Written by Geoff Johns & Richard Donner.
Art by Eric Powell; Dave Stewart; Rob Leigh; & Nick J. Napolitano.
Cover Art by Eric Powell & Dave Stewart.
SUMMARY:
Concluding “Escape from Bizarro World,” with its third chapter, DC Comics released this issue for December 2007. Trapped on Bizarro World, Superman and Jonathan Kent are defended by a battered Bizarro’s inept Justice League against Bizarro Lex Luthor and most of Bizarro World’s inhabitants. Temporarily possessing a copy of Superman’s powers, it is up to Jonathan Kent’ compassion for both of his ‘sons,’ to take down a rampaging Bizarro Doomsday.
More so, the Man of Steel (aka the so-called ‘Bizarro Bizarro’) must help reignite Bizarro World’s sincere faith in its presently-disheartened creator.
REVIEW:
Normally, a little Bizarro action goes a long way. However, commendable intentions from co-writers Geoff Johns & Richard Donner deliver a poignant Bizarro tale reminiscent of how DC innocently handled this character (and his Bizarro World buddies) back in the mid-80’s.
Despite its surplus of Bizarro reverse-dialogue, this issue delivers a welcome pivot away from Bizarro’s psychotic monster phase in Infinite Crisis a few years before. More so, by establishing Bizarro as the Kents’ other ‘adopted’ son, such an angle gives his character a fresh storytelling avenue to occasionally explore.
If anything, including the issue’s likable artwork, Bizarro afficionados should find Action Comics # 857 a treat to read.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
The full-page “DC Nation” column includes thumbnail cover reveals for Aquaman # 57; Death of the New Gods # 1; Justice League of America # 14; and Action Comics # 858. Also hyped is DC’s 80-page Infinite Halloween Special one-shot. Dubiously, an eight-page comic insert promoting Goldfish crackers is attached.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6½ Stars
