When it comes to Superman haters, one of the most common criticisms thrown at the character is that he’s boring because he’s too overpowered. Now, it looks like DC is finally ready to address that critique head-on, as they prepare to take the Man of Steel down a peg by making him more vulnerable than ever before.
Superman will be forced to experience danger the way his human colleagues do.
DC’s Summer of Superman initiative is just beginning to kick off with the recent release of #1. However, plenty of other Man of Steel-centric titles are on the horizon, with one of the most highly anticipated being Dan Slott and Rafael Albuquerque’s Superman Unlimited, which debuts on May 21, 2025.
Recently, Slott sat down with DC.com’s blog to discuss the series and shared several key insights. One particularly notable reveal was Slott confirming that he plans to raise the stakes for Superman by making him more vulnerable than ever, and making it so “he might not win.” This essentially addresses a long-standing criticism that Superman stories lack real stakes because he is too overpowered.
Superman's Vulnerability Redefined in Superman Unlimited
Cover E Sebastián Fiumara Variant for Superman Unlimited #1 (2025)
As revealed by DC’s solicitations and interviews, Superman Unlimited will begin with a dramatic event: a massive Kryptonite asteroid shower that spreads the rare mineral across the Earth, making it easily accessible to anyone, from Superman’s most formidable foes to everyday criminals. This development radically shifts the status quo for Superman, as it means every adversary he faces from now on could be armed with Kryptonite, effectively neutralizing his powers. This new vulnerability levels the playing field in a way that’s never been seen before, making Superman more vulnerable, even to street-level threats.
This change raises a key question: how will Superman continue to operate as a hero when nearly every enemy has a weapon that can weaken or incapacitate him? This situation opens up intriguing possibilities for how writer Dan Slott will handle Kryptonite in the story. While it’s obvious that Kryptonite will still have its usual debilitating effects on Superman, the real question is whether Slott will vary its impact. For example, the effects could vary depending on the amount of Kryptonite involved or the proximity of Superman to it. Rather than every trace of Kryptonite being equally damaging, varying amounts and proximity could introduce different levels of threat, making the challenges Superman faces more complex and engaging.
Superman Can Finally Lose: Readers Will Seriously Question If He Can Win
Cover D Steve Beach Variant for Superman Unlimited #2 (2025)
While the premise of a Kryptonite asteroid arming every criminal on Earth with Superman’s greatest weakness is already a compelling concept, Dan Slott expanded on the idea in his interview with DC.com and shared what he hopes to accomplish in of the Man of Steel’s character. Slott recalled how, as a kid, he always worried whether heroes like Batman or Green Arrow would be able to pull off a win. However, when it came to Superman, he never doubted for a second. From page one to page twenty-two, he always knew Superman would figure it out and save the day.
In short, Slott, like many fans, never really believed Superman could lose, and that is exactly what he hopes to change in future stories. He wants readers to genuinely wonder if the Man of Steel can actually win. Slott clarified that he is not taking anything away from Superman. He will still perform the incredible feats that define his legacy, but now he is going to have to work for it. In Slott’s words, “he’s going to have to sweat for it.” Essentially, Superman will still be the same powerful hero, but pulling off those wins will now take everything he has.
Slott also explained that this new status quo will leave Superman’s weakness to Kryptonite far more exposed, which will raise the stakes like never before. Perhaps the most exciting moment from the interview came when Slott said, “people who know me and my work know that he might not win now.” This statement challenges the long-standing belief that Superman stories always end in victory. That guarantee is no longer in place, and this adds a fresh sense of suspense and danger to a character who is often criticized for being too powerful and predictable.
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Superman Is Now as Vulnerable as Batman and Green Arrow (& It's Awesome)
Main Cover by Rafael Albuquerque for Superman Unlimited #2 (2025)
What’s particularly cool about Slott knocking Superman down a peg with this new Kryptonite development is that it gives him the chance to explore the Man of Steel through a lens more in line with Batman and Green Arrow’s narratives. In other words, street thugs and everyday city crime will now pose just as much of a threat to Superman as they do to Bruce and Oliver. For perhaps the first time ever, Clark will be forced to experience danger the way his human colleagues do. With Kryptonite flooding the streets, even a well-placed blade could be just as deadly for Clark as it would be for Batman or Green Arrow.
What will also be especially interesting is how other characters react to this widespread Kryptonite threat. Clark won’t be the only Kryptonian affected, they too will lose their near-invulnerability. At the same time, it will be fascinating to see how non-Kryptonian heroes respond to this shift. What will the Justice League do? How will Batman react? It’s hard to imagine the League not stepping in or offering help in some way. As a result, the dynamics between Superman and his peers are likely to undergo a significant and compelling shift.
Dan Slott: "We're not taking anything away from Superman, Clark is still going to be able to do all the amazing feats that Superman's done throughout his entire legacy, but now he's going to have to sweat for it. He's going to have to work hard for it. His Achilles heel is way more exposed. He's in a world with far greater stakes for Superman, and people who know me and my work know that he might not win now. He's still going to be Superman, he's still going to be this character of great empathy and optimism and hope, but now he’d better hope he wins."
Is Superman’s New Status Quo Here to Stay?
Cover B Leinil Francis Yu Variant for Superman Unlimited #2 (2025)
While it's clear that the status quo for Superman is shifting, the lingering question is: how long will this new Kryptonite threat level last? At present, it’s unclear whether DC plans to extend the widespread availability of Kryptonite beyond Dan Slott’s run. It would be a bold and ambitious move for DC to make Kryptonite as commonplace in Superman’s world as bullets are in Batman’s. However, if this is truly the direction DC is taking, where Superman’s invulnerability is more precarious than ever, it could undoubtedly spark renewed interest in the Man of Steel’s stories, even among the most casual fans.
SUPERMAN UNLIMITED #1 is available May 21, 2025, from DC Comics!
Source: DC.com
