This year, the Summer of Superman, DC, is not just going All-In but All-Out with so many fantastic projects, including a new ongoing series, Superman Unlimited, by Dan Slott and Rafael Albuquerque. One of the plot points involves a colossal, extinction-level Kryptonite asteroid that rains Superman’s ultimate vulnerability across the Earth.
But there was a time, early in the Bronze Age, when DC had an event that did the exact opposite. In 1971, Denny O’Neil and Curt Swan introduced a transformative chapter in Superman’s history with the iconic story “Kryptonite No More!” featured in Superman #233. This landmark issue reshaped the character’s essence while showcasing a fresh evolution in superhero comic storytelling.
I don’t think the Bronze Age has a line in the sand for when it began, but it depends on various key moments with some characters. For me, it was this issue that kicked off the Bronze Age Superman. Long-time Superman editor Mort Weisinger had retired, and a reluctant Julie Schwartz took over editorial duties.
Things were different back then, and you didn’t see the synergy between DC Comics, the movie division, and Warner Bros. Discovery that exists today. The higher-ups mainly cared about the bottom line and had an attitude of not changing things if what was working worked. They often kept their proverbial head in the sand, ignoring overall changes in comic books.
I recently did an episode on my Comics Fantastic History about Carmine Infantino’s time as publisher during the 1970s. A lot has been said about his time as publisher, and I think a lot of fans got things… not exactly wrong, but don’t look at other factors involved. Had the upper management looked beyond number-crunching and done more to support Infantino, DC, during the 1970s, it could have been better. I blame them, not Inantin,o for some of the things that went on with DC at the time.
Sales of the various Superman titles were steadily declining, though they were still best-sellers. Schwartz only agreed to take on Superman if he could make ‘super’ changes. Before comic shops, comics were not nicely displayed and showcased. As a kid, there were seldom spinner racks, and I remember countless times thumbing through piles of comics, usually at the bottom of a magazine rack.
Marvel learned in the 1960s that vibrant, standout covers were more apt to get picked by a fan. DC was a little slower at getting that point, but Superman #233 did everything right. The cover, with its vibrant colors and a Neal Adams cover of Superman breaking through Kryptonite chains, has become iconic over the decades. I give credit for trying a concept that would be much more prevalent later. The top proclaimed: “The Amazing New Adventures…” and that big old “Number 1” made it appear that it was a first issue.
“Kryptonite No More!” centers around a laboratory accident that converts all Kryptonite on Earth into inert iron. For Superman, this event is nothing less than transformative, eliminating his most significant vulnerability—a material capable of weakening and even destroying him. It wasn’t the only change in store for Superman. His powers were reduced because, over the years, Superman had become too powerful. Clark Kent got a bit of a makeover—he started wearing more fashionable blue suits and became a news reporter and anchor at WGBS.
The changes weren’t all about O’Neil’s story, but a revitalized art by Curt Swan. Much in part due to the inks of Murphy Anderson, whose collaboration with Swan gained legendary status, especially within Superman comics, and was endearingly nicknamed “Sanderson” by fans. For fans who are used to Superman in the past, there were some super changes.
Alas, those changes were short-changed. O’Neil felt he never could fully grasp Superman. Sales did not vastly improve, and the changes O’Neil made didn’t ripple into other Super-centric titles, which didn’t help. Clark Kent did stay a better dresser with those super-snappy blue suits and continued to work at WGBS. By the mid-1970s, Kryptonite had made its comeback in multiple forms, such as green, red, and other variations, becoming a staple once again in Superman’s adventures.
But—yes!—it is still a fantastic read! If you’ve never read this time of Superman, you’re in for a Super Treat! It still holds up and did make some super-changes at a time when Superman needed something different to… well, make him SUPER again.
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