Bizarro World (2025 Comic Book & Graphic Novel Reading Challenge)

Bizarro World is a loose sequel to 2001's Bizarro Comics. Whereas the earlier book was a collection of vignettes and previously cancelled material from some of the industry's top Indy talent, book-ended by a story in which Mr. Mxyzptlk is aided by Bizarro to save his 5th dimension home from an alien invader, the later work was a strict anthology in every sense of the word.

Featuring the talents of the Hernandez Brothers, Evan Dorkin, Raina Telgemeier and a host of others, 2005's Bizarro World pales in comparison to it's processor with one major deviation: Christmas stories! 

Andy Merrill and Roger Langridge's 'Jing Kal-El' is an oddball Elseworld in which we see what would have happened to the Last Son of Krypton if his rocket ship had crash landed into Santa's work shop at the North Pole. In 'Batman Smells', actor-comedian Patton Oswalt reveals the origins to the alternate lyrics of Jingle Bells. Artist Bob Fingerman takes viewers on a tour through Gotham City sewers and the Batcave in order to discover the answer. A couple of other stories have scenes that take place in otherwise non-holiday themed tales. But it adds to the unexpected merriment of an otherwise lacking anthology.

For being a graphic novel named after the Superman Family character, Bizarro is noticeably absent from a majority of this book. He does appear in the title story by Chris Duffy and Scott Morse, explaining that 'Bizarro World' is a DC Comics themed amusement park designed from a Bizarro point of view. However, the real Bizarro #1 is a closeted intellectual who milks his backwards persona for profit. Only those riches come at the cost of the anti-villain's dignity. A Harvey Pekar penned farce also stars Bizarro bringing the total number of appearances to 2. 

Not counting the cover by Jaime Hernandez. Batman is the winner of most starring roles in this book with a grand total of 8! The Legion of Super-heroes comes in third with a trio of appearances.

While a very Batman heavy book, just about every character in the DC Universe appears in this book, if only for just a 'Wheres Waldo?' type-cameo as part of the background scenery of a panel. Supergirl, The Spectre and Kamandi, the Last Boy on Earth are among the characters who star in this collection of over 2 dozen short stories that look at DC Comics with an askew view.

Completing this review completes Task #12 (An Anthology) of the 2025 Comic Book and Graphic Novel Reading Challenge.

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.

Fairy Tale Comics (Family Comics Friday)

   Ramona Fradon, Karl Kerschl, David Mazzucchelli, Raina Telgemeier, The Hernandez Bros., and many more. Editor Chris Duffy assembles all-star grouping of writers, artists, and inkers in this collection of Fairy Tale Comics. The mix of well-known Grimm fairy tales like 'Snow White' along with obscure Eastern European lore like 'The Small-Tooth Dog' and Asian classics like 'The Boy Who Drew Cats' was eclectic. I'm glad that Duffy decided to add those lesser known stories as I had never heard of them until now.

   (A funny coincidence: the same night after I read about the cat drawing boy, Whoppie Goldberg actually told the tale to Jimmy Fallon on the Tonight Show. I took it to be a sign that I had stumbled upon a hidden treasure and I did!)  

     I happened upon this book by accident at my library when from across the circulation desk I saw that it was just checked in. The book is from 2013 but honestly, I had never seen this book until just then. There's a companion piece to this anthology called 'Nursery Rhyme Comics." It too is edited by Duffy and I assume it's just as fun and whimsical as this book.

    The book is suggested for ages 6-12, but I think with the level of talented writers and artists in this book it's got an appeal for collectors of all ages. The book can be found on Amazon for less than $20.

    A very fun read.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.