{"id":1949,"date":"2011-01-04T22:35:46","date_gmt":"2011-01-05T03:35:46","guid":{"rendered":"\/\/kirbymuseum.org\/blogs\/365fourth\/?p=1949"},"modified":"2011-01-04T22:35:46","modified_gmt":"2011-01-05T03:35:46","slug":"day-96-justifiers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kirbymuseum.org\/blogs\/365fourth\/2011\/01\/04\/day-96-justifiers\/","title":{"rendered":"Day 96: Justifiers!"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The Justifiers are the zealots commanded by Glorious Godfrey and his lieutenants, crusading on our planet to do the ultimate bidding of Darkseid. They are recruited on Earth through Godfrey’s big tent revival meetings, mesmerized by the preacher’s rhetoric and hypnotized by the “Demon’s Organ,” the musical instrument which has some power over human minds. We first encounter Godfrey’s soldiers as attendants during a sermon — some holding up placards, others singing in the chorus, one playing the sinister organ, and another displaying the Justifier masks, telling the captivated audience, “Wield death!<\/em> Wield oain! <\/em>You can be justified<\/em> — if you wear one of these!” The masks and accompanying Justifier costume have a medieval vibe to the fashion — think Boris Karloff’s Mord in Tower of London,<\/em> only with revved-up Kirby panache — and they’re quite effective in conveying their fanaticism and executioner ambiance.<\/p>\n

The recruits appear to be generally bitter, disaffected people who see themselves as victims and that others as taking what said “victims” deserve. Big Bear calls them discontents. Godfrey appeals to those who feel threatened by change and “outsiders.” Audience members appeal to the preacher: “Tell it<\/em>, Godfrey! Tell us how our pride<\/em> is being attacked<\/em> and dragged<\/em> in the dust!” And another: “It’s the others<\/em>, Godfrey! Those who don’t<\/em> think right!” And a third: “This is our<\/em> world! Our<\/em> world! They have no<\/em> right to meddle<\/em> with it!”<\/p>\n

Who “they” are is not immediately recognizable, but Godfrey promises the sun and the moon to his converts — the right to kill<\/em> any perceived enemy! “Yes, friends! Though Life<\/em> is ever filled with those who threaten us, it is Anti-Life<\/em> which gives us the power to eliminte<\/em> them! The holocaust <\/em>is coming! The day of Apokolips<\/em> on Earth! The Day of Darkseid<\/em>, who brings this power for only us<\/em> to use! Yes, it is his gift<\/em> to us, friends! The Cosmic Hunting LIcense! <\/em>The right<\/em> to point the finger<\/em> or the gun!<\/em>” Godfrey holds forth a Justifier accoutrement. “When we wear this helmet, we feel unified! Glorified! Justified!<\/em> Step up, friends! Take your helmet! Be superior!<\/em> Be fierce!<\/em> Be a justifier!<\/em>”<\/p>\n

One wonders if the helmet contains a device that keeps a Justifier on-mission as immediately after the sermon we are witness to the hell one of these zealots can unleash on any of us. In the middle of Uncle Willie and Donnie’s apartment stands a thuggish Justifier, his hands grabbing hold of the young cripple’s shirt.”Where<\/em> are your friends, boy? Tell<\/em> me, you little garbage!<\/em> — Or I’ll kill<\/em> you!” Holding the kid up in the air, the zealot demands, “Where are the Forever People<\/em>, little swine? Tell me! Tell me!<\/em>\u201d Beautiful Dreamer creates the illusion all of her teammates are on Glorious Godfrey’s side. “Wha-? Who <\/em>are you? Where<\/em> did you get those Justifier<\/em> helmets?” Suddenly the Super-Kids grab Donnie and bolt out of the apartment, with Big Bear explaining their panic: “If that Justifier was sent here to destroy<\/em> us — there is only one<\/em> way he can get us all in one<\/em> stroke! He’s wired<\/em> to explode! The Justifier is a human bomb!<\/em>\u201d Adds Serifan as they all run in the street, “Yes! He<\/em> must die<\/em> — in order to destroy all of us!<\/em>\u201d Beautiful Dream says, “There is no<\/em> stopping a Justifier!<\/em> He can justify his own death!<\/em>\u201d Mark Moonrider carries Donnie and says, “The Anti-Life<\/em> principle is now part<\/em> of him!”<\/p>\n

Coming outside, through the apartment window, is the zealot. “You tricky<\/em>, young dogs! You won’t<\/em> get far! When I jerk this igniter you die!<\/em> The bomb I carry was not<\/em> made on Earth! What is conceived on Apokolips<\/em> can eliminate those from New Genesis! Die!<\/em>” With that, the Justifier pulls his ignitor chord and sacrifices his life for Glorious Godfrey’s nefarious plan… The kids survive and Mark comments, “The Justifier died willingly<\/em> — but in vain!<\/em>\u201d Vykin recognizes the touch of one of Darkseid’s elite: “And the one<\/em> who sent the Justifier to kill us — can only be — Glorious Godfrey!<\/em>” The Forever People prepare to engage Godfrey with their sentient computer as navigator: “Wherever Glorious Godfrey<\/em> and his Justifiers<\/em> are — Mother Box will reach out and find them!” says Beautiful Dreamer.<\/p>\n

