All-Star Superman #8

All-Star Superman

by Grant Morrison, Frank Quitely (Penciller), Jamie Grant (Inker)

The Daily Planet regulars hole up as the terrifying Bizarro plague spreads across Metropolis! Superman’s trapped in the reverse madness of a dying Bizarro World!

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics, Superman, Fiction, Graphic Novels, Graphic Novels Comics, Sequential Art

23 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 4, 2007

About the author

Grant Morrison has been working with DC Comics for twenty five years, after beginning their American comics career with acclaimed runs on ANIMAL MAN and DOOM PATROL. Since then they have written such best-selling series as JLA, BATMAN and New X-Men, as well as such creator-owned works as THE INVISIBLES, SEAGUY, THE FILTH, WE3 and JOE THE BARBARIAN. In addition to expanding the DC Universe through titles ranging from the Eisner Award-winning SEVEN SOLDIERS and ALL-STAR SUPERMAN to the reality-shattering epic of FINAL CRISIS, they have also reinvented the worlds of the Dark Knight Detective in BATMAN AND ROBIN and BATMAN, INCORPORATED and the Man of Steel in The New 52 ACTION COMICS.

In their secret identity, Morrison is a "counterculture" spokesperson, a musician, an award-winning playwright and a chaos magician. They are also the author of the New York Times bestseller Supergods, a groundbreaking psycho-historic mapping of the superhero as a cultural organism. They divide their time between their homes in Los Angeles and Scotland.

Reviews

[zach · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Why else did this world, this incredible organism, make eyes like yours to see beauty and meaning where others see chaos?”

Clark being nice to everyone and everything even when in immense pain means the world to me.

[Katherine (Kat) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5 Stars - "Us Do Opposite"

[Geraldo Gallardo Trujillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's like Morrison made this issue tailor-made to fix the problems with the previous one; in fact this 8th issue kinda makes the 7th better since it feels like necessary material if it helps leading here.
Supes is trapped in Bizarro World and his powers slowly fail one by one, to the point his invulnerabilty fading is pretty much a slow death if he remains too long. He struggles to make the bizarros help him go back home while Zibarro serves as a reflection of Superman's worries, and back on Earth, Lois learns the truth about Superman's condition. It's all getting pretty dramatic.
This issue takes the trope of Bizarro to its full potential: it acknowledges it while doing something new too. Zibarro and the Injustice League are not only interesting but also kinda funny. Seeing Superman struggle for real really helps bring this super beign to a closer level to us; then again Morrison is an expert in bringing the Man of Steel to a enough dramatic and emotional human level. It all works in the end and we have a pretty poignant and entertaining issue, leading us to the final issues of the series. Also they at least did mention Superman's supposed sickness, so that's still on the table.

[Vyshakh Aravindan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Issue #8
The most alien Superman story is also the most human.
Stranded with the tragic Zibarro, Superman reflects not only on escape, but on what it means to be the only one left to believe in something better. The absurdity of the Bizarros contrasts with the quiet sorrow of Zibarro’s isolation — and Superman’s compassion toward it.

[Zara · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5. Worst one yet.

[Vikas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yeah, I am not the one to like the Bizarro thingies. I liked it a little bit better than the last one but still one more story from the All-Star Superman done so let's Keep on Reading.

I have always loved comics, and I have I can. I love comics to bits, may the comics never leave my side. I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and hope always to love them. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics, Diamond Comics, or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics as I just want to Keep on Reading.

[Cybernex007 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow what a thrilling episode. Superman finds himself on the bizarro world as it descends further into the underverse, stuck on a strict time limit before the world fully descends into the underverse and the all dark encapsulates the world. The environment is constantly working against him as the solar energy turns red and strips Superman of his powers and the gravity continues to weigh down on him. At the end of the last issue we are introduced to Zibarro, his alternate in this world and the one defect among the bizarros as he has intelligence and because of that he can’t stand this world or it’s people. He truly is the perfect bizarro to Superman, not a gimmick where every word is spoken opposite. But someone who grew up on a world and is still completely distant from all of its people. No powers, but the only one capable of having any thoughts or emotions, without anyone to share them with.

But our Superman only has one chance, before the world descends into the all dark and it becomes impossible to escape, Superman must build a form of rocket to break free from the planet and return home. And luckily they have just the person to design it, this world’s version of Jor-El, known as Le-Roj. All Superman needs now is the help of the bizarro’s to build it. But if he was just going from Zibarro’s word that would be impossible. But this is Superman we are talking about, and after a bit of trial and error it didn’t take long for Superman to start speaking bizarro. Convincing them that it’s in their planets best interest to NOT help him build a firework and NOT get him out of there NOT before the all dark. As the world continued to break down and work against Superman’s body, it didn’t take long for the rocket to start taking shape. The world even reproducing a bizarro justice league from Superman’s memories to aid in the construction. All the while Zibarro looked on and started to see this as his chance, he could finally leave this world. But as Superman explains, the risk is too great, even his own chances of survival are slim. He knows Zibarro sees himself as a flaw, but if anything he is proof that bizarro world is getting smarter. Hanging on these words Zibarro has one request before he leaves, to be the first to actually see him by reading his writings.

