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Kryptonite

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(Redirected from Silver kryptonite)
A lead box containing green kryptonite, commonly found in Smallville.

Kryptonite is a radioactive Kryptonian mineral [1]. When the planet Krypton exploded and the baby Kal-El was sent to Earth, his spaceship's descent was disguised with a spectacular and destructive meteor shower, which struck the town of Smallville, Kansas, in October 1989. The meteors were made up of the exploded planet's core[2].

Since the meteor shower, the rocks are found in the soil of the town in abundance and are known to the residents as "meteor rock" (though Clark termed the rocks "kryptonite" after learning of his heritage). Kryptonite is most commonly found in a dark green form but exists in a few other forms as well. It causes mutations and psychosis in living organisms.

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[edit] Green kryptonite

Clark uses green kryptonite and electricity to reverse the incomplete transfer of his powers to Lana. (Wrath)
Green kryptonite emits a radiation that is extremely toxic to super powered Kryptonians.
Clark weakened by green kryptonite
The radiation itself first causes symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, pain, and weakness that eventually grow more severe until loss of consciousness occurs. [3]Exposure breaks down a Kryptonian's invulnerability, allowing outside forces to damage the body. Prolonged exposure or large amounts of green kryptonite will ultimately lead to death. [4] Kryptonians can shield themselves from the effects of green kryptonite with lead. [5]

This type of kryptonite seems to have healing and energizing properties for Bizarro. Many metahumans with power bestowed upon them from green kryptonite can use that power against Clark Kent and other Kryptonians. However, Clark has also shown to be immune to other metahumans' abilities.[6]

Green kryptonite, when in contact with a strong electric current, such as lightning, sometimes has the ability to transfer Clark's powers to humans and vice versa. [7]

[edit] Early History

Kryptonite was also found in Asia long before Krypton's destruction, suggesting it might be a natural occurring radioactive element from Krypton.

The Kawatche people also had a legend about special green stones brought by Naman, which had strange effects on the people. The descriptions of the green stones and their mutagenic affect on the Kawatche people matches the profile of kryptonite. It is unclear how radioactive pieces of Krypton made it to Earth hundreds of years before the explosion of the Kryptonian homeworld though the natural occuring element theory could be correct.

[edit] Effects on humans

(See also: Meteor infection and Kryptonite psychosis)
Kryptonite can be briefly handled and sometimes even ingested by humans without immediate danger. Humans don't experience the weakness and incapacitation suffered by Kryptonians. However, longterm exposure to the green meteor rocks of Smallville have been shown to have significant effects on humans. Many of Smallville's residents (or even visitors) are suffering from meteor rock infection. It often causes mutations, personality changes, psychosis, or a variety of other adverse reactions. The majority of kryptonite-infected individuals display phenomenal metahuman powers, but most are also psychotic versions of their former selves, with personality traits or desires often enhanced to the point of obsession. Meteor rock infection also has been shown to have adverse physical effects:

  • Earl Jenkins and Steven Hamilton developed a neurological disease from meteor rock exposure which included uncontrollable tremors and psychotic behavior. Both eventually died from these ailments.
  • Moira Sullivan's meteor rock infection has rendered her unresponsive and catatonic for several years.
  • Lex Luthor has been rendered bald, and presumably increased his white blood cell count, due to his exposure to meteor rock.
  • Wade Mahaney became intangible after injecting kryptonite as a tattoo ink. The molecules of his body sped up so rapidly, he could pass through solid objects, but the stress caused his body to start breaking down. (Kinetic)
  • Buffy Sanders contracted a form of rabies that had been mutated into a vampiric disease from meteor rock exposure. (Thirst)

It should be noted that although Lana Lang wore a meteor rock necklace for several years, she has yet to experience any health problems related to meteor rock infection. It remains to be seen if she will suffer ill effects from her kryptonite-irradiated skin. Lex Luthor also briefly wore a kryptonite ring (Onyx) and was exposed to kryptonite objects in his vault, but has also so far seemed unaffected.

A few infected individuals seem to escape psychosis. An example is Chloe Sullivan. So far, her power of empathic healing has not seemed to significantly change her personality. This is in stark contrast to her exposure to kryptonite gas (Truth), which significantly changed her personality.

