DC Comics Confirms Superman’s Weirdest Kryptonite Doesn’t Actually Exist

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It’s great to see DC Comics is finally offering a discount on one of the strangest types of kryptonite ever created for Superman. Most people know Superman is weakened by kryptonite, but fewer realize it comes in different colors, each with a different effect. For instance, gold kryptonite can take away a Kryptonian’s powers, and blue kryptonite only affects Bizarros. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of this multicolored kryptonite around, and each color does something different to Superman.

As a huge Superman fan, I was really intrigued when I heard about this miniseries, Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum. It basically follows Clark as he encounters four brand new types of kryptonite and, you know, experiments on himself to see what they do. But honestly, it felt less about Superman and more about giving Lex Luthor all the info he needed! He uses what Clark learns to build this ultimate villain – a Kryptonite Man powered by all the different kryptonite types. And get this – DC also used the series as a way to quietly retcon one of the most debated kryptonite variations ever! It was a bit of a weird story arc, if I’m being honest.

No, Pink Kryptonite and Its Effect on Superman Isn’t a Thing

The fifth issue of Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum kicks off the climactic showdown between Superman and Lex Luthor’s Kryptonite Man. This powerful clone relentlessly attacks Superman with every type of kryptonite imaginable. Superman fights back, but Kryptonite Man is too strong, weakening him with green kryptonite and distorting his sense of time with purple variations. The situation is dire, and even Batman is having trouble defeating Luthor’s Bizarro robots.

Superman’s troubles keep piling up, and now he’s been exposed to cobalt kryptonite, causing him to grow to an enormous size. He’s relentlessly attacked by several villains – Kryptonite Man, Bizarro Robots, and Lex Luthor, among others – and is really struggling. Luckily, he doesn’t have to face them alone. A team of Superman robots and his dog, Krypto, arrive to help. Seeing them fight alongside him is incredibly moving for Superman, who understands that these aren’t just allies, but his true family – his home.

Just when Lex is about to realize his mistake, he fires a rocket at Superman containing a pink kryptonite mist. However, Superman insists that pink kryptonite doesn’t actually exist – it was just a fake creation of Lex’s. Despite this, Superman pauses to tell Jimmy how nice his bow tie looks. It’s not a strange gesture caused by kryptonite, but simply Superman showing appreciation for someone he cares about. Filled with love for the people around him, Superman then sets off to tell everyone how much they mean to him.

Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum is a Fantastic Subversion of a Dated Gag

If you spend a lot of time online like me, you’ve likely seen the comic panel of Superman affected by pink kryptonite (it’s from Supergirl #79, in case you’re wondering). Instead of making him sick or changing his body, this type of kryptonite makes Superman act like a flamboyant gay stereotype. It’s worth remembering the original comic was poking fun at older storytelling tropes and wasn’t meant to be a serious depiction. However, many fans have embraced the idea, and now consider pink kryptonite to be an official variant, just as legitimate as red or gold kryptonite.

I’ve always disliked the concept of pink kryptonite. Even though it was intended as satire, it depends on damaging stereotypes to be effective. Fortunately, it hasn’t been used much since its initial appearance. In fact, when pink kryptonite showed up in Justice League Action, its effects were completely different. I really appreciate how Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum dealt with it, though. It could have played into easy, negative tropes, but instead, it took a more thoughtful and optimistic approach.

You know, it wasn’t just that the story wrapped up the pink kryptonite plotline – basically admitting it was a dud invention of Lex Luthor’s. What really got me was how it flipped the script on a classic Superman moment. Like that panel from years ago, Superman still tells Jimmy Olsen he likes his bow ties. But this time, it felt different. It wasn’t played for laughs – though there’s a little wink to the audience, a bit of self-awareness. It came across as Superman being so comfortable with himself that he could be genuinely vulnerable and offer a nice compliment to a friend. It was just a sweet, positive moment, free of any problematic tropes, and honestly, really refreshing to see.

Rather than repeating tired jokes from the past, this series took a more genuine and heartfelt approach. While pink kryptonite might have been a silly gag originally, Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum uses the concept in a much more meaningful way. It offers a powerful new look at what it means to be a man and serves as a good reminder to tell the people we care about how much they mean to us.

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2025-12-21 00:42