Jemm

Superherobox|

caption=Jemm, from "Martian Manhunter" #16.
Art by Tom Mandrake.
character_name=Jemm
publisher=DC Comics
debut="Jemm, Son of Saturn" #1, (September 1984)
creators=Greg Potter (writer)
Gene Colan (artist)
alter_ego =
species = Red Saturnian
homeworld = Saturn
alliances = Injustice Gang
aliases = Son of Saturn
supports=
powers = 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 the green-skinned cousin of the Martian Manhunter (his original name was Jemm, Son of Mars), he first appeared in "Jemm, Son of Saturn" #1 (September 1984).

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.

Fictional character biography

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.See [http://www.mykey3000.com/cosmicteams/profiles/jemm.html Cosmic Teams Obscure Characters: Jemm] ]

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.See [http://www.mykey3000.com/cosmicteams/profiles/jemm.html Cosmic Teams Obscure Characters: Jemm] ]

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.See [http://www.mykey3000.com/cosmicteams/profiles/jemm.html Cosmic Teams Obscure Characters: Jemm] ]

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. [ [http://www.dcuguide.com/MM/MM2_013.php Martian Manhunter Vol. 2 #13 ] ]

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. [ [http://www.dcuguide.com/MM/MM2_016.php Martian Manhunter Vol. 2 #16 ] ]

Rann/Thanagar War

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

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. The gemstone is known as the Mark of Jargon. "Jargon the Mighty" is alleged to have brokered peace between the red and white races.
* Unlike Green Martians, Red Saturnians like Jemm cannot shapeshift, but they are capable of rapid cellular regeneration. "Koolars" a subset of the White Saturnians are capable of shapeshifting like Martians. Koolars have also demonstrated the power to meld with inanimate matter.
* Like Martians, all Saturnians are psychologically vulnerable to fire.

Other versions

*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.

Notes

*In JLA #10-15 Jemm is drawn possessing only three fingers.
*According to his Silver 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".

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
* Infinite Crisis # 4
* Rann/Thanagar War Special

References

Resources

* [http://www.mykey3000.com/cosmicteams/profiles/jemm.html Cosmic Teams: Jemm, Son of Saturn]
* [http://www.dcuguide.com/MM/MM2_013.php DCU Guide: Martian Manhunter Vol. 2 #13]
* [http://www.dcuguide.com/MM/MM2_014.php DCU Guide: Martian Manhunter Vol. 2 #14]
* [http://www.dcuguide.com/MM/MM2_015.php DCU Guide: Martian Manhunter Vol. 2 #15]
* [http://www.dcuguide.com/MM/MM2_016.php DCU Guide: Martian Manhunter Vol. 2 #16]

External links

* [http://www.dcuguide.com/chronology.php?name=jemm DCU Guide: Jemm chronology]
* [http://www.angelfire.com/ar/hellUSA/Jemm.html DC Universe Who's Who: Jemm]
* [http://www.heroesanddragons.com/Archive/Interviews/GrantMorrison/DEFAULT-02.htm Heroesanddragons.com: Grant Morrison Writes ... (Part 2) Jemm]