Superman #42

Bizarroverse got off to a terrible…sorry, great start and is one of my top recommendations for this week. Read Full Review

This was a fun issue, and makes me look forward for the following issues in the arc, while making me sad that there are only a few issues left of Tomasi and Gleason's amazing run on the title. Read Full Review

The whole thing crackles with contrast. I hope Brian Michael Bendis means it when he says he is building on things and not erasing the board. I hope we get this same dynamic in his books. But even if we don't, I have had these two years and I have been a happy Superman fan. I haven't always been able to say that. Read Full Review

Superman #42 ends with a big GOOD-BYE! that would be an awesome one-page story all by itself, thanks to the masterful work of Gleason, Tomasi, Sanchez, and Leigh. This issue has nineteen more pages though, and is only the start of Bizarroverse. Down, down, and nearby! Read Full Review

While it's unclear if the story ahead is going to be a comedy or a drama, it's clearly going to be another great story by Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason. Read Full Review

It is a very poetic way to end with a Bizarro storyline. I'm sad to see the end. But by that same virtue, I'm happy to have Gleason and Tomasi back in the driver's seat, showing off how much they love and respect the Superfamily. I'm happy that the start of this arc is bringing everything full circle for an appropriate bookend. Read Full Review

If family is Superman's greatest power, then it is absolutely Bizarro's Kryptonite - and watching him struggle proves to be a potent and subversive experience. Read Full Review

Superman (2016-) #42 is one of the best Superman comic books that I've read in quite some time thanks to its focus having been placed on Bizarro and his son Boyzarro. Enticing illustrations and an incredibly well-written script make this issue one not to miss. Tomasi and Gleason have done a great job with their time in Bizarro World and I am eager to see where they'll take us next as this story progresses. Read Full Review

This is a fantastic setup issue that introduces readers old and new to the world of Bizarro and his new son. Read Full Review

Bizarro stories are hard to tell and this one is actually really good. Great Superman story as well. Read Full Review

A good start to a story that aims to explore Bizarro's family vs. Superman's. Read Full Review

"BOYzarro RE-DEATH" part one! It's a bizarre, Boyzarro world-and we just live in it! When Superboy comes face to face with Boyzarro, the Son of Bizzaro, a strange transformation begins to take place. But that's not all that the Kents have knocking on their door! Superman versus Bizarro round one am not just the beginning! Read Full Review

Going into this book, I anticipated that this would be a filler issue and that it wouldn't be very interesting. However, the Bizarro-connection drew me in, as well as Kathy and Jonathan's friendship Read Full Review

The Bizarro section is full of little things like that and it makes the issue that much better. Bizarro stories should always be mixes of the ridiculous and the serious. Some creators err too far to either side and the story falls flat, but so far, Tomasi and Gleason have struck a great balance. The rest of the book contrasts with that opening section, while also setting up a nice thematic resonance with it. The first few pages are a little jarring, but sticking with it rewards the reader with a smart and fun Bizarro story. Read Full Review

I give this issue 4 out of 5 stars. It's a high-quality issue that serves its purpose in setting up the Bizarroverse storyline and continuing the strong family theme. As someone who loves Bizarro and the Superman family dynamic, I thoroughly enjoyed the issue. Read Full Review

Patrick Gleason is one of the most influential and, most recognizable, and most groundbreaking artist of the past two decades. There's little more praise that I can heft upon him beside the fact that he is one of my favorite mainstream superhero artists of all time. Read Full Review

Superman #42 is a good superhero comic book story. It is a nice setup issue for a new story arc. Nothing crazy or exceptional happens, but nonetheless, it looks like it could be a fun story. I am interested to see how the writing team handles Bizarro, as he is a character that can get old pretty fast if not handled correctly. Especially if he is the main crutch of the story being told. The art is fantastic and the real highlight of this issue. An intriguing storyline and superb artwork have me hooked for at least one more issue. Read Full Review

The dynamic that this team helped to establish as the start of the series is still warm, but certainly doesn't burn as brightly as it did then. Read Full Review

All in all, Superman #42 is a fun enough read. It has its flaws, but I finished it satisfied with the experience. The Bizarro section is funny, and the art is great. This one gets a recommendation. Check it out. Read Full Review

SUPERMAN #42 is a unique and strange tale. However, despite its potential to be an intriguing journey, it fails to establish engaging characters. Read Full Review

Putting my hate aside for Bizarro speech, this is a decent setup issue for this arc, that reintroduces characters from this series and from different worlds.  I really enjoy the art, but I have a hell of a time trying to understand what any Bizarro character is talking about and I'm afraid that we're going to get a lot more of that going forward. Read Full Review

Writer Peter J. Tomasi and writer/artist Patrick Gleason create an issue that is both incredibly clever in its structure and yet a bit of a slog to actually get through. Read Full Review

Spock's Brain

Mar 19, 2018

It's been a while since I checked out "Superman," having drifted away during one of the crossovers in the past 10-15 issues. But, there's Bizzaro with family American Gothic style, so, there you go. This was fun, though the Bizarro-dialogue had my head swimming a bit. Most impressive is Gleason's art here. He's got a way with this book. I think I'll be around for the next issue.

Dispatchdcu

Mar 07, 2018

We don't get a ton to start this off but that doesn't mean it's a bad issue. We get some background of a bizarro world that seems to exist, whether in continuity with the current smart Bizarro in Red hood or not. Some throw continuity into the wind to write the story needed and others create a parallel story that can be adopted by both. As long as the story is ok, im cool with whatever. Im guess this is a parallel universe/ timeline right now. I could be wrong ( probably am). But, there is a possibility that another world "htrae" does exist somewhere out there. Ether way; it's nice to catch up with Kathy in the story. The downfall of the issue to me is: Bizarro talk!!! By the beard of Sophocles, Bizarro speak give me a headache! Th at is awful to read. However, to write that and make it somehow make sense is amazing! For example, "put him up later!" Means "put him down now!" As much as I hate it, I can acknowledge the time and effort it takes to create that... and do it well. Bravo! Long story short: There is a Bizarro world that Kathy found while Jon was visiting. Somehow, Boy-zaro worked his way out. Great art as usual! Ok start to the story I just don't know the purpose other than to show us a bizarro family. If you like what you heard, love talking all types of comics, and are interested in joining a comic chat group, hit me up at dispatchdcu@gmail.com or @dispatchdcu on twitter. Catch you all later! Peace more

daddyT

Mar 07, 2018

ugly art and trying too hard to be bizarre - and succeeding. complete and utter garbage. I didn't think I was anxious for Bendis but.. after seeing this... well, maybe this creative team is just giving us all the big F. U. on purpose. that's what it feels like.

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ActionCity - Mar 7, 2018

You don’t like Gleasons art? Did you hate the art on the first couple arcs of rebirth superman?

daddyT - Mar 7, 2018

I didn't hate those issues. #7 and #9 I really thought were outstanding. Looking at them in comparison... I see why you ask. I'm not sure why this issue looked so much worse to me. Maybe it was frustration with the content coloring my vision.

ActionCity - Mar 8, 2018

Different inker as well on this issue than the first few arcs.