Final Crisis #5

Solicitation : Humanity enslaved! Time shattered and bleeding! Anti-Life triumphant! Can Earth's demoralized, beaten heroes rally their scattered forces for the ultimate super-battle against the nightmare armies of Apokolips when the forces of good meet the forces of evil on the bridge to Blüdhaven? As Darkseid's presence causes reality itself to sicken and the lights to go out across the universe, as even the Guardians fall, the true power of the evil gods finally reveals itself, and a major character returns for a shocking conclusion.

Written by Grant Morrison Art by J.G. Jones, Carlos Pacheco, Marco Rudy & Jesus Merino

Synopsis : Finally we get back to what has been happening with Hal Jordan and The Green Lantern Corps. Hal Jordan has been taken to Oa for trial for the murder of Orion and the attempted murder of John Stewart (Hal , you racist ! Kidding). He is accused by Alpha Lantern Kraken (Granny Goodness has possessed her). Hal says that there is nothing called infallibility in the Universe, when told about The Infallibility of the Alpha Lanterns. Kraken claims that the scar of Hal's face is where Orion struck him before death. She also says that Hal was easily possessed by Parallax, so he could easily be taken over by The Evil Gods Of Apokolips.

The Guardians say that all must be examined as Hal is a valued officer, Honor Lanterns Kyle and Guy pop out of nowhere and say that it is Kraken who plays host to The Evil Gods. The Scar on Hal's face has a suppressor field chip inserted and hence its hiding her from detection. Guardians are shocked that an Alpha is compromised. Granny says its folly to underestimate The Darkseid. She attacks Guy while the other Green Lanterns attack her and smack her against the Central Power Battery. Granny wants to be Darkseid's favorite again and picks the Power battery wondering this was the Ultimate Technology that Metron had pointed them towards. The Guardians cut power from her ring and internal battery. Hal does his usual 1-2 Punch and takes her down ! Pure Hal. Grant, I Bow down to Thee. An Immortal is injured by Granny. The Guardians initiate the Krona Protocol which hides the Central Battery until the all-clear. Kraken is sent to a Sciencell, Kyle explains to Hal that Spacetime around The Earth has crumbled with weeks squashed into days and they couldn't get close to the gravity sink without being sucked in. The impact of Darkseid's fall and emanations have caused problems in space time across all the sectors of The Universe and Earth is the center of The Doomsday Singularity. John is still on earth and Hal asks all the Green Lantern who want to, to journey to Earth to stop the Crisis. The Guardians say that Hal has 24 hours to save the Universe. Go Jordan !

We get back to Earth, Checkmate Castle, where Montoya, Khalid and Renee discuss and try and explain the Multiverse and its aspects to Renee, she is going to have a major role there it seems. The Generation-Zero Biomacs which will act when the Superheroes fail bear an obvious similarity in Tribute to Jack Kirby's "OMAC".

At Bludhaven, we see dead warriors lying around.Wonder Woman's back seems to have faced a lot of lashes ? Self-punishment ? Something else? I guess its upto your interpretation. Wonder Woman's shield has the Omega on it. Simyan, Mokkari and Godfrey beg Darkseid to keep them alive and not let them die. Lots of kissup here. The Furies are getting ready for the battle, we finally get a shot of Darkseid, wow he looks amazing ! The Hour of Apokolips is here. He asks the Furied to end it all, Note that Wonder Woman's Dog has the The Symbol Of Evil as its Tag (The Inverse Of The Symbol Of Good, look at The FC Sketchbook.)

Big Battle outside Checkmate Castle. Tempest tries to save Hawkgirl, who is told to save Alan, who is being Made a Justifier by Donna Troy, who is smacked to Hell by Hawkman, who tells Bulleteer, Condor and Starman to cover him. (I did the who thing on purpose , It Feels like Bang-Bang-Bang-Bang-Bang)

Inside The Castle again, The Super Young Team is pissed at Mister Terrific and the rest for thoughtlessly gunning down International Megastar- Shilo Norman aka Mister Miracle. Emotions are running high. Terrific asks everyone to calm down saying a doctor is on his way and how he can be traced as he is invisible to machines. Shilo says that Motherboxxx is more than a machine and is way beyond than what would happen if The Gods made I-Pods that were alive! Miracle is stirring and talking about how the Motherboxxx set up a Boom Tube  which brought them to the castle. Miracle was wearing a Impact-proof vest, obviously and he seems fine. The time of change is here and everyone has o take sides before The Darkseid takes them all down. Terrific decides to take his help as they have stayed clear of The Anti Life Equation. Castle falls in 15 minutes, they are taking fire so that the heroes can attack Darkseid at the root. The War has broken time and space.he tells Mister Terrific and the others to paint the pattern The Team has on their faces.


