Surf Wiki
Save to docs
general/1943-in-comics

From Surf Wiki (app.surf) — the open knowledge base

Kryptonite

Fictional element from Superman stories

Fictional element from Superman stories

FieldValue
imageKryptonite (DC Comics).jpg
captionGreen kryptonite as seen in
*Superman: Secret Origin* #1. Art by Gary Frank
publisherDC Comics
debut
typeElement/compound
materialy
supports
subcatDC Comics
sortkeyKryptonite

Superman: Secret Origin #1. Art by Gary Frank Kryptonite is a fictional material that appears primarily in Superman stories published by DC Comics. In its best-known form, it is a green, crystalline material originating from Superman's home world of Krypton that emits a unique, poisonous radiation that can weaken and even kill Kryptonians. Kryptonite radiation can be transmitted through any element except lead. There are other varieties, such as red kryptonite and gold kryptonite, which have different but still generally negative effects.

Adversaries of Superman and other characters are frequently depicted using kryptonite against Superman, with Lex Luthor incorporating it into weapons, Metallo being powered by it, and Titano able to project its radiation from his eyes. Kryptonite has become a byword for an extraordinary exploitable weakness, synonymous with "Achilles' heel".

History

An unpublished 1940 story titled "The K-Metal from Krypton", written by Superman creator Jerry Siegel, featured a prototype of kryptonite. It is a mineral from the planet Krypton that drains Superman of his strength and gives superhuman powers to humans. This story was rejected because Superman reveals his identity to Lois Lane.

The mineral kryptonite, not to be confused with the real element krypton, was officially introduced in the radio serial The Adventures of Superman, in the story "The Meteor from Krypton", broadcast in June 1943. An apocryphal story claims that kryptonite was introduced to give Superman's voice actor Bud Collyer time off. This tale was recounted by Julius Schwartz in his memoir. However, historian Michael J. Hayde disputes this. In "The Meteor from Krypton", Superman is never exposed to kryptonite. If kryptonite allowed Collyer to take vacations, that was a fringe benefit discovered later. More likely, kryptonite was introduced as a plot device for Superman to discover his origin. On the other hand, Hayde might have mistaken 1943's "The Meteor from Krypton" for 1945's "The Meteor of Kryptonite", as Superman was exposed in the latter but not in the former.

In the radio serial, Krypton is located in the same solar system as Earth, in the same orbit, but on the opposite side of the Sun. This provided an easy explanation for how kryptonite found its way to Earth. In the comics' Silver Age, which places Krypton in a distant solar system, much of the kryptonite that came to Earth was transported by the same "space warp" that baby Kal-El's rocket traversed.

Kryptonite was incorporated into the comic mythos with Superman #61 (November 1949). In a 1993 interview with Florida Today, editor Dorothy Woolfolk stated that she felt Superman's invulnerability was "boring".

Originally depicted as an element in the Golden, Silver, and Bronze Age comics, Kryptonite is depicted as a compound in post-Crisis continuity.

Varieties

Various forms of the fictional material have been created over the years in Superman publications and programs. This table includes forms that have not persisted in canon.

