Bibbo Bibbowski
Encyclopedia
Bo "Bibbo" Bibbowski is a supporting character in Superman
comics. He first appeared in Adventures of Superman
#428 (May 1987).
bar called the Ace O' Clubs. When Superman comes in looking for information Bibbo, thinking this is "some clown in a Superman suit", punches Superman, damaging his hand. He gains respect for the Man of Steel because "yer tough". He would later refer to Superman as his "fav'rit" hero.
Later stories establish Bibbo as a longshoreman
and former boxer
, however he remains largely a comic relief
character, portrayed as vaguely well-meaning but not particularly intelligent. His admiration for Superman remains based on physical strength, as his admiration is briefly transferred to Lobo when the Czarnian appears tougher.
Bibbo becomes a more significant part of the comic when he finds a winning lottery
ticket dropped by Gangbuster
and uses the money to buy the Ace O' Clubs bar and help those living in the Slum.
Bibbo attempts assistance when Superman becomes involved in a drawn-out fight against the murderous Doomsday
. Bibbo works with the genius Professor Hamilton
in a plan to blast Doomsday with a large laser. They score a direct hit, but the monster is not affected.
When Doomsday and Superman ultimately kill each other, Bibbo is on the scene. He and Hamilton use a device to try and perform CPR on Superman. The plan fails and Bibbo is injured. Hamilton takes over the CPR but he also fails.
Shortly afterward, Bibbo encounters a young man who, his family rendered homeless by Doomsday's rampage, is blatantly selling "Death of Superman" commemorative souvenirs during a public commemoration honoring the Man of Steel. At first outraged at the man's crassness, Bibbo feels some sympathy for his losses and buys his entire souvenir stock to get him off the street, then offers him a job at the Ace O' Clubs. While Superman is gone, Bibbo takes to putting on a 'disguise' of sorts and helping out on the streets. His rescue of a cat from a tree is featured second-hand on the news. Around this time he saves a man from suicide. This is mostly through tall tales concerning various super-villains.
Bibbo briefly takes care of a small white dog named Krypto which he had saved from drowning, not to be confused with the current Kryptonian dog of the same name. The original Krypto's name arose when the engraver Bibbo hired made an intentional mistake, trying to extort more money from Bibbo (the price accorded was for six letters). It was supposed to be Krypton. Angry, Bibbo took the dog tag as it was. Krypto would later be watched over by Superboy
, then even later by a neighbor Krypto has come to like.
A poster seen by the hero Aztek indicates that at one point, Bibbo fought the hero Wildcat
during a charity boxing event. Later in the series, The Ace O' Clubs bar is the site of a battle between the life-force devouring Parasite
and Aztek. Bibbo and his friends purposely ignore the fight, playing cards instead and trusting others to handle the villain.
In The Power of Shazam!
, Ordway introduces Professor Bibbowski, Bibbo's pacifist scientist brother.
Bibbo makes a reappearance in Superman #679, shown as one of the champions of Metropolis that the villainous Atlas
defeated. He is established by then as having, or working, in the Ace of Clubs, even bringing himself to boldly menace Atom Smasher for "Talking trash about Sooperman".
. He watches out for Jimmy Olsen
, keeps an eye on Lois Lane
and fights back against invading alien forces from Apokolips
.
.
Ace of Clubs appeared thrice (as an upscale nightclub) in Smallville
s seventh season and numerous times in the eight season. Bibbo has yet to appear.
, as Lois
' information source on the docks. In the animated universe Bibbo is an unemployed sea captain who frequents the Hobb's Bay section of Metropolis
. He appears in the episodes "The Last Son of Krypton", "A Little Piece of Home", "Livewire", "A Fish Story", "World's Finest" part 1, and "Heavy Metal", and is voiced by Brad Garrett
.
Bibbo makes a non-speaking appearance in the Justice League episode "Hereafter".
The Young Justice
episode "Schooled" features a scene set in a Metropolis diner called "Bibbo's", with Bibbo himself making a brief non-speaking cameo in the kitchen.
-directed movie Superman Returns
played by Jack Larson
, who had portrayed Jimmy Olsen
in the 1950s Adventures of Superman
(as well as in one episode of the Lois and Clark TV series).
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
comics. He first appeared in Adventures of Superman
Superman (comic book)
Superman is an ongoing comic book series featuring the DC Comics hero of the same name. The character Superman began as one of several anthology features in the National Periodical Publications comic book Action Comics #1 in June 1938...
#428 (May 1987).
Fictional character biography
Bibbo first appears in a Suicide SlumSuicide Slum
Suicide Slum is a notorious fictional slum in publications from DC Comics. The area was first introduced in the "The Newsboy Legion" feature as a slum in New York City. It was later placed in Superman's city, Metropolis, when the Newsboy Legion was reintroduced...
bar called the Ace O' Clubs. When Superman comes in looking for information Bibbo, thinking this is "some clown in a Superman suit", punches Superman, damaging his hand. He gains respect for the Man of Steel because "yer tough". He would later refer to Superman as his "fav'rit" hero.
