DC Animated Universe
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"Feeding Time" is the sixth episode of the first season of Superman: The Animated Series and the sixth of the overall series. It follows a regular janitor named Rudy Jones, who accidentally acquires the ability to absorb the energy of others, including the powers of Superman. As the new villain dubbed Parasite, he goes on a crime spree.

Plot[]

In one of the research rooms at S.T.A.R. Labs, Superman worriedly looks at a large chunk of Kryptonite but is pleased to discover that his new Anti-Kryptonite Suit works perfectly against its harmful effects. Then the suit's creator, Professor Hamilton, explains what alloys it's made from as he puts the Kryptonite back in a wall safe, noting that it should withstand whatever trouble Superman may get himself into. As Superman takes off the suit for storage, he quips that Professor Hamilton seems to think he is deliberately looking for trouble.

Rudy and Martin are caught red-handed

Rudy Jones and Martin Lebeau are caught red-handed.

Meanwhile, in one of S.T.A.R. Labs' warehouses, Rudy Jones, a mild and weak-willed janitor, clumsily operates a forklift to load barrels of an unknown substance onto his partner's pickup truck. From their brief exchange, it is revealed that Rudy assists in the robbery in the hope that his criminal partner, Martin Lebeau, will cover his debts to his bookmaker. Suddenly, a couple of security guards approach Rudy and Martin, questioning Rudy on how a janitor is allowed to operate a forklift and who his friend is. Martin, without hesitation, pulls a gun on the guards and starts firing, despite Rudy's protests. The shots hit several flammable canisters, and a fire breaks out. Then Martin jumps into his truck and drives off while Rudy jumps into the back with a few stolen barrels. The alarm goes off, and Superman, while still being with Hamilton, immediately flies out to the site of the fire. He notices Martin's car speeding away but decides to rescue the trapped security guards instead.

Parasite birth

Parasite is born.

In the meantime, Martin, annoyed by Rudy's very presence, speeds over a bumpy, winding road, ignoring his pleas to slow down. When his car's wheel strikes a rock in the road, the canisters fall over and spill their contents onto Rudy, causing him to scream and mutate into a purple something. Briefly distracted by the sight, Martin nearly hits the arch of a bridge but swerves, sending Rudy falling out of the truck down into a patch of reeds near the river.

Later that night, a rat curiously sniffs at Rudy's unconscious body, but he suddenly grabs it and absorbs its energy. Shortly after, a policewoman drives down the road and nearly hits Rudy. She steps out to determine his identity, but upon seeing something in his hand, orders him to drop it. Rudy drops the rat and jumps on her, sucking her energy too. Meanwhile, a police dispatcher calls the policewoman on the radio in her car, but Rudy suddenly manages to speak in her voice and divert suspicion. As he escapes in the car, Rudy wonders about his new powers and feels excited.

Superman's first encounter with Parasite

Superman's first encounter with Parasite.

In the morning, the police investigate the site of the attack on the policewoman, and Clark learns from Commissioner Henderson that, using S.T.A.R. Labs' security cameras, they have identified Rudy's partner as Martin Lebeau, a known fence living near the docks in Hob's Bay. Meanwhile, Rudy sets out for revenge on Lebeau. He finds his old partner near his apartment and, after a brief, sarcastic thank-you for his new self, starts absorbing his energy. However, soon after, Superman appears and tells Rudy to let Martin go. He then offers to help Rudy return to normal, to which Rudy agrees, but only to have Superman step closer to grab him for energy absorption. Now possessing the bulk of Superman's powers, Rudy easily defeats him and announces to Metropolis that he is the new Superman in town.

Parasite attacks Clark

Parasite attacks Clark in his apartment.

Being dubbed "Parasite" by Angela Chen on the news, Rudy embarks on a crime spree, using Superman's powers to take whatever he wants without facing any true opposition. However, during one of his robberies, he suddenly discovers that he can't see through the wall of a bank anymore, and thus his superpowers fade. Meanwhile, Clark, without his super immune system, catches a regular cold. At work, he learns from Jimmy that the policewoman has recovered from her catatonic state in the hospital, and while visiting her for an interview, he finds that his strength and powers are suddenly back too. Later, at his apartment, Clark calls Perry and tells him that his cold is getting better. However, shortly after hanging up, Parasite attacks him from behind, and while draining his energy and now calling him "Clark", boasts that he got his powers, memories, and secret. Soon after, Clark wakes up chained to pipes in a dark boiler room, and Parasite greets him in his new place. Clark informs Parasite that the absence of his reporter persona at work will lead others to search for him, to which Parasite mockingly plays out how he will be able to speak in Clark's voice to anyone who would want to call him. He then tells Clark that he plans to use him as a living battery, coming back every time he needs a recharge. He concludes his monologue with another energy absorption.

