There's been a bit of talk about the Kryptonite Ring around here this week. The original story (before the New 52 happened) was Lex Luthor had a Kryptonite Ring to use against Superman. He was so arrogant that he wore it without realizing the effects its radioactive properties could have on him (he ended up losing his hand). The ring later ended up making its way to Gotham where Batman gained possession of it. In an early encounter between the two, Superman decided he trusted Batman enough to keep the ring and hold onto it in case he ever lost control and needed someone to take him down.
In a topic I brought up in 2010 after Batman "died," I discussed who should get the ring if something should happen to him. At this year's Long Beach Comic and Horror Con, I asked Josh Fialkov, Jim McCann, Scott Lobdell, Brian Buccellato, Jimmy Palmiotti, J.T. Krul and Sam Humphries what they thought. You can watch that video HERE if you haven't already.
This got me thinking, how would Scott Snyder, the writer of BATMAN and upcoming writer of a new Superman series in 2013, answer this question?
I'd say that after Bruce, it'd be a non-super. I could see it being Lois, Jimmy, even Lana, depending on what stories develop with them from here.
As a note, I'm working off pre-52 feelings, here, and for me, in that context, it's hard to imagine anyone getting it after Bruce. It's not a close race. Bruce is a friend to him on every level. Super, non super. Their friendship is one of the most interesting and rich in comics, in and out of the cowl and cape. There's no one else as close to him as Bruce, who understands the burdens on both sides of the equation. They're allies on a different level than Clark and other supers.
And with WW, I think she'd be a great candidate, and I wouldn't be surprised or argue with the choice to give her the ring - maybe I'd write it that way, if I had to write that scene in current cont.- maybe I'd find myself believing that. Logistically, it makes more sense, as she's powerful enough to get near him, and so on. But for me, Lois Lane has the best compass of anyone he knows, ethically, pragmatically, after Bruce. He admires that about her: she never wavers from the truth of a situation, she seeks it out, no matter how ugly it is. So feelings or not, she'd do what needed to be done.
S
Keep in mind this is not an official DC Comics/New 52 answer. It's not even clear if the ring actually exists in the New 52 or if the exchange between Batman and Superman happened. We know most of Batman's continuity has remained and it's possible this could have happened in a slightly different manner. It's just fun to hear the writer's thoughts as a fan of the characters.
A lot of people felt Nightwing, Wonder Woman or Alfred should get it. Scott is going with a non-super. Does that make sense to you? Would you want the responsibility of keeping it, hoping Superman's enemies didn't find out and come looking for it?
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