Later stories establish Bibbo as a longshoreman
Stevedore
Stevedore, dockworker, docker, dock labourer, wharfie and longshoreman can have various waterfront-related meanings concerning loading and unloading ships, according to place and country....
and former boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
, however he remains largely a comic relief
Comic relief
Comic relief is the inclusion of a humorous character, scene or witty dialogue in an otherwise serious work, often to relieve tension.-Definition:...
character, portrayed as vaguely well-meaning but not particularly intelligent. His admiration for Superman remains based on physical strength, as his admiration is briefly transferred to Lobo when the Czarnian appears tougher.
Bibbo becomes a more significant part of the comic when he finds a winning lottery
Lottery
A lottery is a form of gambling which involves the drawing of lots for a prize.Lottery is outlawed by some governments, while others endorse it to the extent of organizing a national or state lottery. It is common to find some degree of regulation of lottery by governments...
ticket dropped by Gangbuster
Gangbuster
Gangbuster is a comic book fictional character, a DC Comics superhero. He first appeared as Jose Delgado in Adventures of Superman #428 , and as Gangbuster in Adventures of Superman #434 . He was created by Marv Wolfman and Jerry Ordway.-Fictional character biography:Jose Delgado grew up in the...
and uses the money to buy the Ace O' Clubs bar and help those living in the Slum.
Doomsday (comics)
Doomsday is a fictional character, a supervillain that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appears in Superman: The Man of Steel #18 , and was created by writer-artist Dan Jurgens. IGN's list of the Top 100 Comic Book Villains of All Time ranked Doomsday as #46...
. Bibbo works with the genius Professor Hamilton
Professor Hamilton
Professor Emil Hamilton is a fictional character in DC Comics' Superman titles. He is generally portrayed as a stereotypical absent-minded professor, with a gray beard and thick glasses and, at times, a "Mr. Wizard" type character...
in a plan to blast Doomsday with a large laser. They score a direct hit, but the monster is not affected.
When Doomsday and Superman ultimately kill each other, Bibbo is on the scene. He and Hamilton use a device to try and perform CPR on Superman. The plan fails and Bibbo is injured. Hamilton takes over the CPR but he also fails.
Shortly afterward, Bibbo encounters a young man who, his family rendered homeless by Doomsday's rampage, is blatantly selling "Death of Superman" commemorative souvenirs during a public commemoration honoring the Man of Steel. At first outraged at the man's crassness, Bibbo feels some sympathy for his losses and buys his entire souvenir stock to get him off the street, then offers him a job at the Ace O' Clubs. While Superman is gone, Bibbo takes to putting on a 'disguise' of sorts and helping out on the streets. His rescue of a cat from a tree is featured second-hand on the news. Around this time he saves a man from suicide. This is mostly through tall tales concerning various super-villains.
Bibbo briefly takes care of a small white dog named Krypto which he had saved from drowning, not to be confused with the current Kryptonian dog of the same name. The original Krypto's name arose when the engraver Bibbo hired made an intentional mistake, trying to extort more money from Bibbo (the price accorded was for six letters). It was supposed to be Krypton. Angry, Bibbo took the dog tag as it was. Krypto would later be watched over by Superboy
Superboy (Kon-El)
Superboy is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the DC Comics universe. A modern update of the original Superboy, who is a younger version of Superman, the character first appeared in Adventures of Superman #500 , and was created by writer Karl Kesel and artist Tom Grummett.Originally...
, then even later by a neighbor Krypto has come to like.
A poster seen by the hero Aztek indicates that at one point, Bibbo fought the hero Wildcat
Wildcat (comics)
Wildcat is the name of several fictional characters, all DC Comics superheroes. The first and most famous of these is Ted Grant, a long-time member of the Justice Society of America...
during a charity boxing event. Later in the series, The Ace O' Clubs bar is the site of a battle between the life-force devouring Parasite
Parasite (comics)
The Parasite is the name of several fictional characters that appears in Superman comic book stories published by DC Comics. A supervillain, Parasite has the ability to temporarily absorb the energy, knowledge and super-powers of another being by touch, making him a formidable foe for the Man of...
and Aztek. Bibbo and his friends purposely ignore the fight, playing cards instead and trusting others to handle the villain.
In The Power of Shazam!
The Power of Shazam!
The Power of Shazam! is a 1994 hardcover graphic novel, written and painted by Jerry Ordway for DC Comics. The 96-page story, depicting the revamped origins of former Fawcett Comics superhero Captain Marvel, was followed by an ongoing series, also titled The Power of Shazam!, which ran from 1995 to...
, Ordway introduces Professor Bibbowski, Bibbo's pacifist scientist brother.
Bibbo makes a reappearance in Superman #679, shown as one of the champions of Metropolis that the villainous Atlas
Atlas (DC Comics)
Atlas is the name of several fictional characters, comic book superheroes and deities published by DC Comics. Jack Kirby's Atlas debuted in 1st Issue Special #1, , and was created by Jack Kirby.-Publication history:...
defeated. He is established by then as having, or working, in the Ace of Clubs, even bringing himself to boldly menace Atom Smasher for "Talking trash about Sooperman".
