It's a common fact that kryptonite is Superman's weakness, but I haven't really grasped what effect it actually has on him. Does it take away his powers at the same time as making him sick or does it just make him sick? Like, will Superman be as susceptible to bullets and blunt force as humans when he's exposed to kryptonite or will he be just as durable but sickened by the kryptonite? If so, how does that work, every cell in his body is durable as ####, do they soften or are they in fact as soft as human cells and the biological forcefield around them disappears in the presence of kryptonite? Will kryptonite only make him sick and take his powers away so that others can kill him or can he actually die from kryptonite poisoning if he's exposed to it for too long? Does it vary from writer to writer?

Kryptonite doesnt takes his powers away but he is definitely weaker around it.

It slowly kills him (or quickly if it's a kryptonite weapon used to fatally wound him). Something akin to radiation poisoning. It's a good question to ask on whether he loses his power when exposed to kryptonite though, as it seems like normal humans have beaten the crap out of Superman whenever he's exposed to it. Also the relative ease to which he can be mortally wounded by a kryptonite bullet or a kryponite spear (ala the opening to DC Universe Online) begs the question as to why no one in the DC Universe has gone to great lengths to feed Superman a kryptonite death.

The radiation poisons his body, causing him to get weaker as he slowly dies. When it's taken away from him, his powers kick in and heal the negative effects.

It will kill him but it doesnt take away his powers also a small bit of kryptonite wount hurt him as much as a big bit.

I think it causes an adverse reaction to the solar energy in his body.

I think it causes an adverse reaction to the solar energy in his body.

@MrMiracle77 said:

@TruthJusticeAndTheAmericanWay said:

I think it causes an adverse reaction to the solar energy in his body.

It breaks down the yellow-sun radiation that he normally stores and metabolizes in his body, which is painful and potentially deadly if exposed for long enough. This is why non-powered kryptonians aren't affected by green kryptonite.

I like this explanation.

Depends on which Kryptonite you're talking about.

Regular Kryptonite weakens his body but wouldnt take away his powers.

Other Kryptonites have other effects.

Ultraman isn't affected by kryptonite. :D

@MrMiracle77 said:

@TruthJusticeAndTheAmericanWay said:

I think it causes an adverse reaction to the solar energy in his body.

It breaks down the yellow-sun radiation that he normally stores and metabolizes in his body, which is painful and potentially deadly if exposed for long enough. This is why non-powered kryptonians aren't affected by green kryptonite.

There are non-powered Kryptonians? Isn't Superman's powers basic for the Kryptonian race?