Kalibak has formed his Tiger-Legion and is moving around waiting for the heroes so that they can slaughter whatever is left of them. Kalibak promises that this will be the slaughterhouse of man and they see the last of the heroes arrive in force:

The Last Of The Heroes ? Don't Like Their Chances.

Epic Battle ensues ! Someone is screaming something in Spanish. Frankenstein is quoting Milton's "Paradise Lost" (which seems right for some reason). John Stewart is proceeding towards Command-D bunker , that is where Darkseid's base is.Kalinak tells his Tiger-men to wait for the lightning to strike. Maru Marvel arrives and is reading to sneak attack Supergirl but she is taken by suprprise by Black Adam who starts to beat her to a pulp. Freddie Freeman (Captain Marvel) asks him to stop. Adam sees an old man in her eyes.She's possessed. Freddie  pleads with her but is beaten up by Mary Marvel who taunts him.She does the infamous crotch rub on him (Yech !). Tawky Tawny appears and tries to stop her but is taken by surprise by Kalibak who is about to kill him. Tiger vs Tiger. Sweet.

Nix Uaton is captured by the Justifiers and thrown into a cell. Everyone unaffected by the Ani-Life Equation is kept there. Nix has lost hope saying that there are no Gods but Darkseid, A Man in the wheelchair starts talking about the minimum moves in which a Rubix Cube can be solved saying no one has done it in less than 18, which is The Number Of God. He starts solving the Cube. The Time Of The Gods is over, he gives him a piece of paper which has Meton's sumbol to Anthro on it.

A Man with hairy hands, who I Think is Himon hands him pieces of paper of his sketches and tells him to think of things that can help, and says that it has to be a word, a face, a voice a magical word, a name. Nix realizes that and finally gains memory ........ WEEJA DELL ?

Clones of Mokkari along with Justifiers come in to take them to burn in The Forever Pit. They realize something is different, The man in the wheelchair says "17." and a blast of energy destroys the Justifiers. Metron is Back. Look at his eyes. Yeah !

Libra is doing his French Revolution/ Russian Revolution style hanging and killing and hangs Calculator for betraying them to the Heroes so that they could attack the birthplace of Darkseid. Libra tells Luthor he wants him to lead the charge against the heroes at Bludhaven Bridge. Libra hits a joke about letting him be first in line with Supergirl.........

Supergirl and John Stewart are teaming up and cant find a weak spot, John wonder where Superman is. Where is he indeed. Simyan, Mokkari and Godfrey try and save themselves. Godfrey tells Darkseid about Simyan & Mokkari's failure about The Batman-Psycho Merge. Darkseid says that nothing living can resist him now. All Flesh is part of Darkseid's body. He absorbs their energies as they die. Humanity has only faced an idea of a God before, Now God has come incarnate among them! All Is One In Darkseid !

Supergirl tells John that she can see a massive energy source inside like a brain sending signals to a gigantic nervous system, however he can't hear as he does not have super-hearing. Light and energy crashes into Darkseid's bunker. He is becoming reality. Frankenstein's quote is great "Dropp'd from the Zenith like a falling star.....beware". Supergirl is attacked by Mary Marvel, she begs Marvel to stop and that there is still time. John demands for backup saying that everything is becoming a hell which is Darkseid. Guardians say that help is on the way, another one says that he cant hear them (Whats with the John cant hear Grant ? Very funny though). Hal, Kyle, Guy and the rest of The Green Lanterns are losing their energies and stop flying and plunge straight into the singularity Of the Darkseid, get ready for time distortions.

