Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #1
Chad Burdette
Recap
The team behind the critically acclaimed Ice Cream Man comic comes to DC to apply its singular storytelling style to none other than the Man of Steel! Four new Kryptonites have been discovered in deep space, and Superman needs to know just what, exactly, they do to him — lest the colorful rocks of his home planet fall into evil hands! With Batman at Superman's side, this DC Black Label Superman event explores the consequences of each never- before-seen variety of Kryptonite — all in the formal and boundary-pushing fashion that W. Maxwell Prince, Martín Morazzo, and Chris O'Halloran are celebrated for!
Review
Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #1 finds the creative team behind Image Comics’ Ice Cream Man series setting their sights on The Man Of Steel and exploring the effects of some newly discovered colors of Kryptonite. Before jumping into the story, writer W. Maxwell Prince gives the usual introduction of who Superman is, his abilities, and the effects of the well-known colors of Kryptonite. The way it is written, drawn, and colored, make this perfunctory part of Superman fresh and sets the tone for the story to be told.
The story has a Silver Age / All-Star Superman feel to it but able to differentiate itself as something unique and new. Prince also captures the supporting cast well; for example, Superman calls in Batman to make sure he doesn’t do something bad if the effects of the unknown Kryptonite goes wrong. Luthor, who looks like he could be related to The Ice Cream Man himself, is also captured perfectly, not only in his opening about Superman but his employee.
First up in the Kryptonite tests is Purple K which messes with Supes’ perception of time, which in turn allows the creative team to provide moments that break the fourth wall, a concept rarely seen in a Superman story. Chris O’Halloran’s colorwork blends well with Martin Morazzo’s pencils (like it always does in Ice Cream Man), giving action sequences that seem a bit stiff artwise that extra nudge to make up the difference.
Final Thoughts
Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #1 is an awesome start to this story that can be enjoyed by Superman fans or those simply following the creative team to this different type of tale. Even a mere one issue in, it is well on its way to becoming a classic Superman story in the character's long history
Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #1
- Writing - 10/1010/10
- Storyline - 10/1010/10
- Art - 10/1010/10
- Color - 10/1010/10
- Cover Art - 10/1010/10