As the team travels the Electron Road, Aero-Vans descend on the city rooftops. “This is the part of town we want! The people we’ve chosen as targets<\/em> live here!” says the pilot. Landing on an apartment roof, the back door of the transport opens to reveal armed Justifiers. Barks a leader, “Move in swiftly!<\/em> Before the swine realize<\/em> what’s happening!” The pilot instructs, “Seize<\/em> as many as you can!” Another Justifier adds, “Don’t<\/em> bother to discriminate! The women and children are as hated as the men!” The Justifiers flood down the stairwell, smashing into apartments. “Break in the doors!” scream one. Another, “Waste no<\/em> time on mercy! Drag<\/em> them out! Treat them rough!<\/em>\u201d Dragging occupants out of their homes, one Justifier gloats, “Listen<\/em> to their cries! I’ve been waiting<\/em> to do this for years!” As a victim pleads, “Help! Help! Stop this!<\/em>\u201d his capture yells, “Get going! We’ll show<\/em> what we do with your kind!”<\/p>\n

The unfortunate souls are being herded into the Justifier Aero-Van. Screams a woman, “Help! Where<\/em> are you taking us?” A Justifier responds, “Shut up!<\/em> You’re nothing but animals! Get in that van! Stop shouting and get in!<\/em>” A Justifier with a clipboard confers with a comrade, saying, “”We’ve got all on this list! Now, take off, before the police<\/em> interfere!” The Aero-Van takes to the skies and we hear an interesting comment: “Anti-Life works!<\/em> We’re jsutified<\/em> in ridding the city of this human trash! The city should thank us!” Up to now we are lead to believe Justifiers are humans doing tasks for Darkseid, but this comment may indicate that at least some are originally from non-human Apokolips.<\/p>\n

Then a Justifier, wielding a weapon, enters a library. “Put down those decadent<\/em> books! Get out of this library! The nonsense<\/em> stored in this place shall never<\/em> pollute another mind!” Suddenly we realize his device is a flamethrower, which the zealot ignites and fires into the stacks. “You need know no more than the proper<\/em> things! Who but myself is justified in burning down this library?” A bystander exclaims, “Call the police!<\/em> This guy is a dangerous nut!”<\/p>\n

Glorious Godfrey, receiving a trimming, is viewing the goings-on via video screen. “My little legion is doing well, too! There’s one of them defacing a store with an ‘S’ for scapegoat!” One of his underlings says, “Anti-Life<\/em> is a heady, exhilarating<\/em> experience, Godfrey! They’re in ecstasy<\/em>.” Glorious Godfrey replies, “Yes, they no longer think!<\/em> They revel in emotion! <\/em>They will do anything I say — in order to feed<\/em> their emotion! They are now no more than zombies<\/em> in my<\/em> control!” Godfrey then learns the suicide bomber has failed to eliminate The Forever People, who swap places with The Infinity Man and advance into Godfrey’s revival meeting. (The caption reads: “The grim<\/em>, silent crowd, ever seeking the answers<\/em> to its discontent, enters the giant tent of Glorious Godfrey!<\/em> — And so does The Infinity Man!<\/em>\u201d But after the defeat of The Infinity Man and the Super-Kids, Justifiers load the unconscious new-agers onto an Aero-Van. “Open those doors!<\/em>\u201d says one. “Load these enemies of Apokolips aboard one of our departing<\/em> Aero-Vans! No need to treat them gently!” Another explains, “We’re taking them where we took the others!<\/em> To the Camp of the Damned!<\/em>\u201d The pilot says, “It is not<\/em> the first of its kind seen on Earth! But Desaad<\/em> is the master of this<\/em> one! Even as Justifiers make a mockery<\/em> of life — Desaad<\/em> plays with death<\/em> as if it were a fine art!<\/em>\u201d The Justifier carrying Mark Moonrider (one-handed!) says, “I wonder what sort of masterpieces<\/em> he’ll make of these brats!”<\/p>\n

Next comes the Justifiers tussle with the Super-Cycle. At the onset of “The Omega Effect,” a Justifier security patrol, flying courtesy of their “Flight-Shoes,” happens upon the parked Forever People transport. “It’s the vehicle<\/em> left behind by those New Genesis<\/em> brats we captured!” Orders another, “Destroy it!<\/em> Where they are — they won’t<\/em> need it anymore!!” The hapless Justifier assigned to attend to the Super-Cycle whines, “Huh!<\/em> I get all the ridiculous<\/em> chores!!” while the others fly down to Godfrey’s encampment. “Turn down the noise on your ‘Flight-Shoes!<\/em>‘ Glorious Godfrey is still<\/em> receiving recruits in his great tent!<\/em>\u201d The lone sentry wields a threatening device, telling us, “This Apokolips<\/em> weapon should do a thorough<\/em> wrecking job on that thing!!!” But the Super-Cycle start to make unusual noises. “Strange!<\/em> The darn thing is makin’ sounds<\/em> — like it was alive!! Wha-?!<\/em> It’s moving!!<\/em> — Changing!!<\/em> — The handle-bars <\/em>— The cabs<\/em> — The wheels<\/em> –!” And then the Super-Cycles fires upon the Justifier, paralyzing him! The security patrol returns to investigate. “That spooky<\/em> vehicle — it’s turned into some kind of weapon!!<\/em>\u201d Another says, “Careful!<\/em> It’s already scored!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

