Martian Manlove

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Fanfiction
Title: Martian Manlove Series
Author(s): Chicago (fanwriter) (and others)
Date(s): 2002-2004
Length: 68 separate stories
Genre: Slash
Fandom: DC Comics
External Links: AO3; Chicago's Library (via Wayback, Sep 13/16)
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The Martian Manlove series, aka the J'onnverse, was created by Chicago sometime in late 2002/early 2003. The series began as a result of three things - Chicago's longtime love of the character of J'onn J'onzz, a challenge from friends to pair Batman and the Martian Manhunter and Justice League of America #58.[1]

The series focuses on the slash pairing of Bruce Wayne/J'onn J'onzz from DC Comics. It spans two years of the relationship from its inception, with a further three years planned out and some stories begun. Chicago was not the only author - other writers who provided stories were nw's chick, Darklady, SKH, Smitty, StarStorm, ManEaterLad, Hotspur and Shadow Kyle

According to the AO3 entry, there are a total of 68 stories in the collection.

J'onnverse Canon Notes

Notes on the J'onnverse Canon - Chicago's notes on the characters, the setting and the timeframe.

The first defining move is to say that the J'onnverse builds primarily, though not exclusively, from comics canon. Non-comics readers who want to get caught up in this canon should investigate the "must reads" listed elsewhere on this page or return to the entry page to follow the links for Martian Manhunter and Batman.

J'onnverse Canon Notes - AO3

Year One

  • Only Human - Batman and Martian Manhunter embark on a new path that somehow feels like home. *Set immediately after the JLA "Terror Incognito" storyline.*
  • Alienated - The members of the JLA react to what they know and question what they don't.
  • Thesis - On Mars, Bruce battles the Martian god H'ronmeer for the right to save J'onn's life.
  • Comforts of Home - Alfred returns to Wayne Manor to help J'onn recover.
  • Flame by Darklady - The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, as J'onn faces his first flame since "Terror Incognito."
  • Guarded - Sasha Bordreax meets Bruce's new houseguest "Alana" and reflects on how she's not really Bruce's "usual type" of girl.
  • Confronting - Batman faces an angry and confused JLA.
  • Antithesis - Rated R for adult situations and sexual content. Bruce and J'onn try lovemaking Bruce's way.
  • Family Affairs - Bruce introduces Dick to his new relationship but--as usual--his history comes back to bite him in the butt.
  • Assured - Clark visits J'onn and frayed nerves are soothed.
  • Nightline - Barbara helps Dick come to terms with the changes he's been forced to face.
  • Telling Tales Out of School - The sharing of secrets reunites Batman and Robin.
  • Synthesis - Rated R for adult situations and sexual content. J'onn brings comfort to Bruce after a hard patrol.
  • Tea Time - A family dinner sparks some concerns about acceptance.
  • Thanksgiving is for Family by Darklady
    • Chapter One - Plasticman and his friend Woozy make the best of a Thanksgiving spent on monitor duty and Flash gets a talk about trust and tolerance
    • Chapter Two: Comedy of Manners - A Batfamily Thanksgiving, chock full of tradition teaches J'onn a few lessons about American holidays.
  • Confessions - J'onn brings his side of the family into the circle.
  • All's Fair - The Justice League learns the fate of Atlantis. Note that in the J'onnverse, this story replaces DC canon's "Obsidian Age."
  • Ace by Darklady - Bruce remembers the receiving of a very special gift.
  • Warmth by Darklady -The first family Christmas for J'onn allows Bruce an element of surprise.
  • Fidelity by Darklady - After Lucius' death, Bruce must take a more active role in Wayne Enterprises.
  • Paternal Instinct - Gypsy reminds J'onn that a father's heart is true in any culture.
  • Cold - The chill in the air is not just from the weather.
  • I Thought I Saw A... by Darklady - Beware of playful Martians!
  • Doghouse - Bruce and Dick share a bonding moment after being exiled by their lovers.
  • Paper Hearts by Darklady and Chicago - It's Valentine's Day, and love is in the air... along with bullets, shrapnel, electronic scramblers...
  • The Many Faces of J'onn - Note the first column of stories is in the main J'onnverse sequence in the order they appear.
At Darklady's behest, I would like to propose a challenge to help us round out a small collection of J'onn's attempts to sneak under Bruce's radar in some disguise. To date, J'onn has been utterly unsuccessful in fooling Bruce with any form he assumes. Bruce always figures it out. There will come a day when that changes (maybe), but for this challenge, that time hasn't happened yet.

So here's the challenge: Write a story in which J'onn attempts to sneak an identity by Bruce and fails. The parameters are pretty broad (remember J'onn snuck into Bruce's office as a cat not long ago - that didn't work either).

Words: I dunno - 500 sounds good.

