DCU Comic Book Reviews

FINAL CRISIS: REQUIEM

Caretakers Of Mars

September 2008

Written by Peter J. Tomasi

Pencils by Doug Mahnke

Inks by Christian Alamy with Rodney Ramos

Covers by J. G. Jones and Doug Mahnke

Synopsis

Now, on Mars, the heroes pay their final respects to Martian Manhunter.  Then, J’onn J’onzz is immobilized by thousands of Pyro-Tranq darts.  He is taken to Libra, and in that state, is stabbed in the back.  J’onn sends out a telepathic hallucination to the DC villains of the heroes coming to get them, but Libra sees through the threat and stops it.  He then kills the Martian Manhunter.  In his final moments, J’onn sends a telepathic message to Superman, Batman, Black Canary, Green Lantern, and Gypsy.  In New York City, Nightwing finds the lifeless body of the Martian Manhunter.  Later, Green Lantern and Green Arrow mourn the passing of their friend.  That night, the five who received J’onn’s message record J’onn’s thoughts while they sleep.  Together, each portion they write makes up the history of Mars.   The story is then put into a single volume and placed with J’onn when he is laid to rest on Mars. 

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

Okay, I’ll admit it, the ending with Batman and the Choco was very effective.  A nice touch and a fitting tribute to the character.   

Any review of this issue should touch upon the first issue of Final Crisis, which is the true moment when J’onn J’onzz was killed.  It happens in a single panel, the scene in which Libra stabs J’onn in the back.  In Final Crisis, the moment is downplayed, happening so quickly it would be easy to miss.  Even J’onn’s funeral is downplayed, happening very briefly.  Both events are so underplayed that the Requiem was created in an effort to give some weight and meaning behind the death of a character that remained in the background, but was beloved by many, many people over the years. Overall, the issue does a good job of honoring the death of the Martian Manhunter.  I liked the manner in which J’onn made sure his culture and his past is remembered, although I am uncertain if we needed a recap of J’onn’s continuity within the DC universe (and it wouldn’t hurt to put in a list of trade paperbacks and issues in which these stories can be found; a fitting tribute would’ve been to let people know what is available).  But that is a minor quibble.  This issue is very good and does what it should:  honors the passing of a friend. 

In essence, this issue tries to expand on the exact moment of J’onn’s death as well as give meaning to his life.  It is a strange balance and I am not sure if quite works.  I think the book would’ve benefited from just dealing with the aftermath, and the grieving, of J’onn’s death rather than the moment of his death.  Recreating his death in this book actually goes against what writer Grant Morrison was trying to achieve in Final Crisis, which is to show how quickly someone can die.  In contrast, Tomasi shows J’onn giving up a fight and despite the incredible odds and getting stabbed in the back, actually doing a damn good job of it.  And if there were those who did not Final Crisis and will pick this up only because of the Martian Manhunter, then it will be effective.  For someone like me, who has read the main series this books springs from, the death seems to go against what Morrison was trying to achieve.  

I must also give Tomasi credit.  At no point does he have any of the heroes ponder his return or sternly believe that he is not dead.  All of the characters firmly believe he is dead and respond solemnly to the passing of a friend and comrade.  I think this gravity to the situation helps the issue and give it the emotional heft that it carries. 

 

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