Superman 43: Strength in Family

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Bizarroverse, Part 2:  Black Mirrors

Writers - Patrick Gleason & Peter J. Tomasi, Pencils & Inks - Patrick Gleason with Joe Prado, Colors - Stephen Downer, Letters - Rob Leigh, Cover - Patrick Gleason & Alejandro Sanchez, Associate Editor - Jessica Chen, Editor - Paul Kaminski

Initial Reactions

This issue is a lot of fun.  When we were first introduced to the bizarro doppelgangers last issue, it was an interesting direction with some great character beats from the Super Family.  In this week's issue the bizarro-ness gets cranked up to eleven, and it is a blast!  We get more great family character beats, and the reveal at the end is gloriously "fun" (You'll understand the reference by the end of the issue).

The Story

The issue opens parallel to issue 42, when Jon darts from Hamilton County after his day with Kathy.  The difference is we are seeing everything from Nobody's (Maya Ducard's) perspective.  Superman has tasked her with watching over Jon and Kathy.  Even though she was basically invisible, Kathy spots Nobody and they begin to argue.  As they fight, a portal breaches and Boyzarro comes flying out.

Back in Metropolis, Clark and Lois are just starting their show and begin talking about why they chose to spend their lives together.  He tells Lois that moms deserve rewards too, like her Pulitzer for her work as a reporter.  Lois says she is not in it for the glory, and that she did not become a mom to be Ma Kent.  Clark says he is even more amazed by that, while she says he sounds like Pa.  In response, Clark recalled this anecdote,

"He told me once that he didn't trust himself as much as Ma did.  But that just made him try harder for her.  He was right." 

He checks his update from Nobody and they both hear something coming from Jon's room.  Clark wants to check on him with his X-ray vision, but Lois seems unconcerned, just wanting popcorn.  Meanwhile, Boyzarro is messing with Jon's stuff.  He and Jon continue to bond, and Boyzarro shares that his dad is not good to him.  He illustrates this by melting the faces of Superman and Superboy to look like their bizarro counterparts.

Superman comes up to check on Jon, and scares Boyzarro, who uses his freeze vision on him.  He just wants to stay with Jon, so he knows he will be safe.  Superman breaks free, and attacks Boyzarro.  He is able to escape, and takes Jon to the top of the Daily Planet, where he thinks he will be safe.  Superman tries to reason with him, but Boyzarro uses his fire breath.  He misses, and hits a helicopter instead.  Jon and Superman immediately come to the rescue, and Boyzarro is moved by the whole exchange and even tries to help the injured and apologizing.

Back in Hamilton County, Kathy and Maya just regained consciousness in time to see Robzarro (complete with a weird mustache) coming through the portal.  This bizarro Damian dismounts his steed Tiny and tries to kiss Maya, who rebuffs his advances.  Robzarro says he is trying to find his companion Boyzarro.

Jon and his doppelganger show up at the portal, and Robzarro embraces Boyzarro.  After a brief reunion Superman asks for answers.  Robzarro explains that he tracked him here after he went missing with Hawkzarro.  Bizarro is tearing apart their earth (htrae) in search of them.  Superman, Kathy, and Maya resolve to send the bizarros back to their world, but Boyzarro has run away.

Boyzarro is stroking a cat when Jon and Superman find him.  He throws the cat in the tree.  Jon asks if he can stay, but Superman says no.  He tells Jon,

"Families have rough patches, son.  That's no reason to hide out.  He should go back."

He goes on to explain that Boyzarro has started to come around after such a short amount of time with their influence, perhaps his dad will too.  Everyone enters the portal headed to htrae.  Loiz is the first person to greet them, and after telling her son that his dad is going to kill him, she flirts with Superman. Bizarro appears, mad that Superman seems to be flirting with his wife and stole his son.  Clearly angry, Bizarro picks up a tree and swings it at Superman.  However, with a mighty punch, Superman blasts Bizarro into space.  Superman tells Boyzarro that he is brave, and flies to meet his recently launched opposite.

From space, we see the cubed world transforming into a blue orb with no landmasses.  The panels zoom out, and we see a hand holding this world, and it belongs to the Legion of Fun (bizarro Legion of Doom).  The final splash page shows us the Legion standing over the Unjustice League and a host of falling multi-colored balls, presumably their fallen worlds.

Final Thoughts

I did not expect the issue to end the way it did, I am guessing issue 44 is going to be bonkers!  I am excited
to see the Legion of Fun in action.

For me, at its heart though, this is a story about positive family influences.  Both issues in the arc so far have intentionally contrasted the great Kent family dynamic with the negative and often abusive Bizarro family.  The power of the good influences is so strong, Boyzarro begins to come around and trust Superman and Jon immediately.  This can serve as a reminder that we are not all fortunate enough to have a strong upbringing.  Fortunately, we have a Heavenly Father who provides us the greatest example of all.  He shows His perfect love to us on a daily basis and shows us how we are supposed to live.  While we are unable to achieve God's standard, he sent Jesus so that we may have salvation.  As Boyzarro is grateful for Superman, much more should we be thankful for our God! 

What did you think of this issue?  I would love to talk about it with you.  You can comment below, or find me @behindthecapes on Twitter, or by liking the Behind the Capes Facebook page.  Also, something new, Behind the Capes has a group called Behind the Capes' Nerd Out Round Table, where we talk about a bunch of geeky stuff.  It is technically a closed group, but anyone can join if they agree to the simple rules laid out in the group.  I would love for this group to grow!