The night of the all dark is here and the rocket is ready, but now all it needs is Superman. But with how much the planet has taken a toll on his body, he can barely drag himself up to the rocket without bleeding to death. The ceremonies for the all dark continue around him as Zibarro Zee’s this as his chance to leave himself. But what Zibarro fears most is that if he leaves this place, he could find himself just as lonely anywhere else. As such he helps Superman up and straps him to the rocket. Before Superman leaves he speaks to Zibarro about his writings, they provide a unique perspective on this world and all the wonders he has seen. Only Zibarro can tell the story of Bizzaro-home. As the issue comes to an end they use bizarro Superman to launch the spacecraft and send Superman out of the planet’s stomp sphere right before it descends into the all dark.

But Superman wasn’t the only one counting the minutes until it was too late, Quintum along with Lois were watching the progress. Earlier Quintum ended up explaining that Superman isn’t as all powerful as he may seem, that Luthor’s plan to expose him to all that solar radiation is actually killing him. I wish Superman could’ve been the one to tell Lois this himself, but in such a dire situation I understand why Quintum went ahead and told her. And based on whatever Quintum found hiding in the sun, it looks like they need him now more than ever. But as the issue comes to an end they have no clue that he made it off the planet safely, all they know is that the cube word went past the point of being able to get him themselves.

[Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot better than the previous issue. It actually had a solid emotional story that had multiple character motives. Zibarro desperately wants to leave his planet because he feels like an outsider, but Superman is the only one who needs to get back. He continuously gets weaker as the gravity crushes his body and he begins to lose his power.

Although this event has NOTHING to do with the overall story - it was a good inclusion. Something that could be made into a novel of its own. I just hope they don’t reintroduce the characters later on if there is no greater motive.

[Max Solis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superman se da cuenta de que Zibarro no habla al revés como el resto de los habitantes del Mundo Bizarro. Zibarro explica que de vez en cuando nace una anomalía que no es como las demás.

Leo Quintum busca a Superman en el Underverse pero le dice a Lois Lane que no puede localizarlo.

Superman convence a los demás hombres Bizarros para que le ayuden a construir una nave, como la que le permitió huir de Krypton, para escapar de su planeta. Habla en negativo para que lo entiendan. Superman se debilita a medida que la atmósfera sigue un espectro rojo como en Krypton.

[Kevin Matthews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still disappointed by this particular section of the All-Star Superman storyline, but this is at least a bit better than the previous issue. Not by much though. Despite stiff competition, Bizarro World is one of the silliest and most childish elements of any Superman story (although I'll admit that I wouldn't be surprised if someone came along with ten things they deem much sillier and painful).

[F.C. Shultz]

I rated the whole 12 issue “All-Star Superman” run, but I loved this issue, bought it individually, just reread it, and wanted to save this line:

“Must only Zibarro search for poetry in this senseless coming and going?”

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fun and cool story and artwork. I love the problem solving in this one and the world building.

[Hay · Rating 1 out of 5]

This one was very difficult to read and understand due to Bizzaro. Wasn't a fan.

[Paul Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

As awesome as this series is, I still could do without Bizarro World. Ugh.

[OinkFish Pigs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a semi fun chapter about responsibility altruism.

Low 9.5

[Yohann Bunny]

For me #7-8 have been a real low point so far in this series.

[Steven Shinder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yeah, I feel like I didn't really get much from the whole Zibarro thing.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

So weird.

[Rory C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Superman Comic Reading Challenge

Day 8 - All Star Superman No. 8

Bizarro storyline am Super. Make me brain not hurt when reading. Am not looking forward to when this is concluded?

[Luigi Sposato · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best of the bunch thus far

The comic is called “Us Do Opposite” but should be called “The Ballad of Zibarro.” Sensational.

[Vijay Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me am no confused

[Mikey Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

bizzaro earth wasn’t my favorite but i like seeing a vulnerable Superman with the Red sun draining his powers. He even sees the good in the bizzaro humans… he “sacrifices” himself at the end.

[faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

MUST ONLY ZIBARRO SEE THE BEAUTY IN A SUNSET?
MUST ONLY ZIBARRO SEARCH FOR POETRY IN THIS SENSELESS COMING AND GOING?

[Mazen Abdelsalam II · Rating 5 out of 5]

الكوميك دي حزينة جدا

[Jodie Adel · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is making me feel stupid, tf is bizzaro language ???

[Arkadiusz Frankowski · Rating 2 out of 5]

Storyline is not so special. Sometimes even boring.