Editing Kryptonite (section)

{{Short description|Fictional element from Superman stories}}
{{Distinguish|Krypton|Kryptonium ion}}
{{Other}}
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{{Infobox comics elements<!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
|image     = Kryptonite (DC Comics).jpg
|caption   = Green kryptonite as seen in<br>''[[Superman: Secret Origin]]'' #1. Art by [[Gary Frank (comics)|Gary Frank]].
|publisher = [[DC Comics]]
|debut     = {{ubl|'''Radio:'''<br />{{nowrap|''[[The Adventures of Superman (radio series)|The Adventures of Superman]]'' (June 1943)}}|'''Comics:'''<br />''[[Superman (comic book)|Superman]]'' #61 (November 1949)}}
| creators =
|type      = Element/compound
|material  = y
|supports  = {{ubl|[[Superman]]|[[Conner Kent|Superboy]]}}
|subcat    = DC Comics
|sortkey   = Kryptonite
}}
'''Kryptonite''' is a fictional material that appears primarily in [[Superman]] stories published by [[DC Comics]]. In its best-known form, it is a green, crystalline material originating from Superman's home world of [[Krypton (comics)|Krypton]] that emits a unique, poisonous radiation that can weaken and even kill [[Kryptonian]]s. Kryptonite radiation can be transmitted through any element except [[lead]]. There are other varieties of kryptonite, such as red and gold kryptonite, which have different but still generally negative effects.

Adversaries of Superman and other characters are frequently depicted using kryptonite against Superman,<ref>{{cite book|last1=Horton|first1=Andrew|last2=McDougal|first2=Stuart Y.|last3=Braudy|first3=Leo|title=Play it Again, Sam: Retakes on Remakes|date=1998|publisher=University of California Press|location=Berkeley, California|isbn=0520205936|page=287}}</ref> with [[Lex Luthor]] incorporating it into weapons, [[Metallo]] being powered by it, and [[Titano]] being able to project rays of kryptonite radiation from his eyes after being altered by simultaneous exposure to kryptonite and [[uranium]]. Due to Superman's popularity, kryptonite has become a byword for an extraordinary exploitable weakness, synonymous with "[[Achilles' heel]]".