Each Friday, we'll be letting a different DC.com writer share what they'll be reading over the weekend and why you might want to check it out. Here's this week's suggestion for a perfect Weekend Escape! 
 

The Man of Steel has always had a problem with Kryptonite, and that problem just got a whole lot bigger. Superman Unlimited Vol. 1: Kryptonite Kingdom explores what happens when Kryptonite is no longer rare and every two-bit criminal has the power to kill the Man of Steel.

Superman Unlimited, which is currently one of four ongoing Superman comics, debuted to much fanfare last year ahead of the James Gunn theatrical film. Part of a monthslong event called “The Summer of Superman,” Superman Unlimited marked the return of bestselling comics writer Dan Slott to the DC Universe. Kryptonite Kingdom, the series’ first trade collection, is a great graphic novel for anyone who enjoyed the film and is now looking to dip their toe into the comics. Let’s hit the skies with the Last Son of Krypton and discover why this new book makes for a great Weekend Escape!
 

THE PREMISE:

A large Kryptonite asteroid has landed on Earth, and everyone wants a piece of it. The mineral was once rare, but now each person on Earth—whether law-abiding or not—is able to get as much of it as they’d like. Kryptonite weapons have been created, which level the playing field against Superman, Superboy, Supergirl and even Krypto. The DCU’s Kryptonian heroes are no longer indestructible, making their jobs a lot more painful.

The nation of El Caldero, upon which the asteroid landed, has used the Kryptonite to reshape their economy and rebuild themselves as an Emerald City. Needless to say, Superman isn’t too keen on this, which leads to an uncomfortable confrontation with the country’s charismatic leader, who has dubbed himself “the Kryptonite King.”

So yes, Superman has a lot more Kryptonite to deal with, but he also has a cool new power to protect himself from the mineral. This new ability is a game-changer, but will it be enough to survive in a world where every criminal has their own Kryptonite cache?
 

LET’S TALK TALENT:

Kryptonite Kingdom is written by Dan Slott, an Eisner Award-winning comics writer. While Slott is famous for the work he’s done for our marvelous competitors, he’s also written some underrated DC classics like Arkham Asylum: Living Hell. One the great things about Slott is that he never forgets that comics are supposed to be fun. Kryptonite Kingdom gives us plenty of entertaining concepts like a Man-Bat Superman, a city made of Kryptonite, imaginative new abilities for the Man of Steel, and a gorilla IT specialist named Tee-Nah. Slott gives us all the wackiness of the Silver Age, while still telling a compelling story for the modern era.

The book is penciled by Rafael Albuquerque, an Eisner Award-winning artist who is known for his work on Blue Beetle, Batgirl and American Vampire. Albuquerque clearly had a blast designing El Caldero’s Emerald City, which looks absolutely gorgeous. His distinctive style also gives the characters an extra dose of personality, which helps make new friends like Tee-Nah all the more real (and fun). Oh, and the Creeper never looked…well…creepier. I need to see Albuquerque on a Creeper ongoing ASAP.
 

A FEW REASONS TO READ:

• Above all else, Kryptonite Kingdom is a story that knows comics are supposed to be fun. Where else will you find dialog like, “So in short, you almost turned everyone in my city into Man-Bats because you were kissed by someone wearing Kryptonite lipstick?”
   
• Everything is better with gorillas. Tee-Nah is the Daily Planet’s new IT specialist, and she’s also a native of Gorilla City. She’s a fun addition to Superman’s supporting cast, and I suspect you’ll fall in love with her pretty quickly.

• Superman’s new power opens up some interesting new story possibilities. I won’t spoil the ability here, but it’s a clever way to give Superman an edge in a world full of Kryptonite without making him seem overpowered, and it comes in clutch in Kryptonite Kingdom’s finale.
   
• Krypto fans will love Superman Unlimited #3. It’s one of the most heartwarming takes on the Superdog you’ll ever read.
   

WHY IT’S WORTH YOUR TIME:

Kryptonite Kingdom is a quintessential Superman story. It captures the wacky and fun sci-fi elements of the Silver Age and mixes them with the character-driven drama we find in modern comics. Much like the recent Superman movie, Dan Slott and Rafael Albuquerque give us a comic that feels like an updated version of an old school Superman story that still works for a mature audience.

As I mentioned earlier, there are currently four ongoing Superman comics, and they’re all good in their own way, but Superman Unlimited stands out because it doesn’t take itself too seriously. Yes, the peril is real—and it is, the Kryptonite asteroid is a serious threat to Superman. But the book also gives you a stunning new DC city full of crystalline towers, a talking gorilla who knows far more about your tech setup than you do, a driven Lois Lane who’s taking the Daily Planet to the stars, surprising transformations, nifty gadgets and much, much more.

Superman Unlimited Vol. 1: Kryptonite Kingdom maintains the perfect balance of being accessible to new comic book readers while shaking up the status quo in a way that’s sure to intrigue longtime Superman fans. Kryptonite Kingdom is a fun way to connect with the Man of Steel, and the perfect comic for your next Weekend Escape.

Superman Unlimited Vol. 1: Kryptonite Kingdom by Dan Slott, Rafael Albuquerque and Marcelo Maiolo is available in bookstores, comic shops, libraries and digital retailers as both a hardcover and softcover graphic novel. The storyline can also be read in full on DC UNIVERSE INFINITE.

Joshua Lapin-Bertone writes about TV, movies and comics for DC.com, is a regular contributor to the Couch Club and writes our monthly Batman column, "Gotham Gazette." Follow him on Bluesky at @joshualapinbertone and on X at @TBUJosh.

NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this feature are solely those of Joshua Lapin-Bertone and do not necessarily reflect those of DC or Warner Bros. Discovery, nor should they be read as confirmation or denial of future DC plans.