Father time is with The President Of The US,he tells him the country is no longer his, the Earth is no longer ours. The Justifiers have found the bunker (Anyone guessed what this is the reversal of ? The Soviets finding Hitlers bunked in World War 2, notice the President has a gun in his hand, which he will probably use on himself). Power Levels On John's ring in down to 2%. Libra celebrates as The Fifth World Of Darkseid has begun. The Night Of Anguish that lasts forever.

Darkseid makes his presence known to The Earth. You have to read this to believe it. Its mind-blowing.. I.Am.The.New.God. Check out the rest below.

Darkseid's Brightest (Or should I say Darkest) Moment ?

We close with Nix Uaton who is restored to his role as The Multiversal Monitor with all his drawings and sketches scattered around.


Review : This has to be the longest review I have done to date and that is because so much happened in this issue, its great to see multiple storylines tying into one another, I wish that they would have mentioned Batman's whereabouts a little clearly in this issue for those who did not read the Two-Part crossover in The Batman Monthly. The Green Lantern characterization was very well done by Grant. Johns-esque or greater in my view. He has a strong hold on Checkmate and All Kirby characters. I was impressed by Supergirl in this issue. He seems to really enjoy writing all the Super-characters. Darkseid's speech to close the Issue was probably the most Powerful I have ever seen the villain. Nix's return was very well done. The whole issue was well structured. I wish I could see more of Wonder Woman though.



The art has greatly improved in this issue, the artists are gelling together well now and I was very impressed by The Opening sequence Of The Guardians On Oa, The Splashes were beautiful. I'm glad that it looks better after the last issue which greatly disappointed.

The Judge Of All Evil is here indeed 

Story : 9.6
Art : 9.2

Last Thoughts : The Battle has begun ! Most Of the stories are tying into one, clarity arrives. Characters have never looked or felt better. This Story is The Ultimate Compression story unlike some other overly decompressed stories. Each issue has felt better than the previous and they all read very well at one sitting.

Next In Final Crisis : Darkseid has made his presence to Earth, who has the power to even stand before him, yet alone defeat him? Don't Miss The Fate Of Batman as he prowls around Command-D. Watch the congregation of Earth's heroes on the fields of a broken and dying world. Do Not Miss It !

Batman 683

Solicitation : This special two-part tale narrated by Sir Alfred Pennnyworth reflects upon the life and times of Gotham City’s most celebrated citizen " and hints at what’s next for The Dark Knight. Grant Morrison delivers a story of past memories, present heartache and future promises. A spectacular, unforgettable farewell to The Dark Knight, mixing memory, dream and speculation as Alfred closes the casebook on the greatest crimefighter of all time. With guest appearances by Batman friends and foes from every era of Batman's history, this epic adventure cannot be missed.

Written by Grant Morrison Art by Lee Garbett


Synopsis : Talia and Bruce are Hot as Hell !Yeah, not the best way to start a review. We see The Bare-Chested Batman vs Ra's Al Ghul, Batman riding a shark, Batman fighting a werewolf and Talia and Bruce making love. I'll tell you- Grant's two part is being more enjoyable and with more action than some mai-series.
Bruce is in the car being driven by Alfred (Note that this is a memory which is being put by Simyan and Mokkari to distract Batman from trying to stop the memory transfer which the Lump is engaging in.) Bruce is working at the hospital where he is treating a "Elva Barr" (Elva as in Vale (Vicki Vale) ? ). Simyan and Mokkari wonder if Bruce has noticed what they are doing. Bruce is wincing in pain.

In his memory, Elva Barr was Catwoman who steals the hospital. His father calls him a disgrace. Mokkari comments that all of this is Batman's worse fears. Bruce and Alfred go looking for Ace (Not the bat-hound yet). Bruce goes inside a well where he sees a dead Richard Grayson (who went to fight crime after his parents murder but was tortured to death by The Joker Killer for days). Simyan and Mokkari change the memories in panic and we cut to Batman throwing Deathstroke down a ceiling. The Memory "Bruce Wayne" starts talking about wanting a partner.

Batman meeting Jason Todd (who was trying to steal a wheel of The Batmobile, I wonder why the big EL is written A Certain Kal-El ?). It seemed that things would be better with a Robin but Teenage rebellion and arrogance caused the death Of Jason Todd who was bludgeoned to death by Joker. Bruce's fall into darkness is seen., The formation of the infamous Bat-Jerk. The Killing Joke happens (Oracle crippled by The Joker). Simyan and Mokkari are very happy to see all the trauma and believe that their plan of Batmen has succeeded. However, the clones could not handle the pressure and trauma which Bruce underwent.

