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Superman: Action Comics: Superstars
Superman: Action Comics: Superstars, Vol. 1
When Superman’s doppelgänger discovers a dark secret about himself, it unleashes the most dangerous version of Bizarro the world has ever seen! After all, if Superman is vulnerable to magic, it only stands to reason that Bizarro would be proficient…
Superstar writer Jason Aaron has returned to DC and not only is he taking on Superman for the first time, he’s reimagining one of the Man of Steel’s most unique and iconic villains in “The Worst Bizarro Story Ever”!
Bizarro… the wizard?!
When Superman’s doppelgänger discovers a dark secret about himself, it unleashes the most dangerous version of Bizarro the world has ever seen! After all, if Superman is vulnerable to magic, it only stands to reason that Bizarro would be proficient…
With Superman trapped in a world gone mad, Metropolis has transformed into the City of Bizarro! It’ll take an unlikely alliance for the Man of Steel to save the day.
I, Bizarro marks writer Jason Aaron’s return to DC, teaming with acclaimed artist John Timms! Aaron rose to prominence with the acclaimed series Scalped, part of DC’s legendary Vertigo imprint, before becoming a bona fide superstar with fan-favorite stints on just about every major Marvel character.
Now, Aaron is unleashed on comics’ first and greatest superhero, and reinventing a beloved villain in the process!
This volume collects Action Comics #1061-1063.
Superstar writer Jason Aaron has returned to DC and not only is he taking on Superman for the first time, he’s reimagining one of the Man of Steel’s most unique and iconic villains in “The Worst Bizarro Story Ever”!
Bizarro… the wizard?!
When Superman’s doppelgänger discovers a dark secret about himself, it unleashes the most dangerous version of Bizarro the world has ever seen! After all, if Superman is vulnerable to magic, it only stands to reason that Bizarro would be proficient…
With Superman trapped in a world gone mad, Metropolis has transformed into the City of Bizarro! It’ll take an unlikely alliance for the Man of Steel to save the day.
I, Bizarro marks writer Jason Aaron’s return to DC, teaming with acclaimed artist John Timms! Aaron rose to prominence with the acclaimed series Scalped, part of DC’s legendary Vertigo imprint, before becoming a bona fide superstar with fan-favorite stints on just about every major Marvel character.
Now, Aaron is unleashed on comics’ first and greatest superhero, and reinventing a beloved villain in the process!
This volume collects Action Comics #1061-1063.
216 pages, Paperback
First published May 6, 2025
About the author
Jason Aaron
2,361 books1,718 followersJason Aaron grew up in a small town in Alabama. His cousin, Gustav Hasford, who wrote the semi-autobiographical novel The Short-Timers, on which the feature film Full Metal Jacket was based, was a large influence on Aaron. Aaron decided he wanted to write comics as a child, and though his father was skeptical when Aaron informed him of this aspiration, his mother took Aaron to drug stores, where he would purchase books from spinner racks, some of which he still owns today.
Aaron's career in comics began in 2001 when he won a Marvel Comics talent search contest with an eight-page Wolverine back-up story script. The story, which was published in Wolverine #175 (June 2002), gave him the opportunity to pitch subsequent ideas to editors.
In 2006, Aaron made a blind submission to DC/Vertigo, who published his first major work, the Vietnam War story The Other Side which was nominated for an Eisner Award for Best Miniseries, and which Aaron regards as the "second time" he broke into the industry.
Following this, Vertigo asked him to pitch other ideas, which led to the series Scalped, a creator-owned series set on the fictional Prairie Rose Indian Reservation and published by DC/Vertigo.
In 2007, Aaron wrote Ripclaw: Pilot Season for Top Cow Productions. Later that year, Marvel editor Axel Alonso, who was impressed by The Other Side and Scalped, hired Aaron to write issues of Wolverine, Black Panther and eventually, an extended run on Ghost Rider that began in April 2008. His continued work on Black Panther also included a tie-in to the company-wide crossover storyline along with a "Secret Invasion" with David Lapham in 2009.
In January 2008, he signed an exclusive contract with Marvel, though it would not affect his work on Scalped. Later that July, he wrote the Penguin issue of The Joker's Asylum.
After a 4-issue stint on Wolverine in 2007, Aaron returned to the character with the ongoing series Wolverine: Weapon X, launched to coincide with the feature film X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Aaron commented, "With Wolverine: Weapon X we'll be trying to mix things up like that from arc to arc, so the first arc is a typical sort of black ops story but the second arc will jump right into the middle of a completely different genre," In 2010, the series was relaunched once again as simply Wolverine. He followed this with his current run on Thor: God of Thunder.
Aaron's career in comics began in 2001 when he won a Marvel Comics talent search contest with an eight-page Wolverine back-up story script. The story, which was published in Wolverine #175 (June 2002), gave him the opportunity to pitch subsequent ideas to editors.
