Superman may appear invincible—I mean, he’s the man capable of flying through stars and punching meteors into oblivion. But in a universe as loaded with DC, even the Man of Steel has contenders who can defeat him without ever laying hands on kryptonite. With mystical abilities or outsmarting him with better strategies, these ten characters have demonstrated they don’t need any green rocks to knock Superman to the ground.
10. Zatanna
Zatanna may appear to be merely a stage magician to some, but her magic is anything other than smoke and mirrors. Her incantations—recited backward, to boot—draw upon some of the most powerful magic in the DC Universe. And because magic is one of Superman’s greatest vulnerabilities, she’s a wild card he cannot afford to overlook. A single misuttered word from her could turn his entire universe around—the literal meaning, that is.
9. Wonder Woman
Diana isn’t just strong enough to trade blows with Superman—she’s been doing it since before most fans were born. She’s trained in combat since childhood, carries weapons forged by gods, and has gone head-to-head with Clark more than once. Her magical sword and unshakable willpower make her a threat he always takes seriously.
8. The Flash
Speed is not merely running quickly—it’s about acting before anyone else can even get moving. Barry Allen, when he is fully accessing the Speed Force, can travel faster than thought, strike with immense kinetic force, and vibrate through objects. He’s even run faster than death itself. Against Superman, Barry’s speed and unpredictability make him all but impossible to catch.
7. Doctor Fate
When Kent Nelson dons the Helmet of Nabu, he is something much greater than a man. As Doctor Fate, he wields ancient, cosmic sorcery—something Superman has nearly no resistance to. Whether bending reality or imprisoning Clark in another dimension, Fate has several tricks up its golden sleeves.
6. Rogol Zaar
This dude isn’t a well-known household name, but he’s made his presence seriously felt on Superman’s life. Rogol Zaar is a ruthless fighter with a personal grudge against Kryptonians. He’s not just physically strong enough to fight Clark in combat, but cunning and cold-blooded enough to keep pushing him to his limits as well. That he doesn’t use kryptonite makes him an even greater threat.
5. Superboy-Prime
Imagine a version of Superman with all the power, none of the weaknesses, and zero moral restraint. That’s Superboy-Prime. He’s taken out entire teams of heroes on his own and shrugged off attacks that would stop even the strongest metahumans. He’s not vulnerable to kryptonite, and his raw, chaotic power is the stuff of nightmares.
4. Batman
Yes, the powerless guy cuts. And no, it’s not just fan service. After all, Bruce Wayne knows Clark better than just about anybody, and if he’s prepared—which he always is—he’s a monumental threat. From red sun radiation to playing on Superman’s emotions, Batman has shown that with strategy and sheer willpower, anyone can level the playing field.
3. Shazam
Billy Batson is a boy at heart, but when he shouts “Shazam,” he is transformed into a magical powerhouse with powers that are equal to Superman’s in every respect. The operative word here is magical—a demonstrated vulnerability for Superman. In past battles, Shazam’s lightning has been more than sufficient to shake the Last Son of Krypton.
2. Martian Manhunter
J’onn J’onzz is perhaps DC’s most quietly frightening character. Not only is he powerful and fast enough to keep up with Superman, but he also possesses an entire arsenal of powers that Superman lacks: invisibility, intangibility, and particularly telepathy. If J’onn ever chose to go full-force, Superman would struggle to see the punch coming—literally and psychologically.
1. Aquaman
Laugh all you can about speaking to fish, but Arthur Curry is not a joke. As the King of Atlantis, he’s got physical power on a par with the greatest heroes, but his true trump card is the Trident of Poseidon—a magical trident that can hurt Superman. In a no-holds-barred battle, Aquaman’s combination of muscle, battlefield savvy, and magic-equipped equipment might be Clark Kent’s worst nightmare.
Superman may be the embodiment of justice, truth, and hope, but even he has boundaries. And in the vast expanse of the DC Universe, there’s always someone able to get beyond them—the kryptonite may not be necessary.