Warning: Spoilers ahead for Suicide Squad: Dream Team #4!

There’s a major Kryptonite problem in Superman‘s stories, and even DC is ready to call it out. Since it was first introduced in 1943, Kryptonite has been Superman’s definitive weakness. It was an effective narrative tool to keep the Man of Steel in check and keep his stories grounded, given how powerful he is. However, now even DC is calling out how there’s a bit of an over-reliance on it.

In Suicide Squad: Dream Team #4 by Nicole Maines, Eddy Barrows and Eber Ferreira, Dreamer attempts an escape from the Suicide Squad’s clutches. However, she has already formed a close bond with Bizarro, Superman’s opposite from Bizarro-World, during her time on the team. So, when he breaks her chains and frees her, Clock King attempts to kill him with Bizarro’s deadliest weakness: a Blue Kryptonite bullet. Bizarro’s response to this move is absolutely perfect, as he proclaims “Kryptonite cheating! No Kryptonite!“

This declaration is a major call-out from not just Bizarro but DC itself. Kryptonite has been used as an effective way to keep Superman in check for years, but now it’s being reframed as something entirely different: a cheap way of ending a good fight quickly.

Kryptonite Is the Easy Way Out of Ending a Superman-Level Fight

DC Needs to Focus on Giving Superman Proper Battles

While Kryptonite will always have its place in Superman lore, it’s clear that there’s a bit too much reliance on it as the years go by. No matter who Superman battles, Kryptonite is always the end-all-be-all conclusion to most fights where Superman would easily win. There are certainly times when Superman has fought back and won against opponents with Kryptonite, but it’s so prominent in his stories that it can be a bit predictable when the green-glowing irradiated mineral is brought out. What makes Kryptonite such a bore in Superman stories is how it essentially takes away the most interesting parts of Superman’s power set.

Fans love to see this awe-inspiring symbol of hope fend off enemies easily while occasionally facing a challenge in the form of Doomsday or other massive threats. In fact, The Death of Superman is one of the most iconic stories in the Man of Steel’s history because Superman is shown on an equal playing field with his enemy, carrying out a fight to the bitter end. Taking this away would be like the Joker ripping off Batman’s utility belt in the middle of a fight or Green Lantern losing his ring. They’d still have their training to keep up with their foes, but it completely takes away what made them fan-favorite heroes.

Kryptonite Shouldn’t Be Taken Away Entirely

It Can Be Narratively Effective

No one experiences this narrative problem in their stories quite like Superman, especially when he has more creative weaknesses. That said, it’s important to note that DC shouldn’t get rid of Kryptonite entirely. Suicide Squad: Dream Team #4 even shows how Kryptonite could properly be used to create an effective Superman story moment. After Bizarro saves Dreamer and finally realizes he can be more than a weapon or a villain, he’s immediately killed by a Blue Kryptonite bullet. Seeing this long-time villain finally realize he can be a hero, only to have his life cut short because he went against Waller is a powerful plot beat.

This moment is a fantastic use of Kryptonite, as it’s not a way to stop Bizarro from fighting; instead, it makes him a tragic hero. Kryptonite will always have its place in DC history and will continue to be a major part of DCU continuity. However, Bizarro ultimately put it best when he called it “cheating.” Kryptonite is essentially a major problem in Superman stories because of how it “cheats” fans out of a good fight, and it looks like even DC is finally taking notice.

Suicide Squad: Dream Team #4 is available now from DC Comics!