In 2006, Aaron made a blind submission to DC/Vertigo, who published his first major work, the Vietnam War story The Other Side which was nominated for an Eisner Award for Best Miniseries, and which Aaron regards as the "second time" he broke into the industry.
Following this, Vertigo asked him to pitch other ideas, which led to the series Scalped, a creator-owned series set on the fictional Prairie Rose Indian Reservation and published by DC/Vertigo.
In 2007, Aaron wrote Ripclaw: Pilot Season for Top Cow Productions. Later that year, Marvel editor Axel Alonso, who was impressed by The Other Side and Scalped, hired Aaron to write issues of Wolverine, Black Panther and eventually, an extended run on Ghost Rider that began in April 2008. His continued work on Black Panther also included a tie-in to the company-wide crossover storyline along with a "Secret Invasion" with David Lapham in 2009.
In January 2008, he signed an exclusive contract with Marvel, though it would not affect his work on Scalped. Later that July, he wrote the Penguin issue of The Joker's Asylum.
After a 4-issue stint on Wolverine in 2007, Aaron returned to the character with the ongoing series Wolverine: Weapon X, launched to coincide with the feature film X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Aaron commented, "With Wolverine: Weapon X we'll be trying to mix things up like that from arc to arc, so the first arc is a typical sort of black ops story but the second arc will jump right into the middle of a completely different genre," In 2010, the series was relaunched once again as simply Wolverine. He followed this with his current run on Thor: God of Thunder.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
May 21, 2025
Superman: Action Comics: Superstars: Volume 1: Jesus Can We Can We Get Another Fucking Subtitle In Here Already is a collection of three short stories that I guess filled up space in between the main storylines written by whoever drew the short straw to write this title. “Superstars” is a bit of a misnomer. Jason Aaron, sure, but Gail Simone and Rainbow Rowell? Definitely not - especially with the quality of their contributions to this book.
I, Bizarro by Aaron and John Timms is the only worthwhile story here. Besides the big K, Superman’s biggest weakness is magic, so if Bizarro is Superman’s opposite, then his strength would be magic. Here, Bizarro is a master sorcerer who enacts vengeance upon Superman’s world, transforming everyone into a Bizarro.
I’m surprised magic and Bizarro haven’t been combined before (and maybe they have - I haven’t read every Bizarro comic out there) and felt like a clever take by Aaron. In Aaron’s hands, Bizarro is given a surprising amount of dignity and depth that you rarely see with this joke character.
Still, even at three issues long, this felt stretched out and not that interesting to read. Timms’ art is great and I liked the twist involving one of Batman’s villains but this read more like a good idea in draft than a compelling story in the end.
Gail Simone/Eddy Barrows’ Challenge from the Stars is about aliens making Superman fight other aliens gladiator-style, while Rainbow Rowell/Cian Tormey’s Lois and Clark: In Love. At Work is about new editor of the Daily Planet Lois Lane taking Clark off the Superman stuff due to a conflict of interest.
These are two of the worst Superman comics I’ve ever read. Both read like amateurish fanfic by idiots, for idiots. No imagination, nothing original, nothing remotely exciting happening. Simone’s story is just Superman punching aliens while Rowell’s story is watered-down romance flimflam. Both stories are a waste of space and time - utterly pointless garbage.
I read this one purely for the Jason Aaron contribution and it’s a shame he didn’t write the whole book as he’d have done better than the other two hacks included here. Still, even his story wasn’t that great and, from what I’ve seen of his Absolute Superman, I’m not sure Superman is the character for him.
Superfarts is an easy miss for pretty much everyone - you’re really not missing much with this weak Superman collection.
I, Bizarro by Aaron and John Timms is the only worthwhile story here. Besides the big K, Superman’s biggest weakness is magic, so if Bizarro is Superman’s opposite, then his strength would be magic. Here, Bizarro is a master sorcerer who enacts vengeance upon Superman’s world, transforming everyone into a Bizarro.
I’m surprised magic and Bizarro haven’t been combined before (and maybe they have - I haven’t read every Bizarro comic out there) and felt like a clever take by Aaron. In Aaron’s hands, Bizarro is given a surprising amount of dignity and depth that you rarely see with this joke character.
Still, even at three issues long, this felt stretched out and not that interesting to read. Timms’ art is great and I liked the twist involving one of Batman’s villains but this read more like a good idea in draft than a compelling story in the end.
Gail Simone/Eddy Barrows’ Challenge from the Stars is about aliens making Superman fight other aliens gladiator-style, while Rainbow Rowell/Cian Tormey’s Lois and Clark: In Love. At Work is about new editor of the Daily Planet Lois Lane taking Clark off the Superman stuff due to a conflict of interest.
These are two of the worst Superman comics I’ve ever read. Both read like amateurish fanfic by idiots, for idiots. No imagination, nothing original, nothing remotely exciting happening. Simone’s story is just Superman punching aliens while Rowell’s story is watered-down romance flimflam. Both stories are a waste of space and time - utterly pointless garbage.
