Ode to an Evil Genius Scientist

Deep down in our souls, there is a little child who is cackling evilly and throwing eggs at the wall.  That child will grow up to be Dr. Jumba Jookiba. 

Jumba is the best part of the worst of us.  He’s got the ego I only dream of – he doesn’t apologize, doesn’t take criticism, plainly states ‘I am brilliant’ without belittling others who aren’t.  (Mostly.)  He not only acknowledges his dark side, he revels in it: while being taken away to prison, he’s shouting a request to be called an ‘evil genius’.

He has played hero, villain, God and the devil’s advocate.  It’s not that he’s schizophrenic: he IS all of these roles at once.  He’s used his brilliance to create monsters, and to capture them.  He’s threatened his best friend (if not more) into silence, and shielded his ‘niece’ with his own body.  He’s a masterwork of characterization: hedonistic selfishness you can’t hate, because it’s tempered by deep sincerity and powerful heart.

Did I mention his voice, a deep Russian accent that makes me shiver in the best of ways? 

Jumba is a celebration of life – of enjoying it in all its colors, without guilt.  What’s not to love?