[edit] Other use

Using kryptonite in combination with electricity, heat, or other media can cause numerous side effects among normal human beings. Kryptonite seemingly possesses a variety of chemical characteristics and can be readily formed into all three states of matter. It occurs naturally in the solid mineral state. However, it can be readily melted into liquid and mixed with other solutions, and can also be vaporized into a fine mist or gas. Green kryptonite also serves as the catalyst for a high-speed booster for cars. (Velocity) Jeff Palmer created a substance from roses mutated by meteorites that would turn surfaces invisible. (Shimmer)

[edit] Other types of kryptonite

  • Red kryptonite was created when green kryptonite passed through a mysterious red-colored cloud while on its way to Earth. It 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.
  • Black kryptonite can be created when green kryptonite is heated at extreme temperatures and turns black. It has the ability to separate or combine the good and evil aspects of an organism (humans and Kryptonians alike) into two separate individuals.
Blue kryptonite ring
  • Blue kryptonite suppresses Kryptonian powers making them vulnerable. At the end of Blue, Clark's blue kryptonite ring disappeared when he shattered the blue crystal and his powers were restored. Just like when Clark is exposed to red kryptonite, blue kryptonite briefly changes his eyes to the exact color of the ring. It also ironically strengthens Bizarro to the extent that his body will overload with uncontrollable energy which can be fatal. In the comics it is gold kryptonite that takes away Superman's powers, though just prior to first time exposure removes it permanently. Dax-Ur used a bracelet of Blue K to suppress his powers and have a normal life. His son didn't exhibit Kryptonian powers and it is unknown if he has powers due to the rock's suppressive powers, although blue kryptonite doesn't strip powers permanently. At the end of Persona, he tried to take the bracelet off to restore his powers and defend himself from Brainiac but sadly he was presumably killed after.
Silver kryptonite
  • Silver kryptonite is a black and silver-metallic clustered mineral that causes paranoid delusions in Kryptonians. Its effects are seemingly similar to the effects of hallucinogenic drugs. When Clark Kent pricked his finger with silver kryptonite, he experienced auditory and visual hallucinations. He also exhibited physiological symptoms as well, such as sweating, dilated eyes, and heavy breathing. Silver kryptonite is not a natural form of kryptonite; it is created artificially from the liquid metal which forms Brainiac's body.
    • Incidently, the chunk of Silver kryptonite which appeared in the comics was a prank devised by Superman's friends.

[edit] Jewelry

Alexander wearing a meteor rock ring.
Red Kryptonian
  • Lana Lang wore a necklace with a meteor rock crystal on it which she gave to her boyfriend Whitney Fordman. Eventually, Clark Kent obtained the necklace, but the radiation from the stone was neutralized, turning it clear. (See main article: Lana's necklace)
  • The Smallville High Class of 2005 were given class rings containing red kryptonite stones. Clark Kent's class ring was destroyed by his father Jonathan. (Red) He eventually put on another ring when he ran away to Metropolis the following summer to rid himself of his guilt, responsibility, and inhibitions. (Exodus) Alicia Baker also used the stones from a ring to make a necklace for Clark in an attempt to get him to run away with her. (Unsafe)
  • Alexander Luthor created a ring from green kryptonite to use against Clark when he split himself from Lex Luthor. Clark used his heat vision against the kryptonite to turn it black and fuse both Lex and Alexander together again. (Onyx)
  • Jor-El had a victory ring made of blue kryptonite which was given to him when he joined the Kryptonian Council. Somehow the Lara-El replicant was able to have the ring when she was brought back to life through the blue crystal, and gave it to him as a part of Kryptonian tradition, unaware that it would take away his abilities. It was unbreakable so Clark could not get it off until the blue crystal was destroyed. Zor-El studied the mineral's properties during an earlier trip to Earth. (See main article: Victory ring) (Blue)
  • Seven months after he disappeared(Arctic), Lex Luthor planned a revenge against Clark and Lana. He was wearing a new green kryptonite ring with a letter L in the middle. When he was apparently killed in an explosion by Oliver Queen, the ring was retrieved by Oliver. (Requiem)