I read this one purely for the Jason Aaron contribution and it’s a shame he didn’t write the whole book as he’d have done better than the other two hacks included here. Still, even his story wasn’t that great and, from what I’ve seen of his Absolute Superman, I’m not sure Superman is the character for him.
Superfarts is an easy miss for pretty much everyone - you’re really not missing much with this weak Superman collection.
July 17, 2025
3.8 stars
Good, fun Superman action with a lot of heart. Rainbow Rowell’s Lois & Clark story was the highlight for me.
Good, fun Superman action with a lot of heart. Rainbow Rowell’s Lois & Clark story was the highlight for me.
September 8, 2025
various artists tell individual stories...
Bizarro gets all magicky!
Potential conquerors of Earth challenge Superman.
Lois and Clark with job problems.
Bizarro gets all magicky!
Potential conquerors of Earth challenge Superman.
Lois and Clark with job problems.
June 18, 2025
A good couple of Superman story arcs. I wanted to give this book 3.5 stars, but it deserved a round up instead of down, especially with the mini-mini series of Lois and Clark in Love and Work. There is a lot more character in that story.
Bizarro is lost and has had enough. If he can't get back to Bizarro World, he will bring it to him. Even if he has to destroy Superman's world by becoming truly the opposite of Superman and everything he stands for. With everything different, who can help Superman?
An alien invasion or a game of chance? Superman must go through impossible to win challenges, well, unless it is Superman. However, even the Man of Steel has his limits, and could the game be rigged?
Lois steps into the role of editor and chief of the Daily Planet. Lois and Clark have been together as rivals and friends, but can their married survive them being boss and employee?
A good collection of stories, I liked that the first arc was showed Superman's willpower, the second hus grit, and the third his battle with his ego. The book finishes with a thumbnail varient covers gallery.
Bizarro is lost and has had enough. If he can't get back to Bizarro World, he will bring it to him. Even if he has to destroy Superman's world by becoming truly the opposite of Superman and everything he stands for. With everything different, who can help Superman?
An alien invasion or a game of chance? Superman must go through impossible to win challenges, well, unless it is Superman. However, even the Man of Steel has his limits, and could the game be rigged?
Lois steps into the role of editor and chief of the Daily Planet. Lois and Clark have been together as rivals and friends, but can their married survive them being boss and employee?
A good collection of stories, I liked that the first arc was showed Superman's willpower, the second hus grit, and the third his battle with his ego. The book finishes with a thumbnail varient covers gallery.
August 21, 2025
A three-fer special edition of Superman comics with one mediocre story and two decent stories.
Jason Aaron pens a Bizarro tale that aggressively drives home the villain's schtick - somehow (maybe magic?), everyone on Earth becomes a Bizarro version of themselves. How can Superman change everyone back when he's dealing with the same affliction? Skimmable at best.
Gail Simone drops Superman into an interstellar Hunger Games. Pretty fun, if gimmicky. An enjoyable read that plays to Superman's strengths.
Finally, Rainbow Rowell offers a Lois and Clark special, a nice romantic comedy, essentially. Lois moves Clark off the Superman beat since he's too close to it, but this leads to a crack in their relationship. (Spoiler: they work it out)
All told, nothing special, nothing terrible.
Jason Aaron pens a Bizarro tale that aggressively drives home the villain's schtick - somehow (maybe magic?), everyone on Earth becomes a Bizarro version of themselves. How can Superman change everyone back when he's dealing with the same affliction? Skimmable at best.
Gail Simone drops Superman into an interstellar Hunger Games. Pretty fun, if gimmicky. An enjoyable read that plays to Superman's strengths.
Finally, Rainbow Rowell offers a Lois and Clark special, a nice romantic comedy, essentially. Lois moves Clark off the Superman beat since he's too close to it, but this leads to a crack in their relationship. (Spoiler: they work it out)
All told, nothing special, nothing terrible.
Read
June 30, 2025Yeah, I know he started out at Vertigo with The Other Side, but Jason Aaron moving on after all those years at Marvel to write DC superheroes still feels as momentous as when Bendis made the same shift a few years back. The hope, of course, is that unlike the one volume of DC Bendis I managed, it won't be a painful exercise in utterly missing the point. Well, the good news is that when we open on Superman listening to all the sounds of Metropolis, doing his best to work out where he can help – yep, that's Kal. But the story that follows feels less surefooted. Admittedly, I've never found Bizarro particularly convincing as a villain, not least because his whole talking in opposites schtick, even aside from being really annoying, swiftly collapses under its own contradictions. Still, once or twice this mines some pathos from it ("Me have everything! Multiverse never changing! Never crisising! Worlds always staying where they belong!" – yeah, reading DC can feel a bit that way lately), and the idea that if Superman is vulnerable to magic then Bizarro should be the opposite works. But to go from that to his magically making Earth into a replica Bizarro world, and for that to play out so nastily, like Crossed except PG because Superman is there to prevent the consequences...it feels too savage a story for a fundamentally daft character. As for having Batman team up with the Joker, who in this reversed world is the sanest man alive, well yes, on one level he's surprisingly poignant, but it also feels a bit early to admit defeat as regards Superman's foes and borrow from the overexposed Gotham mob instead.
