In the aftermath of an attack on the Daily Planet, Jimmy Olsen and Perry White end up taking a very strange trip. Discovering a somewhat backwards version of their own universe, they meet a particularly odd variant of Superman: Bizarro!

This first issue of Bizarro’s origin tale, co-written by Kevin Smith, sure takes its time to get, well, anywhere. It largely concerns itself with the young reporter, Jimmy Olsen, and his boss, the Daily Planet’s editor-in-chief, Perry White, as they discuss, argue and rant, for page upon page of exposition and detail that doesn’t really go anywhere.

This would all be fine if it wasn’t so self-indulgent, and Kevin Smith sure likes the sound of his character’s voices.

It would also be fine if I had the faith that the series would be completed, or even continue; there’s nothing wrong with a slower, more measured pace if a series actually builds to something. However, Smith’s reputation for abandoning comic stories completely is well known at this point. So I’m not convinced that we’re going to see Bizarro: Year None continue, let alone conclude; the presence of a co-writer, Eric Carrasco, may be a good sign, but Smith has burned so much goodwill among comic fans that it’s hard to get behind this until we know what’s completed and definitely on the way.

It’s a shame that Smith’s involvement tarnishes this issue right from the off, because its quirky approach (including some very off-kilter, exaggerated art by Nick Pitarra) hints at some real potential for an unusual, and appropriately bizarre, story.

Still, if nothing else, at least we got a variant cover featuring the Bizarro universe’s Weird Al; or rather, Totally Normal Al Yankovic to them.

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