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20th century |
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History[]
Kryptonite is the name given to shards of matter cast off from the planet Krypton after its destruction. Exposure to Kryptonite can wield a wide variety of effects depending upon its color and present form.
Green Kryptonite[]
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.
Red Kryptonite[]
Red Kryptonite was once Green Kryptonite that passed through a mysterious red-hued cloud en route to Earth. Red Kryptonite inflicts random effects on Kryptonians, typically creating an initial "tingling effect" in those affected. No two chunks of Red Kryptonite have the same effect. Red Kryptonite effects typically last for 24-48 hours (though sometimes as long as 72), after which the Kryptonian in question is always immune to that specific chunk of Red Kryptonite. Superman has suffered the following effects upon exposure to various pieces of Red Kryptonite.