That's the first half of the collection. Also here are Gail Simone and Eddy Barrows with a deliberately retro story about Superman fighting alien challenges for the fate of the Earth, which honestly feels like its outline could have been reused from his early decades, even if that version would have had less blood and no Thanagarian advice to punch the other guy in the dick. And of course, the bit where a cruel and corrupt gambler has joined a peaceful federation and then made it his own personal piggybank and theatre of cruelty probably wouldn't feel so horribly relevant, as also the first story's nightmare of Superman doggedly trying to protect people who are determinedly and repeatedly acting against their own interests. Which does make me worry a little about the possibility of doing proper Superman stories in times like these, especially given by far my favourite thing here was the third, shortest and least topical tale, in which Lois ends up editing the Daily Planet, and Clark says that rather than trying to imitate Perry White she should forge her own path... only to be taken aback when she does exactly that and stops him from covering Superman stories due to the clear conflict of interests. It sounds like a silly story, and in places it is, but it also worked perfectly for me in ways neither of the grander contributions quite managed, so well done Rainbow Rowell and Cian Tormey.
That's the first half of the collection. Also here are Gail Simone and Eddy Barrows with a deliberately retro story about Superman fighting alien challenges for the fate of the Earth, which honestly feels like its outline could have been reused from his early decades, even if that version would have had less blood and no Thanagarian advice to punch the other guy in the dick. And of course, the bit where a cruel and corrupt gambler has joined a peaceful federation and then made it his own personal piggybank and theatre of cruelty probably wouldn't feel so horribly relevant, as also the first story's nightmare of Superman doggedly trying to protect people who are determinedly and repeatedly acting against their own interests. Which does make me worry a little about the possibility of doing proper Superman stories in times like these, especially given by far my favourite thing here was the third, shortest and least topical tale, in which Lois ends up editing the Daily Planet, and Clark says that rather than trying to imitate Perry White she should forge her own path... only to be taken aback when she does exactly that and stops him from covering Superman stories due to the clear conflict of interests. It sounds like a silly story, and in places it is, but it also worked perfectly for me in ways neither of the grander contributions quite managed, so well done Rainbow Rowell and Cian Tormey.
December 31, 2024
1061 4
Sometimes the bizarro dialogue didn’t make sense, but really interesting story, which is an achievement considering most of the issue is Superman fighting Bizarro
1062 3.5
Kind of dragged on, and I don’t understand why the Superman family didn’t help him but still interesting, especially the ending. This could’ve been an entire event, like beast world.
1063 3.5
Pretty good ending
Sometimes the bizarro dialogue didn’t make sense, but really interesting story, which is an achievement considering most of the issue is Superman fighting Bizarro
1062 3.5
Kind of dragged on, and I don’t understand why the Superman family didn’t help him but still interesting, especially the ending. This could’ve been an entire event, like beast world.
1063 3.5
Pretty good ending
July 22, 2025
«Супермен. Бойові комікси, Том 1: Суперзірки» — складається із двох історій від Джейсона Аарона та Ґейл Сімоне, які дозволили побачити Кларка у незвичних обставинах.
«Я, Біззарро» — це три випуски справжнього психоделічного шляху у світ навиворіт. Біззарро втратив свій світ і звинувачує в цьому Супермена. Та замість звичного сюжету навпаки, цього разу він через ряд обставин стає чаклуном. Біззарро використовує магію, аби перетворити Землю на новий Біззарро-світ, де все перекручено. У цій реальності Супермен — останній, хто ще пам’ятає, як усе має бути, а його єдиний союзник — найадекватніша людина у новому світі… Джокер. Весело, хех. Сюжет занурює героя у власну свідомість, де точиться головна битва за контроль та спробу врятувати світ.
Це було найнецікавіше і неприкольніше читання у моєму поганому житті. Біззарро зовсім не небезпечний, магія не працює, Супермен програє. Джокер не допомагає, а битва не крута. Мені зовсім не подобається, що це найбільш вигадлива і емоційно складна історія з Біззарро, яку міг не читати. Усе навпаки — і це прекрасно.
«Виклик із зірок» повертає нас до досить стандартного підходу. Інопланетний агресор перетворює боротьбу Супермена на шоу, де на кону — життя цілої раси. Кларк Кент опиняється на гладіаторській арені, мусить перемагати все нових супротивників, доки не викриє маніпуляції з боку організаторів турніру.
Це просто ок. Наче все є, але нічого справді унікального не відбувається. І хоча малюнок Едді Барроуза тішить око, сам сюжет не вибивається за межі знайомого. Добротна, але посередня історія, яка губиться на фоні сміливішої першої частини.
