Introducing... Areonaut

 

The first season of the Super Friends cartoon included Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Batman & Robin as well as the "Junior Super Friends" Wendy, Marvin, and Wonder Dog.  With the exception of Robin, the senior Super Friends were all founding members of the Justice League of America.  The cartoon often referred to various pieces of equipment as the Justice League such-and-such.  Founding JLA members Green Lantern and the Flash would appear as guest stars on the cartoon before becoming core members of the team during the so-called "Challenge of the Super Friends."  

Interestingly, J'onn J'onzz, the seventh founding member of the JLA was never featured on any season of the Super Friends.  What makes this even more ironic is that J'onn, the Manhunter from Mars or the Martian Manhunter, has been a part of nearly every incarnation of the JLA, from the Justice League of America to "Justice League Detroit" to Justice League International.  A panel in the Super Friends comic book depicts him as a former JLA member with the explanation that J'onn "left us when Mars became desolate and his people went to search for a new world."

J'onn's spirit is present, however, among the Justice Allies in the "Areonaut."    

Starlust.org explains the origins of the words "astronaut" and "cosmonaut.": "The word 'astronaut' is made of the prefix 'astro' which means 'stars' and the suffix 'naut,' which means sailor.  An astronaut is essentially a "star sailor."  The word 'cosmonaut' is made of the prefix 'cosmo' which means 'universe' and the same suffix, so a cosmonaut is a sailor of the universe."

Similarly, the word 'Areonaut' is made of the prefix 'Areo,' meaning Mars and the 'naut' suffix.  Note the spelling of 'aeronaut' is different from 'areonaut,' which is a traveler in a hot-air balloon, airship or other flying craft.  

Areonaut appears to be an orange-skinned alien with three eyes, four arms, and two long legs... but appearances can be deceiving....  Areonaut's residence on Earth--The Areosphere--also serves as the headquarters for the Justice Allies.  

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