Warning: contains spoilers forSuperman#20!
DCis stirring up controversy over aSupermanvillain’s deadly redemption arc. The Man of Steel’s rogues gallery is extensive, full of terrifying and powerful foes, few more so than the Parasite. Yet, in recent years, the unthinkable has happened: Parasite reformed and now fights alongside Superman. However,Parasite’s journey to redemption comes to a bloody and gory end inSuperman#20, in a scene sure to outrage some.
Superman#20 is written by Joshua Williamson and drawn by Dan Mora.Doomsday is on a rampagethrough Metropolis, destroying everything in his path. Superman and Superwoman try to contain Doomsday, but to little avail. Superman then unveils his “hail Mary:” the Parasite. The Parasite parachutes in, and begins draining Doomsday of energy.
Superman intended for Parasite to merely incapacitate Doomsday, but Parasite cannot help gorging himself on the monster.
Because of this,Parasite’s concentration breaks, causing him to lose his grip on Doomsday, who then proceeds to rip him in half–right in front of Superman and Lois.
The Parasite’s DC Comics Origins, Explained
The Parasite Went From A Heinous Villain to One of Superman’s Biggest Allies
TheParasite is one of Superman’s most underrated villains.Like his namesake, Parasite latches onto a helpless victim, and begins draining them of their life force. The more powerful the victim, the more the Parasite can take from them–which has made Superman an irresistible draw. There have been a handful of villains who call themselves Parasite, but Rudy Jones is the best known, and arguably the most powerful. Rudy can not only absorb a victim’s energy, but also their consciousness. The Parasite can also alter his genetic structure, and when combined with his other powers, this makes him a terrifying villain indeed.
A Guide to Every Villain Called the Parasite in DC Comics
Alex and Alexandra Allston
Joshua Allen
Superman #23.4
Along the way, however,Parasite saw the light, and came over to the side of good.The past few years have seen several of Superman’s greatest foes turn over a new leaf. These include Metallo, Silver Banshee and the Parasite. At his core, Parasite is misunderstood. Rudy was once a janitor at STAR Labs, and wastransformed into the Parasiteafter an accident. Parasite never asked for what happened to him, and circumstances forced him into a life of crime. Superman understood this, and was willing to take a chance on Parasite, offering him a job at SuperCorps.
The idea for Parasite came from Jim Shooter. According to legend, Shooter, who was a teenager at the time, came up with the character after learning about actual parasites in his high-school biology class.
Parasite’s Redemption Arc Came to a Bloody End
Will the Parasite Return Someday?
The Parasite’s death shook Superman and Lois to their cores, and Superman had to feel an extra tinge of guilt.
Fans cheering on Parasite during his quest for redemption will be crushed over the events ofSuperman#20.In his time working with Superman, Parasite became a believer. Thanks to Superman, Parasite found a place to belong, where he could work out his issues and become a productive member of society again. And thanks to Doomsday, Parasite’s second chance will never come. Doomsday slaughtered Parasite in the most gruesome and bloody fashion possible. The Parasite’s death shook Superman and Lois to their cores, and Superman had to feel an extra tinge of guilt.
Superman’s Modern Logo Is So Iconic, But DC Never Saw It Coming
The Superman logo is one of the most recognizable symbols in the world. Yet, even the most dedicated Man of Steel fans might not know its origin.
Just as there have been various Parasites in the comics, there have been different versions in animation and live action as well.
The manner in which Parasite dies is sure to spark controversy among fans.His redemption arc was already the subject of debate, but over time, fans came to accept it. Some even embraced it, taking it as a sign of a new era in the former villain’s life. However, it came to a terrible end, one that the Parasite did not deserve. While there is a possibility he could return, hisDCComics ending had a sense of finality about it. Parasite tried to do right bySuperman, but in the end it cost him his life.
