BIZARRO: YEAR NONE #1. EDITOR IN CHIEF FOR A DAY.

What would you do if you were put in charge of your job for a day? Jimmy Olsen is about to find out as he is Editor in Chief for a day after Perry White and he were taken to a mysterious alternate universe by a Bizarro version of Superman! Now they must fix the Daily Planet of this universe or else!

Creative Team: Kevin Smith (WRITER), Eric Carrasco (WRITER), Nick Pitarra (ART and COVER), Michael Garland (COLORS and COVER), and Dave Sharpe (LETTERS).

SPOILERS AHEAD

The Story:

This comic is reviewed by both Megan from the Vigilante Vibes Podcast and Matt from the Hops “Geek” News podcast!

Matt – Kevin and Eric are showcasing Bizarro in a way I don’t think that I personally have ever seen before. We have seen him plenty of times but, but they take the time to build up this world. I love the dialogue between Perry and Olsen first and foremost. There is a touch of old school versus new school with Perry not realizing how journalism in the modern day is not printed newspapers. Olsen is brash and shows off the younger know-it-all side, which we can feel blend from the panels and see into our real world, even.

When it comes time to meet Bizarro, I love how he is just a massive superfan of their universe. He seems harmless, but there is a strong underlying unease about the way he speaks to Jimmy and Perry. If you have ever heard Smith speak, you can sense his voice throughout this issue in a very good way.

Megan – In the world of superheroes and supervillains, things can seem pretty black and white. That is, until you find out an entirely new universe that’s based on your own but is nothing short of bizarre. That’s Jimmy Olsen and Perry White’s reality now. Starting from the beginning, Jimmy is trying his hardest to be hired full-time at the Daily Planet. Perry is nothing short of unhelpful when it comes to helping Jimmy pursue his dream of working at the Daily Planet.

During a back-and-forth between the two, something incredible happens, and Jimmy and Perry find themselves in this new world where everything somewhat looks familiar to them but is extremely different. This new place is led by this very peculiar being who acts as this world’s Superman. Could it be this world’s Superman? Or is he some kind of superfan of the superhero? Or is he to be trusted at all? Either way, he wins points in Jimmy’s book as this being makes him Editor-in-Chief of this world’s Daily Planet!

The Art and Letters:

Matt – The art is stunning in this debut issue. Nick shows off the feeling of Utopia that Metropolis often gives off with the finely drawn buildings and beautiful scenery. Moving into the Bizarro world, we see the details that are all familiar with a slight twist to it all. The colorwork is bright and eye-catching throughout the panels, displaying a hopeful feeling that doesn’t need action or even Superman. There were a few panels where we got really up close to Bizarro, such as with his mouth, in which there was such a grotesque feeling. His teeth jagged and his skin was etched with a texture that I would vomit if I touched it. The art was fantastic in invoking those feelings and immersing me in this issue.

Megan – Nick Pitarra, Michael Garland, and Dave Sharpe bring artwork for Bizarro: Year None #1 that will either make your skin crawl or have you staring off into the excellently detailed panels. With Bizarro, the artists perfectly drew him to be exactly the opposite of Superman, creepy, unhinged, and with a smile that’ll make a mother cry. His greasy hair and wrinkly skin will make you regret Perry White ever assigning Clark Kent to go on a job to Washington DC.

Other than that, Nick Pitarra and Michael Garland provide a lot of gorgeous scenes of Metropolis that are beautifully detailed and wonderfully colored, bringing the city to life. Dave Sharpe handles the lettering of the comic and provides an excellent flow of dialogue between the characters, especially with Perry and Jimmy. Together, the artists knocked this one straight out of the park!

Final Thoughts:

Matt – 10/10. Bizarro Year None #1 is unlike something we’ve seen before. This issue allows world-building with characters who are just as important to Metropolis as Superman is. The art invokes feelings of hope and sometimes unease as we get a taste of Bizarro in a unique manner. I’m fully on board with this first issue and cannot wait for more!

Megan – 10/10. Out of all the comics coming out lately, there’s just nothing like Bizarro: Year None #1. The story is a lot of fun and gets you hooked instantly with Jimmy Olsen’s ability to make everyone like him. The artwork is out of this world, quite literally. The creative team absolutely cooked with this comic!

Overall Grade –

Be sure to check out more reviews from Matt!

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