«Суперзірки» — неоднорідна, але цікава збірка історій про Супермена. Перша — темна, божевільна і трохи глибока пригода з Біззарро, яка цікава як візуально, так і концептуально. Друга — звична пригодницька космо-драма без несподіванок. Якщо оцінювати весь том, то Аарон справді намагався вигадати щось цікаве, тоді як Сімоне на мій погляд просто виконала поставлене завдання редактором. Та ще раз повторюся, загалом досить цікава збірка.
June 15, 2026
Lois lane i am so jealous of you.
July 28, 2025
3.5
Kind of a ridiculous story that didn't make much sense--and not in an interesting bizarro kind of way. Disappointing Aaron tale.
Kind of a ridiculous story that didn't make much sense--and not in an interesting bizarro kind of way. Disappointing Aaron tale.
June 23, 2025
This book was definitely not only 112 pages...I think? It certainly seemed a lot bigger in all honesty 🤔
Anyway, I digress...
I, Bizarro was absolutely bonkers but a very well-written and wrenching story, the lengths Clark went through to save Metropolis and more.
An early adventure for Clark as well soldifies why he earned the love and respect the people of Metropolis still has for him and the relationship between Clark and Lois hitting a bump along the way gave them a relatable couples dispute that further broadens their relationship was refreshing too.
Anyway, I digress...
I, Bizarro was absolutely bonkers but a very well-written and wrenching story, the lengths Clark went through to save Metropolis and more.
An early adventure for Clark as well soldifies why he earned the love and respect the people of Metropolis still has for him and the relationship between Clark and Lois hitting a bump along the way gave them a relatable couples dispute that further broadens their relationship was refreshing too.
November 27, 2024
For being a simple little three issue run, I really liked Aaron writing for the Man of Steel. Explores the heart of him more than anything else, and immediately puts him up against the thing that is most insurmountable to him: apathy.
Instantly made me hopeful for Absolute Superman, and I was right to be hopeful.
Instantly made me hopeful for Absolute Superman, and I was right to be hopeful.
May 4, 2025
Superstars is DC's latest initiative for Action Comics, which basically means the creative team rotates every three or so issues to tell a variety of different stories.
We open with I, Bizarro, Jason Aaron's first Superman work at DC. He gives Bizarro magic, and the entire world is in peril as everyone gets inverted except Superman. This feels like it should be more epic than it is, but it also feels oddly muted for only three issues. I think either some more time to breathe, or a less ambitious story would have been a better choice here. John Timms' art is solid however.
Next is Challenge From The Stars, a Neil Adams/Denny O'Neill inspired story (right down to the excess exposition boxes) from Gail Simone. It reads like an old Silver Age book, which is the point, but that's also to its detriment, because I don't really enjoy the overly descriptive drama of those older stories these days. Again, art's great, because Eddy Barrows is on for these three issues.
And also included is In Love. At Work, which was a back-up story from the Gail Simone issues by Rainbow Rowell and Cian Tormey - this is a clever look at the characters that are dealing with Perry White's new job and how it's affecting everyone back at the Daily Planet, and probably my favourite story of the three. I'd have preferred if they had collected this all in one place rather than interspersing it between the earlier story, even if that was how it would have been released in singles.
Solid, but nothing to really write home about as yet. There are three missing issues here, but they're the House Of Brainiac tie-ins, so they're over in that book instead.
We open with I, Bizarro, Jason Aaron's first Superman work at DC. He gives Bizarro magic, and the entire world is in peril as everyone gets inverted except Superman. This feels like it should be more epic than it is, but it also feels oddly muted for only three issues. I think either some more time to breathe, or a less ambitious story would have been a better choice here. John Timms' art is solid however.
Next is Challenge From The Stars, a Neil Adams/Denny O'Neill inspired story (right down to the excess exposition boxes) from Gail Simone. It reads like an old Silver Age book, which is the point, but that's also to its detriment, because I don't really enjoy the overly descriptive drama of those older stories these days. Again, art's great, because Eddy Barrows is on for these three issues.
And also included is In Love. At Work, which was a back-up story from the Gail Simone issues by Rainbow Rowell and Cian Tormey - this is a clever look at the characters that are dealing with Perry White's new job and how it's affecting everyone back at the Daily Planet, and probably my favourite story of the three. I'd have preferred if they had collected this all in one place rather than interspersing it between the earlier story, even if that was how it would have been released in singles.
Solid, but nothing to really write home about as yet. There are three missing issues here, but they're the House Of Brainiac tie-ins, so they're over in that book instead.
August 1, 2025
A pretty good collection of stories overall.
"I, Bizarro," by Jason Aaron & John Timms, looks really good and has a strong middle chapter that has some fun with all the crazy things people do if they're a backwards-minded Bizarro version. That said, it's tedious overall. I've NEVER enjoyed Bizarro-speak - it ain't funny or amusing to decode. It's just aggravating. And I'm always sort of disappointed at these stories that basically decimate the world's infrastructure and are then totally forgotten (as the story itself says - nobody has "any memory of what transpired" despite massive destruction everywhere). Also, personally, I always dislike the nebulous "magic" excuse for any willy-nilly nonsense to happen. I did like the little bit about the thing Lois whispers while brushing her teeth every morning.
