GRAPHIC NOVEL
Bizarro World

Authors: Various
Artists: Various
Titan Books
RRP £19.99
ISBN 1 84576 034 4
Available 23 May 2005


Bizarro is an imperfect clone of Superman, who lives in a world where everything - and everyone - is the opposite of normal. Where else could the world's greatest alternative cartoonists run rampant in an all-new anthology of utter unhinged stories and art? It could only happen in Bizarro World...

Bizarro World is a collection of bizarre tales featuring many of your favourite superheroes in situations you never thought you'd see them. This release grabs the world of comics by the balls and breathes a new lease of life into some old favourites. There are plenty of tales that poke fun at the universe that is inhabited by Batman, Superman and the JLA.

Bizarro World gets off to a flying start with the title story, Bizarro World. This follows one family as they set off to Bizarro World, the latest theme park attraction. The kids have to learn a whole new language - Bizarro-talk - where you say the opposite to what you really mean. The attractions all revolve around superheroes. Watch as Batman is desperate to have a "mommy and a daddy" and sets about transforming into a little boy; or smile as Aquaman, instead of saving the sea creatures, sits down to eat them.

This tale really sets the standard for the rest to follow. And there are plenty of great inclusions here. But I think my favourite was the one page tale Dinner for Two. This pokes fun at Batman's enemy Two Face and makes you appreciate what a stupid condition he has.

Another tale that I enjoyed was Personal Shopper. This sees Batman's butler, Alfred attempting to have a new Batmobile built. But, how can he ask for all of those gadgets without raising the suspicion that his master is the Batman?

But there are dozens of quality tales here, all with their own merits. And, while I found a small handful of the stories to be a little bland, these were outweighed greatly by the inclusions that did work.

This is a collection for anyone who loves comics! Bizarro am hating this!

Nick Smithson

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