Warning! Spoilers ahead for Action Comics #1070!Green kryptonite has vexed Superman for years, but it's nothing compared to one shade that has a much more dire effect on Kryptonians. As bad as the classic irradiated rock is, its variants are capable of much more serious damage.

Kryptonite is, of course, the fragments of Clark Kent's home planet Krypton that wound up becoming the Man of Steel's ultimate weakness. Numerous villains have used the iconic green rocks to harm Clark and his fellow Kryptonians. But when a powerful threat from the Phantom Zone comes to Metropolis, Superman must turn to the one version of Kryptonite he fears the most.

Superman's Ultimate Secret Weapon is Gold Kryptonite

A Powerful Threat Forces Superman to Confront His Biggest Fear

In Action Comics #1070 by Mark Waid, Clayton Henry, Matt Herms, and Dave Sharpe, it's been weeks since the heroes defeated Absolute Power and the new and improved Fortress of Solitude stands proudly. But deep in Superman's base, the Phantom Zone projector begins to crack before it unleashes several Kryptonians. But this trio of Kryptonians are fused together in one powerful and angry form as they head out into the world, and it isn't long before Superman spots the amalgamated menace terrorizing Metropolis.

Before diving into the newest Action Comics arc, make sure to read its set up in Batman/Superman: World's Finest #18-19 (2023)!

Superman eventually catches up with the escaped prisoners and discovers their horrific state. Though he tries to get them some help, the trio is driven mad with pain and attack Clark. Their powers prove to be more than a match for Superman, though he's thankfully assisted in the fight by his cousin, Supergirl. Realizing that he can't just imprison the prisoners in the Phantom Zone again, Superman goes with the only plan he can think of. Superman heads off to the most secluded place on Earth while discussing the various shades of kryptonite.

Clark gingerly takes the lead-lined container with the gold kryptonite with him...

As Superman digs for his secret weapon, he notes that while green kryptonite’s fatal potential and red kryptonite’s unpredictable nature are bad, they’re at least temporary. Gold kryptonite, which is what Clark has buried deep underground, can permanently de-power a Kryptonian like Superman with just the slightest bit of exposure. Clark gingerly takes the lead-lined container with the gold kryptonite with him, but mentions how the material’s mere existence perturbs him to his very core. But Superman does what he must in the hopes of defeating his powerful new enemy.

Gold Kryptonite Could End Superman For Good

Clark is Right to Fear the Most Dangerous Kryptonite

Superman has been in the game a long time, and he's been challenged by plenty of villains who have used kryptonite to their advantage (Lex Luthor, Metallo, Titano, and obviously the Kryptonite Man). But as bad as green kryptonite is, it's not insurmountable for Clark to overcome. Yes, it causes him intense pain and weakens him considerably, but he almost always figures out a way to survive. Even red kryptonite, which has transformed Superman, gave him new powers and even turned him into an ant-hybrid (seriously) are all just minor inconveniences for the Man of Tomorrow.

Yes, red kryptonite turned Superman into an ant monster way back in Action Comics #296 (1963)!

But gold is a serious problem because it can't be undone. Generally, whenever Clark or his powerful allies are exposed to green or red kryptonite, they're fine as soon as they're out of proximity. But with gold, it just takes a fraction of a second to de-power someone as mighty as Superman and, unlike the other variants, no amount of distance will help. Granted, gold is an extremely rare variant and Superman has the only bit on Earth. But the idea that Superman is holding onto something that could end his hero career is an unsettling one indeed.

While it's smart that Clark keeps a close eye on the only gold kryptonite around, the logical thing would be to destroy it if it presents that much of a threat. But Superman can't risk not having it when dealing with powerful threats like the trio of Kryptonian prisoners. So he really has no other chance but to keep it around. But that means it's possible for an incredibly determined villain to get their hands on the gold kryptonite. And if that was to happen, they wouldn't just be able to de-power Superman, but every good Kryptonian in the DCU.

Superman's Worst Nightmare Could Occur with Gold Kryptonite Around

He Should Destroy His Secret Weapon Altogether

Superman just faced a world where he had no abilities in Absolute Power, and he should do his best to never let something like that happen again. While gold kryptonite did help out in this specific situation, Clark knows how dangerous that variant is and has itted how much it scares him. He also knows that it's not just him at risk, but everyone in his family. If Clark does fear gold kryptonite this much, he should be taking steps to destroy it, rather than keeping it around. Otherwise, the thing Superman fears more than anything could wind up becoming a reality.

Action Comics #1070 is available now from DC Comics.