Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum – Superheroes Meets Horror
Just announced by DC Comics, a chilling new five-issue Black Label series titled Superman:
The Kryptonite Spectrum is set to debut on August 13, 2025. This mature readers series (rated
17+) promises to take the Man of Steel into the realm of “existential superhero fantasy/horror,” a
departure from the traditional Superman narratives fans are accustomed to.
The creative team behind the acclaimed Image Comics series Ice Cream Man – writer W.
Maxwell Prince, artist Martín Morazzo, and colorist Chris O’Halloran – are bringing their unique
and often unsettling storytelling style to the DC Universe. In The Kryptonite Spectrum,
Superman will encounter four entirely new forms of Kryptonite discovered in the vast expanse of
deep space.
The premise revolves around Superman and Batman teaming up to investigate the properties
and dangers of these newly discovered Kryptonites. What effects these new variations – beyond
the familiar green, red, and black – will have on the Last Son of Krypton remains a central
mystery, promising a story filled with suspense and potential body horror elements.
DC editor Paul Kaminski describes the series as “art-pop storytelling” that will be “warped,
suspenseful and occasionally horrific,” while still leaning into the rich stylings of the Silver Age
Superman comics. Writer W. Maxwell Prince hints at a deeper exploration, stating that the
series will delve into “real, human problems” through the lens of these alien elements. He
teases the idea that these Kryptonite shards are pieces of Superman’s home, Krypton,
suggesting a theme of “home hurts” that could resonate with other DC characters as well.
This Black Label imprint signifies a story outside of the main DC continuity, allowing for more
experimental and potentially darker themes. Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum aims to be a
“bonkers story” filled with “make-your-jaw-drop Man of Tomorrow moments” within this
framework of the unexpected. This series marks a bold new direction for Superman, promising a
psychedelic and potentially terrifying exploration of his greatest weakness. Fans eager for a
different kind of Superman story should mark their calendars for August 13th.
