Green Kryptonite Radiation

File:Kryptonite.png

> You mean it came from Krypton?"
> "More than likely it is Krypton, or rather a small piece of it. 'Kryptonite' if you will. The green radiation could have been created by the energy released in the explosion which destroyed your planet. There is one bit of potentially helpful data. Its radiation can be shielded by element atomic number 82.
>
> Superman and Emil Hamilton,

**Kryptonite** was the name coined by Emil Hamilton for radioactive fragments of the destroyed planet Krypton. This substance had immediate, detrimental effects on yellow sun-powered Kryptonians and Argoans, as well as long-term effects on humans.

## History

When Krypton exploded, its fragments flew into space in every direction, with several fragments following Kal-El's spacecraft to Earth.

The existence of Kryptonite was first discovered shortly after Superman's first public appearance in Metropolis. Early tests were conducted by LexCorp scientists, and further tests by Professor Hamilton, who theorized that the low-level radiation generated by the element was a result of the explosion that destroyed Krypton.

The fragments found on Earth varied in size, ranging from small slivers to pieces several feet across.

### Effects

Kryptonite's most noteworthy effect was sapping the strength of Kryptonians powered by a yellow sun. Prolonged exposure to its radiation could quickly lead to death. Kryptonite also left a burning sensation,

Kryptonite exerted the same malevolent effect on Argoans, offshoots of the Kryptonian species, such as Supergirl. However, it was harmless to Bizarro, presumably because his genetic makeup was too flawed, despite having Kryptonian DNA. He even called it "pretty" when he held it.

The radiation could also affect humans, although much longer exposure was required for them to suffer ill effects. In comparison to Superman who felt the effects almost instantly, the side effects experienced by humans could apparently vary for any number of reasons. For example, previous owners of "The Laughing Dragon" statue, carved from a large chunk of Kryptonite erroneously thought to be made of jade, all died prematurely;

Like all Earth-bound radioactive materials, Kryptonite's radiation could be blocked by lead.

### Uses

Kryptonite's most frequent use was as a weapon against Superman and Supergirl, and sometimes against other Kryptonians, such as Mala. It also affected beings with the ability to absorb or copy Superman's abilities, including Parasite although, in the latter's case, Amazo became immune to the radiation after adapting to it.

The radiation emanated by even the smallest chunk of Kryptonite could be harnessed and used as an infinite power source. One piece was used to fuel Metallo.

Kryptonite could be molded into different forms to suit specific purposes. Lex Luthor incorporated Kryptonite into a missile to stop Superman's rampage across Metropolis. He also managed to liquefy the substance to create an injection meant to kill both Superman and Supergirl.

#### Others

* Mr. Mxyzptlk transformed himself into a missile with a Kryptonite warhead, while chasing Superman.

### Known owners

Kryptonite being a very rare substance, there are only a few known pieces:

* The first was discovered by Lex Luthor in the collection of his Natural History Museum; after Luthor's attempt to use it to kill Superman failed, Superman hurled it into space in a lead container. A small sliver of the rock was kept by S.T.A.R. Labs.
* S.T.A.R. Labs also acquired a much larger piece, used to test the Anti-Kryptonite suit Hamilton built for Superman.
* Superman used a chunk to temporarily restrain Mala. It was unknown whether this was the chunk possessed by S.T.A.R. Labs, or another one. This chunk was sent into the Phantom Zone by Jax-Ur.
* Luthor used a chunk of Kryptonite as an infinite power source for the cyborg Metallo.
* A sizable piece fell to Earth in China and, being mistaken for jade, was carved into a statue known as "The Laughing Dragon". The statue temporarily came into possession of the Joker, but was destroyed.

## Sightings

*Superman: The Animated Series*
* "The Last Son of Krypton, Part I"
* "A Little Piece of Home"
* "Feeding Time"
* "The Way of All Flesh"
* "Blasts From the Past, Part II"
* "Mxyzpixilated"
* "Action Figures"
* "Brave New Metropolis"
* "World's Finest"
* "Bizarro's World]"
* "Heavy Metal"
* "Little Girl Lost, Part I"
* "Superman's Pal"
* "Legacy"

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 ***Bader, Hilary J.*** (writer) & ***Tomonaga, Kazuhide*** (director) (September 14, 1996). "A Little Piece of Home". *Superman: The Animated Series*. Season 1. Episode 5 (airdate). Episode 5 (production). Kids WB!.
2. ↑ ***Burnett, Alan***, ***Dini, Paul*** (writers) & ***Riba, Dan*** (director) (September 6, 1996). "The Last Son of Krypton, Part I". *Superman: The Animated Series*. Season 1. Episode 1 (airdate). Episode 1 (production). ***Kids WB!***.
3. ↑ ***Goodman, Robert*** (writer) & ***Aoyama, Hiroyuki*** (director) (October 10, 1997). "Bizarro's World". *Superman: The Animated Series*. Season 2. Episode 20 (airdate). Episode 30 (production). ***Kids WB!***.
4. ↑ ***Gerber, Steve*** (writer) & ***Burnett, Alan***, ***Dini, Paul*** (story) & ***Masuda, Toshihiko*** (director) (October 4, 1997). "World's Finest, Part II". *Superman: The Animated Series*. Season 2. Episode 17 (airdate). Episode 40 (production). ***Kids WB!***.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 ***Goodman, Robert*** (writer) & ***Riba, Dan*** (director) (September 8, 1997). "Blasts From the Past, Part II". *Superman: The Animated Series*. Season 2. Episode 1 (airdate). Episode 14 (production). ***Kids WB!***.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 ***Goodman, Robert*** (writer) & ***Riba, Dan*** (director) (September 21, 1996). "Feeding Time". *Superman: The Animated Series*. Season 1. Episode 6 (airdate). Episode 7 (production). Kids WB!.
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 ***Berkowitz, Stan*** (writer) & ***Hachizaki, Kenji*** (director) (September 28, 1996). "The Way of All Flesh". *Superman: The Animated Series*. Season 1. Episode 7 (airdate). Episode 6 (production). ***Kids WB!***.
8. ↑ ***Fogel, Rich*** (writer) & ***Geda, Curt*** (director) (February 5, 2000). "Legacy, Part I". *Superman: The Animated Series*. Season 4. Episode 2 (airdate). Episode 49 (production). ***Kids WB!***.
9. ↑ ***Fogel, Rich*** (writer) & ***Geda, Curt*** (director) (February 5, 2000). "Legacy, Part II". *Superman: The Animated Series*. Season 4. Episode 2 (airdate). Episode 49 (production). ***Kids WB!***.
10. ↑ ***Dini, Paul*** (writer) & ***Riba, Dan*** (director) (September 20, 1997). "Mxyzpixilated". *Superman: The Animated Series*. Season 2. Episode 8 (airdate). Episode 21 (production). ***Kids WB!***.
11. ↑ ***Berkowitz, Stan*** (writer) & ***Burnett, Alan***, ***Riba, Dan*** (story) & ***Masuda, Toshihiko*** (director) (October 4, 1997). "World's Finest, Part III". *Superman: The Animated Series*. Season 2. Episode 18 (airdate). Episode 41 (production). ***Kids WB!***.