Red kryptonite
From Smallville Wiki
"If the green meteor rocks affect Clark physically, maybe the red affects him... emotionally." - Martha Kent, Red
Red kryptonite is a mineral from the planet Krypton. Red kryptonite was created when green kryptonite passed through a mysterious red-colored cloud while on its way to Earth. The red kryptonite arrived during the meteor shower of 1989. The primary source of red kryptonite has been the red meteor rocks found at Hob's Pond.
Red kryptonite is sometimes referred to as "Red K", to differentiate it from "Green K" and other colored forms of kryptonite.
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[edit] Effects
Red kryptonite brings out the rebellious and immoral personality of Kryptonians and rids them of their inhibitions. The effects of red kryptonite are likened to that of being under the influence of too much alcohol, without the loss of physical capability.
Red kryptonite's powers are usually triggered by extreme physical proximity. In most cases, this means that the red kryptonite needs to be very close to the skin of the Kryptonian; if it's in a ring or necklace, it must be worn. Once Clark Kent was impacted by red kryptonite that was in the pocket of a shirt that he was wearing; it is unclear why that red kryptonite impacted him without it being in contact with his skin. It's possible that that red kryptonite in his shirt pocket was larger or more powerful than the usual red K fragments, or he may simply have had a hole in his pocket that allowed some skin contact.
Red kryptonite usually does not impact humans, but it can impact both humans and Kryptonians by entering the bloodstream. In Crimson, the red kryptonite entered Lois Lane's body through a lipstick. The lipstick caused her to fall madly in love with the first male she saw: Clark Kent. She then transferred the red kryptonite to Clark through a kiss.
[edit] Vulnerabilities
The impact of red kryptonite on Kryptonians is immediately countered by distance. If red kryptonite is no longer very close to a Kryptonian, it will immediately lose its effect. In this case of jewelry, this usually means that it is no longer being worn.
If red kryptonite is ingested into the bloodstream, it can usually be countered by green kryptonite. In the case of a Kryptonian like Clark Kent, the green kryptonite exposure will cause Clark to sweat out the red K. In the case of a human like Lois Lane, the green kryptonite exposure can take the form of a kryptonite-infused mist.
[edit] Appearances
The primary source of red kryptonite has been the class rings of Smallville High. The jeweler substituted red meteor rocks from Hob's Pond for the real rubies normally used. Red kryptonite has been the source of four different outbreaks:
- Red - Episode 2.04 (The mineral was used in class rings of Smallville High School students.)
- Rush - Episode 2.14 (Pete Ross put a red kryptonite rock in Clark's shirt to have "more fun.")
- Exodus - Episode 2.23 (Clark purposefully put on a class ring and ran away.)
- Exile - Episode 3.01 (Clark wore the ring all summer while living in Metropolis.)
- Phoenix - Episode 3.02 (Clark destroyed the ring and returned to Smallville.)
- Unsafe - Episode 4.10 (Alicia Baker creates a necklace with it to give to Clark.)
Red kryptonite was also found to impact humans, when combined with an aphrodisiac. Star, a woman selling New Age novelties such as aphrodisiacs and incense, gave Lois Lane a lipstick containing red kryptonite.
[edit] Kal
"I think our not-so-normal son might be going through some classic teenage rebellion." – Martha Kent, Red
Kal is Clark Kent's personality when he is under the influence of red kryptonite. He serves as an example of how red kryptonite effects Kryptonians. In Clark's case, Kal is not necessarily evil. He simply has few inhibitions or social conscience, and is less inclined to care about the ramifications of his actions. However, dialogue with a bartender, and later his own claims that he remained a virgin even after his time in Metropolis, indicate that he may have retained some subconscious inhibitions; it is also possible that physical side-effects of red kryptonite exposure prevented him from acting.
According to Clark, Kal "does things [Clark] doesn't want to do." But in reality, Kal acts out Clark's basest needs and wants without regard to the consequences. Without Clark's morals or obligations, he is unpredictable and belligerent. Kal is also sexually aggressive and flirtatious. He uses profanity, steals things and lies. Kal is disrespectful, uncaring of others' feelings, and can become dangerously violent. Kal is unconcerned with keeping his abilities a secret, even tempted to reveal them, because he believes that his "powers" will make him infallible.
Unlike most instances of odd behavioral changes that occur in the town, which result in the person having no memory of their actions, when Clark is restored to normal, he always has complete recollection and knowledge of the havoc Kal causes. He almost always causes trouble in Clark's relationships and Clark is tasked with apologizing and feeling guilty. Because he can never provide a full explanation for the drastic personality change, Clark's friends who don't know his true origins assume he is on drugs.
Kal is the alias that Clark took when he went into exile for three months in Metropolis. Pete Ross later referred to this when, in need of money, he asked Clark to slip on a red kryptonite ring and "go Kal on an ATM machine."
