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Mild Mannered Reviews - JLA Comics

JLA: Classified #32

JLA: Classified #32

Scheduled to arrive in stores: January 17, 2007

Cover date: Mid-March 2007

Writter: Dan Slott
Penciller: Dan Jurgens
Inker: Trevor Scott

"The 4th Parallel: Point of Origin"

Michael Bailey Reviewed by: Michael Bailey

Click to enlarge


Darrin Profitt was just another average man who, along with six and half billion other people, became part of Dr. Destiny's latest attempt to take over the world. After the Justice League defeats Destiny his damaged Materioptikon lands near Profitt and somehow it comes with him back into the real world.

After studying it for a time Profitt becomes drawn into the jewel and watches as Doctor Destiny tries to repair the Materioptikon. An offhand comment by Destiny prompts Profitt to take control of the jewel and use it's abilities to explore a seemingly infinite number of scenarios for personal gain. After going through an endless number of possibilities Darrin finally achieves everything he thought he wanted, but soon realizes it is not enough. At Destiny's prodding Darrin focuses his energies on defeating the Justice League and ruling the world. With only three timelines left to him Darrin crafts the world's most powerful armor any reality has ever seen, takes the name Red King and sets out on his quest for world domination.

5Story - 5: Dan Slott impressed me.

I have to admit that while reading the introductory battle scene I got the feeling that despite the interesting opening narration this was going to be yet another typical Justice League story. The dialogue, while amusing in spots, was pretty standard and I had always thought Slott as a writer who thinks outside of the box.

But Slott pulled a fast one on me. He lulled me into a false sense of security and then hit me with a freaky, mind trip of a plot that would put Grant Morrison to shame. He also created a character that a lot us could relate to. Darrin Profitt is as middle of the road as you can get. He has a job he is totally unqualified for, is in love (or at least crushing on) a waitress who can't remember his name and has absolutely nothing going for him. When he meets Dr. Destiny and sees a chance to change things he takes it, but like a lot of people who can't seem to get what they want when he finally does achieve what he believes to be happiness it isn't enough. So he becomes the villain after getting seduced to the dark side even though he was halfway there to begin with.

It's an interesting take on an old plot and made for a fantastic read because of its execution. This story is a lot like the old Gardner Fox or John Broome written Silver Age stories only amped up a bit with better characterization and some really amusing dialogue.

As a set-up to a story arc this issue was fantastic. It had everything a good comic book story should have and more. From the looks of it this title might have two good story arcs in a row. If this is the case then maybe I'll have to change my opinion of this series.

5Art - 5: I opened this book and suddenly it was 1992 again. While Jurgens is only given a layout credit with Trevor Scott providing the finishes it looks like solid Dan Jurgens art, which made me a very happy fan indeed. The page layouts were fantastic and Jurgens really knew where to draw the reader's eye. And I have to admit on a personal level that it was great seeing Jurgens draw Superman again.

5Cover Art - 5: Aside from an ugly green tinge to Dr. Destiny this was a really solid cover. Jurgens and Nowlan make for an interesting pair and you can really see both artists' influences, especially with Superman and Batman. This has been a month where I have had nothing of consequence to complain about. Here's hoping that the next issue is the same way.

Mild Mannered Reviews

2007

Note: Month dates are from the issue covers, not the actual date when the comic went on sale.

January 2007

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