Superman: Escape from Bizarro World
Superman: Escape from Bizarro World
Bizarro, the twisted, imperfect duplicate of Superman, has taken Pa Kent to Bizarro World — and only Superman has a chance of rescuing him!
On this cubic world, populated by Bizarro versions of the Justice League of America, Lois Lane and more, Superman must stop Bizarro’s tormented, Frankenstein-like rampage long enough to get away — but will Bizarro versions of Doomsday and other evildoers prove to be too much for Superman? This volume also includes several classic tales of Bizarro that served as inspiration for modern stories of that doomed world.
User Ratings and Reviews
1 Stars Great artists yet not Great comic
When I read about the great comic artists involved with the project I had to get it. The artist from The Goon, Richard Donner, Geoff Johns. I just don’t like this comic. Not that it does anything wrong. It’s just so forgettable. If you are looking for a great Superman comic then check out Superman : RED SON.
3 Stars Welcome to the Fun House
With a nod to the marvelous Silver Age of Comic Books, the kidnapping of Jonathan Kent to Bizarro World is the story line that drives the three-part mini-series, with Superman in quite a quandary when Bizarro Luthor enters the scene.
Geoff Johns, Richard Donner and John Byrne keep the pace solid, as Bizarro is depicted as a highly-misunderstood being and one whose actions - though not evil - can easily be twisted by those who have devious plots aimed directly against the Man of Steel. The Bizarro Justice League gets into the fracas, as Jonathan Kent’s life hangs perilously in the balance. Other tales of Bizarro - Superman #140, DC Comics Presents #71, Man of Steel #5 - are also included.
The book won’t convert those who feel the Bizarro World is…well, too bizarre, though this is solid writing from the misty corners of the fun house.
4 Stars Imperfect, but excellent Bizarro story
Escape from Bizarro World isn’t perfect, but is certainly the greatest Bizarro story ever told. Using the silver-age concept of Bizarro World as a backdrop, writers Geoff Johns (Infinite Crisis) & Richard Donner (Superman: The Movie), tell a story about acceptance and misunderstanding that is excellently illustrated by noir artist Eric Powell (The Goon). Here they portray Bizarro at his best: misunderstood, but not evil.
Under normal circumstances Powell’s work would not lend itself to a superhero story, but since this is a horror/comedy, it works perfectly for the darker style.
Highlights include glimpses into young Clark’s past, the Bizarro JLA and Bizarro Mxyzptlk. Bizarro Lex Luthor is truly a treat, every bit as manipulating in his need for attention and praise as the real one.
The book is not perfect though, at three issues for the main story, it is rather short for a graphic novel (although this does tighten up the story well enough to eliminate the need for any filler). Vernacular for the Bizarros switches back and forth between toddler speak and Bizarro backward speak, which can occasionally be confusing, and at least once there is an instance of Jonathan Kent asking Superman the same question twice simply to remind readers of the individual issues what happened last time.
However, these are all nit-picks that don’t take away from the overall story. After all, what would a story about imperfect Bizarros be if it were perfect?
2 Stars BIZARRO AM MAKE FOR A TERRIFIC STORY!!!! (…in opposite speak)
Bizarro can be fun to play around with sometimes, but even with the small size of this TPB, I think halfway through I was already burnt out on “ME AM NOT” quotes. Instead of several issues centered around Bizarro, I think I prefer the small bits like Infinite Crisis where he yells, “PRETTY LIGHTS,” and beats one of the Freedom Fighters to death, only to be saddened when the lights go out. I’ve read Bizarro stories where the “opposite-speak” was so thick, I had to stop and think for a few seconds about what I had just read. And then… sometimes a writer will have a sense of humor and make Bizarro speak directly, right after he just said something in “opposite-speak,” so you’re not sure which one to believe. Yup… good times, good times.
So I guess I already come across as cynical about this TPB, but I will tell you that the first story collected in this TPB is a fun read. Geoff Johns and the director of the original Superman movie, Richard Donner, team-up to write this inaugural story which focuses on Bizarro kidnapping Clark Kent’s father and taking him to Bizarro World. Superman is forced to travel to a blue star solar system to save his father, and it’s here that he discovers the effects of a blue star on his abilities. Not only are his powers amplified, but he also starts to develop new ones. Bizarro does as well and uses his powers to clone an army of Bizarro troops who live in a fake Metropolis environment constructed by the Superman rogue.
Bizarro rarely comes across as intentionally good or evil — just confused — but there are darker versions of Bizarro out there in comicdom. The stories collected in this book mostly portray a lovable Bizarro. The type that reminds you of the scene in Frankenstein when he first meets the little girl. To add to Bizarro’s G rating, the stories after the main event by Johns and Donner are all from older Superman books. One older tale included is Superman #140 published in 1960 dealing with the subject of a Bizarro Family. Another older comic in this TPB is DC Comics Presents #71 published in 1984 that stars a Bizarro-Amazo who instead of draining powers, gives them away and causes plenty of chaos on Earth. The story also contains a friendly alliance of sorts between Supes and Bizarro. And finally… the TPB sums up the collection with the classic Man of Steel series by John Byrne and includes the issue that retells Bizarro’s origin as a lab experiment gone awry at the hands of Lex Luthor. Coincidentally, this same origin was also supposed to be how Warner Brothers would have included Bizarro in Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, but the decision was made to take him out of the film.
This is the type of TPB that will mostly appeal to hardcore Superman enthusiasts. I wouldn’t say the stories are poor, just not as good as some of the other choices on the market. You’ll also need to be someone who appreciates classic comics and isn’t annoyed by the outdated art and old school writing. I would wait for the softcover version if you’re thinking about adding this one to your pull list. It’s a short mildly entertaining read, but I’m not sure it deserves a premiere hardcover edition.
5 Stars Great Story, Great Artwork, Great Comic!
With a story by star writer Geoff Johns and Superman: The Movie director Richard Donner, you’d expect this to be pretty great. Coupled with artwork by The Goon’s Eric Powell, you’d expect this to be phenomenal. Well for once, expectations are met. Introducing the modern Bizarro World and a Bizarro JLA, this comic is hilarious and action-filled. A must have for any Superman fan.
Filed under: Top Superman Comics