When an evil clone of Superboy wreaks havoc, Speedy uses an arrow given to her by one of the original Teen Titans. The arrow has amazing powers that can bypass Kryptonian invulnerability, including Superboy-Prime’s. The origins of the mysterious arrow explain why it’s so powerful, but it’s best not to tell Superman how either Teen Titan team came to own the arrow.

Fighting Kryptonians without kryptonite is nearly impossible, but Speedy finds a unique solution in Teen Titans #32 by Geoff Johns, Todd Nauck, Sean Parsons, Lary Stucker, Mark Nelson, Jeromy Cox, and Phil Balsman. Despite the Teen Titans’ best efforts, none of their normal attacks can bypass Kryptonian invulnerability, leading to a unique solution in their fight against Superboy-Prime.

Additionally, with the real Superboy joining the fight, even if they had kryptonite, it wouldn’t be the best option. Fortunately, a relic from the original Teen Titans team can turn the tides for the heroes, as Mia Dearden’s Speedy reveals the origins of her Phantom Zone arrow. Turns out Roy Harper isn’t afraid of stealing from the Man of Steel.

Speedy Stole Superman’s Phantom Zone Arrow

Roy Harper Trusts Mia Dearden to Carry the Speedy Legacy — and Its Stolen Treasures

Roy Harper stole the arrow while Superman wasn’t looking during a Titans “field trip” to the Fortress of Solitude. Ironically, Clark was too busy saying how he trusted the Teen Titans and guiding a tour of the Fortress. While stealing isn’t morally correct, there was a strategic reason for it. Roy Harper’s strategic thinking and equipment are two of his strongest assets as a hero without any powers. Speedy was definitely thinking of the potential long-term advantages of having this arrow. Clearly, he didn’t take this lightly. After all, he kept it long enough to pass the arrow along to his successor. The other possibility, though, is he simply forgot he had it.

Mia Dearden sends the evil Superboy into a realm called the Phantom Zone using the arrow given to her by the first Speedy Roy Harper, which is the perfect use of the arrow. After all, she has no other choice but to use it: no matter what they tried, nothing the other Teen Titans did would affect Superboy-Prime. While it can’t harm him, the arrow sends the Kryptonian to an alternative realm where he can’t harm anyone else. Incapacitating the alternate Superboy gives the Teen Titans time to try to revive their own Superboy, Conner Kent.

Roy Harper’s Strategy Pays Off as the Teen Titans Hold Back Superboy-Prime

Too Bad the Evil Superboy Doesn’t Stay Put

The Phantom Zone is one of the most secure prisons in the ​​​​​​​DCU, ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​so ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​this ​​​​​​​arrow is invaluable. It’s where Superman keeps villains he can’t defeat — famously so with General Zod. Therefore, it’s ironic that the arrow is used to imprison a parallel version of Superboy. Superman likely knows about the arrow being stolen, as he would surely notice the absence of something so powerful yet dangerous. Moreover, his super-human hearing means he heard Speedy take it, no matter how sneaky he was. Superman trusts the Teen Titans, and he rightfully trusts Speedy to do the right thing and use this massively powerful weapon wisely.

Teen Titans #32 is available now from DC Comics.