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Vulnerability)
Vulnerabilities are special weaknesses or limitations that apply to a specific hero.
The tradition of assigning a special weakness from a hero, grew out of the tendency to dramatize and exaggerate a hero's (or villain's) powers until it seemed nothing could challenge them. "Achilles' heel" is the famous prototype for this. Achilles was invulnerable except for his heel, which lead to his defeat.
The second most famous example is Superman's succeptibility to kryptonite, pieces of his home planet of Krypton that were irradiated by the explosion that destroyed his world. The term "kryptonite" is even used in the mainstream, to indicate a powerful person's weak spot, roughly equivalent to an "Achilles' heel". Again, Superman is really the classic case, as comic creators made him so powerful over the years that Kryptonite was invented to give others a chance against him. During the Silver Age of Comics, they even made different colored kryptonite, each having a different debilitative effect on Kryptonians. This made for some interesting stories.
Vulnerabilities may affect the character, but not "normal" people, as is the case with kryptonite. In other instances, it may simply affect the character as it would anyone, such as the Golden Age of Comics Green Lantern's vulnerability to wood.
Non-super heros can also have vulnerabilities, but these tend to be of a psychological nature. Indiana Jones has a form of ophiophobia, or fear of snakes. They may have sworn an oath or have a moral objection to an action that other characters might take, such as killing an opponent.
Villains sometimes consider a character's morality or devotion to another person to be a vulnerability.
Vulnerabilities
Kryptonite
This strange green glowing rock has no effect on Earth born people (at least in the short term) but quickly drains the strength and then kills Superman and other Kryptonians.
Limited time away from something
The Aquaman of The Silver Age of Comics, despite his otherwise amphibious nature, could only be separated from water for one hour.
The Mighty Thor of The Silver Age of Comics could only be separated from his magic hammer for 60 seconds, or he would turn back into mortal Dr. Don Blake, thereby losing his super-powers.
Time Limited Powers
The Justice Society of America's Hour Man's powers lasted only one hour after he took his Miraclo Pill.
Green Lantern's ring loses its power if not recharged once every 24 hours.
The Color Yellow
The Silver Age of Comics' Green Lantern found that "due to a necessary impurity in his ring" , that his power could not affect anything yellow.
Wood
The Golden Age of Comics' Green Lantern found that his ring could protect him against anything metal, but not wood. It was supremely ironic when bullets would bounce off him, but he would be brought down by being hit over the head by a wooden club.
Fire
The otherwise invulnerable Martian Manhunter could only be stopped by fire. Comic book creators over the years can't quite decide whether this is a physical or a psychological weakness in the Martian's case. Interestingly enough, this is a weakness he shares with the Frankenstein Monster from the old Universal horror movies.
Magic
Mr. Mxyzptlk, the magic imp from the 5th dimension, always presented a challenge for Superman because he could not seem to fight magic directly, and could even be personally affected by it. He always had to win using his brain rather than his powers, and trick the imp into saying his name backwards.
Sea Water
During the Silver Age of Comics, Future Superman of 2965, in a series that began in Superman #181 (1965), was a descendant of the original Superman. By the 30th century, the descendants of the Man of Steel had acquired an immunity to kryptonite. But, they had another strange vulnerability. Due to the "chemical residue left in sea water by a past atomic war", Klar Ken T-5477 was weakened by common sea water. The Joker of the future used to plague him with the old squirting flower gag, which is why he needed the help of Batman's descendant.
Sonics
The symbiotic alien costume that became known as Venom in the Spider-Man comics, seemed almost indestructable. Spider-Man was able to initially free himself by standing directly under a church bell and ringing it repeatedly.
Lead
The powerful Mon-El of the Legion of Super-Heroes had to be placed in the Phantom Zone for a thousand years until Brainiac 5 found a cure for his weakness to lead.
Also, lead is the one substance Superman's X-Ray vision can't penetrate. This is often a convenient limitation in terms of story plot. For example, if a writer wants Superman to be able to find something, he places it in something ordinary. If he doesn't want him to be able to find it, he places it in something "lead-lined".
The inability to use more than one power at a time
Ultra Boy of the Legion of Super-Heroes had all the powers of Superman, but could only use one at a time. It was often a tough decision for him whether or not to "switch" from super-strength to invulnerability when facing a powerful foe.
Crucifix, Wooden stakes through the heart, Sunlight, Garlic
These are the only things that can stop Vampires, according to the old Universal Horror movies which featured Dracula.
Silver Bullets
Only silver bullets could kill werewolves, again, according to the old Universal Horror movie series.
Fear of Snakes
Indiana Jones's fear was rooted in his childhood, according to the famous movie trilogy.
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