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 !

Final Crisis #4

Solicitation : It's one month after the Anti-Life Equation was released worldwide. Millions now toil as slaves of Darkseid, while the Justifier shock troops of Apokolips lay waste to the planet Earth and hunt down its protectors.
The remaining free humans and superheroes are stationed around the world, besieged within the walls of ten very familiar 'Watchtowers', as they fight a desperate, losing battle against the triumphant forces of evil.
While Green Arrow and Black Canary attempt to deliver the secret of humanity's last hope across America's blasted wastelands, the Outsiders brave the horrors of the Bludhaven bunker in search of Batman. The ultimate battle is coming…but which heroes will become villain - and vice versa? And what part do the Secret Society have to play in the dawning of this new Age of Evil?
Darkness is falling and death rules the day. Is this truly the end of the Age of Super Heroes? Don't miss FINAL CRISIS #4: "How to Murder the Earth!"
 
Written by Grant Morrison Art by J.G Jones, Carlos Pacheco & Jesus Merino

Synopsis : We open with the narration of The Lightray. At exactly 530 pm EST, time, space and everything was broken. Seems like The Evil New Gods used every mass communication device into a God Weapon and delivered The Anti-Life Equation to the humans of Earth ending their freewill on Earth. The very precision and accuracy of the attack seems to have devastated the Earth. They used Mobile Phones, Radios, Television, In Flight planes everything became a device for Darkseid to spread his will.

The Justifiers have taken control and are now converting people. All is Darkseid. Lightray has been delivering news and papers to all the places of resistance.He pulls The Tattooed man into the Hall Of Justice (to know why Tattooed man is there check out the Final Crisis: Submit Review ), The armies of Darkseid are outside trying to make their way in.

Green Arrow does his usual patronizing of Tattooed man and calls him a Trojan horse for the bad guys. Tattooed Man is pissed and says he has information from the Black Lightning (Final Crisis: Submit). The three go in and we see Oracle, Black Canary and the Flash Widow Club. The Daily planet is now publishing at the Fortress Of Solitude. The original Flash (Barry Allen) is heard to have evacuated a town, single-handedly in minutes. The Bludhaven Strike force obliterated by The Darkseid.

The Bludhaven Task Force.

Finally, we get to see Dan Turpin. He is struggling trying o stop Darkseid's spirit to take him. Even Glorious Godfrey (Reverend Good) exclaims that this ordinary man is putting up a greater fight than the heroes. The bodies on Earth are rotting with the Evil Gods presence in them, unlike their bodies in the 4th World (Earth is being built by Darkseid to be in his image as the 5th World). Simyan & Mokkari argue with Godfrey on who seems to be doing more for Darkseid (Yeah, they all want be in his good books). Granny has the Power Battery of The Guardians in her grasp , the very embodiment of Free Willpower in the Universe ! Kalibak has regenerated into a ferocious Tiger (Pure Kirby !) (Note that the Hardcover says that "Libra is The Anti-Life Equation that walks"). Poor Opto is dead. Turpin is pleading for help, seems that he cant resist for much longer. Turpin is giving in. His appearance is becoming more like Darkseid. Hallelujah ! says Godfrey. Turpin believes that all is lost, it sure seems to be.

So Oracle can kill the Internet ? Hmmmm. The Anti-Life equation is the mathematical proof that Darkseid is the rightful owner of existence. Most of them seem scared in the Hall Of Justice. Lightray sets up a worldwide link using his powers through the Unternet (which is like the antithesis of the Internet), which the super-criminals used. He is setting up a link with 10 Watchtowers where the last of the Superheroes are standing ground. There's a siege at Checkmate castle, Hawkgirl smacking some Justifier ass ! Renee Montoya is handed over to Miss Waller who will probably be explaining Renee's role in Global law Enforcement. Mr.Terrific hands the stage to The Green Lantern, Alan Scott. He tells them to maintain hope and courage and this was the first moment that everyone has shared since The Anti Life Equation hit Earth. We see everyone at The 10 Watchtowers, there seem to be battles with Justifiers there too. Freddie Freeman breaks into Black Adams lair and asks him to join the last stand of existence against Darkseid. Sources confirm Bludhaven is the entry point into this world. Interesting.

The Last stand of Humanity is at Bludhaven, that's where the big battle will ensue.Black Lightning breaks into the Hall Of Justice. Black Canary suggest Ray power the teleporter and use it to escape out of The Hall Of Justice.

Elsewhere, We continue from where we left off at Issue 3 with Barry and Waly meeting The Four Furies who try and attack them, they take them out and flee. Wonder Woman can see them even at high speeds ... They re running towards family. Family First indeed. Barry tells Wally that the whole multiverse is being pulled down by Darkseid and they have to stop him.

Back at The Hall Of Justice, T-Man has put on The Metron Circuit Tattoo on himself (so cool) and they are all rushing towards the teleporter. Green Arrow explains that they should all leave and let him stay so that he can destroy the Teleporter. Canary objects strongly but Ollie says its the only way as The Justifiers will never stop. He also hits The "Anti-Anti-Life Arrow !" Joke. Nice Romantic moment between the two and the rest hurry off-world. Oliver Queen fights bravely but is over-powered by Black Lightning and crew . Ollie promises that the heroes will fight till the very end, before he is Justified ! Oh Damn.

Black Canary laments for a minute before she orders a station weapons review. She probably expects The Justifiers to arrive. "Yes, Sir!" Even at this dark and lost moments, Grant doesn't lose his humor.

Turpin is the personification of human struggle against Evil.He is struggling. Mary Marvel comes in to give Darkseid his crown. Godfrey asks for a sign, Thumbs Up for the victory of the Human Spirit and..... thumbs down for A Day Of Holocaust that will never end !

