Bizarro | |
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Publication information | |
Publisher | DC Comics |
First appearance |
Superboy #68 (Oct. 1958) |
Created by |
Otto Binder George Papp (based upon Superman by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster) |
In-story information | |
Alter ego | El-Kal/Kent Clark |
Species | Kryptonian Clone |
Place of origin | Bizarro World |
Team affiliations |
Injustice League The Society Legion of Doom Red Hood and the Outlaws |
Notable aliases | Bizarro #1, Superman, Bizarro Clark, Bizarro-Superman, The Phantom |
Abilities |
Reverse Versions of Kryptonian Powers:
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Reverse Versions of Kryptonian Powers:
Bizarro is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by writer Otto Binder and artist George Papp as a "mirror image" of Superman and first appeared in Superboy #68 (1958).
Debuting in the Silver Age of Comic Books (1956 - 1970), the character has often been portrayed as an antagonist to Superman, though on occasion he also takes on an anti-hero role, and appeared in both comic books and graphic novels as well as other DC Comics-related products such as animated and live-action television series, trading cards, toys, and video games.
Bizarro debuted in Superboy #68 (cover-dated Oct. 1958, but on sale in August), writer Otto Binder casting the character as a Frankenstein's monster pastiche that possessed all the powers of Superboy. Shunned for his grotesque appearance, the teen version of Bizarro only appeared in a single comic book story. An adult version appeared around the same time in the Superman daily newspaper comic strip written by Alvin Schwartz, debuting in Episode 105: "The Battle With Bizarro" (strips 6147-6242: Aug. 25, 1958 to Dec. 13, 1958). According to comics historian Mark Evanier, Schwartz long claimed that he originated the Bizarro concept prior to the character's appearance in Superboy. The newspaper storyline introduced the strange speech patterns that became synonymous with the character, with all of Bizarro's comments meaning the opposite (e.g. "bad" means "good"). The newspaper version wore a "B" on his chest, as opposed to his distinctive "S".