One of Superman’s most powerful foes, Mister Mxyzptlk, has a son–and he is about to make life miserable for Young Justice. As the heroes of the DC Universe contend with the machinations of the Great Darkness, Young Justice finds themselves in a world not their own, facing classic versions of some of DC’s biggest icons in Dark Crisis: Young Justice #4. And when the dust settles, the team meets their “biggest fan,” aka Mikey Mxyzptlk! And, unfortunately, Mikey appears to be just as dangerous as his father.
Mister Mxyzptlk, the impish trickster figure hailing from the Fifth Dimension, first appeared in 1944’s Superman #30. Mxyzptlk’s powers, and true form, are beyond human comprehension. Despite his great powers, Mxyzptlk has one primary weakness: if tricked into saying his name backwards, he must return to the Fifth Dimension for 90 days. Mxyzpltk’s adventures, particularly during the Silver Age, were light-hearted affairs in which the Man of Steel would find new and creative ways to trick Mxyzptlk, but starting with Alan Moore’s landmark Superman story “Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow,” other creators began showing Mxyzpltk’s darker side; later creators, such as Grant Morrison, continued to develop Mxyzptlk beyond his silly origins, depicting him as a being of god-like power, with motivations beyond people’s understanding. One Mxyzptlk is bad enough, but in Dark Crisis: Young Justice #4 readers meet his son—a real chip off the old block.
Young Justice, including Superboy, Impulse and Robin, are stuck on an alternate Earth, fighting not only the Morrison-era Justice League, but also the Titans. As the battle stretches on, Impulse wonders who has the power to create such a reality–then it dawns on him: Mister Mxyzpltk. Almost on cue, a voice off-panel declares Impulse “figured it out.” The three heroes turn to confront Mxyzptlk, but are shocked to see he is much younger. The mysterious figure, who looks like a younger Mxyzptlk, tells them he is “Mikey Mxyzptlk” and that he is their “biggest fan.” Mikey then informs Young Justice they must stay with him, or “our childhood is ruined.” The issue is written by Meghan Fiztmartin, illustrated by Laura Braga, colored by Luis Guerrero and Hi-Fi and lettered by Pat Brosseau.
Judging Mikey’s actions in this issue, it seems that the apple did not fall far from the tree. Mikey Mxyzptlk not only is the spitting image of his father, but he has inherited his dad’s propensity to toy with lesser beings, and puts Young Justice through the ringer. Yet, Mikey Mxyzptlk’s confession that he is Young Justice’s “biggest fan” is what makes him truly disturbing. He believes that if Young Justice leaves him, then everyone’s childhood is ruined. Mikey Mxyzptlk becomes a stand-in for gatekeepers and overtly-entitled fans, the type who bemoan increased representation among women and other groups. In forums, these fans say that such actions “ruin their childhood,” echoing Mxyzptlk’s closing line.
Mikey Mxyzptlk’s petulant attitude, combined with his god-like powers, makes him far more of a threat than his father ever was; his father has bedeviled Superman for years, and if Mikey is anything like his dad, he will make life miserable for Young Justice as well.
Dark Crisis: Young Justice #4 is available now from DC Comics.
