When a Cosmic Friendship Nearly Collapsed: The Arrowverse's Close Call with Superman and Martian Manhunter

In the vast pantheon of DC Comics, few friendships resonate as deeply as the unique bond between Superman and Martian Manhunter. Kal-El and J'onn J'onzz, two last sons of destroyed worlds, often find solace and understanding in each other, their shared alien heritage forming a kinship unlike any other.

When the Arrowverse, specifically The CW's Supergirl, introduced both characters, fans eagerly anticipated seeing this profound connection brought to life.

Initially, Supergirl laid a commendable foundation for J'onn J'onzz, establishing him as the enigmatic head of the DEO and a paternal mentor to Kara Danvers.

His journey of self-acceptance and heroism was a compelling arc. When Superman finally made his grand debut, there were whispers of how his presence might overshadow Supergirl herself, or even sideline the existing cast. Yet, what blossomed surprisingly was a nuanced and genuine friendship between the Man of Steel and the Emerald Crusader.

Their relationship evolved naturally, transcending mere collegial respect to a deep mutual understanding.

They shared unique perspectives as alien survivors, often finding common ground where others couldn't. This developing dynamic was a quiet triumph for the series, adding layers to both characters and fulfilling a long-held fan desire to see their comic book kinship explored on screen. It was a testament to Supergirl's character-driven approach that it allowed this specific, crucial bond to flourish.

Then came "Crisis on Infinite Earths," the ambitious, universe-altering crossover event designed to reshape the Arrowverse landscape.

While the cataclysmic event delivered epic scale and countless fan-service moments, it also introduced a colossal continuity conundrum that nearly obliterated the cherished bond between Superman and Martian Manhunter. Post-Crisis, the new reality of Earth-Prime meant a merged timeline where certain histories were rewritten or simply vanished.

Though J'onn J'onzz remarkably retained his memories of the pre-Crisis universe, the critical flaw was that the shared history of his profound friendship with Clark Kent simply no longer existed in the new continuity.

This wasn't merely a case of selective amnesia for other characters; it was a fundamental erasure of the narrative scaffolding that had built their relationship.

The years of shared experiences, mutual support, and growing trust, painstakingly established over multiple seasons of Supergirl, were effectively retconned out of existence. It felt like a dismissive disregard for a unique and meaningful bond, treating it as disposable in the grand scheme of multiversal resets, an unfortunate oversight that threatened to undermine the very essence of their connection.

To its credit, Supergirl did attempt to course-correct in the aftermath.

An episode featuring a new, awkward conversation between Clark and J'onn was clearly an effort to rebuild what had been lost. However, this forced re-initiation felt clunky and inorganic, failing to recapture the authentic development that had been so carefully nurtured. It was a band-aid on a gaping wound, highlighting the severity of the continuity gaffe rather than truly mending the damaged foundation of their friendship.

Ultimately, while the Arrowverse managed to pull back from the brink of completely ruining this iconic pairing, the "Crisis" left an undeniable scar.

The near-erasure of Superman and Martian Manhunter's friendship stands as a poignant reminder of the delicate balance between epic storytelling and respecting established character dynamics. Their bond, a beacon of shared alien experience and profound mutual respect, deserved more than a cosmic almost-forgotten history.

It's a testament to the characters' inherent strength that their connection, though tested, ultimately persevered, but not without a significant, and nearly fatal, stumble along the way.