TypeFirst appearanceOriginEffects by genetic originIn other mediaKryptonDaxamEarthBizarro WorldKrypton-3FilmTelevisionVideo gamesLive-actionAnimatedLive-actionAnimatedGreenRed-blueBizarro--gold-green
-goldPositivePlatinumNegativeGoldAnti-Fool'sSlowHybridX-OrangeBlueWhiteBizarro-YellowSilverJewelPurplePurple spottedMagno-Tar-basedBlackHarun-ElKrimsonKryptisium-XPinkOpalPeriwinkleAmber
*The Adventures of Superman* radio serial, "The Meteor from Krypton" (June 1943)Comics: *Action Comics* #161 (August 1951)Fragments from KryptonLoss of superpowersSevere, intensifying painSevere muscular weaknessFeverGreen blood or skinEventual fatalityNon-accumulativeMitigation by copious yellow sunlight exposureBlocked by leadNeutralized by Kal-El's ship (*Smallville*)With prolonged exposure: carcinogenesisPossible cancer treatmentVaried (*Smallville*)Bizarro: perfect healthBizarro World humans: temporary superpowers (*Superman & Lois*)
*Superman* #61 (November 1949)Traversal through radiated spaceLoss of heroism and inhibitionsUnpredictable effectsCounteracted by green (*Smallville*)Same as green (prior to *Adventure Comics* #252, September 1958 only)Unpredictable effects (prior to *Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen* #80, October 1964 only)Hair loss (*Super-Pets*)*Super-Pets*
-green*Action Comics* #275 (April 1961)Created by BrainiacUnpredictable effectsLoss of superpowers
*Superman* #162 (July 1963)Invented by SupermanGreen charged with "quantum battery" (*Justice League Action*)Splitting into aggressive red being and logical blue beingSame as on Kryptonians (*Justice League Action*)*Justice League Action*
*Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen* #80 (October 1964)Bizarro humans: Ridding of Bizarro stateHumans: Same as red on Kryptonians*Scribblenauts Unmasked*
*Superman* #178 (July 1965)Temporary memory loss
*Superman* #192 (January 1967)Permanent superpower lossPermanent memory loss
"All that Glitters," *Adventures of Superman* TV series (1958)Comics: *Batman Secret Files* #1 (December 2018)Impossible world (dream of Jimmy Olsen, *Adventures of Superman* TV series/impossible world inside Phantom Zone, comics)Source of superpowers (*Adventures of Superman* TV series)Permanent Kryptonian powers*Adventures of Superman*
"All that Glitters," *Adventures of Superman* TV series (1958)Comics: *Adventure Comics* #299 (August 1962)Dream of Jimmy Olsen (*Adventures of Superman* TV series)Green affected by "atomic radiation"Permanent loss of superpowersTemporary memory loss (*Justice League Action*)Ultraman: Scarring (*Smallville*)
*Action Comics* #252 (May 1959)Created by Metallo (*The Brave and the Bold* #175, June 1981)Synthesized on Earth (*Lois & Clark*)NoneSame as green on KryptoniansUltraman: Perfect health*Lois & Clark**Scribblenauts Unmasked*
*Action Comics* #261 (January 1960)Experiment by Supergirl to counteract greenFragments from Krypton (*Superman & Lois*/*Super-Pets*)Nonelast=Jaffefirst=Alextitle=Crushed by Color: A Kryptonite Cataloguequote= Sometimes called “Orange Kryptonite,” X-Kryptonite was originally an invention of Supergirl, whose experimentation gifted Streaky the Supercat with his powers.url=https://www.dc.com/blog/2025/05/29/crushed-by-color-a-kryptonite-cataloguewebsite=DC.compublisher=DC Comicsdate=2025-05-29access-date=2025-06-04}}Bizarro: same as green on Kryptonians (*Superman & Lois*)*Super-Pets**Superman & Lois**Scribblenauts Unmasked*
*Superman* #140 (October 1960)Green subjected to Professor Dalton's duplicator rayRare fragments among Krypton's remains (*Super Friends*)Harm to soul{{cite comictitle=Action Comicsvolume=2issue=16date=May 2013publisher=DC Comicswriter=Grant Morrisonartist=Rags Moralesletterer=John Workmancolorist=Alex SinclairMedical stability (*Smallville*)writer=Grant Morrisonpenciller=Frank Quietlyinker=colorist=letterer=editor=story=title=JLA: Earth 2volume=issue=date=September 2000publisher=DC Comicslocation=page=73panel=1id=}}/same as green on Kryptonians (*Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths*)Blocked by "imperfect" lead*Crisis on Two Earths**Super Friends*last=Eisenfirst=Andrewdate=October 2, 2013title=DC Characters and Objects - *Scribblenauts Unmasked* Guideurl=https://www.ign.com/wikis/scribblenauts-unmasked/DC_Characters_and_Objectsaccess-date=October 25, 2024website=IGNlanguage=en}}
*Adventure Comics* #279 (December 1960)Green affected by "space cloud"{{cite comictitle=Supermanvolume=1issue=296date=September 1976publisher=DC ComicsAttacking microorganismsAttacking microorganisms*Scribblenauts Unmasked*
"The Battle with Bizarro," *Superboy* TV series (November 18, 1989)Cellular healthCellular normality (*Superboy* TV series)*Superboy*
*Action Comics* #277 (June 1961)Created by LuthorIntimidation (*Action Comics* #277, June 1961)Unknown (*Superman Family Adventures* Vol. 12, August 2012)Fear (*Lego DC Super Hero Girls*)*Lego DC Super Hero Girls**Scribblenauts Unmasked*
*Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen* #70 (July 1963)Hoax by Jimmy OlsenBrainiac technology (*Smallville*, comics following *Superman/Batman* #46, April 2008)Paranoid delusions*Scribblenauts Unmasked*
*Action Comics* #310 (March 1964)Kryptonian mountainsMind control powersVivid dreams (*Super-Pets*)*Super-Pets**Smallville**DC Super Hero Girls*
“Streaky’s Supercat Tale,” *Krypto* (April 2005)Self-mind control (*Krypto*)*Krypto*
*Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen* #92 (April 1966)Created by Mr. NeroMagnetic attraction*Scribblenauts Unmasked*
*Superman III* (1983)Comics: *Supergirl* (vol. 5) #2 (October 2005)Synthesized with tar (*Superman III*)Superheated green (*Smallville*)Fragments of KryptonKryptonian religion (*Supergirl* TV series)Empowered evil self and weakened good selfReversion by additional exposure (*Smallville*/*Supergirl* TV series)Same as on Kryptonians (*Smallville*/*Supergirl* TV series)*Superman III**Justice League Action**Scribblenauts Unmasked*
*Superman* Volume 2 #49 (November 1990)Created by Mister MxyzptlkOne wish grantedReversion by disclosure of origin
*The Adventures of Superman* #511 (April 1994)Green filtered by EradicatorExcessive superpowers*Scribblenauts Unmasked*
*Supergirl* (vol. 4) #79 (April 2003)Inversion of gender-stereotyped traitsReversed sex (*Justice League Action*)*Justice League Action*
*Earth 2 #0* (November 2012)Created by Mr. TerrificSevere mental instabilityOne use only
*Superman Family Adventures* #9 (March 2013)JoyPeriwinkle transmutationBizarro: anger (*DC Super Hero Girls*)*DC Super Hero Girls*
*Dark Knight: Death Metal - The Last 52: War of the Multiverses* #1 (February 2021)Dark multiverseLoss of superpowers to humanGain of superpowers from Kryptonian

