On the narrative side of things, Kuder does a great job developing the character of Parasite -- better than a lot of other Villains Month issues that have followed the same formula. We meet Parasite and are drawn in by his characterization as that friend who mooches off of everyone and is generally a jerk. He's not endearing or likable, but the way Kuder spins it, you can't help but want to know more about the guy. And while Parasite's craving for Superman is nothing new, it's presented here in a way that makes it seem like a revelation. So not only does Kuder draw the hell out of this issue, but he makes the old seem fresh again. Well done, sir. Read Full Review

There's not that much to Kuder's script" and I'm actually okay with that. Unlike many of the Villain's Month issues, Kuder never wallows in despair or violence or horror " this is a straight-up character study. Who was the Parasite before he was the Parasite? I never particularly cared before, but Kuder digs deep to find a wretched knot beneath the character's prickly exterior. For that reason, and for many others, I have to give Kuder a hand. He didn't just make Parasite good; he made it one of THE essential Villain Month issues. Read Full Review

Though the character's origin itself is pretty formulaic, Kuder tries to spice things up with a surprisingly well written one-shot, and some of the best art around. This special will suck $3 out of your wallet (I get standard copies by the way), but you won't mind. Read Full Review

In a month that sadly lacked in spunk and innovation, “Superman #23.4″ stands head and shoulders over most other Villains books. Kuder managed to tell an origin story that wasn't derivative or unnecessary. As with the other Villains books that worked, here's hoping he gets a chance to continue the story in the months to come. Read Full Review

The end scene is chilling as the Parasite forces a mom to drive him into Metropolis or he will drain her child to death. Now I really don't like this guy. Still, his ending line about how Metropolis has the best places to eat (Superman) is a nice wry line to end on. So overall a very entertaining issue. I like the nonlinear story path. I like how Kuder manipulated my feelings of the main character from sympathy to hatred. And the art is fantastic, complementing the words perfectly. Read Full Review

This was an unexpectedly funny read. Kuder has been labeled as an up and coming star for his artwork, but his writing talent seems to be just as special. If he can consistently write and draw at this level, his future in comics will be brighter than a yellow sun. Read Full Review

So save the buck and buy the regular cover, but dont be scared away by some of the other lackluster Superman books of the last few years. This ones well-done and even though not a whole lot happens, it shows that with people like Kuder working on these characters, they dont have to have the same repetitive boring battles. They can still be scary. They can still be original. And in the case of this one in particular, they can still be brand new. Read Full Review

Superman #23.4 is a successful entry into the Villains month catalogue. The story and artwork blend very well due to Aaron Kuders handling of both ends. Parasite will linger on the reader and leave him/her excited to see what happens next. This comic will leave you with either disgust, pity, hatred, or all of the above. Read Full Review

What I enjoy so much about this story is that it wouldn't have taken too much to have made Joshua Michael Allen a hero rather than a villain - indeed, this unlucky loser gets his powers in a semi-heroic fashion, as he leaps into the fray when an alien creature attacks Metropolis. Read Full Review

I'm just very disappointed in this issue.  I don't know if I hyped myself up or what, but by the end of it, I just expected more.  We had a chance to reinvent the Parasite, and make him a interesting character, and what we get is a irredeemable low life dick hole.  This character before he became a monster was the worst kind of asshole, the kind that doesn't know their an asshole.  I might go on with this disappointment for awhile so I better get back to the book.  I hated the character, the story was decent enough, but the artwork really didn't hold my interest.  That's about all I got sorry.  But I'll try to rate it fair and put my own biased opinions aside.   Read Full Review

Still, overall, "Superman" #23.4 is good. The art is amazing, and there's enough that does work in the story that you finish with a nice feeling about the comic. I'm looking forward to lots more Kuder art down the line, and if he writes another comic for DC, I'll certainly check it out. Read Full Review

A quick read, that is fun, but leaves you really not caring about the Parasite in the long run. A great NON-kyptoian Villain for the big guy though! Read Full Review