Kal departs from Clark's normal attire of red, white, blue, or yellow, and wears black or dark green.
Based on Clark's experience, the effect becomes worse the longer exposure continues, but it is temporary. Once the red kryptonite is removed, Clark's personality is restored to normal.
[edit] Kal's Appearances
Kal has appeared so far on five separate occasions:
- Red - Clark's first unintentional encounter with red kryptonite occurred his sophomore year when he purchased a class ring containing the rock. As Kal, he mouthed off to his parents, stole his father's motorcycle and started a bar fight. He went to school during this time, but then decided to run away to Metropolis to stay in Lex Luthor's penthouse. Jonathan and Pete had to overpower him with green kryptonite to smash the ring and restore him to normal. Clark had to face the fact that sometimes, he does wish they could afford expensive things and he has to fight the urge to tell everyone his secret.
- Rush - Pete and Chloe became infected with cave parasites and were compelled to do impulsive and dangerous things. Clark tried to get Pete and Chloe help until Pete slipped a piece of red K into his shirt pocket. Kal demonstrated his powers to Chloe and made out with her in Pete's car and at the Talon, upsetting Lana. Chloe removed his shirt and he was restored to normal.
- Exodus, Exile and Phoenix - In an attempt to resist his Kryptonian destiny, Clark destroyed his ship, causing his parents to be injured in a car crash. Martha miscarried and Jonathan, upset and grief-stricken, told Clark that his actions have consequences. Clark sought to numb himself from his guilt with another class ring and ran away. He used his powers to steal money and commit crimes for three months. He reacted violently and angrily at Chloe's attempts to get him to come home. He was only restored when Jor-El gave Jonathan Kryptonian abilities. Jonathan was able to get through to Clark, who smashed the ring and returned to face his problems.
- Unsafe - When Clark reunited with his girlfriend Alicia Baker, she could not face the stigma of her behavior the year before and decided to run away. She was unwilling to stay but did not want to leave Clark, so she made him a necklace containing red kryptonite. During a heated moment in the barn, Alicia asked if their relationship had any sort of commitment, so Kal removed Alicia's lead bracelet that prevented her from teleporting and suggested they go to Las Vegas and get married. On their wedding night, Alicia removed the necklace and Clark was restored.
- Crimson - Lois purchased a lipstick containing the mineral which caused her to fall instantly in love with Clark. She cornered him and made out with him, transferring it into his system. Kal expressed Clark's desire to make out with Lois and they crashed Lex and Lana's engagement party together. Kal told all the guests that Lana was only marrying Lex because she was pregnant. He offered his opinion on their upcoming marriage, Martha and Lionel's relationship, and said rude things to Chloe regarding her long-standing crush on Clark, admitting that he has considered acting on it. He dragged Lana out of the party and forced her to kiss him. Kal brutally choked Lex almost to death, but Martha arrived just in time to force green K onto him which caused him to sweat the red K out and restore him to normal.
Kal and Lois in leaping.
[edit] In the Comics
In the comics prior to the Crisis on Infinite Earths storyline, red kryptonite was created when green kryptonite passed through a mysterious red cloud on its way to earth. Each stone of red kryptonite had a different effect, which always wore off within 48 hours. Superman has suffered the following effects upon exposure to various pieces of red kryptonite: transformed into a dragon, a non-powered giant, a dwarf, an ant-headed humanoid, a lunatic, and an amnesiac; being unable to see anything green; long hair, nails, and beard; being rendered totally powerless; obesity; telepathy; vulnerability along the left side of his body; being split into an evil Superman and a good Clark Kent; being rendered unable to speak or write anything but the Kryptonian language; growing an extra set of arms; clumsiness; body swapping; rapid aging; and varied personality changes.
Following the Crisis, red kryptonite appeared on two occasions in the comics, each one an artificial creation; one version was created by Mister Mxyzptlk as part of a 'joke' and another was created by Batman in the event of him ever needing to stop Superman without killing him. When rubbed by Lex Luthor, Mxyzptlk's red kryptonite caused Superman to lose his powers, but the effect wore off when Lex revealed the imp's involvement to Clark Kent; Mxyzptlk had told him that the kryptonite's effects would wear off if Lex told Superman of his involvement, but Lex had concluded that it wouldn't break the rules if he told Clark and Clark told Superman. Batman's red kryptonite, on the other hand, turned Superman's skin transparent, causing him to nearly overload with power as the solar energy that gave him his powers was sent directly into his muscles without being filtered by his skin.
In the "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman", red kryptonite didn't lower Clark's inhibitions, but instead made him apathetic. As the charecter and then current head of Intergang Bill Church Jr said "This is almost better. It is like he doesn't even care."
