Final Crisis Review – “Final Crisis: Submit”

Tomorrow it’s a “Secret Invasion” review, and then “Final Crisis: Resist” will follow after that.

General Information

Title: Final Crisis: Submit

Author: Grant Morrison

Illustrator(s): Matthew Clark (pencils), Norm Rapmund is the only inker credited on the cover, but the interior credits also include Rob Hunter and Don Ho. Richard and Tanya Horie on colours.

Cover Date: December, 2008

Cover Price: $3.99 US/Can

Premise

The Tattooed Man is trying to protect his family to weather the storm of Darkseid’s invasion. They’re detected by both Black Lightning and Darkseid’s justifiers, which puts the Tattooed man in an awkward position: does he continue to stand his ground, or submit to the advice of a superhero he hates?

High Point

Getting the explanation of how the Tattooed Man came to play the role he did in the previous week’s “Final Crisis #4.”

Low Point

Coming out after “Final Crisis #4” instead of before.

The Scores

This is an original take on the Tattooed Man, who to the best of my knowledge, is normally a clear villain. It would have been really useful to see this before “Final Crisis #4,” actually. I give it 4 out of 6.

The artwork is solid, with clear and emotive line work. No complaints here at all. I give it 5 out of 6.

The story is effectively told. If you have read enough of the main event to know why the world’s in the state it’s in, this will follow quite nicely. I give it 5 out of 6.

The characterization of Black Lightning and the Tattooed Man are the driving forces of the issue. They get things moving and steer the course, and their interplay is the most entertaining part of the issue. I give it 5 out of 6.

The emotional response is good. It fills in some necessary blanks for the main event, and does so in an entertaining fashion. I give it 5 out of 6.

The flow is very smooth, as there are few if any scene jumps to worry about as we go from point to point. The action is well depicted, and for the most part, everything occurs in one location in a short span of time. I give it 5 out of 6.

Overall, it’s an effective tie-in that’s important to read if you’re following the main title. I give it 5 out of 6.

In total, Final Crisis: Submit receives 34 out of 42.

Final Crisis Checklist