A. Bizarro # 1-4 (Ltd. 1999) (DC Comics) [COMICS]

Chances are I bought A. Bizarro in a back issue bin just because all four issues happened to be there, and I’ll read pretty much any comic series if I can get the whole run.  Written by Steve Gerber, the important thing to know about this series is that it’s not about the classic Bizarro of old Superman comics—the one with the square-shaped planet, etc.  Instead, it’s about a power-less clone of Bizarro.  Written by Steve Gerber, it’s actually mostly played straight, though there are some pretty funny moments here and there.  The series is really more of a curiosity than anything, but it’s a perfectly good read if you happen to come across it like I did.

Issue # 1 starts up with the title character waking up in Lexcorp warehouse, where we quickly learn that a Dr. Sidney Happensen has secretly cloned the real Bizarro, keeping it a secret even from Lex.  “Al” (as the clone quickly becomes known) has some of the memories of the “real” Bizarro, and seeks out his now ex-wife who shoots him!  Al manages to find Bizarro and gets some help figuring out what’s going on, though Lexcorp is out to find him.  The first issue is presented much more as an adventure than a funny comic, which was an interesting choice.

I like the cover to Issue # 2, which proclaims a “Special Guest Appearance by Superman, But It’s Not Gratuitous or Anything.”  Al decides to commit suicide (“Goodbye, Perfect World”) but Superman saves him.  Later Al meets a manipulative panhandler but Guardian appears to help him out.  And Lexcorp continues searching for him.  There’s a fun in-character text page.

Issue # 3 has Al captured by Lexcorp and undergoing testing before he accidentally activates a Mother Box and ends up on Apokolips! He befriends a budding Fury (named Seera) in Granny Goodness’ orphanage and the pair escape back to Earth and become rock stars.  It’s dumb, but funny—a combination I’m content with.

The limited series concludes with Issue # 4.  Lexcorp continues trying to repossess their “property”, so Al escapes to South America where he helps revolutionaries win a battle against Lexcorp occupation.  Al finds a wife, has a child, and apparently lives happily ever after (as there’s no sequel that I’m aware of).  It’s charming and sweet, and I liked Al.