The kings of pushing comics storytelling, W. Maxwell Prince and Martín Morazzo are back this week with Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #4. In this series, Superman has tested different Kryptonite to see what they’d do to him, from growing as tall as a skyscraper to seeing reality out of sync. In the fourth issue, Superman is trapped in the fifth dimension, and things get really weird.
Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #4 is a good example of how this creative team tries out new things you’ve never seen before. Frankly, after pulling off a deck of cards as a comic, and then reading this issue, it’s safe to say they’re always up to something new. Using the fifth dimension, the team pulls off a multi-reality montage, a handy flyer, and even mixed media real-life photos in the work. The latter, you see on the very first page, as a man in a suit flies a spaceship outside the Daily Planet. From the very start, it’s clear they’re playing with comic book form.
As far as the story, Superman is trapped but doesn’t know it. Everything is strange, from Perry White not being alarmed by Clark’s Superman suit under his shirt to a walrus showing up in the office. The stakes are clearly high, as Superman could very well die being trapped in a place he does not know about. It’s also a bit magical, which is Superman’s greatest weakness.
Things are getting really weird.
Credit: DC Comics
There are a lot of appearances and references to DC continuity, which is fun as well. The inclusion of Dr. Fate makes sense, as well as Mister Mxyzptlk giving the book a deep-cut vibe. On the reverse side, the creative team introduces two new characters, effectively amplifying the must-read nature of this for any DC Comics fan.
Morazzo’s art is some of his best work ever. The design of Kal-Elf, for instance, is a mix of weird and believable, from his one strand of rainbow hair to the detail of his onesie; he’s at once outlandish and realistic. The montage mentioned above is also stellar, mixing crayon, traditional art, and even a spreadsheet into the page to create an effect of utter chaos.
The character elements are there, especially for Lex Luthor. He’s on a real high in this issue, and it’s fun to see him revel in his evil experiments. On an emotional scale, Superman goes through it, though much of the problem he’s unclear about what is going on, so he’s never quite fearing for his life. Batman, meanwhile, is ever his stoic self.
Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #4 is another bold, reality-warping triumph from W. Maxwell Prince and Martín Morazzo. By blending surreal art, meta-textual experiments, and heartfelt character moments, it pushes the boundaries of superhero storytelling while celebrating everything strange and wonderful about the DC Universe. It’s bizarre, beautiful, and unmistakably brilliant.
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