Summary
There have been many versions of Bizarro inDCComics, butSmallville’s variation has the most compelling rendition. Bizarro Clark proved to be just as good as Clark, the hero, as he was a villain. Bizarro is the doppelgänger of Superman in DC Comics, who was created from a cloning ray. His origin inSmallville, however, sets him up as the best Bizarro adaptation.
As his name implies, he has been characterized as the bizarre version of Superman. From his classic odd speech pattern, and often lower level of intelligence, to his strange, grayish appearance, Bizarro has often been the opposite or imperfect version of Superman. He has played the role of villain and anti-hero. However, his incarnation inDC’sSmallvillegoes beyond good and evil to reveal a side of Bizarro that is not often seen.
Who Is Bizarro In Smallville?
Bizarro inSmallvilleis a phantom wraith that escaped from the Phantom Zone when Clark opened a portal to return to Earth. Originally created in a lab by Jor-El, Bizarro was banished to the Phantom Zone as a failed experiment. Upon escaping, he needed a host body since he no longer had a physical one. With Clark Kent’s DNA, Bizarro was able to generate a Kryptonian body that was identical to Clark’s. Bizzaro Clark states the obvious to Clark Kent:
I’m you, only a little more bizarre.
The biggest difference betweenSmallville’s Bizarro and the other versions relies on the fact that Bizarro and Clark are identical. Aside from the phenomenon of Bizarro’s skin having a broken glass effect when exposed to bright sunlight, Bizarro was capable of fooling others into thinking that he was the Clark Kent they had always known. He was an amoral, uninhibitedversion ofSmallville’s Clark. Although, this version of Clark has been seen to some degree with red kryptonite’s effect on Clark.
Bizarro, however, plays evil Clark much better, because he’s intentionally mimicking Clark’s annoying good habits. He goes on to seemingly enjoy posing as Clark, even if he does have to reluctantly save a life to keep up Clark’s hero-appearance among friends. But Bizarro was a murderer and desperately wanted the loving life Clark had. This need humanized him and allowed him to develop feelings which he eventually declared to Lana. Sadly for Bizarro, she would betray him with the fatal effect of blue kryptonite, causing him to implode.
Why Smallville’s Bizarro Is The Best Adaptation
Bizarro Clark is the funniest and most emotionally complicated version of Bizarro.Smallville’s Bizarro isn’t unintelligent or too noticeably different from Clark Kent, like he is in most of the other versions. Since Bizarro sought to integrate himself into Clark’s life instead of simply destroying it, audiences were able to see essentially red kryptonite-Clark grow a heart. It’sone ofSmallville’s most interestingarcs, presenting a storyline of what could happen if Clark Kent was no longer around to play hero. As Bizarro says to Clark:
You ever wonder what would happen to all of these humans if you weren’t here to play savior? I know you do. You’d just never admit it.
Bizarro may have been morally twisted, but he wasn’t a sociopath without a conscience. Unlike most other Bizarro variations,Smallville’s version has a backstory. He was created, discarded, and felt unwanted and unloved for all of his life until he became Bizarro Clark.
Comic book fans of Bizarro may be disappointed by the lack of deformity or backwards speech pattern, but for the show, it was for the best. The comic version was often remedial, heartless, and powerful.Smallville’s Bizarro was on even footing with Clark in practically every aspect, except his morals and weaknesses. For instance, where green kryptonite weakens Clark, it strengthens Bizarro.In regards to Clark’s morals, this was linked to Clark’s upbringing and relationship with his family and friends, who inspired him to do good. Bizarro realized this and understood that it could give him something he always wanted but never had: love.
Bizarro was more than a clone of Clark Kent. He wanted to take over Clark’s life permanently, and likely could have if not for the damaging effect of the sun that gave him away. Having a doppelgänger intent on replacing Clark is not only the best adaptation of Bizarro, but also the best anti-hero inDCU’sSmallville. Bizarro was able to get close to Clark’s loved ones without suspicion, at least for a while. Even Clark’s girlfriend at the time, Lana Lang, had no idea she was living with Clark’s doppelgänger for over a month. After she pretends to confess her love for Bizarro and gives him the blue kryptonite, his last words to her are, “I love you.” It’s a twisted yet compelling story, perfect forSmallville’s Bizarro who just wanted to fit in.
