JLA: Paradise Lost #2

JLA: Paradise Lost #2 was published in 1998 as the second installment of a three-part prestige format miniseries written by Mark Millar and illustrated by Ariel Olivetti. The series was designed to explore the darker, mythological underpinnings of the DC Universe, specifically focusing on the intersection of the Justice League with Judeo-Christian theology and the politics of Hell. It emerged during a period of experimentation at DC Comics, where the publisher was actively testing the boundaries of its iconic superhero archetypes by placing them in high-concept, metaphysical narratives.

Ariel Olivetti utilized a distinct, painterly style for this series, moving away from traditional comic book inks to create a textured, atmospheric aesthetic that emphasized the celestial and infernal settings of the script. The creative team aimed to portray the angels and demons as entities beyond human morality, a stylistic choice that was met with interest from readers looking for more mature, intellectually dense storytelling within the Justice League brand. The work remains noted for its departure from the standard action-oriented JLA tone common in the late 1990s.