- Title: Superman: The Animated Series – Feeding Time
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With a new Superman in now in theaters every now and then I’ll continue to take a look back at the hero’s more memorable moments on both the big and small screen. Making his first appearance in comics way back in 1966, the Parasite has been a classic Superman villain for nearly 50 years. “Feeding Time” reintroduced the character as a small time thief and janitor for S.T.A.R. Labs whose exposure to an experimental chemical turns him into the Parasite (Brion James) and sets him on a path of revenge against the member of the crew (Robert Patrick) who roped him into the robbery and whose recklessness caused Rudy to be exposed to the experimental chemicals which left him transformed and with the ability to temporarily steal energy and knowledge from anyone he comes into contact with.
The stronger or smarter the individual the Parasite comes into contact with the stronger he becomes. This isn’t good news for Superman (Tim Daly) who accidentally supercharges the city’s newest super-villain and allows the Parasite to become a one-man crime wave. To stop Rudy, Superman relies on the help of both Jimmy Olsen (David Kaufman) and Professor Emil Hamilton (Victor Brandt) who provides Superman with a protective suit that allows the Man of Steel to battle the Parasite without coming into direct contact with him. Even with the suit, Superman is only able to defeat the creature by exposing the Parasite to Kryptonite.
The Parasite makes for a great edition to the animated series rogues gallery. Although Hamilton’s invention of the suit at the beginning of the episode is a little too coincidental, Superman finds quick use for here. The Parasite’s unique condition also presents intriguing problems for the hero, for while juiced up on Superman’s powers Rudy also has full knowledge of Superman’s life out of his tights as Clark Kent. Sadly, he will only make a handful of appearances on the show and later on Justice League.
