Jemm
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Jemm is a fictional alien in the DC Comics universe. He first appeared in Jemm, Son of Saturn #1 (September 1984), and was created by Greg Potter and Gene Colan.
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[edit] Publication history
According to Grant Morrison, who used Jemm in his JLA storyline "Rock of Ages", after being told that their radical 1984 re-imagining of the Martian Manhunter was too bold a change for the character, Greg Potter rewrote the initial pitch and Gene Colan designed a completely new character called "Jemm". They then re-submitted the proposal as Jemm, Son of Saturn.[1]
[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 Clones 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 millenia.
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]
[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 Cassius 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.[2]
[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. J'onn Jonnz (Martian Manhunter) 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.[3]
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.[4]
[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.[5]
[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
- Jemm, Son of Saturn #1-12
- Crisis on Infinite Earths #5, 10
- JLA #10, 12, 14, 15
- Martian Manhunter Vol. 2 #4, 6, 13-16
[edit] Trivia
- 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 world orbiting Saturn. Whether this is true post crisis has yet to be revealed.[6]
- 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
- ^ "Yeah, well, the interesting thing was that Jemm originally started out as a Martian Manhunter series. The concept was just too radical for the Manhunter, so they went for the change and turned it [in]to Jemm, Son of Saturn. But if you read the series again you’ll know ...." Grant Morrison Writes... (Part 2)
[edit] Resources
- Cosmic Teams: Jemm, Son of Saturn
- DCU Guide: Martian Manhunter Vol. 2 #13
- DCU Guide: Martian Manhunter Vol. 2 #14
- DCU Guide: Martian Manhunter Vol. 2 #15
- DCU Guide: Martian Manhunter Vol. 2 #16
- DCU Gude: Faceless Hunter from Saturn
