Mild Mannered Reviews - JLA Comics

JLA #42

JLA #42

Scheduled to arrive in stores: April 26, 2000

Cover date: June 2000

Writer: Dan Curtis Johnson
Penciller: Mark Pajarillo
Inker: Walden Wong

"Half a Mind to Save a World"

Reviewed by: Michael Lum (machina_rex@yahoo.com)


A boy lies on an operating table, surrounded by surgeons. The doctors are communicating to The Atom, who is inside the child. The Atom descends through the body until he reaches the ground and is astonished to find that a miniature civilization is inhabiting the boy's body.

High above the earth, in the JLA watchtower, The Atom enlists the JLA's help to go inside the boy's body to try and persuade the civilization to stop harming the environment, or else they will be destroyed. The Green Lantern brings up the issue of explosion, as was the risk the last time the JLA was shrunk down. But, The Atom has altered his belt to synchronize with the creature's molecular rate so that it wouldn't be days until risk of explosion.

The JLA enter's the boy's bloodstream and makes their way down to the civilization. When they arrive they are confronted by a group of parasitic-looking creatures. With the translator still configuring, they are having trouble trying to figure out what the creatures are saying. The creatures then abruptly flee and as the JLA turn around they see a large group of the same creatures, wielding weapons. The creatures apprehend the JLA and take them to the leader.

Superman tries to plead with the council to cease their harmful industries but the leader, Kik-Ef-Tol, accuses them as being enemies and sends his soldiers to attack. The JLA is unable to adjust their powers to the faster molecule rate and are swiftly taken down and imprisoned.

Jom-Ft, a member of the council and one of the creatures who has been trying for years to save the environment from the harmful industries, helps Superman escape from the torture room. Jom-Ft and Superman release the rest of the JLA from the prison and charge down the corridors and away from the guards. Outside, the JLA is shocked to discover that the citizens have rebelled and are destroying the power station. Suddenly, the powersation erupts and the explosion triggers the laser. The JLA immediately disperse and evacuate the city.

As the JLA watches from a distance, the laser tears apart the civilization and burns it to ashes. When the JLA leaves superman decides to stay behind and help the creatures rebuild their city. But the creatures were unable to survive and finally departs after six months, which in the outside word was only a minute.

3Story - 3: This story was nothing I haven't seen before, it just reminded me of Kandor. The issue turned out to be not all as interesting as it first started out.

2Art - 2: Both the pencils and inks are bad issue, and the bland colors don't help at all. Pajarillo's pencil's just don't cut it, it looks like he doesn't put enough work into the art. I hope we don't have to see him again on another JLA issue.

3Cover Art - 3: The cover would have been more interesting if it was of the inside of the body but at least is was drawn by Porter.


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Mild Mannered Reviews

2000

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