Writer: W Maxwell Prince
Artist: Martín Morazzo
Colorist: Chris O’Halloran
Letterer: Good Old Neon
Cover Artists: Martín Morazzo & Chris O’Halloran; Juan
Ferreyra; Nimit Malavia
Editors: Jillian Grant, Paul Kaminski, Chris Conroy &
Marie Javins
Design: Kenny Lopez
Publication Production: Tiffany Huang
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $5.99
Release Date: October 8, 2025
When his robots retrieve an asteroid containing vestiges of
his homeworld, Superman requests help studying them. Batman urges, "Safety
first. Let's destroy them." But the world's greatest detective also
wonders how they will affect his friend. The Purple Kryptonite helps Superman
perceive different timelines simultaneously. The Cobalt Kryptonite helps him
grow. While Speckled Kryptonite returns Superman to Human size, a refreshing
chemo spritzer gives him a second shot at youth.
What does the future hold for Superboy? And will Lex Luthor
and more remnants of his homeworld threaten his future? Let’s leap into
Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #3 and see!
Story
Having recaptured his teens, Clark hangs out at Billy
Batson's house. Superboy doesn’t bask in the knowledge that he saved Metropolis
from Chemo. Nor does he rejoice in discovering the Fountain of Kryptonian
Youth. Instead, he mopes while playing a Justice League RPG with Billy. When
Clark asks why Billy plays himself in the game, his friend explains that he loves
what he does and has everything he wants. Billy makes several attempts to lift
Superboy's spirits. Then, Billy takes him to the type of place Superboy enjoyed
in his "youth."
The Super Friends discover that Dr Sivana and Toyman created
this amusement park. Shazam and Superboy arrive when no other guests are
present. As they experience the rides and attractions, they discover Nostalgia
Springs is all about them.
While Lex Luthor and Lois Lane get a look-in, and Batman
plays a small but vital role, Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #3 keeps the
spotlight on Superman and Shazam. The story celebrates the characters' lives and
their rich legacy in comics while addressing how our past informs our present. W
Maxwell Prince also plants the seeds to help the Kryptonian orphan with Heat
Vision stop viewing an unreclaimable past through rose-tinted glasses.
Art
Martín Morazzo shows young Clark and Billy sitting on a
square of shag carpet. Hand-sized statues of Justice League heroes serve as
game pieces, and each player has two cards to guide their play. A lock of hair
curls on Clark's forehead, suggesting an S. Yet his uniform bearing the
Kryptonian symbol of hope lies folded on the floor beside his boots and a
mattress. Clark looks defeated as he wears a T-shirt showcasing a character
from Shazam's heritage. But Billy smiles as he comforts Clark and insists that he
is "living the dream" in Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #3.
Despite the bright blue sky shining beyond the glass walls
and roof of his penthouse office, Lex and his visitors reside in shade. Only Dr
Sivana escapes the deeper tones as he smiles and hovers over his colorful
display. Subdued colors reside in the Vasquez residence as Clark and Billy
decide on their next course of action. The lightning of Billy's transformation
carries over to a splash page of Superboy and Shazam flying as the sunlight
overexposes the land below. When they arrive in the theme park, Chris
O’Halloran lavishes bright and cheery colors on Nostalgia Springs in Superman:
The Kryptonite Spectrum #3.
Good Old Neon places black uppercase letters in white
dialogue balloons. The letters grow bold for intonation, enlarge for raised
voices, and occasionally shrink for lowered voices. Pink boxes with red
outlines and lightning bolt arrows accompany party crashers. Handwritten
lowercase letters hover beside colorful sketches, as Billy suggests another way
for Clark to reevaluate his past. Thanks to DC Comics for providing a review
copy.
Now, let's take a look inside:
Final Thoughts
We are the sum of our experiences and everyone we have ever
met. As Superman and Shazam confront differing views of their heritage at
Nostalgia Springs, Batman and Lois Lane demonstrate why Clark should prize his
present over his past. While discussing ways to deal with traumas arising from
our childhood, Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #3 also reminds us that
loving, supportive parents play a critical role in who we become.
Rating 9.8/10
