Superman #23.1 was not what I expected, but ended up being very enjoyable.  The origin of the Bizarro project was a fun romp that Lex Luthor lovers will especially enjoy.  Whether hard core Bizarro fans will be pleased is another question, but I myself thought the issue was very good. Read Full Review

So this isn't really a Bizarro story. This is a Luthor story talking about the prototype of Bizarro. The story flows well with a nice quick pace and great art that complements the story perfectly. And it is linked to the current DCU in an organic way. I thought this was very good. I thought this truly added to the Superman story, not just a forced issue to fill a slot in Villains Month.  I really hope that Sholly Fisch continues to get a crack at Superman in the future. Read Full Review

Overall not worth the extra dollar, but a decent enough issue, so go ahead and get the regular cover. It's a nice breath of fresh air into the Superman titles, which could not have come at a better time. I'm looking forward to the rest of the villains because if I liked Bizarro this much, I can't wait to see what's in store for the characters I already love. So far, Villains Month has been a pretty well-done mini event-within-an-event. And it serves as a great reminder of just how much I love DC Comics epics. Read Full Review

Superman 23.1 isn't a bad read. I actually liked it. I'd recommend it for fans of Luthor and those who are really into Forever Evil. But if you're reading to learn about Superman, then this issue isn't really worth spending the price, unless you want to pay $3.99 for the wicked cool cover. Read Full Review

The issue looks nice, thanks to Jeff Johnson's pencils and Andy Smith's inks. Superman #23.1: Bizarro has a light feel, an almost cartoon tone which would fit a Bizarro story perfectly. It would have been nice to let these guys cut loose on more time with the lumbering grey dude, but them's the breaks. Adding to the slick art package is some great colors by Javier Mena and the mighty Jordie Bellaire. Yes, this issue is easy on the eyes, it just doesn't go anywhere or tell much of a story. Read Full Review

The comic itself is written well enough and the art is rather good, but without any development, I cant rate it higher than a 3 standard comic fare. Nothing changes, no alternate takes are presented, and really, the comic just keeps moving forward. The issue is solid for a one-shot, but it doesnt deliver much considering its potential. The lack of Bizarro is a real disappointment, but re-establishing the characterization of Luthor is a tolerable substitute. Read Full Review

"Superman" #23.1 is a little frustrating because this is by two good comic creators who are ultimately undone not by anything of their own fault, but by the nature of the assignment. If this had been able to get broken free of "Forever Evil" and tell a story that got to head off in its own direction, I'd be much more enthusiastic about it. Instead, this feels like an exciting car ride that suddenly and with no warning ends right back where you started. Next time, let Fisch and Johnson pick their own destination, please. Read Full Review

Jeff Johnson's art is a little too goofy for this issue. Johnson has an obvious love for '80s comic book art. The lack of shading, the broad backgrounds and his use of overly thick lines are well executed, but wrong for this Bizarro story. With so much death and pain involved, there is an inherent need for something dark, shaded, and a bit less cut and dried. Johnson's work isn't bad, it just fails to meet the dramatic requirements of Bizarro #1. Read Full Review

For a book about Bizarro, this issue is very Lex Luthor heavy. It focuses on a failed attempt at making Bizarro, but not on Bizarro directly, which is disappointing. The art is clean and it's easy to see what Luthor is thinking just by looking at him, although the plot feels more hindered by the art than anything. The story is mediocre, though it gives a good look into Luthor's psyche. Compared to some of the other Villains Unleashed books out there, this one is just okay. Read Full Review

The Superman kick-off for villains month was all right, not bad, but not great. Readers at least get an introduction to the new 52 Bizarro, and Lex Luthor, again shows why he is a great character. This is mostly a book for devout Superman fans. Read Full Review

I am a big fan of Bizarro, and I love the look of him on that cover. I think this issue, with the promised New 52 origin of Bizarro, was the Villains Month comic I was most looking forward to. I wanted to see the new origin of Bizarro. But that cover is a horrible lie! It's a wicked bait and switch! Bizarro does sort of appear, in that final page cliffhanger, but that's it! Instead, the issue is just Lex Luthor plotting about the science experiment that will eventually lead to Bizarro. It's an uninteresting story that doesn't tell us anything new about Lex Luthor and doens't do anything with the guy who volunteers for the experiment. At best, this is a very weak prologue to Bizarro's eventual introduction. At worst, it's a waste of everyone's time. Especially mine. Read Full Review