Why did they avoid parodying Martian Manhunter?
The Boys is based on the comic book of the same name. In comics, they have a team called The Seven which is a clear parody of Justice League:
The Homelander (Superman parody)
Black Noir (Batman parody)
Queen Maeve (Wonder Woman parody)
Mister Marathon (Flash parody)
The Deep (Aquaman parody)
Jack From Jupiter (Martian Manhunter parody)
The Lamplighter (Green Lantern parody)
Later A-Train replaced Mister Marathon, maybe a Barry Allen/Wally West angle. And later Starlight replaced Lamplighter and she is most probably original character rather than JL parody as discussed in this answer.
But when it comes to the show there was no Jack From Jupiter and he is replaced with Translucent who is far from resembling Martian Manhunter and becomes the only anomaly to parody the seven of Justice League.
So what was the reason for this change? Is it some budget issue to stick with heroes with a human face or they wanted to keep it different from Justice League?
Best Answer
The showrunners didn't want an alien superhero in the world they were creating and with the story they wanted to tell. (It should go without saying but there are spoilers here.) This article on cbr.com includes quotes from an Entertainment Weekly interview and a Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything).
From the EW interview (emphasis mine):
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, series co-creator of The Boys Erik Kripke explained the decision not to use Jack in the show, saying: “No gods from mythology, no aliens from other planets. It’s only humans who suddenly found themselves with these extraordinary abilities.”
From the Reddit AMA (emphasis mine):
We're trying to make the show as grounded as possible -- and the story to the public is that people were suddenly and spontaneously born with these powers. (That's not the truth of course, but Vought is pitching a Mutant like mythology to the public). To say one of their heroes is an alien kinda kills that myth. Jack always felt too fantastic for the world we were trying to create. Though I do love his ability to get that many penises into his butt.
Pictures about "Why did they avoid parodying Martian Manhunter?"
Why did Martian Manhunter leave the Justice League?
At the beginning of the show's third and final season, the Martian Manhunter left the League, assuming human form. He felt out of touch with the humans he had sworn to protect, so he lived as one to better understand them.Why was Jack from Jupiter replaced?
The Boys co-creator Eric Kripke discussed replacing Jack From Jupiter with Translucent in a Reddit AMA. He revealed that the change was made because having an alien-looking character would mess with the mythology of the human characters being born with powers.Why does fire hurt Martian Manhunter?
Exposure to fire typically causes J'onzz to lose his ability to maintain his physical form, so that he "melts" into a pool of writhing green plasma. One portrayal explained that the flame weakness was tied into Martian telepathy, with fire causing so much chaos in Martian minds that they collapse.Is Martian Manhunter addicted to Oreos?
So when we see Martian Manhunter moving stuff into the New York embassy, we also learn that he has become obsessed with Oreos since being introduced to them by Captain Marvel...More answers regarding why did they avoid parodying Martian Manhunter?
Answer 2
Well Jack From Jupiter isn't seen or heard of in season 1, and that's the case season 2, except in S02E07, Lamplighter and and another character (who's name I've removed due to potential spoilers for those who haven't watched S02E06) are watching Supe porn. And I didn't catch him, but an actor is credited as "Porn Jack From Jupiter":
Edit: Oooh, courtesy the web (Reddit actually), I managed to find this photo. Expect the "real" Jack From Jupiter to be a bald guy (and slightly, orange?), if he does show up.
TLDR: Jack From Jupiter does exist in the show, and we haven't seem him yet; just his pornographic counterpart.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: cottonbro, cottonbro, Ketut Subiyanto, cottonbro