- "It's a rock. A mineral capable of weakening Kryptonian cells."
- ―Bruce Wayne to Alfred Pennyworth[src]
Kryptonite is a glowing green, radioactive mineral from the planet Krypton that was created in the aftermath of the planet's destruction.
It could also develop after a terraformation process using Kryptonian technology, such as during the Black Zero Event. After Superman destroyed the engine, pieces of kryptonite were found inside the epicenter of the terraformation and in the waters. The mineral's properties make it the greatest weakness of Kryptonians, as its radiation is extremely toxic, potentially deadly to them.
History[]
Destruction of Krypton[]
Sometime after Krypton's explosion, fragments of kryptonite were floating in space, a large sum of them were collected by Brainiac.
Discovery on Earth[]
To be added
Characteristics[]
- "The fragment is of a radioactive xenomineral. We suspected it might have bio-interactions, so we took the sample to AMRIID, where they keep the remains of the Kryptonian decedent. And, when we exposed General Zod to the mineral, this happened. Profound biodegradation. Decaying Kryptonian cells."
"We concluded the mineral could be weaponized if a large enough sample was found." - ―Emmet Vale and Lex Luthor[src]
The radioactive green kryptonite xenomineral is known to be the greatest weakness of all Kryptonians, since the xenomineral's radiation is extremely toxic, potentially deadly to any of them. It does so by degrading Kryptonian cells, causing them to degenerate and decay on contact. This allowed physical damage to a Kryptonian possible, as well as extremely weakening their superpowers and invulnerability, to almost human levels. Physical symptoms of exposure are somewhat fever-like, including nausea, weakness, dizziness, vertigo, fatigue, immense amounts of pain, and loss (or near loss) of consciousness. Wounds inflicted on Kryptonians by kryptonite do not disappear when the xenomineral leaves their presence, and only direct exposure to sunlight can instantly allow a Kryptonian to recover completely from its damaging effects and these otherwise incurable wounds. kryptonite-rich gas can significantly reduce a Kryptonian's strength, durability, resilience and mobility, causing them to move as slow as a normal human, to lose their flight and enhanced sensory abilities.
Trivia[]
- In DC Comics, Superman entrusted Batman with kryptonite, in order to ensure that the latter would use it should the Man of Steel ever go rogue.
- In most DC Comics iterations since 1986's The Man of Steel mini-series, kryptonite can cause cancer in humans after very prolonged exposure to the element, but also can be used as a near infinite power source.
- In DC Comics, kryptonite comes in a variety of colors, and each affects a super-powered Kryptonian in different ways, with red being the most random.