"Challenge from the Stars," by Gail Simone & Eddy Barrows, is lush and gorgeous to behold, and it's a fun, campy story about Superman's perseverance. Fun stuff. Nice framing sequence that, like Barrow's hyper-detailed approach to the art, sweetly echoes Denny O'Neil and Neal Adams' work in the mid-70s. The "Challenge" format fits the '70s theme as well.
"Lois & Clark: In Love. At Work," by Rainbow Rowell & Cian Tormey, is the book's highlight, a little gem of a tale that finds Daily Planet Editor-in-Chief Lois Lane trying to find balance with her husband, her star reporter, and her primary lead news source - all of whom happen to be the same person, while Clark and his very human ego cope with Lois's becoming his boss. A very sweet story, very nicely drawn, and one definitely worth revisiting.
"I, Bizarro," by Jason Aaron & John Timms, looks really good and has a strong middle chapter that has some fun with all the crazy things people do if they're a backwards-minded Bizarro version. That said, it's tedious overall. I've NEVER enjoyed Bizarro-speak - it ain't funny or amusing to decode. It's just aggravating. And I'm always sort of disappointed at these stories that basically decimate the world's infrastructure and are then totally forgotten (as the story itself says - nobody has "any memory of what transpired" despite massive destruction everywhere). Also, personally, I always dislike the nebulous "magic" excuse for any willy-nilly nonsense to happen. I did like the little bit about the thing Lois whispers while brushing her teeth every morning.
"Challenge from the Stars," by Gail Simone & Eddy Barrows, is lush and gorgeous to behold, and it's a fun, campy story about Superman's perseverance. Fun stuff. Nice framing sequence that, like Barrow's hyper-detailed approach to the art, sweetly echoes Denny O'Neil and Neal Adams' work in the mid-70s. The "Challenge" format fits the '70s theme as well.
"Lois & Clark: In Love. At Work," by Rainbow Rowell & Cian Tormey, is the book's highlight, a little gem of a tale that finds Daily Planet Editor-in-Chief Lois Lane trying to find balance with her husband, her star reporter, and her primary lead news source - all of whom happen to be the same person, while Clark and his very human ego cope with Lois's becoming his boss. A very sweet story, very nicely drawn, and one definitely worth revisiting.
October 10, 2024
Its a decent stand alone arc of when Bizarro loses his earth because of crisis and all and learns magic and I love how fun it is from the opening pages itself and how he sort of battles Bizarro and realizes this guy is more dangerous than ever now that he is using magic and thinks he defeated Bizarro only to realize he has cast a spell to turn Superman into Bizarro and seeing how the world around him aka Metropolis is changing and how it has impacted Lois and all and well in a world gone mad, there is only one sane man aka JOKER!
I love how this becomes a Joker-Clark team up as the clown prince of crime tells him to fight this Bizarro monstrosity within his own mind and the way the battle plays out in his mind feels so very silver-ageish and its fun I guess and sort of a weird read, but then again its a bizarro comic where every sentence he speaks is reverse but still cool ending and narrations describing the battle in the mind and it does end up concluding in the expected way.
But still cool to see Joker and Clark team up and showing Bizarro as so dangerous and what happens when Superman himself becomes Bizarro lol but he doesn't give in and defeats the foe. This one feels very similar to the first arc Williamson did on Superman vs Parasite and all but then again cool action scenes and team up and art!
I love how this becomes a Joker-Clark team up as the clown prince of crime tells him to fight this Bizarro monstrosity within his own mind and the way the battle plays out in his mind feels so very silver-ageish and its fun I guess and sort of a weird read, but then again its a bizarro comic where every sentence he speaks is reverse but still cool ending and narrations describing the battle in the mind and it does end up concluding in the expected way.
But still cool to see Joker and Clark team up and showing Bizarro as so dangerous and what happens when Superman himself becomes Bizarro lol but he doesn't give in and defeats the foe. This one feels very similar to the first arc Williamson did on Superman vs Parasite and all but then again cool action scenes and team up and art!
April 7, 2026
Superstars indeed! This was phenomenal!
3 storylines in this Volume:
1) "I, Bizarro": Bizarro comes to realize that with Superman's weakness to magic, he is actually capable enough to be a powerful magic user! Quickly defeating a planet full of magic users, he absorbs their knowledge and heads for Earth. Seeking to no longer feel alone, he casts a spell that slowly turns the whole world's peoples Bizarro. Superman alone is able to fight back. After a very long time, he begins to lose and seeks out the only sane man left on the planet, Bizarro Joker. Together they overcome Bizarro, absorbing him into Superman (this will definitely come back) and the world goes back to normal, with no one the wiser.
2) "Challenge From the Stars" : A throw back story to many years ago, like maybe 60's era Superman. Has him fighting against aliens in a tournament. I honestly didn't enjoy this one, and skimmed most of it.
