If you ask any Superman fan about the Man of Steel’s greatest weaknesses, they’ll likely list Kryptonite, red sun energy, and magic without hesitation. However, DC has just set the record straight on Kryptonian vulnerabilities, revealing that magic isn’t actually one of Clark’s weaknesses, and they make a pretty solid case.

Dan Slott, the writer behind Superman Unlimited, recently sat down with AIPT Comics to discuss his and artist Rafael Albuquerque's series and the Summer of Superman initiative as a whole.

During the interview, the topic of Superman’s weaknesses came up, with Slott setting the record straight, clarifying that the Man of Steel has only three true vulnerabilities: Kryptonite, red sun energy, and his heart. Some may be surprised to see magic missing from this list, as it has undeniably affected Superman in the past. However, Slott’s reasoning for why magic isn’t truly a weakness is solid.

Magic Is NOT a Superman Weakness (& Here’s Why)

Cover D Steve Beach Variant for Superman Unlimited #2 (2025)

After listing Superman’s three true weaknesses (Kryptonite, red sun energy, and his heart), Slott explained why magic doesn’t make the cut: “Everyone’s vulnerable to magic.” This reasoning is simple yet compelling. After all, if a force affects everyone equally, can it really be considered a unique weakness? That would be like calling oxygen, water, and food a weakness for Batman. Yes, he needs them to survive, but so does 99.9999% of all other heroes. With that logic in mind, fans may find it reasonable to concede that magic isn’t a Superman-specific weakness.

Of course, some characters are better equipped to handle magic, such as Doctor Fate, Zatanna, Doctor Occult, and John Constantine. However, their proficiency with magic speaks more to their own abilities than to any supposed deficiency in Superman. Just because they excel in navigating magical forces doesn’t mean Superman is especially bad at dealing with them. In other words, saying “Superman is vulnerable to magic” misrepresents what a true weakness is. As Slott points out, magic is a universal threat, not a unique liability for Superman, unlike Kryptonite, which genuinely weakens him in a way it doesn’t affect others.

Superman Has 3 Weaknesses: Kryptonite, Red Sun Energy, and His Heart

Main Cover by Rafael Albuquerque for Superman Unlimited #1 (2025)

While most fans would readily list Kryptonite and red sun energy among Superman’s weaknesses, some may overlook his heart. There’s no denying that one of the Man of Steel’s greatest virtues is his deep comion and love for humanity, as well as his family and friends. However, this virtue is also his greatest weakness, because even the weakest foe can bring Superman to his knees if they target those he loves. This Superman vulnerability has been exploited time and time again in countless stories, making it a far more tangible and realistic weakness than magic.

Source: AIPT Comics