W. Maxwell Prince, Martín Morazzo, Chris O’Halloran, and Good Old Neon have seriously done it again with Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #4. This comic is a bizarre, hilarious, and surprisingly heartfelt dissection of the entire superhero genre and the very nature of storytelling. As the second-to-last chapter in this thrilling DC Black Label series, this issue brings the mind-bending Fifth Dimension arc to a stunning, emotional, and downright chaotic close, setting the stage for a world-shattering finale.
Seriously, this issue is a fantastic, mind-melting ride that splits the plot between two totally wild realities, giving you whiplash in the best possible way. On one side, we find Clark Kent trapped in the Fifth Dimension, which is just pure, unadulterated nonsense. This is where the comic really shines: throwing out brilliantly surreal moments. Examples include Perry White’s disdain for juggling walruses, an apartment landlady who only accepts nickels for rent, or the unexpected power of real photos interspersed directly into the panels. It’s an absurdist nightmare that feels like something Salvador Dalí dreamed up: yet somehow, it manages to be laugh-out-loud funny and deeply unnerving all at the same time.
Meanwhile, back in Metropolis, a severely desperate and totally out-of-his-element Batman is forced to consult with Doctor Fate to save his best friend, whose mind is rapidly failing under the weight of pure “illogic.” The only solution? Batman has to plunge into the Fifth Dimension himself. This raises the stakes beautifully, grounding the magical chaos in the strong, familiar bond between the World’s Finest. Batman’s solution is perfect: he reveals his own cerebral safety net, which is, of course, the mischievous Bat-Mite.
Once inside, they learn that all the chaos traces back to the villain of anti-imagination, Brian-iac, who believes that imagination is a hurtful lie. To win the day, Superman taps into his greatest powersets (hope, optimism, and a pen) and scribbles his own 5D familiar, the ridiculously cute, rainbow-curled Kal-Elf, into existence! The incredible team of Mxyzptlk, Bat-Mite, and Kal-Elf defeats Brian-iac in a glorious explosion of creativity, reminding us that belief and imagination are the ultimate weapons in the war for reality. It’s honestly a hilarious and intensely clever read, and one I’m sure readers will revisit over and over again. I mean, Kal-Elf is finally here!
The book’s art is out of this world (literally) and just as essential as the writing itself. Martín Morazzo’s clean, almost European-comic-style artwork provides the perfect backdrop for all the madness. Honestly, there is so much going on visually that I feel like I’m not giving enough praise for how incredibly creative and mind-blowing the art is in this issue, and you know what? That’s okay! Not everything can be summarized into easily digestible soundbites. Just know Morazzo is a god among men.
Chris O’Halloran’s colors also deserve massive praise here, painting the Fifth Dimension in bright, aggressive neons and psychedelia that literally seem to shift on the page. Everything in this issue looks visually arresting, making the world feel slippery, unstable, and absolutely brimming with imagination and comic book fun.
Good Old Neon’s lettering ties this whole wild thing together, using various fonts, colors, and even incorporating a spreadsheet into a panel to communicate Mxy’s rules. The lettering here doesn’t just convey dialogue; it acts as a narrator, a tool, and a voice of the medium itself!
Ultimately, Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #4 is a stunning achievement. It manages to juggle sophisticated concepts about imagination, trauma, and storytelling while delivering a genuinely thrilling, action-packed, and fun adventure. It is a dense, beautiful, and wildly imaginative ride that will leave you absolutely eager to see how this incredible creative team lands the final issue.
‘Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum’ #4 is an Absolute Blast
Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #4 is a stunning achievement. It manages to juggle sophisticated concepts about imagination, trauma, and storytelling while delivering a genuinely thrilling, action-packed, and fun adventure.