3) "Lois and Clark: In Love, At Work" : With Lois as Editor in Chief, she begins to make decisions that take Clark away from the Superman stories, seeing it as conflict of interest. It causes strife in their marriage. Ultimately, it puts Clark on human interest pieces, which works better for him and for the paper, and they work things out.
Overall a really good Volume. Definitely getting back into DC.
Recommend.
3 storylines in this Volume:
1) "I, Bizarro": Bizarro comes to realize that with Superman's weakness to magic, he is actually capable enough to be a powerful magic user! Quickly defeating a planet full of magic users, he absorbs their knowledge and heads for Earth. Seeking to no longer feel alone, he casts a spell that slowly turns the whole world's peoples Bizarro. Superman alone is able to fight back. After a very long time, he begins to lose and seeks out the only sane man left on the planet, Bizarro Joker. Together they overcome Bizarro, absorbing him into Superman (this will definitely come back) and the world goes back to normal, with no one the wiser.
2) "Challenge From the Stars" : A throw back story to many years ago, like maybe 60's era Superman. Has him fighting against aliens in a tournament. I honestly didn't enjoy this one, and skimmed most of it.
3) "Lois and Clark: In Love, At Work" : With Lois as Editor in Chief, she begins to make decisions that take Clark away from the Superman stories, seeing it as conflict of interest. It causes strife in their marriage. Ultimately, it puts Clark on human interest pieces, which works better for him and for the paper, and they work things out.
Overall a really good Volume. Definitely getting back into DC.
Recommend.
November 25, 2025
La historia de Jason Aaron es, ni más ni menos, lo que se espera habitualmente de este señor: pura basura y, además, mal dibujada. La premisa parece haber sido escrita por el propio Bizarro: este súper villano se convierte en un hechicero supremo y transforma a todo el mundo en bizarros. Pues ya estaría la cosa. Como si una historia de los 90 se tratara, Aaron convierte a un simpático personaje de opereta en un psicópata asesino dispuesto a cometer un genocidio global. O sea, una mierda como una catedral.
La de Gail Simone, por su parte, sin ser ninguna maravilla, cuenta con un excelente Eddie Barrows a los lápices. El resultado es bueno, entretenido, una historia de Superman de las de siempre.
En conjunto, el uno de la historia de Aaron se contrarresta por el 3,5 de la de Simone y Barrows, así que, vale, tiene un pase. En España, mucho mejor, ya que cada historieta se ha publicado en un tomo diferente, con lo que se puede adquirir únicamente la segunda, con lo que todo solucionado.
La de Gail Simone, por su parte, sin ser ninguna maravilla, cuenta con un excelente Eddie Barrows a los lápices. El resultado es bueno, entretenido, una historia de Superman de las de siempre.
En conjunto, el uno de la historia de Aaron se contrarresta por el 3,5 de la de Simone y Barrows, así que, vale, tiene un pase. En España, mucho mejor, ya que cada historieta se ha publicado en un tomo diferente, con lo que se puede adquirir únicamente la segunda, con lo que todo solucionado.
June 27, 2026
I truly did not expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. This volume contains 3 stories and each was a good read with 2 out of 3 of them even being really great. First we follow Clark as he tries to help bizarro and the world as they all turn bizarre, it’s something grand in scale and you could almost say cinematic, but also small and intimate when it needs to be. It’s a story that covers acceptance, belonging, as well as hate and cruelty. Then we have story two with supes having to compete in trials / challenges to save not only earth, but several worlds. This was hands down my favorite read, heck it is even up there with my favorite supes stories of all time. The Art is beautiful, the story is intense, fast paced, but also endearing and hopeful and genuinely has some of the best Superman moments. The third story is one about Clark and Lois and how Lois tries to find her way as the new editor in chief since Perry left the Planet. It’s still really good, but the weakest of the 3, but that isn’t saying much since all 3 are super good!
January 25, 2025
It's a rollercoaster of Kryptonian heroics...
The first part with the story of Bizarro mixed with magic and his final fight with/in Superman was GREAT!
...the other two parts? The 'classic' battle with the Gorathian Empire's champion was almost TOO old school. The art was jarring at times and the 70s or 80s vibe was just.....no. Heck, we even got to see Superman BITE a gun apart. (Yes, he chomped it with his teeth!) The Lois and Clark story by Rainbow Rowell was a nice little showcase on how Lois AND Clark are getting used to her new role as Editor-In-Chief of the Daily Planet. It's all about setting up new healthy boundaries when you're responsible for their safety.
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Bonus: Excised in the middle of these issues are the 'House of Brainiac' tie-ins..
The first part with the story of Bizarro mixed with magic and his final fight with/in Superman was GREAT!
...the other two parts? The 'classic' battle with the Gorathian Empire's champion was almost TOO old school. The art was jarring at times and the 70s or 80s vibe was just.....no. Heck, we even got to see Superman BITE a gun apart. (Yes, he chomped it with his teeth!) The Lois and Clark story by Rainbow Rowell was a nice little showcase on how Lois AND Clark are getting used to her new role as Editor-In-Chief of the Daily Planet. It's all about setting up new healthy boundaries when you're responsible for their safety.