References

References

  1. (1998). "Play it Again, Sam: Retakes on Remakes". University of California Press.
  2. (2004). "Men Of Tomorrow: Geeks, Gangsters, and the Birth of the Comic Book". Basic Books.
  3. Hayde, Michael J.. (2009). "Flights of Fantasy: The Unauthorized but True Story of Radio & TV's Adventures of Superman". BearManor Media.
  4. Schwartz, Julius. (2000). "Man of Two Worlds: My Life in Science Fiction and Comics". HarperEntertainment.
  5. Hayde, Michael J.. (2009). "Flights of Fantasy: The Unauthorized but True Story of Radio & TV's Adventures of Superman". BearManor Media.
  6. "Superman Homepage".
  7. (November 1949). "Superman". DC Comics.
  8. (6 December 2000). "Dorothy Woolfolk, Superman Editor". WebCite.
  9. ''[[Action Comics]]'' #591 (August 1987)
  10. (2007). "The Original Encyclopedia of Comic Book Heroes Volume Three: Superman". DC Comics.
  11. {{Cite comic. Byrne, John]]. Byrne, John]]. Kesel, Karl]]
  12. (2010). "The Essential Superman Encyclopedia". Del Rey.
  13. (Dec 1986). "Superman II". Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe.
  14. (1997). "[[Kingdom Come (comics)". [[DC Comics]].
  15. (January 2006). "All-Star Superman". DC Comics.
  16. "Visage".
  17. (May 1988). "Action Comics". DC Comics.
  18. (2 July 2015). "'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice': 6 EW exclusive photos".
  19. Milligan, Mercedes. (May 3, 2022). "'DC League of Super-Pets' Domesticate Their Powers in New Trailer".
  20. Scharping, Nathaniel (April 4, 2018). [http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/2018/04/04/meteorites-ancient-cultures "Space Metal Has Captivated Humanity for Ages"] {{Webarchive. link. (2019-11-19 . ''[[Discover (magazine)). Discover]]''.
  21. (2007). "The Original Encyclopedia of Comic Book Heroes, Volume Three: Superman". DC Comics.
  22. "Crimson".
  23. "Upgrade".
  24. (June 1965). "Superboy". DC Comics.
  25. "Superman Red vs. Superman Blue".
  26. ''Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen'' #80, October 1964
  27. ''Batman/Superman: World’s Finest'' #12
  28. (September 2000). "JLA: Earth 2". DC Comics.
  29. Jaffe, Alex. (2025-05-29). "Crushed by Color: A Kryptonite Catalogue". DC Comics.
  30. (September 2000). "JLA: Earth 2". DC Comics.
  31. Eisen, Andrew. (October 2, 2013). "DC Characters and Objects - ''Scribblenauts Unmasked'' Guide".
  32. "Smallville: Season 9, Episode 14 [''sic''] – Persuasion". Fandango Media.
  33. "Persuasion".
Info: Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

1943-in-comics superman vulnerability fictional-elements-introduced-in-1943
Want to explore this topic further?

Ask Mako anything about Kryptonite — get instant answers, deeper analysis, and related topics.

Research with Mako

Free with your Surf account

Content sourced from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This content may have been generated or modified by AI. CloudSurf Software LLC is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated content. Always verify important information from primary sources.

Report