Tim Drake meets Batman and tells him he has proof Batman needs Robin. The Alfred in the memory reveals himself as The Lump (we saw the clue for that in The Last issue when Mokkari said that the Lump was hiding in the memories as his oldest ally.) He shows Batman of his greatest failures in an attempt to undermine his will and need to be (Similar to The Black Glove but much more on that in later posts). Batman's will is greater though. The Lump shows him the events Of Knightfall, Az-Bat, No Mans Land,Hush, Jack Drake's death in Identity Crisis.

Lump, like A Bond Villain reveals what they are doing to him. Batman, in style says that they can have it all at once, if they can take it. He shows them the Infamous Infinite Crisis scene of him nearly using a Gun on Alex Luthor after it was implied that Nightwing was killed. The clones kill themselves. Simyan and Mokkari are frightened and scared. They decide to use soul killing shells and terminate the Lump.

The Lump begins to die, the Lump is not evil, just a tool in the Grand Scheme. Batman, being compassionate says that he will do anything to stop those who did this to them and asks him whether he needs a jolt to get moving. Bruce promises to find the men who killed him and to avenge him. Wow ! Mokkari decides that they will tell Darkseid that they had to stop the emotional transfer, nothing else.

We see Batman's adventures post-52, The Ritual with The Ten-Eyed Men, The Thogal Ritual, Damian, His Battle with the Black Glove, RIP and Zur-En-Arrh. Seems that after Batman's battle with Dr.Hurt  in Batman RIP, he got out of the river, changed his cowl and got an emergency call from the Justice League and joined them (That will explain how Kraken took him out so easily, Bruce must have been really weak).

It seem that Orion's death and the subsequent investigation is knows as "Batman's Last Case". It Began with The Murder Of a God. Bruce analyzes the bullet which John found and says that he will return it later. He leaves it in his belt. The Lump breaks and attacks Simyan and Mokkari who flee. Batman is released as his eyes open up after being Tortured for over a Month.

We conclude with The Real Alfred saying that he did once consider to resign from the Wayne household. He thought Bruce had gone mad when he said he wanted to become a Bat, but when he saw how Bruce committed himself to an ideal and to be a better man and be in the service of others for their good. What could he do but stand in Awe and clean and tidy his costume ? Very touching. Alfie says that Bruce told him that it was not a question as to who Killed the Batman, but who kept him alive all these years ! The whereabouts of  the Batman are unknown but Alfred believes that his opponents will let their guard down for one second and underestimate him and then , "No Matter How Dark The Night, There Will Be No Hiding Place For Evil."

Review : Grant Morrison's Epic run on The Batman Monthly comes to a beautiful end. This has been a great 2-Parter that has been very well written. The Speech Alfred had at the end was the most touching moment I have read in the past few years. The Art greatly picked up and showed the styles of a few eras. I thought it was well done. I have a few complaints, but they won't be here. They will be in a post after I'm done with all the Reviews. The Lump - Batman confrontation was exceptional. The whole idea of who Batman is and what he does is exemplified here.  The art is greatly improved

Story : 9.5
Art : 9.0

Last Thoughts : A beautiful conclusion to this Mini. It ties in heavily with what will Happen in Issue 6 obviously. Its a great read for a Batman fan of any generation

 

The Dark Knight Returns

Next In Final Crisis : The heroes arrive in Bludhaven for their last stand against The Darkseid, Where is Green Lantern and will he be executed wrongly ? Where is Libra and the biggest question of all, Where are The Big 3. See you soon.

Batman 682

Solicitation : Two issues of BATMAN in one month! Now that “Batman R.I.P.” has concluded, the aftermath begins! If you thought mastermind writer Grant Morrison surprised you with “R.I.P.”, just wait until you see what he has planned for this retrospective story. In his last hours, Alfred the Butler tells the life story of the Batman as you've never seen it before in this two-part adventure which bridges the gap between the events of “Batman R.I.P.” and FINAL CRISIS. Learn the secrets of Batman's early years! Witness the nightmare of a Gotham City where Batman never existed!