The caption reads: “Then — more shots — more stiffened, falling figures!!! All in full view of Glorious Godfrey down below!!!” Godfrey orders his Justifiers to “Destroy that abomination!!<\/em>\u201d and a crew of newbies steps forward. “We’ll<\/em> volunteer for the job, Glorious Godfrey!! Give us the chance<\/em> to serve you!!” Godfrey asks his first lieutenant, “These are new<\/em> recruits!! Can they do<\/em> it??” The officer is enthusiastic, “Zealots will do anything!!<\/em> Just point them in the proper<\/em> direction, Godfrey!” The leader turns and raises his arms above the fresh soldiers as if in benediction. “You Earthmen are the shining embodiment of ‘Anti-Life!<\/em>\u2019 You leap at the throat of death — because you’re transformed!!<\/em>\u201d Volunteers one, “Belief in Anti-Life makes all<\/em> Justifiable! Belief in you<\/em>, Glorious Godfrey, makes us — ‘Justifiers!<\/em>\u2019” A jubilant Godfrey sends them off. “Then, ‘To arms!!<\/em>\u2019 Get to your weapons and instructions!! — And finish that job!!!<\/em>\u201d The Justifiers are ecstatic, one yapping, “Yahooo! <\/em>We’ll blast that thing into twisted<\/em> junk!!!” Godfrey’s number one gushes, “They’re really<\/em> eager to destroy! What’s the secret, Godfrey? The helmet?<\/em> The uniform?<\/em> The creed?<\/em>\u201d” Godfrey beams and answers, “Earthmen are given all those things at birth!!<\/em> I merely justify<\/em> their readiness to use them!! That’s why<\/em> they love me!!!”<\/p>\n

Next we see a zillion — or thereabouts — Justifiers swarming up the incline to lay final siege on Serifan and the Super-Cycle. Godfrey says, “My followers are ready!<\/em> My Justifiers<\/em> champ at the bit!! — In one moment they’ll surge<\/em> over that hill! — Weapons blazing!!<\/em> — Shouting with the joy<\/em> that comes in the release<\/em> of destruction!! Kill, men, kill!!<\/em> Darkseid absolves<\/em> you of all<\/em> guilt!!” But the Super-Cycle riddles the Justifiers with its paralyzer gun, yet the fanatics keep up the onslaught despite their losses. “They’re still<\/em> coming!” Serifan thinks, “Like all<\/em> zealots, Justifiers never<\/em> give up! The Super-Cycle is defending itself magnificently!!<\/em> But some attackers are bound<\/em> to break through!!” Choosing a capsule from his headwear, the cowboy muses, “It’s best that I choose the correct Cosmic Cartridge<\/em> from my hat-band — and hold it in readiness<\/em> for instant<\/em> activation!!” A Justifier rushes the youngest Forever Person, screaming, “Die!!<\/em> — You New Genesis whelp!!<\/em>\u201d and fires his weapon. The following caption reads: “Even as the Justifier’s weapon fires, the Cosmic Cartridge generates a shield<\/em> of atoms — strong enough to repel<\/em> the shot and cause it to rebound on the attacker!” Serifan is determined to hold out until death takes him. Godfrey is happy to comply and says to a minion, “I’ve wasted<\/em> enough zealots!! Use the Induction Rifle!!<\/em>\u201d Its wielder says, “It’ll pressurize the ground above the brat — and bring the cliff down<\/em> on him!” Is this the end of Serifan and the Super-Cycle? We’ll see, but we do know this is the finale of the Justifiers, who depart after this scene!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Justifiers are the zealots commanded by Glorious Godfrey and his lieutenants, crusading on our planet to do the ultimate bidding of Darkseid. They are recruited on Earth through Godfrey’s big tent revival meetings, mesmerized by the preacher’s rhetoric and hypnotized by the “Demon’s Organ,” the musical instrument which has some power over human minds. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[2,5,6,34,39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1949","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-apokolips","category-day-entries","category-earth","category-the-forever-people-3","category-villains"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3urou-vr","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kirbymuseum.org\/blogs\/365fourth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1949","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kirbymuseum.org\/blogs\/365fourth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kirbymuseum.org\/blogs\/365fourth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kirbymuseum.org\/blogs\/365fourth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kirbymuseum.org\/blogs\/365fourth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1949"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kirbymuseum.org\/blogs\/365fourth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1949\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kirbymuseum.org\/blogs\/365fourth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1949"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kirbymuseum.org\/blogs\/365fourth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1949"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kirbymuseum.org\/blogs\/365fourth\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1949"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}