Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #5
Chad Burdette
Recap
The new five-issue DC Black Label comic book series, Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum, by W. Maxwell Prince, Martín Morazzo and Chris O’Halloran, concludes with Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #5
The visionary minds behind the critically acclaimed and Eisner Award-nominated Ice Cream Man comic book series from Image Comics, W. Maxwell Prince, Martín Morazzo and Chris O’Halloran, are set to bring their signature storytelling sensibilities to DC this summer with a comic book series about one of the most iconic figures in pop culture: Superman. Genre-bending creators Prince, Morazzo and O’Halloran lend their signature blend of existential superhero fantasy/horror to the world of Superman in a new series that brings the Man of Tomorrow into contact with every flavor of Kryptonite under the yellow sun. The creative team will launch an all-new limited series that reimagines Superman through a daring, genre-defying lens.
Across the five innovative issues, Superman must look inward to find strength in his most famous weakness. Each issue promises to explore different facets of Superman’s character, mythos, and moral core, while bending narrative form in ways only Prince, Morazzo and O’Halloran can. While Ice Cream Man became a cult favorite for its surreal, often harrowing dive into horror and existential dread, this new Superman title marks a bold departure—eschewing horror in favor of introspective, fun, genre-fluid storytelling.
Comic Watch Review:
- Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #1
- Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #2 – Always Hit “Control-S” Every Few Minutes When Working In Excel
- Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #3: Tis Better To Suffer The Omega Sanction Than Be Subject To Copyright Litigation
- Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #4 – It’s A Bird…It’s A Planee; It’s Kal-Elf
Up to now it’s been a peculiar, polychromatic pilgrimage for Superman: he’s lost track of time under the influence of Purple Kryptonite, grown to skyscraper size via Cobalt K, revisited his adolescence by way of Speckled K, and traveled to the fifth dimension using a “key” carved of Rainbow Rock.
Now, in this final issue, the chickens have come home to roost — and so, too, has Kal-El. Back in Metropolis, the Man of Tomorrow must stand face-to-face with the Man of Today… and decide for himself, finally, whether Lex is right: Does home hurt too much in Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #5
Review
Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #5 is the final installment of the Black Label series that introduced some new Kryptonite colors as the creative minds behind the anthology series Ice Cream Man took the Man Of Steel on a Silver Age inspired Black Label limited series.
The creative team drives right in to the confrontation between Superman and Lex Luthor’s creation, Kryptonite Man, who is able to channel the full spectrum of Kryptonite, including the ones introduced in the previous issues. By doing this the final issue ties all the various arcs into a single issue while providing an ending that leaves the door open for a possible return to this series in the future.
Kal-Elf returns, once again allowing the storytelling to break the fourth wall and use the many of the panel designs found in their Image series. Martin also has the opportunity to put his unique art spin on some classic panels such as the death of Superman at the hands of Doomsday.
Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum is one of the best series that DC Comics released in 2025 and hopefully has opened the door for the creative team to return to tell more stories in the DC Universe in the future
Final Thoughts
Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #5 concludes and perfectly sticks the landing as one of the best series that DC Comics released in 2025 and hopefully has opened the door for the creative team to return to tell more stories in the DC Universe in the future.
Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #5
- Writing - 10/1010/10
- Storyline - 10/1010/10
- Art - 10/1010/10
- Color - 10/1010/10
- Cover Art - 10/1010/10