Winners - well, all us readers will be the winners - this is more for fun than anything. If we think we can fit the story into J'onnverse canon, I might ask to do so, but otherwise, this is just for play.

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with...

Chicago

The Many Faces of J'onn - Notes - AO3

  • Easter Bunny by Darklady - The annual Wayne Charities Easter Egg Hunt gets an unexpected contribution.
  • Waking - It is a time of unparalleled peace and prosperity on Earth, and it has J'onn worried.
  • After - In the aftermath of Waking, Bruce and J'onn reach a new understanding.
  • Fugitive Endeavor by Darklady and Chicago - Lex Luthor reactivates plans he put on hold after the events of "Terror Incognito."

Year Two

Memory by Darklady - J'onn reflects on the events of the past month.

Bring Him Home by StarStorm - Kyle has a moment of inspiration, but what to do with the result?

Feeding Pigeons - Clark Kent has lost his job at the Planet, but he is still a man with a mission.

The Apprentice - Some villains have very focused goals.

Oversung Hero - Stephanie Brown always thought she wanted to be a superhero, but she has cause to worry about what she wished for.

Well Met on Moonrise - J'onn deals with one of his least favorite things: a routine JLA meeting.

Office Interlude - There's more than one way to enjoy a break.

Mindstorm - Disaster has befallen the Earth, but where's the JLA?

Home for the Holidays - Some things are worth coming home to.

Lost and Found by nw's chick - Sometimes the only answer is escape.

Warning - There are people in the world who do not like being thwarted.

Light in Your Eyes by StarStorm - J'onnverse painting fic #2.

(Incomplete/Not Archived) Cages by StarStorm and Chicago - Are some losses too great to bear?

It's a Wonderful Life... ya know by Darklady - Eel O'Brian is a worse liar than he thought.

Air of December - The blended family finally does the holidays together.

(Incomplete/Not Archived) New Year's Worries - New Year's Eve is a time for reflection, but can two heroes driven by guilt and loss see past the harsher realities of the past 12 months?

Press Release by Darklady - When something sacred is threatened, action must be taken!

(Incomplete/Not Archived) Demon Warnings - Cheating death too often can bring unwelcome attention.

Ashes of Roses by Darklady - Bruce commemorates a solemn anniversary.

Precisely - Batman only tells it as a it really is.

(Incomplete/Not Archived) Shower Surprises - Not every woman's husband will coordinate a baby shower for her, but the Flash has more time than most men.

(Incomplete/Not Archived) Tales from the Tower - Gypsy takes Dick's offer, but all is not wine and roses.

(Incomplete/Not Archived) Weight of the World - Batman is learning not to shut out his family, but he's also realizing that it is easier to pull away than to engage.

Seeing Double - Nightwing is reminded that stubbornness runs in the family, and sometimes it is good to get a little outside perspective.

(Incomplete/Not Archived) Displacements - Little brothers sometimes seem to have things together better than they do.

(Incomplete/Not Archived) Born on a Monday - Young women are disappearing in Gotham, and Batgirl is on the case.

April - When spring fever stirs the senses, can you honestly expect a Martian to miss it?

5 AM - Early morning patrols are as important as the late night variety.

Root for the Home Team - With a loss comes a realization.

Top Gun - It's movie night at the Manor.

22 Minutes - A mission goes south.

Eggshells - Clark has to tell Bruce something he doesn't want to hear.

Choco Report - Woe betides those who think "Choco" is just another word for cookie.

Year Three

None of these stories were completed/archived.

Trying - Bruce learns a lesson in vulnerability, and J'onn confronts his own heart.

Backer - Garfield Logan has a film project to launch.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas by Chicago and Darklady - Ms. Claus makes a delivery.

Daughters - Gypsy has something to ask.

TBA

Appliances Included by Darklady - Dick has earned his shield and proposed to his sweetheart - now he just has to find a house and solve a case. Simple, right?

Fan Reactions and Reviews

As far as fanfic series goes, I cannot, in good conscience, fail to point out the writer known as 'Chicago' and her Martian Manlove series, found on Offpanel.net. It's that series that made me even think that slash and J'onn belonged in the same sentence.

Workshop: "Writing J'onn J'onnz, the Martian Manhunter," by Merfilly, super_hero muses on Livejournal, March 17/08

If there was ever a story that will convince you of a pairing you thought you'd never believe in, this is it. Seriously, when I saw that this fic had Bruce/J'onn as its pairing, I didn't read it. I didn't read it for a long while, until I was desperate for something to read, because c'mon, Bruce/J'onn? I read this story and then promptly became obsessed with reading the rest of the (happily very long) series. In Chicago's hands, the pairing works and the series ranges from humor to angst to action. There's something for everyone.

Only Human By Chicago (PG) - by marag on Crack Van - Aug 14/05

References

  1. ^ The Martian Manlove Series Introduction (via Wayback, Sep 13, 2016)
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