But before that Alan Scott and Hawgirl are defending The Castle before the Omega Offensive launches, Alan's flame is waning. Hawkgirl exclaims that it is raining blood. We cut to see Production of The Justifiers helmets etc and see how the world has gone to Hell. Its very depressing. Iris comes back home and is under The Anti-Life Equation's power. Barry and Wally race in and Barry does what he has waited a Thousand Lifetimes for- A Kiss ! The ALE is broken and Barry promises that everything will be alright.

Humanity is the end of everything, the world of Gods is colliding with Humans, the sky is raining blood.Suddenly, The Castle gets incoming from The Super Young Team's Wonder Wagon. Mister Miracle asks them to stop, saying that they can save the world. He is Shot.........

Freedom's Spirit Falls. A Sign, Great One! Devastator ! Lord Of Woe ! Eternal Darkseid !

Dan Turpin after Months Of Resistance finally gives up to The Darkseid and says that "At The End, There's No Choice At All. Only Apokolips and Darkseid. Forever. Give In !" That is it, Humanity Has Fallen !

Review :  Wow, this book had taken 3 Months to Publish and when it did we were literally dying. The art delay changes greatly reduce its quality from the first 3 issues. The Scenes in the JLA HQ were very off. The Darkseid scenes were classic. The Shade scenes were OK too. I am really disappointed with the art, had great expectations of 7 Issues Of J.G Jones. That's not the case.

The writing was top-notch, the storylines of The Super Young Team and checkmate are tying in. Darkseid will soon do something at Bludhaven and all the heroes are coming there. Wonder Woman as a Fury along with rest was plain scary. Flash was well used. Very emotional scene with Iris. Dan Turpin's fall was really sad and watching that really makes this story very powerful. The Battle is here and we don't even know where Superman is, we don't know whats happening with Batman , Wonder Woman is in The Dark Side, Green Lanterns are off-world, Flashes aren't with the rest, Martian Manhunter is dead.

Grant Morrison's characterization has been amazing. he has a strong hold on Alan Scott, Green Arrow and Canary as well as all the Kirby characters. Very Very Good.

Story :  9.5
Art : 8.8

The New Face Of Existence ?

Last Thoughts : Its an overall great issue and when read together with all the previous books it feels very complete. Very Much Recommended. This was the game changer issue. The next Issues are going to be All-Out War !


Next In Final Crisis :  The Darkseid is back and he owns reality, what can the heroes even do ? Is this it ? But First, we check out a little hero Known as Batman and where he is now in the crossover Batman 682 and Batman 683. You have to read it to believe it.

Final Crisis : Submit

Solicitation : In a world overrun by Darkseid’s Anti-Life Equation and his relentless storm troopers, do you choose to SUBMIT? As the lines between Super Hero and Super-Villain become blurred, the ultimate odd couple of Black Lightning and Tattoo Man, in what could be their final adventure, battle against the odds to save a family from the great darkness.
 
Written by Grant Morrison Art by Matthew Clark & Norm Rapmund

Synopsis : We start off with a shot of The Earth from above (The Green Lantern Energy fields are around Earth). Tattooed Man's wife attempts to use the Internet to try and communicate a S.O.S in these dire times.
Black Lightning is fleeing from the Dogs Of Apokolips and the Justifiers. He Electrifies the water to take the pooches out of commission. Tattooed Man and his son are nearby. Tattooed Man thinks the Justifiers are after them. Lots of Father-Son tension.

Black Lightning is cornered and about to be Justified when Tattooed Man makes the save with his , you guessed it, Tattoos ! T-Man takes Lightning home. He seems to have a huge grudge against heroes in general. Lightning asks him not to burn books, the last remnants of civilization. Lots of back and forth bickering, very well done.  He was supposed to go to the Hall Of Justice to help some friends but he diverted here when he heard a distress call (The SOS). He asks them to leave with him so they can be protected by SHADE. T-Man argues but his family is packed and ready. They seem to be hiding in a school so Lightning asks if there is a bus with which they can make their escape.

The Justifiers have found them. T-Man accuses the obvious. However his Wife says that it was her fault. They make a run for it. This is good and well done action. Fun! They reach the SHADE extraction point. The family runs for it. T-Man and Lightning hold line but see the Large forces gathering towards them. Lightning sees the situation and gives T-Man a Circuit (more on that in Final Crisis Issue 4) and tells him to go. Mark's son shoots Lightning, he wanted to prove himself , talk about the worst time ever kid.
mark and his family make a run for it, whereas Lightning is overrun by the Justifiers and short-circuited. Lightning's kids want to help but are stopped as they are needed for the Omega Offensive. Mark Richards leaves to complete Black Lightnings wishes and is now a hero and part of The Ultimate Resistance to save reality. We end this issue with a being destroying books and things of value to humanity and its a Justifier Black Lightning.

Anti Life Is The Answer ! Hell Yeah !

Review : The issue serves well if you understand its the calm before the Final Conflict. Its a very simple story of showing good and "bad" teaming up against EVIL. I think the art was fine, not Jones or Manhke. The story was also well written, maybe not Grant standard though. People can argue that this is an unnecessary tie-in to the story. The only salvaging thing is that it gives us a street view on how people are being affected under Darkseid's takeover of Earth after the Anti-Life Equation. Its not amazing like the rest, its not bad either. I would have liked to see something more dense. This was a bit like Morrison decompressing to fit in 30 Pages of story from what he could in 10 by his standards.


Story : 8.8
Art : 8.5

Next In Final Crisis : Earth is Darkseid, The Big Seven are gone and The New Gods are dead. What chance does Earth have? Whats happening with Dan Turpin? You do not want to miss this !