Jimmy comes Superman's aid

Jimmy rescues Superman in Parasite's lair.

A week later, Parasite continues his robberies in Metropolis while Perry White is irritated due to no one still knowing anything about his or Superman's locations. Jimmy then theorizes that Parasite always flies south in the direction of S.T.A.R. Labs, where he used to work, but Perry and Lois don’t take his observation seriously, telling him that the police investigated that already on the first day, to which Jimmy suggests that maybe the police haven't checked the place lately. After that, Jimmy goes to investigate his theory himself, and while in Rudy's former utility room, he hears someone knocking "SOS" on the pipes. He then opens a pass-through in the wall and finds Superman.

Parasite tastes Superman's main weakness.

Parasite "tastes" Kryptonite.

When Jimmy sets out to free Superman, Parasite returns, but noticing that Superman is suspiciously talkative, sucks a bit of his energy to learn what he is up to, thus discovering that Jimmy hides in the room. Parasite then jumps on Jimmy, but Superman, now fully released, knocks Parasite away with a suspended hook and escapes with Jimmy to figure out his next move. Parasite, meanwhile, still possessing some extent of Superman's powers, runs after him; however, Superman manages to put on the Anti-Kryptonite Suit, thus protecting himself from Parasite's touches. Then a fight ensues, and Parasite clearly gains the upper hand. He throws Superman into the wall safe where the Kryptonite is stored, breaking it open. However, as he tries to touch Superman's face to suck his energy after removing his helmet's visor, Superman suddenly ducks, and Parasite accidentally grabs the Kryptonite in the safe, screaming and falling unconscious.

Later, Parasite is incarcerated in a S.T.A.R. Labs chamber, and Hamilton tells Clark and Jimmy that he will be transferred to Stryker's Island when a special cell is ready. He also mentions that the Kryptonite has likely affected Parasite's memory of what happened. They then leave him alone. Meanwhile, a cockroach crawls on Parasite's bed, and he touches it with his finger, absorbing its energy. His eyes begin to glow, and a grin emerges on his face.

Background information[]

Parasite Photograph by Jimmy Olsen

"Parasite Photograph by Jimmy Olsen" drawn by Tommy Tejeda.

Home video releases[]

Production notes[]

Trivia[]

Cast[]

Actor Role
Tim Daly Superman/Clark Kent
Dana Delany Lois Lane
David Kaufman Jimmy Olsen
Lauren Tom Angela Chen
George Dzundza Perry White
Victor Brandt Professor Hamilton
Brion James Rudy Jones/The Parasite
Robert Patrick Martin Lebeau
Tasia Valenza Gina
Mel Winkler Commissioner Henderson
Phil Hayes Guard

Quotes[]

Commissioner Henderson: She must have been delirious when our boys found her. She said something about being attacked by a purple monster.
Jimmy: Was its name Barney?
Commissioner Henderson: You're here to make 'haha', kid, or take pictures?
Jimmy: I guess that's a 'no'...

Parasite: Don't you recognize me, Marty? It's your old doormat, Rudy Jones.

  • Professor Hamilton: The... the chemical Mr. Jones stole was developed to catalyze energy absorption in human cells. But clearly, he was exposed to far greater quantities than we'd ever tested on living subjects.
  • Angela Chen: And now that this Parasite has sucked up all of Superman's powers, how much longer 'til he sucks our city dry?

Parasite: Good to see you again, Superman - or should I say "Clark"? That's right, Kent. I got your powers, I got your thoughts, and I got your secret.

  • Professor Hamilton: We'll keep him here until a special cell is completed at Stryker's. He's been like this ever since his fight with Superman. I doubt he knows his own name, let alone any of what's transpired. Ah. We're disturbing him. We should go.
  • Clark Kent: Yeah. Doesn't look like he'll be giving interviews anytime soon.

References[]

  1. "The Parasite" - Vibrational Frequencies: The Art of Tommy Tejeda (February 14, 2008)
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