Superman’s Brother Shows Kryptonite Resilience, Yet Remains Vulnerable

Warning! Spoilers for Action Comics #1080!

Even heroes like Superman can find themselves vulnerable when faced with Kryptonite, but his brother, Mon-El, defies this weakness. As the narrative unfolds in the latest arc of Action Comics, Superman leverages his Daxamite sibling’s immunity to Kryptonite in the pursuit of escaped Phantom Zone inmates. Unlike Kryptonians, Mon-El remains impervious to Kryptonite’s debilitating effects, although this does not render him invincible.

Comic book page: Mon-El is immune to Kryptonite and uses a Phantom gun to capture someone

In Action Comics #1080, penned by Mark Waid and illustrated by Clayton Henry, the Super-Family actively works to corral the notorious Phantom Zone criminals. While employing Kryptonite would be the simplest solution to subdue these rogue Kryptonians, it poses a significant risk to the Super-Family, as they too would suffer the consequences of exposure.

To counter this challenge, Superman and his allies have adopted Phantom Zone guns, capable of transporting their adversaries directly back to the Phantom Zone. However, when faced with cunning or formidable foes who evade capture, Mon-El enters the fray. His genetic makeup allows him to utilize Kryptonite without suffering any adverse repercussions, thus positioning him as an invaluable asset in the fight against their Kryptonian adversaries.

Mon-El’s Unique Advantages Over Kryptonians

Insight into Action Comics #1080

Comic book cover: Mon-El flies forward in front of a faded image of Superman in space.

Kryptonite’s origins link back to the devastated planet Krypton, where shards possess lethal properties for Kryptonians. However, Mon-El, a Daxamite—a race closely related to Kryptonians—holds a significant edge. Under yellow solar radiation, Mon-El mirrors Superman’s prowess yet operates unencumbered by Kryptonite’s debilitating influence. This makes him one of the most formidable beings within the DC Universe, yet he is not without vulnerabilities.

Mon-El’s Fatal Weakness: Lead

Daxamite’s Deadly Achilles’ Heel

Mon-El’s immunity to Kryptonite puts him in a unique position to confront Kryptonians. However, his vulnerability to lead presents a constant threat that can be exploited easily. While he thrives under the yellow sun and is often mistaken for a Kryptonian, any exposure to lead can prove fatal, risking Mon-El’s life. Superman previously intervened, sending Mon-El to the Phantom Zone as a precaution against lead poisoning, which remains an imminent danger. Thus, even with his stark advantages, Mon-El’s precarious fate weighs heavily upon his formidable capabilities.

Action Comics #1080 is currently available from DC Comics.

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