Customer Reviews

Superman: Escape from Bizarro World

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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?

I've always loved Superman, but like every fan, I have my personal favorites among the Superman universe cast of friends and villains.

Bizarro has never been one of my favorite Superman villains. What can I say? I'm a big Lex Luthor fan. (In case you should wonder, I had pre-ordered this because of the list of names associated with it -- Geoff Johns, Richard Donner, and John Byrne). But this book got me interested in Bizarro and made me appreciate the character in a way that I hadn't before.

The older comics included in this collection along with the small essays on Bizarro were interesting, but it was the main story that I really got into. I liked Pa Kent having such a large role. The story of Clark's childhood relationship with Pa Kent, and child Clark's desire for friendships were effectively interwoven into the Bizarro World storyline. I was moved by Bizarro's yearnings for attachment and his bewilderment about where he'd gone wrong in his attempts to find it.

I've gone from not particularly caring about Bizarro to hoping that the authors will write more stories featuring him.

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.

Bizarro is this odd Frankenstein-type clone of Superman who says and means the opposite of everything he says so instead of "Hello" he says "Goodbye" and when he sets out to "destroy the world" he really means to "Save it" and so on. It can get a bit annoying.

I've never really seen Bizarro as such a great character but Geoff Johns joins Richard Donner to script an ok 75 page story where Bizarro kidnaps Jonathan Kent and takes him to Bizarro world and its up to Superman to save him. The excellent Eric Powell draws it and it's his brilliant art that makes the story distinctive. If you're a reader of his "Goon" series (and if not, why not?) you'll know he's good at drawing undead-type creatures which works here as most of the BIzarros look like zombies.

"Escape from Bizarro World" dusts off an old (and strangely to some, beloved) character and gives him another airing. Frankly, I'm not one of BIzarro's fans, the character and everything about him always seemed like a drunken joke and a one note character that's gone on way longer than it should have. But then Bizarro fans might like this (or to use Bizarro speak, they am hate it so much). Also included are several past issues from the 70s and 80s where Bizarro popped up in Superman's world.

The portion of the book that actually belong to Escape from Bizarro World is actually damn good. Eric Powell's art is superb and a perfect fit for this story. Is a great combination of the Superman Fleischer Cartoons art and a Bizarro enviroment. Kind of took out of Tim Burton's mind.

The story is also a good one. Checking things on the square Bizarro World. Is a pretty good way to look again at Bizarro. But the story last for 2 or 3 issues top. The rest of the stories are old Bizarro stories from the 60's and 80's and 90's. Those were kind of fun stories too, but only because those where vintage.

Anyway, you don't really need this book to follow any story line. You can skip it and not feeling bad about it. If you are decided to get it try not to pay full price. Although the book is not bad, I can tell you right now it doesn't worth full price either.

Quick Review:

The artwork by Eric Powell in this book is what led me to The Goon, of which I am now a loyal reader.

But back to this book - it's fun, and at times, hilarious. Definitely not to be taken too seriously. It's a short 3-issue arc, so the bonus is you get some classic Bizarro stories as well.

If you like Bizarro and want a REALLY different kind of Superman story with BEAUTIFUL art, pick this up.

"Escape from Bizarro World" collects Geoff Johns's and Richard Donner's three-issue story arc, along with "classic" reprints from Superman #140, DC Comics Presents #71, and Man of Steel #5. Instead of one coherent story, we're treated to three completely different takes on the character of Bizarro.

The Silver Age reprints, featuring a Bizarro baby and a Bizarro version of the Justice League, are a lot more fun than the "modern age" comics included. DC Comics Presents #71 is almost worth buying the collection for.

When John Byrne changed Bizarro into a simple Superman clone in Man of Steel #5 (collected here), he also changed him into a mindless Frankenstein monster (almost like Solomon Grundy). And, guess what? Bizarro doesn't work in a "serious" comic universe.

Geoff Johns's "Escape from Bizarro World", all three issues of which are collected here, attempts to re-inject some of the fun back into Bizarro. Apparently, under a "blue sun" Superman and Kryptonian clones gain "bizarre" super-powers. Bizarro uses these new powers to create an entire world--"Bizarro World"--and thus brings Bizarro back to his Silver Age roots. Sort of. The story is goofy fun, but one does wonder why Johns had to go to such an elaborate explanation: Can't we just have fun once in a while without rationalizing it?

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.

Geoff Johns, you're sooo good with Green Lantern and the Flash, what possessed you with this? Avoid.