Parasite is a name used by several supervillains in the DC Universe, but the most recurring one is the second; Rudy Jones, a metahuman enemy of Superman. He was a janitor in S.T.A.R. Labs before being exposed to a biological weapon designed to absorb energy from anything it touches, which transforms him into a energy vampire. However, this story was changed Post-Infinite Crisis to instead involve Jones accidentally eating a radioactive donut.
The first Parasite was Raymond Maxwell Jensen, a menial laborer employed at a research facility who incautiously opened a toxic waste disposal container and was saturated by the unknown radiation, transforming him into a disfigured purple-skinned creature who could not only drain powers, but also skills, memories and even qualities from other people.
Two teenagers named Alex and Alexandra Allston were also transformed in Parasites after being experimented by Professor Hamilton. They wanted to seek vengeance on the people who made their lives difficult, but were eventually defeated by Superman. The fifth person to become the supervillain Parasite was Joshua Michael Allen. Introduced in the New 52, Joshua was a bike courier from Metropolis until an alien flu granted him the power of energy absorption. He has been a member of the Suicide Squad, Superman Revenge Squad and Secret Society of Super-Villains.
Parasite was created by Jim Shooter and Al Plastino, first appearing in Action Comics #340 (1966).
New Earth
Third Parasite
Multiverse
The New 52
Earth 12
Batman Beyond's Future
Earth 13
Suicide Squad Dark
Earth 63
DC vs. Vampires
Earth 1996
Parasite/Emplate
Reality Undetermined
DC Rebirth
Dark Multiverse
Knightfall
Post-Crisis
New Earth
Doc Parasite
Earth-40
The Liberty Files
Pre-Crisis
Earth-496
Parasite/Emplate
Earth-1598
Red Son
Elseworlds
Elseworlds
Scandalgate
Elseworlds
All-Star Superman
Possible Futures
Possible Futures
DC One Million
Other Media
DC Animated Universe
Tomorrowverse
DC Animated Movie Universe
Comics-only
Injustice Multiverse
Arrowverse
Arrowverse
Earth-38
Other
Superman/Batman
Public Enemies
Lego Batman
Lego DC Super-Villains
My Adventures with Superman
Comics-only
Other Media Titles
Comics
See Also
- Rudy Jones
- Raymond Maxwell Jensen
- Alexandra Allston
- Joshua Michael Allen
- Bloodlines Parasites
- Professor Ivo