Bizarro: Year None #1 Is a Fun Take On a Classic Villain (Review)

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DC Comics is currently enjoying a lot of success, and surprisingly, Superman comics are a big part of it. Following the recent movie, DC has been releasing numerous Superman miniseries and one-shot issues, similar to what they’ve done with Batman. While some have been more interesting than others, Bizarro: Year None is the newest attempt to capture readers’ attention. Bizarro, as Superman’s flawed double, has a complicated history with many different origin stories. Given DC’s current focus on revisiting and reimagining its characters’ pasts, it made sense to give Bizarro another origin, and the publisher assembled a great creative team to do it.

The new series features writer/director Kevin Smith, along with co-writer Eric Carrasco and artist Nick Pitarra. The story takes a really unique turn, and the main characters are an incredibly entertaining pair. This first issue is a thrilling and exciting read that’s sure to impress.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Pros Cons
Smith and Carrasco take Bizarro in a fun direction and nail Jimmy Olsen and Perry White Some of the pages can be a bit busy and overstuffed with panels
The humor feels modern
Pitarra’s art is a bit Frank Quitely (on purpose seemingly), but it’s gorgeous

This Isn’t Your Grandpa’s Bizarro

Kevin Smith helped make it acceptable to be a comic book fan in the 1990s, inspiring many to embrace their interests and pursue their goals. While his work for DC Comics has been hit-or-miss – his Batman stories are particularly noteworthy – he generally focuses on realistic stories. That’s why it seemed surprising when he was assigned the Bizarro character. After a Bizarro story appeared in World’s Finest last year, some thought giving him his own origin series might be too much. However, this new series offers a fresh take on the character while also perfectly capturing the personalities of Jimmy Olsen and Perry White.

From the start, the dynamic between Jimmy and Perry is fantastic, with Olsen eager to prove himself beyond just making coffee. Every character at The Daily Planet gets a chance to stand out, making the story a real pleasure to read. The writing is quick-witted, full of playful jokes, and establishes a lighthearted mood. The story also offers a fresh take on Bizarro. While usually not very menacing, this version of the character leans into a more genuinely evil side. We initially see a surprisingly normal Bizarro, with a disturbing edge that’s often absent. Though the familiar, backwards-speaking villain appears, this new, more unsettling portrayal of Bizarro is incredibly effective.

Pitarra’s Art Hits the Prestige Superman Sweet Spot

As a huge Superman fan, I always think of All-Star Superman as the gold standard, and this new book definitely feels like it’s taking inspiration from that. One of the things that made All-Star so special was Frank Quitely’s amazing and distinctive art style – it really set it apart. And it’s cool to see DC choosing artists for these Superman miniseries who also have a really unique look, like with last year’s Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum. Nick Pitarra is another artist who doesn’t really do things the ‘typical’ comic book way, and honestly, it’s perfect for this story. It just works.

Pitarra’s artwork is exceptional, delivering everything you’d hope for in a comic. His page designs are dynamic and packed with detail, making each panel a pleasure to examine. He brilliantly brings Metropolis to life and effectively portrays each character’s personality through their physical appearance. His skill at conveying emotion is crucial, especially given the comic’s humorous tone. He perfectly captures Bizarro’s imposing size and skillfully presents this new take on the villain as genuinely threatening. Overall, this issue is visually stunning and immediately captures your attention, holding it throughout.

While not flawless, Bizarro: Year None is an exceptional comic. DC Comics has been consistently releasing high-quality work, and this series has all the makings of another hit. It brilliantly showcases two key characters from the Superman universe, offering a fresh perspective on a familiar villain. The first issue is incredibly enjoyable, and it will be exciting to see where the story goes.

Bizarro: Year None #1 is in stores now.

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2026-04-01 17:17