5 Things to Like About the All-Star Bizarro World

In Grant Morrison's All-Star Superman, Bizarro World made a comeback as a cubeworld coming out of the underverse to terrorize humanity. We're told to "think of it as a super-dense basement level to the universe". Those issues are widely regarded as the low point of the series (a low that is still higher than most series' high point), probably because there's entirely too much Bizarro-speak. I know it's puts ME off. However, there's some very good stuff in there too (not least of which is Frank Quitely's art, which I haven't specifically included in the following list because it really goes without saying, except I did say it just now).

1. Bizarros that make themselvesNo longer waiting for Luthor's beam to hit, Bizarros can now grab hold of your essence directly. It gives Bizarros a reason to invade, unless they want to be putty all their lives. And while they invade, they might as well start Bizarring our planet:
Side-note: Now THAT's a Bizarro Christmas.

2. Flame breath
Bizarro-Superman doesn't have freeze breath, but its opposite! Great visual. I suppose he also has freeze vision.

3. Bizarro origin of Superman
Superman is stuck on Bizarro World, his strength being sapped by the red sun, and the only way to get home is trust Bizarro Jor-El to make a spacecraft out of garbage to send him back to Earth. It's a great twist on the well-known story. And it all comes down to a failing match...

4. The Unjustice League
Hilarious! I love the chains all over the Flash's costume! I miss Yellow Lantern, I do, but a GL who can't think of any shapes to create is actually one rung below the JLU's John Stewart and only two below Hal Jordan's giant nail clippers and stuff.
Batman shot by his parents would have been too grisly for the Silver Age, but a great gag here. And Wonder Woman's reverse origin makes her the best Bizarro hero since Clayface II was held up by a fork.

5. Zibarro
Or Bizarro-Bizarro. The thoughtful, sensitive reverse of Bizarro isn't just another Superman, and serves two purposes: 1) gives Superman someone to talk to that DOESN'T do the Bizarro-speak thing, and 2) fully expresses the tragedy and existential horror that this Silver Age concept now entails in a postmodern age.

Even with the All-Star Bizarro World, a little goes a long way, but I'm glad we could stop by.

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