REVIEW: Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #4
Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #4, “What Never Happened to the Man of Tomorrow,” is the fourth—and penultimate—chapter of DC Black Label’s dazzling five-book limited series written by W. Maxwell Prince, with art by Martín Morazzo, colors by Chris O’Halloran, and letters by Good Old Neon.
Morazzo’s main cover is a delightful throwback to DC’s Bronze Age—a winking, multi-panel design that channels the era’s charm and self-aware humor. Each image teases the book’s surreal trek through Fifth-Dimensional chaos, wrapped in a style that feels both nostalgic and brand-new. It’s bright, bizarre, and brilliantly meta—like a Superman comic where Clark might literally wink at you in the final panel.
Juan Ferreyra’s variant cover balances whimsy and madness in one ingenious composition. Superman stands caught—literally—between worlds as Mr. Mxyzptlk lounges in his palm while a new “Super-being” reaches through his ears to grab Bat-Mite. It’s multiversal absurdity at its most gorgeous, a visual puzzle of power and playfulness.
Mike Choi’s variant cover introduces the new Superman of the Fifth Dimension in bold heroic form. Bathed in radiant yellows and electric blues, this impish champion exudes both confidence and mischief, blurring the line between parody and power.
This is the wildest and most unpredictable entry yet—exactly what the previous cliffhanger promised with its tease of a Fifth-Dimensional detour and the arrival of Mr. Mxyzptlk. I’ve eagerly anticipated every installment of this series, but I wasn’t prepared for this one. It twisted my brain in the best possible way—and that’s the point.
Once again, I have to praise the creative team for how they gradually introduce familiar characters without rebooting their origins. Instead, they establish that Superman and his allies have known these figures for years, which grounds the story while expanding its scope. For that reason, I actually consider The Kryptonite Spectrum a fantastic introduction to the Man of Steel—especially for younger readers discovering him for the first time. Across the journey so far, Superman has endured a kaleidoscope of new Kryptonite variants—purple, cobalt, speckled—each one testing his limits. With steadfast friends at his side, he’s faced trial after trial, all rendered through playful, expressive artwork that carries both reverence and reinvention.
Just like the Man of Steel himself, Morazzo and O’Halloran are pushed to their limits here. Their combined artistry pulls readers straight into the Fifth Dimension until you almost feel your own senses unraveling beside Superman’s. We’ve seen Mxyzptlk’s reality-bending antics countless times in comics and animation but rarely have they felt this immersive or disorienting.
Credit also goes to Prince, whose script reads like a lyrical riddle box. I would love to peek at his script pages just to see how he choreographed this carnival of chaos. The dialogue and narration stretch your mind in ways that make you empathize with Superman’s bewilderment and wonder.
A nice addition to the story explores Batman’s mental fortitude. Book 3 revealed that the mysterious Rainbow K wasn’t Kryptonite at all—it was a distress signal from the Fifth Dimension. That deduction underscores Bruce’s brilliance as the ultimate detective and proves why Clark trusts him implicitly. Beneath all the grim solitude, Batman’s loyalty shines through; he’ll always do whatever it takes to protect his friend. All these elements—whimsy, heart, and heroism—culminate in a story that’s as unpredictable as it is unforgettable.
(10/10) Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum Book 4 is a mind-bending odyssey through the Fifth Dimension that catapults us toward the grand finale of this phenomenal series. It’s witty, dizzying, and utterly engaging from first page to last.
