Kryptonite

Caped hero's weakness

Kryptonite is the trademarked name of the fictional radioactive element from Superman comics and films, originating from the hero's destroyed home planet of Krypton.

Green kryptonite weakens and can kill Superman; other colors have different effects.

The concept has become so culturally embedded that the lowercase form now serves as a common metaphor for any personal weakness: Dessert is my kryptonite. (Lowercase kryptonite is the generic metaphorical use.)

Superman

Lex Luthor

SmallvilleAny unremarkable small town
MetropolisHero's fictional American city
Lois LaneNewspaper reporter, Metropolis

Clark Kent · Justice League · DC Comics · Supergirl · General Zod · Man of Steel · cape · flight · invulnerability · heat vision

radioactive

radiation

Energy propagation through space

isotopeElemental variant by mass
decayGradual organic breakdown
contaminationIntroduction of impurities

exposure · poisoning · lethal · toxic · meteor · fragment · shard · chunk · crystal

fictional-mineral

vibranium

adamantiumFictional unbreakable metal
dilithiumMolecule with two lithiums
unobtaniumFictional ideal substance

Categories

SupermanSuperman, Clark Kent, Kal-El, Lois Lane, Lex
comicscomic books, comic book, comic strip, comic art, comic panel
superheroesSuperman, Batman, Spider-Man, Wonder Woman, Thor
bike locksbike lock, u-lock, D-lock, chain lock, cable lock
Cycling BrandsTrek, Giant, Scott, Canyon, Merida

Opposites

effect on superman

Kryptoniteyellow sun

Our star's common appearance

solar radiation · sunlight · red sun · solar energy · Fortress of Solitude

metaphorical vulnerability vs. strength source

Kryptonitesuperpower

Dominant nation or magical ability

strong suit · secret weapon · ace in the hole · strength · invulnerability

earthly vs. alien origin

Kryptoniteearth element

Classical solid matter category

Family

cryptic, crypt, apocryphal, krypton

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Known to kids · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G