We Don’t Talk About Pink Kryptonite Enough…

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In the closing phase of 2021, an announcement was made, triggering a whirlwind of reactions. A considerable number of individuals, primarily men but also some women, found themselves spiralling into a fit of indignation – the kind that involves bristling testosterone, the raucous clinking of beer glasses, and severe bouts of beard-tugging to soothe their ruffled egos. The news that made headlines was none other than “Superman to be bisexual in the fifth issue of Superman: Son of Kal-El.”

The kerfuffle appeared to be spurred by a hasty misunderstanding, especially among those who seem to struggle with reading beyond headlines. They couldn’t bring themselves to expend even the tiniest sliver of effort to read further and discover that the Superman in question was, in fact, Jon Kent, Clark Kent’s son, not the iconic Clark Kent himself.

The whole affair triggered a deluge of #NotMySuperman posts and a veritable outcry, while genuine fans were left shrugging their shoulders. They posed the simple question: what difference does it really make?

There was an intense backlash against the idea of Superman’s son having a boyfriend. Jon Kent, who had previously carried the title of Superboy during his younger years, was the designated successor to the Superman mantle – entrusted with protecting the Earth by his father, Clark Kent, who was departing the planet.

Jon, bearing a striking resemblance to Clark, was poised to mirror his father’s legacy. But the creative minds at DC Comics saw this as an opportunity squandered. Why simply rehash the past when they could reimagine the future of the greatest superhero of all time?

This brings us to the topic seldom discussed – Pink Kryptonite. It’s intriguing to consider whether the superfans who were so aggressively championing heteronormativity were even aware of its existence.

Pink Kryptonite, in the simplest terms, made Superman attracted to men. There’s no softer way to put it. It’s Pink, and it causes a distinct shift in Superman’s affections. It’s an element of the bizarre and unpredictable nature of comic books, and honestly, it’s part of what makes them so captivating!

Pink Kryptonite does indeed exist in the DC Universe. However, whether it is considered “canon” is a topic of hot debate. This is because the substance doesn’t feature in the “prime” Superman timeline. But any true DC or Marvel fan knows that comic book reality is malleable. One could be dreaming, ensnared in an illusion, hopping between dimensions, or unwittingly hitting the reset button. In the comic universe, NOTHING is absolute, yet EVERYTHING can be a reality simultaneously.

Pink Kryptonite first emerged in Supergirl comic #79 (2003), in a storyline where Superman isn’t related to Supergirl. Upon exposure to this pink element, he begins to appreciate Jimmy Olsen’s fashion sense a tad too much. This quirk led to the tongue-in-cheek assumption that the particular strain of Kryptonite had made Superman “gay.” However, in a peculiar twist, he ends up marrying Supergirl (again, they’re not related in this timeline.)

The belief that Pink Kryptonite turns Superman gay has gained significant traction, particularly due to images like those from the Kryptonite Handbook circulating on the internet.

Regardless of whether fans support or oppose Jon Kent finding happiness with a man or a woman, they should bear in mind that Pink Kryptonite exists and is canon in at least one timeline.