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In the third continuance of the popularThe Dark Knight Returnsseries , Supermanis render a brand new weakness to a substance called “ Black Matter . ” Compared to his well - recognize and oftentimes - exploited weakness to kryptonite , this weaponized max is a much darker way to incapacitate a hero who can unremarkably overcome anything .
As seen in the fourth issue of 2015’sThe Dark Knight III : The Master Race , by Frank Miller & Brian Azzarello , and Andy Hubert , this serial focuses on the fresh restored ( and radicalize ) citizens of the Kryptonian city of Kandor , and their subsequent onrush on Earth . Demanding the earthly concern worship them as gods or be destroyed , it does n’t take long forDC Comics ' superhero communityto come together to take out this newfangled terror , with Superman jump off into the ruffle as soon as he ’s able .
Related : Even With Kryptonite , Batman Still Ca n’t thrum Superman in a Fight
Beat on by way more powered - up Kandorians than he can handle all by his lonesome , Superman is finally at the mercifulness of Quar , the leader of this twisted group of Kandorian baddie . presently decided to be shamefaced of being a traitor to Kandor and Krypton , Quar use what is only denote to as “ Black Matter ” to take out the Man of Steel in a moderately messed up way , break kryptonite a run for its moneyin the process .
Looking like blackened Jack-tar - like goo , this Black Matter immediately envelopes Superman in a cocoon of duskiness which promptly hardens to a point where this overcome DC Comics hero can not escape . confirm to be “ theoretical science ” by Batman , this substance traps Superman in place for days , with him only able to break detached with the merge might of the fan - preferent character of Carrie Kelley and the King of Atlantis himself , Aquaman , finding a style to disrupt the Black Matter ’s molecules just enough to give Supes an out . But the part where Black Matter best kryptonite is soon revealed as Carrie explain that inside Superman ’s cage , he ’s in a topographic point where “ mass and space does n’t apply ” and that the huge “ black universe ” he ’s in also needs him towantto get out for him to be able to escape . Of course ( and in short order ) , Superman breaks himself free , and it ’s here where the dark advantages of Black Mattercompared to kryptonitebecome even more clear .
tell his associate that it felt like he was cling in a dark abyss for what feel like C , Black Matter not only roleplay as a near - impenetrable prison that can check the posture of the Man of Steel but on an existential level , a genial prison house that grow days into years . Meanwhile , Kryptonite is only effective when tight to Supes , and despite its ability to take away his powers , it can easily be slay from his presence or even simply put down . On the other handwriting , Black Matter can only be destroyed by overly advance mean that also depend onSupermanbeing sane enough in his time - dilated void to put out the intention ofwantingto leave , effectively assure that Black Matter — more so than kryptonite — is a sum that ’s as effective a arm as it is a horrible one to see .
So while all threeThe Dark Knight Returnsseries are more or less put up - alone , out of continuity tales , Black Matter is something that should make it into DC Comics ’ “ main ” existence as soon as it is able . Kryptonite may always be the go - to substance to ensureSuperman ’s frustration , butBlack Matteris a much darker and more effective way to go about take down theMan of Steelfor good .
Next : Superman Confirms His Famous Kryptonite Weakness is His Dumbest Mistake
