Scott's Take: Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum by W. Maxwell Prince and artist Martin Morazzo

 

Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum by W. Maxwell Prince and artist Martin Morazzo is a Black Label Elseworlds tale. Black Label is supposed to be for more mature Elseworlds tale so this is a non canon adult story, but usually despite the Black Label they are not really that mature. In this case, the Black Label is not really used to its full extent.

 

Superman is dealing with 4 new Kryptonite variants and has the brilliant idea to test them on himself to figure out what kind of threat they represent. Yes, there are safer ways, but this is what he decides to do. Batman goes along with this idea. So, a buddy cop adventure ensues exploring trauma, the damage caused by home (since Kryptonite is made from Krypton), grief, and more. Making things more complicated is that Lex Luthor has his own plans to take advantage of Superman’s idea to do this testing.

 

This is a five issue miniseries with action, comedy, and character exploration. The art is strange and Lois Lane looks the worst she has ever looked in my opinion. Her story arc is dealing with the fact that she is forty and wants kids. Something which, depending on the version of Superman, he can or can’t provide. Somehow, she is drawn more like she is fifty plus. The ending of her story arc is divisive.

 

Also,  I don’t get why Bruce, Alfred, Lex, and Jimmy, look the same as they typically look. If Lois is way older than usual, they should be too. This version of Lex is quirky and never feels like Lex. His version of Superman and Batman are the closest to what one would expect, but they are off too. Supergirl never plays any role in this story which one would expect. Krypto does. I think Krypto might have been the smartest character in the book.

 

The ending sets up the potential for more series, but I am not sure if there will be more. This is a sliver age inspired wacky adventure with an ending that left me with mixed feelings. I don’t know how I feel about the very strange ending.  It is really weird. 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/458LWv3

 

I read this through the DC Universe Infinite app.

 

Scott A. Tipple ©2026