Superman #23.4: Parasite

By Aaron Kuder and Tomeu Morey

Villains month ends this week, and for the most part, it’s been a huge success. Most shops have seen increases in their DC sales in the range of 30%. DC had a great plan to increase the sales of their product, and it paid off big time. All that being said, were the books any good?

Parasite is not a very well known villain, but in Superman #23.4, we get to find out exactly who he is. Joshua Michael Allen is a screw up. He has a lousy job, people make fun of him all the time, and he hates Metropolis. Josh is attacked by a gigantic green blob of unknown origin, but he survives the attack only to get fired and ridiculed further. As the days go on, and unfortunately so does his life, he gets a call from S.T.A.R. Labs for a check up after the accident. What they find may be detrimental to their health.

Of all the villains month books I’ve read this is by far the funniest. Aaron Kuder has a great sense of humor about Parasite, and it makes the book very amusing. The sarcastic words posted after everything that Josh does is pretty entertaining, and the way Kuder shows Josh go from loser to villain is set at a nice, gradual pace, so we get to see him as both Josh and Parasite. This book was a pleasant surprise.

Kuder also did the art duties on this issue as well. He’s no stranger to the Superman books or the New 52 either, as he also had a run on Green Lantern New Guardians. The art in this issue is some of Kuder’s better work. He seems to feel very comfortable drawing the character as well. You can honestly see his growth as an artist reading this issue. That being said, there were some funny panels in this book, including the one in which Josh gets knocked out by the gigantic blob. His art obviously matches his fun script and story telling.

This was an unexpectedly funny read. Kuder has been labeled as an up and coming star for his artwork, but his writing talent seems to be just as special. If he can consistently write and draw at this level, his future in comics will be brighter than a yellow sun.