Final Crisis #4 is an issue of the series Final Crisis (Volume 1) with a cover date of November, 2008. It was published on September 17, 2008.
Synopsis for "Darkseid Says"
One month after the Anti-Life Equation was broadcast over every medium on Earth, the majority of humanity has fallen under the control of the Dark Gods. Ignorance reigns supreme, with only the Daily Planet left as a source of information.
Ray Terril arrives at the Hall of Justice, bringing with him Mark Richards, the Tattooed Man. It is there that he finds one of the few remaining pockets of resistance, consisting of Green Arrow, Black Canary, Oracle, the West family, and Joan Garrick. The Tattooed Man claims to have something called the Circuit, which is essential to defeating Darkseid. Outside, Darkseid's Justifiers are working to destroy the hall's forcefield.
Elsewehere, at the Command D Bunker in Blüdhaven, Dan Turpin struggles to fight off Darkseid, whose influence is painfully altering Turpin's body. As he continues to fight, Godfrey Good, Simyan and Mokkari squabble over who will receive Darkseid's favor upon his reincarnation; concluding that Granny will win when she delivers the Central Power Battery. Simyan and Mokkari present the newly-reincarnated Kalibak before their lord, who now inhabits a hybrid tiger-man body, personifying his barbarism.
At the Hall of Justice, the Ray manages to use his abilities to tap into the Ünternet, the ultra-secret network designed by the Calculator, and contacts Checkmate. Checkmate reports that their castle is holding, but they are under siege. The Black King and the White Queen hold out little hope, and have recruited Renée Montoya for a special last-resort project. Meanwhile, Superbia, the floating stronghold of the Ultramarine Corps, falls. Facing overwhelming odds, Alan Scott calls for as many heroes as possible for an attack on Blüdhaven. Even notoriously difficult entities like Black Adam and the August General-in-Iron are considering joining. Suddenly, a brainwashed Black Lightning destroys the force field around the Hall of Justice.
In Central City, Wally West's reunion with his uncle Barry is interrupted by the arrival of the new Female Furies, led by Wonder Woman. As they hide, Barry goes on about how Darkseid is falling, dragging the Earth with him, when an overwhelmed Wally brings him back to reality: Barry died, and no one ever really stopped mourning him. Barry apologizes for his over-focusing on Darkseid, and tells Wally that his family is made it to safety. They manage to set a trap and escape the Furies.
With the Justifiers starting to storm into the Hall of Justice, Black Canary and Green Arrow lead their civilian guests as they hurry to teleport up to the safety of the JLA Satellite. Against Canary's protests, Green Arrow stays behind to smash the teleporter controls so the Justifiers can't follow. Arrow is captured and made a Justifier.
Barry hurries back to his home, where his wife is infected with the Anti-Life Equation. Wally fears that there's nothing they can do for Iris, but like a fairy-tale, Barry's kiss (and a small dose of his lightning) brings her back.
At the Checkmate castle, Green Lantern and Hawkgirl continue to be confronted with seemingly endless numbers of superpowered Justifiers. Alan believes they can't stop until the "Omega Offensive" is ready to launch.
Inside the castle, the White King and his forces panic as something teleports through their defenses. It's the Super Young Team, bearing Mister Miracle, who holds the key to defeating the Anti-Life Equation. However, he is shot by one of the pawns.
In the Command-D Bunker, Turpin reaches the point of no return, when he must decide whether to continue struggling and die in agony, or give in and become Darkseid. Once the news of Mister Miracle's apparent demise reaches him, he decides there's really no choice at all. As the skies rain blood, the Dark God of Apokolips is reborn.
Appearing in "Darkseid Says"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Dan Turpin
- Checkmate
- Renee Montoya
- Black Adam
- Captain Marvel
- Great Ten
- Iris Allen
- Mister Miracle (Apparent Death)
Antagonists:
- Darkseid (Behind the scenes)
- New Gods
- Kalibak
- Female Furies
- Justifiers
Other Characters:
- Carol Ferris (Behind the scenes)
- Atomic Knights
- Director Bones
- Count Vertigo
- Linda West
- Joan Garrick
- Jai West
- Iris West II
- Negative Woman
- Opto309V (Apparent Death)
- Metal Men
- Hourman
- Liberty Belle
- Tawky Tawny
- Supergirl
- Damage
- Blue Beetle
- Ultramarine Corps
- Freedom Beast
- Kid Impala
- Bushmaster
- Hawkgirl
- S.H.A.D.E.
- Super Young Team
Locations:
- Justice League Watchtower
- Hall of Justice
- Blüdhaven
- Dark Side Club
- Fortress of Solitude
- Superbia
- Gorilla City
- Great Wall of China
Items:
Vehicles:
Notes
- This issue is reprinted in Final Crisis and Final Crisis New Edition.
- The events from this issue take place after the events chronicled in Final Crisis: Submit #1.
- DC Comics solicitation reads: It's one month after the Anti-Life Equation was released worldwide. Millions now toil as slaves of Darkseid, while the Justifier shock troops of Apokolips lay waste to the planet Earth and hunt down its protectors. The remaining free humans and superheroes are stationed around the world, besieged within the walls of ten very familiar 'Watchtowers', as they fight a desperate, losing battle against the triumphant forces of evil. While Green Arrow and Black Canary attempt to deliver the secret of humanity's last hope across America's blasted wastelands, the Outsiders brave the horrors of the Blüdhaven bunker in search of Batman. The ultimate battle is coming…but which heroes will become villain – and vice versa? And what part do the Secret Society have to play in the dawning of this new Age of Evil? Darkness is falling and death rules the day. Is this truly the end of the Age of Super Heroes? Don't miss FINAL CRISIS #4: "How to Murder the Earth!"
See Also
Recommended Reading
Links and References
Final Crisis Crossover
Final Crisis #1 • Final Crisis #2 • Final Crisis #3 • Final Crisis #4 • Final Crisis #5 • Final Crisis #6 • Final Crisis #7 One-Shots
Grant Morrison's Recommended Reading Order
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