In his 87 years in comics, Superman has faced countless powerful villains. However, DC’s newly debuted Kryptonite Man is arguably the Man of Steel’s most dangerous foe yet, and that’s not even counting the army of smart Bizarro robots under his command.
Will Superman’s rogues’ gallery gain a new legend?
Writer W. Maxwell Prince and artist Martín Morazzo return with the fourth installment of one of DC’s best ongoing titles, Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum. This series is as bizarre as it is brilliant, with this issue not only introducing the Man of Steel’s own fifth-dimensional imp, Kal-Elf, but also unveiling his most dangerous villain yet: Kryptonite Man.
Unsurprisingly, Lex Luthor is behind his creation: an amalgamation of Superman himself, Luthor, every Kryptonite color, and the fifth dimension, with the added bonus of a legion of smart Bizarro robots at his command.
Meet Kryptonite Man: Superman’s Most Dangerous Villain Arrives in teh DC Universe
Cover B Juan Ferreyra Variant for Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #5 (2025)
Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #4 sees Lex Luthor attempting to create the ultimate weapon to kill the Man of Steel. His plan involves experimenting with new Kryptonite variants (speckled, cobalt, and purple) alongside all other known forms, as well as a rainbow crystal from the fifth dimension that pushes his already dangerous project into uncharted territory.
After killing several test subjects while infusing them with the various Kryptonite variants and rainbow crystal, Luthor finally succeeds when he uses a Superman/Lex Luthor clone. In theory, this creates a villain with Luthor’s evil genius, Superman’s powers, the combined effects of every Kryptonite, and possible fifth-dimensional abilities granted by the rainbow crystal.
This villain is essentially four of Superman’s greatest threats combined into one, making Kryptonite Man the Man of Steel’s most dangerous foe to debut in his 87-year history. Adding to the threat is the fact that Luthor designed a legion of intelligent Bizarro robots to assist Kryptonite Man in his inevitable battle against Superman.
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Main Cover by Martín Morazzo & Chris O’Halloran for Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #5 (2025)
In Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #4, the Man of Steel has yet to face Kryptonite Man directly, meaning the villain’s full powers remain unseen. However, fans can expect the long-awaited showdown on December 17, 2025, when the fifth and final issue of W. Maxwell Prince and Martín Morazzo’s The Kryptonite Spectrum officially releases.
Not only is this fight expected to be one of Superman’s most intense, but if the finale continues the series’ surreal themes, it will also be one of his most bizarre. With the time-altering effects of Purple K, the fifth-dimensional influence, and other mind-bending elements, one question remains: Will Superman’s rogues’ gallery gain a new legend?
Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #4 is available now from DC Comics!
- Created By
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Joe Shuster, Jerry Siegel
- First Appearance
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Action Comics