Jemm, Son of Saturn

FROM THE ARCHIVES (Comics That Time Forgot)

JEMM, SON OF SATURN

# 1-12, Maxi-Series, DC Comics (1984-1985)

Writer: Greg Potter (# 1-12)
Artists: Gene Colan (# 1-12); Klaus Janson (# 1-5, 7) Bob McLeod (# 6, 8-12)
Letterer: Bob Lappan (# 1); John Costanza (# 2-12)
Colorist: Tom Ziuko (# 1-12)
Editors: Janice Race (# 1-12); Dick Giordano (# 1, 2)

The plot of an alien crash-landing on Earth only to befriend a young boy was well-known in the mid-80s as E.T. went on to become one of the highest grossing films in American history. In 1984, DC Comics got into the mini-genre with Jemm, Son of Saturn.

A twelve issue "maxi-series," Jemm tells the tale of (apparently) the last male survivor of Saturn and his journey to Earth to find his lost love, whom he believes to be the last female survivor. In the third issue, a lengthy flashback sequence explains how Saturnian society was divided into two camps: white Saturnians and red Saturnians. A red Saturnian, Jemm is brought up to be a prince of the realm and is taught that both groups should be able to coexist peacefully. However, war breaks out and before long, the entire planet is decimated in an atomic-style holocaust. Jemm, due to the powerful ancestral gem on his forehead, manages to survive the apocalypse and decides there is nothing left for him to do but find his lost love, Syrra.

On Earth, Jemm spends most of his time in the company of a young black boy named Luther. Together, the pair weather the murder of Luther’s father, the brutal assault of Luther’s brother, and attempts by an evil crime lord to capture Luther. Soon it becomes revealed that a large group of white Saturnians are alive and have come to Earth to kill Jemm and thus exterminate the last red Saturnian in the galaxy. Unbeknownst to both Jemm and his hunters, however, a secret group of red Saturnians had established a colony on Saturn’s moon. The series revolves around these two groups of rival Saturnians and Jemm’s attempt to make peace between them and find a home where he truly belongs. In many ways, Jemm is supposed to be the salvation of the Saturnian people, but he quickly learns that not every one considers him the Messiah.

Although Jemm has some elements of standard super hero stories (such as the requisite Superman guest appearance in issue four), it also has some interesting aspects. Luther’s family and life are a respectfully and non-stereotypically portrayed and the development of Luther’s and Jemm’s friendship is well done. The theme of race is a major one in the saga, as the complex relationship between the white and red Saturnians drives the plot forward into some very thought-provoking areas. Unfortunately, if Jemm looks reminiscent of a certain Martian Manhunter, there’s a very good reason behind it: as revealed in a text piece in issue 10, Jemm was originally planned to be the cousin of J’onn J’onnzz. However, continuity issues concerning what was going on with MM at the time forced Potter to rewrite the Jemm character to have a different origin.

Jemm largely disappeared from the DC universe for almost a decade until he began appearing in issues of JLA. His title series is not one of those that will ever be collected into a trade paperback or worth huge amounts of money. However, it’s a decent read if it can be found cheaply.