Kryptonite, Superman’s ultimate weakness, is an iconic and essential part of his lore, made even more poignant by the fact that the one thing capable of bringing him to his knees is the radioactive remains of his destroyed homeworld. However, despite its significance, DC has a major Kryptonite problem that needs to be addressed—hopefully before Clark’s new series.
On May 21, 2025, Dan Slott, Rafael Albuquerque, and Marcelo Maiolo’s Superman Unlimited #1 will kick off the Man of Steel’s new ongoing series as part of DC’s Summer of Superman initiative. Based on the cover art and synopses for the first two issues, fans know Kryptonite will play a major role in the storyline.
While I’m excited for the series, I can’t help but feel a bit apprehensive about how the Kryptonite will be handled. I’ve never been a fan of the overused trope where even the smallest fragment renders Superman completely helpless. Kryptonite has become so overpowered in many narratives that it’s become predictable—an issue I hope DC addresses in this new series.
Kryptonite Has Gotten Too Overpowered in Canon
Cover D Steve Beach Variant for Superman Unlimited #2 (2025)
Don’t get me wrong—I’m not hating on Superman’s Kryptonite weakness. That would be pure blasphemy coming from any Man of Steel fan. However, I am critiquing how some narratives make Kryptonite so overpowered that its inclusion feels redundant and predictable. While I agree that the glowing green rock should be extremely effective against Superman, I disagree that the Man of Steel should be rendered incapacitated by the smallest amount simply being near him. Such an Achilles’ heel feels like a lazy way to handle Kryptonite.
For example, if a penny-sized fragment of Kryptonite is in the same room as Superman, I don’t think he should be immediately debilitated. Instead, the effects of Kryptonite should operate on a scaling system where proximity, quantity, and concentration determine how much Superman is affected. This approach offers far more narrative possibilities than the tired trope where any trace of Kryptonite instantly takes him down. A scaling system would give the Man of Steel a fighting chance, raising the stakes and avoiding the predictability that often plagues stories involving the infamous green rock.
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Superman Unlimited Will Spotlight Kryptonite, But How Will It Be Handled?
Main Cover by Rafael Albuquerque for Superman Unlimited #2 (2025)
As previously mentioned, Slott and Albuquerque’s Superman Unlimited will place Kryptonite at the forefront of the narrative. The synopsis for issue #1 teases this, stating, “When an asteroid the size of Metropolis hurtles toward Earth, the Justice League sends Superman to avert the crisis—but a sinister threat lurks within that will change the world like never before, and this danger glows green. The Last Son of Krypton must risk everything to save his adopted home, the very home which now tries to kill him, from complete destruction!”
Key phrases like “this danger glows green” make it clear that the asteroid is no ordinary celestial body—it’s a Kryptonite asteroid. This is further confirmed in the synopsis for issue #2, which explicitly mentions the “Kryptonite asteroid,” along with additional details about the threat, including the introduction of new adversaries: The Kryptonite King and his Krypto-Knights. With Kryptonite playing such a major role in the story, I’m hoping Slott will step away from the common Kryptonite tropes and give Superman a bit more endurance against his greatest weakness.
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I Would Love to See Superman Overcome Kryptonite in an Innovative Way
Cover E Sebastián Fiumara Variant for Superman Unlimited #1 (2025)
When it comes to Clark facing the Kryptonite threat in Superman Unlimited, I’d love to see him approach it in an innovative way that goes beyond sheer strength. While characters like Batman, Mister Terrific, and Lex Luthor are known as the DCU’s resident geniuses, Superman is also exceptionally smart—perhaps even on a genius level. This makes the Kryptonite threat the perfect opportunity for Clark to use his intellect rather than just his strength. Don’t get me wrong, I love seeing Superman solve problems with a well-placed punch, but this is the ideal moment for the Man of Steel to rely on his brains.
Superman Unlimited #1 is available May 21, 2025, from DC Comics!