[edit] Defense

Chloe uses a kryptonite spray against Lois.
Bizarro is about to explode.
  • Clark used a piece of kryptonite against Eric Summers to weaken him enough to get his powers back in Asylum.
  • Clark also tried to use a piece against Jeremiah Holdsclaw in Talisman when the latter acquired Kryptonian powers through the Starblade. The kryptonite did not work, because Jeremiah still had a human body.
  • Clark also used kryptonite against Zor-El's replicant, in order to stop him from killing all human life with an eclipse.
  • Lex Luthor, attempted to use a piece against Milton Fine in Oracle but because Fine was not a Kryptonian, just created by them, it did not work.
  • He also used some green kryptonite as bait at two different times. The first was against a bunch of teenage thieves in Witness. The second time was against Bizarro in Bizarro. He was going to shoot him in the back, but Bizarro stopped him.
  • Lana Lang tricked Aethyr and Nam-Ek to go into a room full of kryptonite to weaken them. However, they were still strong enough to put a lead door over the entryway of the room. (Arrival)
  • Lionel tried to use some to weaken Bizarro, but it ended up strengthening him. (Phantom)
  • Martha Kent used a piece of green kryptonite against Clark to make him sweat the red kryptonite out of his system. Chloe used a spray made with green kryptonite as an antidote to the same red kryptonite lip gloss. ("Crimson")
  • When Lionel and Clark changed bodies, Martha used green kryptonite to stop Lionel (in Clark's body) from killing Lex. (Transference)
  • Lana Lang placed blue kryptonite in Bizarro's hand, which overloaded him with power and destroyed him. (Persona)
  • Oliver Queen used Lex Luthor's kryptonite ring to beat up Parasite until he gave Clark's powers back. (Injustice)

[edit] Quotes

Lionel: Their home is their only poison.
Season Five, Arrival
Kara: The House of El has a lot of family secrets that nobody ever discussed. As humans would say, we were... dysfunctional. Look, I'm sure you have a lot of questions, but right now we need to find my ship. I'd do it myself, but those green rocks -- they keep weakening me.
Clark: Yeah, trust me -- you want to stay away from them. If you're around them too long, they can kill you.
Kara: Kill me? Zor-El told me that the yellow sun would give me abilities beyond my wildest dreams, but he definitely never mentioned any fatal weaknesses.
Clark: It's because he didn't know. The green rocks, they're called kryptonite -- radioactive pieces of our home world.
Season Seven, Kara

[edit] Comics

Green Kryptonite is the most common form of kryptonite. It exists primarily as a metallic ore, but can also be found in crystalline forms. The most debilitating aspect of green kryptonite does not stem so much from the unrefined ore itself, but rather from the waves of radiation that it generates. Exposure to green kryptonite radiation will greatly weaken a Kryptonian, robbing them of their powers. Prolonged exposure to green kryptonite proves fatal. Over time, a Kryptonian may develop a slight immunity to the effects of green kryptonite, but ultimately, green K radiation will poison the body's cell structure, resulting in death. Green Kryptonite is also deadly to normal humans, but its effects take longer to fully develop. Lex Luthor once fashioned a small piece of kryptonite into a gemstone, which he fitted into a ring. After wearing the ring for several months, the radiation produced cancerous growths in his hand, and he was forced to amputate the diseased limb.

Green kryptonite in the comics

[edit] See Also


[edit] References

  1. ↑ Clark tells Kara that kryptonite is "radioactive pieces of our home world" in Season Seven Kara
  2. ↑ Kara
  3. ↑ Clark Kent frequently exhibits these symptoms when exposed. Dizziness and blurred vision were displayed in Phoenix and he has passed out from it in Commencement and Progeny, among other examples.
  4. ↑ Chloe states that Clark will die if left in meteor-lined tunnels in Traveler.
  5. ↑ Clark learns this in Metamorphosis and keeps a lead box with a piece of kryptonite in it for emergencies.
  6. ↑ (See: Clark's metahuman vulnerability for specific examples.)
  7. ↑ Leech, Asylum, and Wrath.
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