The next sneak peek from DC is none other than Bizarro. Our favorite Superman, like Bat-Mite, is getting his own six issue limited series. I have never been much of a Bizarro fan. However, I like the idea of DC Comics rolling out another title that is all-ages. I certainly am never going to chastise DC whenever they make an effort to bring out a title that breaks the mold of the New 52. So, does this sneak peek get me to want to buy the Bizarro limited series? Let’s find out.
Words: Heath Corson
Art: Gustavo Duarte
Colors: Pete Pantazis
Story Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 6 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 6.5 Night Girls out of 10
Synopsis: We begin with being introduced to Bizarro’s origin and how he is good-hearted but dumb as a rock and causes so much damage unintentionally while trying to be a hero. Clark Kent tells Jimmy Olsen that they need to get Bizarro out of Metropolis before he causes any more damage. Jimmy asks how are they doing to accomplish that task. Simply take Bizarro to Canada and tell him it is Bizarro America? (Ha! Yes!) Clark takes Jimmy’s joke seriously and tells Jimmy that he should take a road trip with Bizarro to Canada. That the experience would provide Jimmy with amazing source material for a best-selling book. Jimmy imagines himself as a rich and famous author. Jimmy then agrees to take Bizarro on a road trip to Canada.
We cut to Jimmy jumping off the Daily Planet’s building in hopes of attracting Bizarro’s attention. Sure enough, Bizarro swoops in and rescues Jimmy. Bizarro recognizes Jimmy as Superman’s “lap.” Jimmy corrects Bizarro and says the word is “Pal.” Jimmy says that he and Bizarro are great friends and that Jimmy wants to take Bizarro on a road trip to Bizarro America. That Bizarro will love living in Bizarro America.
Bizarro is excited and decides that a road trip would be fun and that he wants to live in Bizarro America. Bizarro suggests they fly to Canada. Jimmy imagines how clumsy Bizarro is at flying and that Jimmy would probably get killed in the process. So, Jimmy suggests that they drive a car to Canada. Bizarro agrees.
We cut to Jimmy and Bizarro in a late 1960’s convertible Mustang. (Wow. Jimmy can afford such an expensive car? What does he get paid at the Daily Planet?! Seriously. A 1968 Mustang GT convertible has an average sales price of $56K.) Jimmy wonders how hard this road trip really could be. We then see Bizarro surfing on the hood of the Mustang. Jimmy yells for Bizarro to get inside of the car. End of sneak peek.
The Good: The Bizarro sneak peek was a fun read. I appreciate that, just like with the Bat-Mite limited series, that DC Comics is rolling out another all-ages title. I love that Bizarro is something different from the usually offerings served up by the New 52. Bizarro captures some of the fun and lighter side of the DCU that has been absent since the New 52 reboot. DC has a wonderful history of goofy and silly Silver Age stories and it is great to see DC willing to venture back into that aspect of their continuity. Also, Corson manages to make this an all-ages read without making it kiddie. This makes Bizarro a title that all readers would enjoy.
Corson does a fine job succinctly introducing Bizarro’s character to new readers. This is how origin stories should be told. Boil the character’s roots down to the essentials and serve it up to the reader in a condensed and easy to digest fashion. After that, the writer can move on with the story at hand. That is exactly what Corson does with this sneak peek.
The Bizarro sneak peek is well paced. Corson wastes zero time moving the story along. I also appreciate how Corson was able to deliver the mission statement of this limited series in this sneak peek. The job of a preview is to tell the reader what the purpose of the title is and what the reader can expect if they decide to purchase the title. Orson succeeds in this critical aspect of a preview.
Corson cranks out some nice humor. This sneak peek has me giggling from start to finish. The solution to the Bizarro problem of sending him to Canada was hilarious. And calling Canada Bizarro America had me cracking up. Corson delivers plenty of funny lines. The buddy team of Bizarro and Jimmy Olsen should provide for some entertaining issues. Corson shows the reader glimpses of some quality chemistry that he should be able to create between Bizarro and Jimmy.
I must admit that I am not a huge fan of Duarte’s style of art. However, Duarte’s art is a fine match for an all-ages title like Bizarro. The cartoonish lines and expressions match the silly tone of the story.
The Bad: I hate Bizarro speak. I can barely tolerate it for a short period of time. An entire issue of Bizarro speak? That will probably be too much for me.
My only other criticism of this sneak peek would be the plotting and delivery of this story. The story a bit too frenetic for me. Parts of the story felt rushed and disjointed.
Verdict: Success. I am not much of a Superman fan nor a fan of any of his supporting cast of characters like Bizarro. So, obviously, this title has limited appeal to me. Having said that, I do think DC did a good job with this sneak peek. Plenty of lapsed long-time DC readers may find this title appealing due to the classic characters of Bizarro and Jimmy Olsen as well as the more upbeat and refreshing tone of the title compared to other New 52 offerings. Also, Bizarro is all-ages which makes if one of the few New 52 titles that targets kids. If you are a reader looking for something that is a break from the dark and moody then this is a title for you.
