The Achilles Heal of Superman has been, since 1947, the meteorites from his demolished planet later labeled Kryptonite. On Earth-Two, Superman first encountered this adverse object in the prime of his career, and on Earth-One it was during Superboy's youth.
Two foes intrinsically linked to Kryptonite are today's Superfoes. The alien lad who would become the Kryptonite Kid never revealed his true identity. He and his pet dog were fleeing from the law in their space craft when his vehicle passed through a Kryptonite cloud, imbuing him with the power to absorb and emit this deadly radiation. He found his foil in the Boy of Steel, whom he attempted to slay more than once unsuccessfully. And then there was con artist Dan Rivers, who built up a racket in Metropolis swindling victims of their money using his phony Swami Riva (not the song) persona. When confronted by the Man of Steel, he tried to fake out his foe with a phony curse. Which apparently worked... or rather it was the gem he was wearing that originated from Superman's home world!
What's interesting is that Rivers' gem was red not green, which proves that both colors of the meteorite existed... yet on Earth-Two the result was the same while on Earth-One Red Kryptonite wasn't fatal but caused temporary mutations. Eventually, the red ruby Kryptonite which Rivers initially found and used metamorphized into a green variation with far deadlier effects on Kryptonians!
Both Kryptonite Kid and Swami Riva later met up with their universe's Luthor, who proved less than a reliable ally in their mutual quest to wipe out the Metropolis Marvels. However, these radiating rogues may have been the inspiration for the Luthor becoming Kryptonite Men, hatching schemes luring the Supermen to Metropolis Park for the unveiling of statues in their honor, only to find a green glowing Luthor in its place!
Although Alexei Luthor coated his body with the radiation much like the Kid's natural state, this scheme fell flat thanks to Lois Kent. Nevertheless, this pair of predators were mere footnotes in history. Except for their neat skull caps!
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