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
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