Superman and his weakness to Kryptonite are well-known even outside of comics. The word Kryptonite is as synonymous as Achilles’ Heel in referencing someone’s unique vulnerability. Few people know, however, that there are several colors of Kryptonite, and each color has a unique, devastating effect. This bit of trivia forms the heart of a new horror miniseries, Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum, in which the Man of Steel must face several new colors of the infamous element.
The series will center around Superman as four new Kryptonite variants are discovered in deep space. With Batman by his side, the Man of Steel sets out to determine just what effect the new colors might have. However, the results of the experiment prove unpredictable and beyond even Batman’s ability to plan for the worst.
The miniseries will be produced for DC Black Label and published with a rating of 17+ for Mature Readers. Running for five issues, it will be written by W. Maxwell Prince. The artwork will be provided by Martín Morazzo, colors by Chris O’Halloran, and lettering by Good Old Neon. These four creators may be recognized by comic readers as the creative team behind the Eisner-nominated horror anthology Ice Cream Man.
Four unlettered pages from Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #1 may be viewed below.
Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum to examine Man of Steel through fear of his greatest weakness
“We’ve developed a reputation for pretty left-of-center experimentation, with respect to comics storytelling,” said Prince, “This is basically what we’re doing over the 5 issues of Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum: using our unique voice in comics to tell a Supes yarn that’s both strange and timeless, out there and also totally grounded. You might know what Green, Red and Black Kryptonite does to Superman, but what about Purple? Or Cobalt? Or Speckled?”
However, Maxwell is quick to correct the idea that Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum is only about the wacky things Kryptonite might do to the Man of Steel: “Martín, Chris and I want to tell a bonkers story that also explores real, human problems. These Kryptonite shards are, in fact, pieces of Kal-El’s home. It’s his own home that hurts him. This idea that ‘home hurts’ can also be applied to Batman, Wonder Woman, et al. So, we’re exploring that idea inside this framework of our usual experimental storytelling. We’re interrogating all this stuff within the bookends of something decidedly wacky, and full of make-your-jaw-drop Man of Tomorrow moments. It’s what we do best: an admixture of sad, funny, and strange. (And, because it’s Superman, HAPPY!)”
Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #1 arrives in comic shops everywhere on August 13, 2025.
