A great issue with a great cover and fantastic creators, all in all. I couldn't recommend this to just the casual reader, because you have to have a lot of background knowledge to understand who the characters are and why they are acting this way. And, you know, why it's neat to see the opposite nature of their actions. But even though I really want to go and find out more of the story, like, right now, I'm pumped to see just how much more of the Outsider and Owlman's world we're going to get to see. Read Full Review

This was a really fun issue, just because of the Earth 3 stuff.  I love seeing the multiverse in action.  There really isn't much to say about this besides the fact that it's about time we get to the meat of what really happening in the DC Universe.  It really got me hyped for Forever Evil #2.  The artwork was great, the story was fun.  My only downside is I hate being left in suspense.  This seemed to be a bit of a prologue to the next issue of Forever Evil, than it's own stand alone.  Anyways check it out. Read Full Review

Ultimately, what probably dented my reading of this story was simply its inclusion in this months event, as it doesnt seem to fit the structure of every other book on DCs racks at the moment. But as a prelude for learning more about the lost world of Earth 3 and a little a what drives its refugees (not to mention supplying a ton of clues and hints for whats to come in Forever Evil), you could not do better. Read Full Review

Some rather sophisticated work from Johns-Gates, though perhaps not quite as informative as it should be. Kudranski once again proves that he has no equal when it comes to drawing villains with both menace and sympathy. Read Full Review

A big thanks goes to Readers Den for supplying us with this 2D issue, all 2D issues are available at R35 each and yes, they ship nationwide! Read Full Review

The artwork is where this issue's quality becomes a bit debatable. Szymon Kudranski is a good artist no doubt and he really captures the mood and feel of Gotham and its characters in this world, but his stuff can look odd at times. Some faces don't have much emotion to them when they should or they somehow look off; there's way too much inking and shadow effects; backgrounds are often nonexistent, and sometimes the backgrounds there are there look like they were made with a computer. It's really divisive to say, but again, the art style does fit the tone the comic is going for. Read Full Review

It's no big name villain title like Zod or Joker, but make no mistake: Secret Society #1 is one of this month's most important books in the Forever Evil event. Co-written by Geoff Johns and Sterling Gates, Secret Society #1 is a quick and dirty backstory setting up Earth-3"s Owlman and his trusty partner in crime, Alfred Pennyworth. Read Full Review

My biggest problem with the issue has to be the art. I don't like it at all, and it can be quite confusing from time to time. If the art was done differently, the issue would be so much better. Read Full Review

Geoff Johns continues to deliver a stellar story line that fills in further clues to alot of readers who were not familiar with The Crime Syndicate. Justice League #23.4 can not only be read as a stand alone story but it flows perfectly into the Forever Evil series. It Wouldn't make much since to read the issue unless you have been following Trinity War, Forever Evil already or are just interested in The Crime Syndicate. Read Full Review

Although this didn't focus on the Secret Society as much as I hoped it would, it did an amazing job of showing how The Outsider and Owlman lived on Earth-3. The story itself was also very dramatic, being both dark and mysterious. The issue also had brilliant artwork from Kudranski which added the perfect tone and atmosphere that this issue needed. Considering all this I'd highly recommend this issue, especially to anyone who enjoyed Trinity War or is currently reading Forever Evil. Read Full Review

Geoff Johns rewards readers who have been following his Justice League series since the beginning by flashing back to some early scenes from those issues. It was great to see the flashback to the Outsider from an epilogue scene in Justice League, and it was great to see the reveals of how and why the Outsider came to be. It pays homage to bronze age Batman tales, while feeling fresh in this New 52 universe. I really enjoyed this title and hope more will be done with this Earth. Let's hope we haven't seen the last of it. Read Full Review

After four weeks of Villains Month books, we've had a mix of different kinds of issues. This issue does provide an origin for the Outsider and the Secret Society but it also plays a big role in FOREVER EVIL. We may have seen parts of this world in the past but seeing how they exist in the New 52 is pretty interesting. There is a sense of familiarity yet you're still not quite sure what to expect. Szymon Kudranski's art captures the dark tone of the story and really makes you happy you don't have to live in that world. It's unclear whether or not we'll see more of this world or if we need to. Other Villains Month may have told interesting stories but this one makes you eager for the next issue of FOREVER EVIL. Read Full Review

While calling it “Secret Society #1″ does feel a bit like false advertising what with only 1/3 of the characters on the cover making an appearance at all, this is still one of the more important Villains Month books and it makes for nice supplemental material to the Forever Evil event. Read Full Review

Still, these problems don't ruin an otherwise enjoyable experience. Of all the Villains Month issues, this was easily one of the most necessary, so it's good to see it was also executed well. Read Full Review

I wanted a lot out of this issue. Some things were delivered on, but there are a lot of unanswered questions still. A decent outing overall that I'm happy to have spent time with, especially considering how pretty it is. Read Full Review

Perhaps the biggest gripe some will have with the "Secret Society" issue is that it features very little of the Secret Society of Super Villains itself. Their origin was already detailed in various books leading to 'Trinity War', so it's actually a positive thing that they chose to avoid chasing that story. The title is still misleading, however, as the book is essentially an Alfred/Owlman adventure occurring right before the Crime Syndicate's take over. A better title would have been simply "Earth 3", marketing potential notwithstanding of course. Read Full Review

Nice little interlude about Owlman and The Outsider from Earth 3, but left me wanting to know more about the Society on Earth Prime and what really happened on Earth 3. Read Full Review

Hopefully, more will be revealed in 'Forever Evil' #2. As atmospheric and intriguing as this book was, it was also so vague it left me more than a little unsatisfied. I'm sure ultimately, it will provide an important piece of the puzzle for as for right now, I think I have more questions now than when I started reading it. Read Full Review

Kudranski creates well-composed single images, but he is over-fond of close-up, cropped images. Individual panels are striking and mysterious, but his panel and page transitions are weak. While his approach assists in producing disorientation suitable for a dystopian landscape, he risks losing the narrative thread too much. Thus, the flow of action is sacrificed in favor of mood and atmosphere. "Justice League" #23.4 is a good twisted mirror to New Earth but a flawed story. Read Full Review

As with so many other Villain's Month issues that failed to work for me this month, Justice League #23.4 feels forced and doesn't exactly fit into the concept of the entire month-long event. It would have been far better to have seen this kind of a story played out in backups to Forever Evil rather than in one-shots like this. Now that would have contextualised this story better. Right now, it just means that Geoff Johns delivered a disappointing issue. The contents of the comic just don't match the cover at all, which is another area where several Villain's Month issues have failed. Read Full Review

Time will tell if Justice League #23.4: Secret Society truly has an impact on Forever Evil, or if it's just a red herring. If the former, then in retrospect, this issue might wind up reading a lot better as part of a collection. But as far as single issues go, unless you're a diehard or a completist, you can probably skip this one. Read Full Review

The old bait and switch on the cover. This could have been something, but instead all we're left with is a pretty cover for $3.99. Just pass. Read Full Review