Anyone who knows the nameSupermanknows that his greatest weakness is Kryptonite. The radioactive crystalline ore was formed under the extreme pressures and geological instabilities that eventually led to Krypton’s destruction. Like radioactive elements on Earth, Kryptonite is highly lethal to Kryptonians, breaking their cells down until there’s nothing left. However, while the Green Kryptonite is the most iconic form of the ore, it’s far from the only type.
Each variation of Kryptonite exhibits a varied array of effects on Kryptonians besides cellular degradation. Some versions of the alien ore significantly alter a Kryptonian’s mind, while others possess seemingly mystical effects. Throughout every reincarnation of the DC Universe, the list of known Kryptonite variants has only grown in size. Fortunately, this list is here to finally catalogevery Kryptonite color in Superman history and the effects they have.
1Green Kryptonite
The most iconic form of the Kryptonian deus ex weakness,Green Kryptonite effectively operates like uranium or polonium does on Earth.When exposed to this Kryptonite, a Kryptonian will shortly begin to feel weak and lethargic. Over time, symptoms develop into extreme fatigue, dizziness, and loss of movement. Continuedexposure to Green Kryptoniteeventually destroys too many cells for the Kryptonian to survive, finally killing them. It’siconic and it’s terrifyingly un-flashy.Frankly, if it wasn’t for Superman’s increased physical prowess, Green Kryptonite would probably kill him within minutes.
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2Red Kryptonite
Depending on the continuity, Red Kryptonite is more ofan artificial augmentationto its Green counterpart than it is its own independent form. In its original continuity, Red Kryptonite was formed when shards of Green Kryptonite passed through a mysterious cloud while entering Earth. The effects of this form strongly vary, sometimes being noted that it is unable to affect a Kryptonian the same way twice. Some effects it has had on Superman includeamnesia, beard growth, growth of an ant head, and transformation into a dragon.
3Blue Kryptonite
The effects of Blue Kryptonite have also been incredibly varied across continuities, but it is most frequentlyknown to affect Bizarro Kryptoniansthan it does their Prime counterparts. Post-Crisis, Blue Kryptonite actually reversed the effects of the reality-altered Superman, significantly increasing his intelligence. In the Post-Infinite Crisis continuity, Blue Kryptonite had the opposite effect,slowly killing Bizarromuch like Green Kryptonite does to Superman. More recently, Blue Kryptonite has been linked to causing a spiritual death rather than a physical one.
4Yellow Kryptonite
Once again,a significantly non-concise form of Kryptonite, the Yellow variation of the radioactive ore has been seen to host a multitude of effects. While Yellow Kryptonite was originally a fake version of the substance meant to intimidate Superman, other continuities have treated the oresimilar to the Yellow Lantern Corps, instilling fear in Kryptonians. In modern continuity, Yellow Kryptonite hasn’t made a canon appearance, although its recurring presence outside the Rebirth continuity doesn’t necessarily rule out its presence in modern comics.
5Orange Kryptonite
Orange Kryptonite has recently been seen in theDC League of Super-Petsand theKrypto the Supderdogtie-in comics. In these universes, Orange Kryptonite is able toimbue ordinary animals with superpowers.While the effects are only temporary, it has been used to bolster Krypto’s animal allies. It’s currently unknown whether all Earth animals are affected by the ore or if it affects alien creatures as well. While the likes of Lex Luthor have attempted to gain their own powers from this Kryptonite variant,it’s never been shown to alter higher lifeforms.
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6Purple Kryptonite
Despite its altered appearance, Purple Kryptonite has only ever been shown tohave identical effects to its Green counterpart.Outside theDC Super Hero Girlsanimated shorts, which significantly alter Kryptonite’s effects across the board, Purple Kryptonite has only ever been seen inAdventure Comics #171by Don C. Cameron and John Sikela. Readers have speculated that this variant may simply be a rare form of the ore. However, it most likely was an error made on the writer’s part that went ignored from that point onward.
7Pink Kryptonite
One of the more infamous forms of the radioactive substance, Pink Kryptonite is most popularly known forturning Superman stereotypically gay.While DC Comics has not yet revisited the questionably comedic Kryptonite past its original appearance inSupergirl #79(2003), it did make another appearance in theJustice League Actionanimated shorts in 2017. Pink Kryptonite exhibited a “similar” effect as its predecessor, this timeflipping the traditional binary gendersof Kryptonians.
8Black Kryptonite
This version of Kryptonite made its first appearance in the WBSmallvilletelevision series but later made its way into the Post-Crisis continuity. Originally, Black Kryptonite was used to physically separate dueling identities within a Kryptonian’s mind. This has mainly been used to create two versions of a Kryptonian, one purely good and the other purely evil. Some versions of the Kryptonian ore, such as its appearance in theBatman Who Laughsstorylines, Black Kryptonite has been used to flip one’s traditional morality.However, this morality alteration goes far beyond simplyturning Superman evil, as it was shown todrive the superhero into an unbridled killing frenzy.
9White Kryptonite
While one would assume the White Kryptonite would have the opposite effect to its Black counterpart, that is certainly not the case. Instead, White Kryptonite is more similar to the Green variant, except instead of affecting Kryptonians,it affects microbial and plant life.When harnessed correctly, White Kryptonite has been a significantly powerful tool that canstop and stave off pathogens and viral diseases.However, in the wrong hands, the ore could theoretically be used to disrupt and kill microbial life within a person’s body, wreaking havoc on their internal ecosystem.
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10Gold Kryptonite
One of the rarest forms of the Kryptonian ore, Gold Kryptonite has the power topermanently remove a Kryptonian’s superpowers.This genetic alteration is so potent that it has been seen to affect that Kryptonian’s future offspring as well. Gold Kryptonite doesn’t just render one’s powers on a superficial level but on a genealogical one. The ore effectively removes a Kryptonian’s defining traits,reducing them to little more than the average human.Fortunately, the field of radiation is quite small, meaning that a Kryptonian would have to be within close proximity to the ore for it to have an effect.
