Superman Grips a Glowing Crystal

About this drawing

Superman with kryptonite is one of the few times we see the Man of Steel in pain. Kryptonite is a glowing mineral, usually green, that comes from the remains of Krypton, the planet where Superman was born.

When Krypton exploded, pieces of it drifted through space and some landed on Earth. Those chunks give off radiation that weakens Superman. When he is near kryptonite, he loses his powers, feels pain and can be in real danger.

Over time, the comics introduced kryptonite in other colors with different effects. Red kryptonite causes strange, unpredictable changes, and gold kryptonite can take his powers away for good. Green, though, is still the most famous.

Kryptonite is so well known that the word has entered everyday English. When people say something is their kryptonite, they mean it is their weak spot. It is a reminder that even the strongest hero has something hard to overcome. That is why his enemies are always trying to get their hands on it, and Superman has to be extra careful whenever a piece turns up on Earth. Lex Luthor, his greatest rival, has used it against him again and again.

• superman
• kryptonite
• dc comics
• superheroes