Yeah, those are all the same reasons I could never get into New52. Even if the story was mediocre, comics arent always the best written medium, I could deal with it as long as he looked the part. Which should be a big deal, comics are a visual medium.
As for Alex Ross. I totally get what you're saying, he's totally hit and miss. The good thing about him is that his Superman always has a presence in his art.
I love this cover from Dan Jurgens and Nowlan. They both do pretty some Supes.
Kevin Nowlans Alien/Superman cross over written by Dan Jurgens was pretty badass too.