorum
    Commented Apr 6, 2021 at 9:09
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    I don't remember seeing J'onn being portrayed as a man of color in any comics (at least the ones that I've read). Therefore, IMO, the first depiction of J'onn as a black man would be DEO's Director Hank Henshaw in CW's Supergirl.
    – Shreedhar
    Commented Apr 6, 2021 at 12:42
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    @Shreedhar Can't forget about Phil Morris on Smallville.
    – Donatello Swansino
    Commented Apr 6, 2021 at 18:47
  • The title asks for the first time Martian Manhunter was depicted as a black man, whereas the question body asks for the first time he was portrayed by a black man. As per the discussion on Dre M Evans' answer, there's a subtle yet very important difference - in Justice League Unlimited he's portrayed by a black man yet depicted as a white man. Can you clarify which of those two things you're looking for, and whether JLU would count as an example?
    – F1Krazy
    Commented Oct 16 at 16:23
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    @F1Krazy I've amended the question to reflect that I'm looking for a portrayal instead of a depiction (though that doesn't mean they're mutually exclusive necessarily).
    – Donatello Swansino
    Commented Oct 16 at 20:33

2 Answers 2

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In the comics, it appears that his first portrayal as a black man was when he was impersonating Bloodwynd as a member of the Justice League.

In live-action, it appears his first black appearance was in Smallville S6:E8 Static as portrayed by Phil Morris. Originally aired November 16, 2006.

I can't find an example in animation where he assumes a human form that is of a black individual. In DCAU Justice League when they go underground in Starcrossed three-part he is a white man. later in the Justice League Unlimited, when he takes a sabbatical from league business, he is an elderly Asian man. In The Batman as Detective John Jones he is a white man.

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  • Well he is a shapeshifter, he could be any race anytime he wants.
    – Nu'Daq
    Commented Oct 16 at 22:12
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Carl Lumbly as voice actor in Justice League Unlimited in 2004, Phil Morris in Live-action in 2006, and animated in Justice League Doom in 2012. I don't recall it happening in the comics outside of the CW Universe

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    Note also that otherwise the other answer notes the 2006 date.
    – DavidW
    Commented Oct 16 at 14:57
  • @DavidW In Justice League Unlimited he was indeed green, and when he adopted a human form he chose to disguise as a white male (when he got married to a human wife).
    – Andres F.
    Commented Oct 16 at 15:50

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