Other versions
Bibbo plays an important part in the alternate universe story Superman: The Dark SideSuperman: The Dark Side
Superman: The Dark Side is the title of 3 issue limited comic books series. It was published in 1998 by DC Comics as one of their "Elseworlds" titles. The story relates the Superman story imagining he had landed on Apokolips instead of Earth....
. He watches out for Jimmy Olsen
Jimmy Olsen
Jimmy Olsen is a fictional character who appears mainly in DC Comics’ Superman stories. Olsen is a young photojournalist working for the Daily Planet. He is close friends with Lois Lane, Clark Kent/Superman and Perry White...
, keeps an eye on Lois Lane
Lois Lane
Lois Lane is a fictional character, the primary love interest of Superman in the comic books of DC Comics. Created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, she first appeared in Action Comics #1 ....
and fights back against invading alien forces from Apokolips
Apokolips
In the DC Comics fictional shared Universe, Apokolips is the planet ruled by Darkseid, established in Jack Kirby's Fourth World series. It is also integral to many DC Comics stories. The planet is considered the opposite of New Genesis....
.
Live action television
Bibbo briefly appears as the owner of the Ace of Clubs in "Double Jeopardy", an episode of Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. He was played by Troy EvansTroy Evans (actor)
Troy Evans is an American actor who is perhaps best known for his role as Desk Clerk Francis "Frank" Martin in the television drama series ER. He has also appeared in the movies Tiger Cruise , Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Under Siege, Teen Wolf, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Black Dahlia and The...
.
Ace of Clubs appeared thrice (as an upscale nightclub) in Smallville
Smallville
Smallville is the hometown of Superman in comic books published by DC Comics. While growing up in Smallville, the young Clark Kent attended Smallville High with best friends Lana Lang, Chloe Sullivan and Pete Ross...
s seventh season and numerous times in the eight season. Bibbo has yet to appear.
Animated series
Bibbo is featured in Superman: The Animated SeriesSuperman: The Animated Series
Superman: The Animated Series is an American animated television series starring DC Comics' flagship character, Superman. The series was produced by Warner Bros. Animation and aired on The WB from September 6, 1996 to February 12, 2000. Warner Bros...
, as Lois
Lois Lane
Lois Lane is a fictional character, the primary love interest of Superman in the comic books of DC Comics. Created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, she first appeared in Action Comics #1 ....
' information source on the docks. In the animated universe Bibbo is an unemployed sea captain who frequents the Hobb's Bay section of Metropolis
Metropolis (comics)
Metropolis is a fictional city that appears in comic books published by DC Comics, and is the home of Superman. Metropolis first appeared by name in Action Comics #16 ....
. He appears in the episodes "The Last Son of Krypton", "A Little Piece of Home", "Livewire", "A Fish Story", "World's Finest" part 1, and "Heavy Metal", and is voiced by Brad Garrett
Brad Garrett
Bradley "Brad" Garrett is an American actor, voice actor, stand-up comedian, and professional poker player. Throughout he has appeared in numerous television and film roles....
.
Bibbo makes a non-speaking appearance in the Justice League episode "Hereafter".
The Young Justice
Young Justice (TV series)
Young Justice is an American animated television series created by Greg Weisman and Brandon Vietti for Cartoon Network. Despite its title, it is not an adaptation of Todd Dezago and Todd Nauck's Young Justice comic series, but rather an adaptation of the entire DC Universe with a focus on young...
episode "Schooled" features a scene set in a Metropolis diner called "Bibbo's", with Bibbo himself making a brief non-speaking cameo in the kitchen.
Film
Bibbo apparently appears in an early scene in the 2006 Bryan SingerBryan Singer
Bryan Singer is an American film director and film producer. Singer won critical acclaim for his work on The Usual Suspects, and is especially well-known among fans of the science fiction and superhero genres for his work on the X-Men films and Superman Returns.-Early life:Singer was born in New...
-directed movie Superman Returns
Superman Returns
Superman Returns is a 2006 superhero film directed by Bryan Singer. It is the fifth and final installment in the original Superman film series and serves as a alternate sequel to Superman and Superman II by ignoring the events of Superman III and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace .The film stars...
played by Jack Larson
Jack Larson
Jack Edward Larson is an American actor, librettist, screenwriter and producer. He is best known for his portrayal of photographer/cub reporter Jimmy Olsen on the TV series Adventures of Superman.-Biography:...
, who had portrayed Jimmy Olsen
Jimmy Olsen
Jimmy Olsen is a fictional character who appears mainly in DC Comics’ Superman stories. Olsen is a young photojournalist working for the Daily Planet. He is close friends with Lois Lane, Clark Kent/Superman and Perry White...
in the 1950s Adventures of Superman
Adventures of Superman (TV series)
Adventures of Superman is an American television series based on comic book characters and concepts created in 1938 by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The show is the first television series to feature Superman and began filming in 1951 in California...
(as well as in one episode of the Lois and Clark TV series).