Supermans Most Horrifying Transformation Reveals The Scariest Kryptonite in DC Lore

In The Brave and the Bold #7 by Mark Waid, George Pérez, Bob Wiacek, Tom Smith, and Rob Leigh, Dr. Alchemy possesses Power Girl so he can get close to Superman and enact a sinister plan to kill him in his Fortress of Solitude. Disguised as the iconic member of Superman's family, Dr. Alchemy unleashes his secret chemical weapon upon Superman when he least expects it. This turns out to be Kryptonite, but not just regular Green Kryptonite. Instead, Superman is surrounded by Red Kryptonite crystals, all of which mutilate his body beyond recognition.

The side effects of Red Kryptonite on Superman are difficult to stomach, as Dr. Alchemy enacts his murderous plot. Superman's gruesome new form proves that this variant of Kryptonite is easily a worse threat to the Man of Steel than any other type in the DC Universe.

Superman's Nightmare-Fuel Transformation Reveals His Most Terrifying Weakness

Red Kryptonite Is Officially the Scariest Kryptonite in DC Lore

Every form of Kryptonite has a unique effect on the physiology of Kryptonians like Superman, and Red Kryptonite has perhaps the most versatility in its nature. Essentially, Red Kryptonite can cause transformations through mere thought, allowing a Kryptonian to take any form they can imagine. While this can have practical applications when used at will, it can also become a twisted weapon if it finds itself in the wrong hands. Superman's nightmare-fuel redesign demonstrates the harm that can occur, as thousands of Red Kryptonite pieces each try to mold him in different ways and turn him into a gory amalgamation.

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Superman Stories Have a Major Kryptonite Problem & Even DC Is Ready to Call It Out

While Kryptonite has been known as Superman's defining weakness, even DC is ready to admit that the Man of Steel's stories are over-reliant on it.

As Superman's body gets transformed by the Red Kryptonite, Dr. Alchemy explains why exactly Red Kryptonite is worse than other Kryptonite variants. He tells Superman, "Green K will kill you. Red won't do you the favor. Not for days. You'll only wish you were." With these haunting words, it becomes clear that the true horror of Red Kryptonite is its longevity. Green Kryptonite weakens Kryptonians and can kill them before long, whereas Red Kryptonite can keep tormenting them by changing their form over and over. This isn't the first time Superman has been on the wrong end of Red Kryptonite, though it may be the scariest.

Superman's History with Red Kryptonite Proves Its Horrific Potential

Red Kryptonite Wasn't Always This Frightening, But the Signs Were There

Red Kryptonite's graphic side effects are now on full display, but earlier appearances of the material shied away from its true fright potential. During its earliest appearances in the Silver Age of comics, Red Kryptonite takes on a sillier role as it contributes to light-hearted antics such as giving Superman an ant's head so he can commune with an ant-like alien species. Beyond these breezy shenanigans, it's even become a substance that's taken recreationally to induce transformations. For instance, Supergirl has taken Red Kryptonite pills to give herself specific powers. Over the years, however, Red Kryptonite has been used in darker ways.

What makes Red Kryptonite so chilling is the fact that no two crystals have the same effect as each other. For instance, one chunk of Red Kryptonite might let Superman wear the head of an ant - as mentioned before - but another could turn his skin see-through. This is where its more disturbing qualities come into play, as the foundation is laid for Red Kryptonite to be used as a torture method. Red Kryptonite can create constructs, such as a cage to imprison Superman, or it can alter him physically like when Dr. Alchemy uses it against him. Red Kryptonite's endless possibilities cement its fear factor.

Superman's Weakness to Green Kryptonite Is No Longer His Biggest Problem

Red Kryptonite Poses a Far Darker Threat Than Other Types of Kryptonite

Red Kryptonite is one of many forms of Kryptonite that Superman has to be wary of when he's out fighting the good fight. Green Kryptonite, of course, has long been his classic weakness. If any of his villains want to end a fight with him, all they need to do is bring this standard form of Kryptonite, and he'll be down for the count in seconds. There are other types of Kryptonite as well, such as Gold Kryptonite, which can strip away a Kryptonian's powers entirely. These strike fear in Superman, with good reason, but Red Kryptonite is officially more dangerous than both.

While each version of Kryptonite poses a threat to Superman in some way, Red Kryptonite's unpredictability gives it horrifying potential unlike any other. Superman at least has the benefit of understanding what most types of Kryptonite can do to him. With Red Kryptonite, it's a gamble every time he comes into contact with it. The effects could be harmless or damaging, and when a villain like Dr. Alchemy gets a hold of it, there's a chance it could have deadly consequences. Superman's grisly Red Kryptonite transformation rewrites his lore by making Kryptonite the most menacing it's ever been.

Superman

The icon who launched the entire world of superheroes, the last son of Krypton escaped his dying world to crash land on Earth and be raised as Clark Kent. The world knows him better as Superman, the Man of Steel, the leader of the Justice League, and the most well-known hero in the DC Comics Universe. Blessed with the powers of a demigod, Kal-El of Krypton fights enemies both small and cosmic in his endless pursuit of truth, justice, and a better tomorrow.