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.