Written by Grant Morrison Art by Lee Garbett


Synopsis : Bruce Wayne is sitting in Wayne Manor (set before he becomes Batman ), we see him bat up, which happened the first day he went out to fight crime. Alfred comes in and submits his resignation. Alfred tells Julie Madison that Master Bruce has to cancel. Bruce talks about wanting a disguise. Alfred says that the Bat did not break the window, it was open. Alfred says it could have been worse. He thinks of other possibilities like Waspman, Bugman etc (they are hilarious).
We see flashbacks Of Batman meeting Hugo Strange, Alfred is removing a bullet out Of Bruce and they start discussing what else could have come in the window that night. Owlman, Catman (obviously a nudge at the two characters already in the DC Universe), Pigeonman, The Raven, Mosquitoman, The Skeleton and other association names.

We get a shot Of Gordon and Bruce Wayne meeting and discussing Batman's sighting.Julie breaks up with him and leaves for Hollywood, Batman is indisposed tied with a chemical vat below him. Are the Guns and Batman a Year One reference? Bruce is really pushing himself in the beginning. He doesn't eat, sleep and has lost his sense of humor. He depends on 10 minute micro-sleeps. He gets up talking about chemicals. Lots of chemical references in this story. He is at his parents grave and is informed about Madison's departure. He hardly has any emotion. His Life is only Batman. We see more flashbacks of Batman's career, fighting The Monster Men etc.


We revisit Richard Grayson's parents getting shot and Dick being designated as his ward. Richard volunteers to join Batman's quest for Justice. The fun and campy days of the 60's with some parts of the TV show and the campy writing. Really funny. The introduction Of Batwoman as Bruce's love interest. Dick has his doubts about her. We see her tragic departure.

Batman perseveres and recovers. He volunteers for a Space research project, where we see the Introduction of Dr.Hurt (more on him in March when i review Grant's Batman run.). We see Kirby's Lump creature, who is hiding inside Batman's memory and converting all his memories for a higher need.

We see the old Outsider story where Alfred died and they bury him. Bruce is being tortured inside the Torture device from Final Crisis Issue 2 Some more of the campy stuff with Joker being a buffoon and not the murderous psychopath that he usually is. Nightwing leaves to join the Teen Titans and is no longer Robin. Bruce gets darker and starts to rebuild himself. He suddenly realizes that Alfred isn't the real one as he remembers his death. He says that he is coming for his tormentors.

We cut to an alternate reality of Thomas Wayne stopping Joe Chill from shooting them and Bruce is now a loser who cant do anything for himself and is a major disappointment to his father. Simyan and Mokkari are talking and discussing how they are using Batman's traits to create an army for The Dark Empire, after which they will use his body for spare parts. Yikes !!!!

Review :  I read this immediately after I finished Batman RIP, reading this in accordance with Final Crisis, this feels as a much better read. This is majorly a retrospective story of Batman which he is seeing, feeling or sensing in his mind. The whole concept Of The Gods Of Apokolips coming to Earth, supposedly a backward planet and use Earth's greatest and most powerful , The Ultimate Man, The Batman to create an army. Imagine 10000 Batmen, they could take over Earth is minutes and Darkseid would not even need the Anti-Life Equation. The idea is fascinating, reading of all of this with Batman RIP where Batman fights The Black Glove, it all fits in and is very well done. The writing, characterization and voice Of Batman and Alfred are outstanding. The retrospective story is done well and is shown respect without any Major retcon. Notice the idea of Chemicals. I'm sure that will play a role later in the story.


The art is decent. Nowhere near the quality and standard of Jones and Manhke but its acceptable and suits the needs.  I would have liked Kubert Or Frank Quietly to do them but its all right. Expecting better from Lee in the next issue.

Story : 9.2
Art : 8.6

Last Thoughts : This is essential for those who are interested in Batman's story in Final Crisis (aren't we all ?). We know he has a major role to play and hence I would recommend this, not just for the story but for Grant Morrison's celebration Of The Batman mythos of the last 70 years and not being a retcon machine

Next In Final Crisis : Batman makes his stand against the Lump as all hope of Earth's heroes dwindle. Can One Man stand against The Mighty Dark Empire Of Darkseid? If anyone can , its Batman........ See you then.