Jemm

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jemm

Jemm, from Martian Manhunter #16.
Art by Tom Mandrake.
Publication information
Publisher DC Comics
First appearance Jemm, Son of Saturn #1, (September 1984)
Created by Greg Potter (writer)
Gene Colan (artist)
In story information
Species Red Saturnian
Place of origin Saturn
Team affiliations Injustice Gang
Notable aliases Son of Saturn
Abilities Super strength, telepathy, flight, psychokinesis.

Jemm is a fictional alien that has appeared in various comic book series published by DC Comics. The character exists in DC's main shared universe, known as the DC Universe. Created by Greg Potter and Gene Colan originally as an updated version of the Martian Manhunter, he first appeared in Jemm, Son of Saturn #1 (September 1984).

Contents

[edit] Publication history

According to Greg Potter, co-creator of Jemm, the character was originally conceived as the cousin of the Martian Manhunter. (Jogarr, Jemm's cousin in the series, was originally the Manhunter.) This was at a time when the Manhunter had disappeared from the pages of DC Comics for a time. However, part-way through developing the series, Greg was told by DC editor Janice Race that she had learned Manhunter would reappear in the pages of DC's Justice League of America comic book. To avoid any continuity problems, Potter rewrote the series as Jemm, Son of Saturn, a character with no connection to the Martian Manhunter.

Jemm was reintroduced to the DC Universe by Grant Morrison in JLA #12, which emphasised his similarity to J'onzz. During his run on Martian Manhunter, John Ostrander used these similarities to explain that the Saturnians were a race created by and modelled on the Martians.

[edit] Fictional character biography

[edit] H'ronmeerca'andra

The two races of Ma'aleca'andra (Mars) are directly responsible for the H'ronmeerca'andran colonies on the moons of Saturn. Saturnians are descended from an underclass of worker clones created by ancient Martian explorers. The Green Martians cloned the original Red Saturnians from themselves, and the White Martians cloned the original White Saturnians. The Green Martians treated their clones as equals, while the White Martians treated theirs as slaves.

The continued enslavement of the White Saturnians started a civil war between the two Martian races. At the war's conclusion the White Martians were exiled to the "Still Zone", only to escape years later and reappear disguised as the Hyperclan. After the civil war all Saturnians were granted their freedom, but continued to war amongst themselves for millennia.

Jemm, son of King Jaxx was forced to flee the palace after a White Martian coup. His mother Jarlla was able to hide him in a cave, where Jemm was trained by his White Saturnian teacher Rahani in the use of his powers.[1]

Jemm vs the Koolar, artist Gene Colan
Jemm vs the Koolar,
artist Gene Colan

[edit] Earth

After both his mother and teacher were killed by the White Martians, Jemm stole a ship and escaped to Earth, in search of his lover Syraa who had fled there earlier. He arrives in Harlem, New York and is befriended by an African-American orphan named Luther Mannkin. After a series of adventures with and without Luther, Jemm eventually found Syrra. They all then travelled to New Bhok, a Red Saturnian colony. Because he refused to take sides in a civil war on New Bhok Jemm was disavowed and cast out by both factions. Dispirited Jemm and Luther returned to Earth.

There Jemm learned that a criminal named Claudius Tull planned to use Saturnians as living energy sources. He had allied himself with a female White Saturnian named Synn. When Tull's true goal was exposed, Synn surrendered her forces to the Red Saturnian military. When last seen, had set out in search of Syrra, who had mysteriously disappeared yet again.[1]

Under Luthor's control, artist Howard Porter
Under Luthor's control, artist Howard Porter

[edit] Injustice Gang

Jemm resurfaces years later as a member of the Injustice Gang. He has apparently been brainwashed by Lex Luthor, through the use of a Philosopher's Stone, and used as a psychic weapon against the Justice League. He was able to impersonate J'onn J'onnz (Martian Manhunter) telepathically. Plastic Man, disguised as the Joker, plays several pranks designed to awaken him, but fails. J'onnz was able to sense and connect with Jemm's mind. J'onn powers freed Jemm, but left him comatose.

J'onn took Jemm to Z'onn Z'orr, his hidden Antarctic retreat in order to heal his mind. Jemm spent the next several months recovering his mental and physical health. He was later discovered, detained and abused by J'onn's evil brother Malefic who convinced the JLA that J'onn had gone insane, and was torturing Jemm.[1]

While Jemm recovered at the JLA Watchtower, a delegation of Saturnians arrived to reclaim the prince. J'onn discovered that Jemm was to take part in a brokered political wedding designed to unite warring factions of Red and White Saturnians.[2]

[edit] Rings of Saturn

During the trip to H'ronmeerca'andra, J'onn learns more about Jemm's future bride, a White Saturnian named Princess Cha'rissa. Cha'rissa becomes romantically attracted to J'onn, and he in turn admits his own attraction to her. The trio uncover a plot by Jemm's White Saturnian cousin Jogarr to assassinate him, and Cha'rissa vows to put aside feelings for J'onn and be true to her intended, Prince Jemm. J'onn leaves for Earth just prior to the wedding ceremony.[3]

[edit] Rann/Thanagar War

Though Jemm seems a pacifist, he joined forces with the Rannians in their war against Thanagar

[edit] Alternate History

In DC's new Multiverse, on Earth-48, J'emm exists as a political leader from Saturn. In this alternate history, the 9 planets of the Solar System settle all armed disputes on Earth [renamed War World]. When the Forerunners revolted, the Martian and Saturnian armies were slaughtered. J'emm was the only survivor of this conflict.

[edit] Powers and abilities

  • Jemm is superstrong, and has the power of flight. He is also a telepath. He possesses the ability to fire psychokinetic energy discharges from the organic gemstone in his forehead.
  • Unlike Green Martians, Red Saturnians like Jemm cannot shapeshift, but they are capable of rapid cellular regeneration.
  • Like Martians, all Saturnians are psychologically vulnerable to fire.

[edit] Bibliography

[edit] Notes

  • Jemm was born with the Mark of Jargon a powerful organic gemstone. Jargon the Mighty is alleged to have brokered peace between the red and white races.
  • Koolars are a sub-section of White Saturnians capable of shapeshifting like Martians. Koolars also have demonstrated the power to meld with inanimate matter.
  • In JLA #10-15 Jemm is drawn possessing only three fingers.
  • According to his Golden Age origins, Chun Yull the orange skinned Faceless Hunter from Saturn comes from Klaramar a subatomic "moon" orbiting Saturn.
  • In astrology, a malefic planet, or simply malefic, is traditionally thought to bring bad luck and misfortune. Mars is considered the lesser malefic, while Saturn is the greater malefic.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c See Cosmic Teams Obscure Characters: Jemm
  2. ^ Martian Manhunter Vol. 2 #13
  3. ^ Martian Manhunter Vol. 2 #16

[edit] Resources

[edit] External links