The Kryptonite Spectrum #2 Review - A Quirky Fun Ride
We may be heading toward the end of summer, but the Summer of Superman is still going strong with issue #2 of Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum.
Written and illustrated by the Ice Cream Man team, this Black Label series delivers another delightfully strange issue. Picking up from the wacky events of issue #1, Superman continues experimenting with bizarre new strains of Kryptonite.
Spoilers Ahead
Issue #1 set up Superman’s dilemma well, and with Batman at his side you’d think nothing could go wrong. Yet page one throws us straight into chaos: a Kaiju-sized Superman rampaging through Metropolis, clashing with the League, and putting millions at risk. Despite the stakes, the tone stays lighthearted and even playful—I caught myself laughing more than once. From Batman cobbling together a Kryptonite-powered gadget to test on a training dummy, to Lex unleashing Chemo (a cute, green, walking Chernobyl) on Metropolis, to Superman literally drinking Chemo, the book balances absurdity with charm in a way that really works.
The whole thing has a Silver Age-style wackiness that feels refreshing compared to the more straightforward Superman titles that have been hitting shelves this summer. It’s another unique angle on the Man of Steel that makes the “Summer of Superman” feel exciting and varied. As someone who never really collected ongoing Superman books before, I’ve been surprised at how much my collection has grown these past few months thanks to DC’s creativity.
Watching Superman and Batman stumble through figuring out these new Kryptonite strains is incredibly charming. Batman crunching his calculations—only to realise Superman is growing far larger than anticipated—leads to the very messy destruction of the Fortress of Solitude.
And I have to say: I love, love, love Superman’s robot helpers. Their designs are both adorable and cool, and the artistic vision throughout this book is next level. I’ve never read Ice Cream Man before (though I’ve heard plenty about how fantastic it is), but after this, I’m definitely picking it up. Martin Morazzo and Chris O’Halloran deliver some absolutely gorgeous panels.
One note: I’m still not entirely sure this series needs the Black Label banner—so far, nothing feels particularly “mature” in tone—but we’ll see where it goes.
Verdict: Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #2 is a delightful, offbeat ride. With fantastic art, an engaging story, and a great sense of fun, it’s one you definitely won’t want to miss.
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