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Bonus: Excised in the middle of these issues are the 'House of Brainiac' tie-ins..
August 10, 2025
Jason Aaron wrote a Bizarro story for Superman. What a disappointment. Translating Bizarro's speech into what he actually is saying makes my head hurt. I hate it so much. Aaron's story didn't change that opinion. It still sucked even with John Timms' terrific artwork.
I did like Gail Simone's retro Silver Age story. Superman has to save the world from an alliance of planets who are forcing Superman to fight so they can bet on the outcome. It has a cool Silver Age feel to it that works very well with Eddy Barrows' artwork.
The backup story from the Gail Simone issues was by Rainbow Rowell and Cian Tormey and I quite liked it. It's about Lois being Clark's boss now that she's the editor in chief at the Daily Planet.
I did like Gail Simone's retro Silver Age story. Superman has to save the world from an alliance of planets who are forcing Superman to fight so they can bet on the outcome. It has a cool Silver Age feel to it that works very well with Eddy Barrows' artwork.
The backup story from the Gail Simone issues was by Rainbow Rowell and Cian Tormey and I quite liked it. It's about Lois being Clark's boss now that she's the editor in chief at the Daily Planet.
July 9, 2025
The Gail Simone story is great; just a nice, classic, old-school type Superman tale that truly fees timeless. The Rainbow Rowell story is alright - it might feel ultimately insubstantial in the grand scheme of things, but I'm always down for a more grounded, "human" story about Lois and Clark and the strength and struggles of their relationship. The real bummer here is the Bizarro story. As much as I usually like Jason Aaron's stuff, this one just didn't connect with me, other than some slight interest in the overall concept of "Bizarro Joker."
May 29, 2026
There are 3 stories in here and they vary largely in quality.
The first story is “I, Bizzaro,” written by Jason Aaron with art by John Timms. Timms’ art never fails to impress me. The story is very solid, but I personally don’t like Bizzaro. His messed up speech pattern makes his dialogue super annoying and it’s hard to grasp his mortality.
The second story is “Challenge from the Stars” by Gail Simone. It is perfect and is easily one of my favorite Superman stories.
The third story is about Lois and Clark and is super boring and forgettable.
The first story is “I, Bizzaro,” written by Jason Aaron with art by John Timms. Timms’ art never fails to impress me. The story is very solid, but I personally don’t like Bizzaro. His messed up speech pattern makes his dialogue super annoying and it’s hard to grasp his mortality.
The second story is “Challenge from the Stars” by Gail Simone. It is perfect and is easily one of my favorite Superman stories.
The third story is about Lois and Clark and is super boring and forgettable.
July 19, 2025
It was a great Bizarro story, albeit a bit too apocalyptic for such a short arc. After everything is resolved, the aftermath doesn’t quite align with what we would expect. While I’m not a big fan of a certain villain’s design, I thoroughly enjoyed his role in the story. The Challenge from the Stars arc was a refreshingly old-school approach, although it isn’t my preferred style. Nevertheless, it delivered a fantastic characterization of Superman.
May 4, 2025
It collected Action Comics issues #1061-1063 and #1067-1069. It contains the stories “I, Bizzaro” by Jason Aaron, “Challenge from the Stars” by Gail Simone and the backup story “Lois & Clark: In Love. At Work.” by Rainbow Rowell”
I didn’t know what to think of them as they came out in single issue format but really enjoyed reading them in the trade paper format.
I didn’t know what to think of them as they came out in single issue format but really enjoyed reading them in the trade paper format.
May 16, 2025
A collection of two full length and one back up multi part tales that all feature beautiful art. I had several problems with the back up story involving Lois and Clark and the main tale with Bizarro. I didn't hate them though. The Gale Simone penned main story of Superman's early years was classic and incredible. This collection is worth it for that alone
June 13, 2025
Usually when there are three stories in a volume I'll rate it according to the best story, but the Simone story is three stars at best, and while the Rowell story is charming and it's always fun to see Clark being good at his job, the Bizarro story by Jason Aaron is enough of a stinker to leave a lingering bad smell through the rest of the volume.
July 20, 2025
Think the biggest drawback was some of the understanding within its dialogue and not being able to tell if it was intentional or not. It just slowed its pace down at times but other than that this has continued my pretty good week of comics and had a really good time with this one.
October 6, 2025
I liked Rainbow’s backups and both main stories but the art threw me and the main story while well written by Gail wasn’t super original. Neither was the Aaron one which I felt had some good beats but didn’t quite land though I did like the surprising hero.
February 20, 2026
I thought the Bizarro and alien betting on fights stories were kind of dumb. The Rainbow Rowell one about how Lois and Clark's relationship changes now that she's his boss as editor of the Daily Planet is not bad at all. 2.5 stars rounded up.
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