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Pariah (comics)
Encyclopedia
Pariah is a fictional scientist
published by DC Comics
. He first appeared in Crisis on Infinite Earths
#1 (April 1985), and was created by Marv Wolfman
and George Pérez
.
limited series
Crisis on Infinite Earths
, Pariah was one of the greatest scientists from his version of Earth (retconned as an alternate dimension rather than a parallel Earth). Pariah's unorthodox experiments to view the creation of the Universe
result in the Anti-Monitor
learning of the existence of his Earth and destroying it with waves of anti-matter. He survived, through the intervention of the Anti-Monitor's benevolent counterpart, the Monitor
, and acquired the ability to travel from one alternate Earth
to another, forced to witness untold millions perish. During the Crisis, Lady Quark
is saved by Pariah before the anti-matter destroys her universe, making her the lone survivor of Earth-6. Pariah blames himself for the destruction of his own world, the release of the Anti-Monitor, and the subsequent destruction of universe after universe, until he finally learns he was essentially blameless. Pariah is told by the Anti-Monitor that his scientific investigation did not unleash forces great enough to destroy a universe. Pariah merely opened the antimatter portal to the dawn of time. Taking advantage of Pariah's experiment, the Anti-Monitor converted antimatter into energy, then focused it onto Pariah's universe. The destruction of those worlds allowed the gathering of more energy, which then made the Anti-Monitor strong enough to break free of his prison. After the destruction of the Anti-Monitor, the reformed earth is safe. Pariah, and Lady Quark, ask Harbinger
to join them in exploring the new earth. Harbinger agrees to accompany them on their journey. As the three disembark, Harbinger tells them she is hopeful of the future and what it might bring.
Pariah was seemingly indestructible and immortal, but relatively powerless in terms of his physical capabilities (although he also appeared capable of flight), and he considers the powers he has a curse, since they doom him to witness horrors he cannot stop.
Many years later, Pariah attempts to warn Lex Luthor
that a dangerous predator is coming. However, this Luthor is in actuality Alexander Luthor
of Earth-3 in disguise, posing as this universe's Lex Luthor in order to create a new incarnation of the Secret Society of Super Villains
. Pariah is subsequently murdered by Alexander Luthor in Villains United
mini-series, but later resurrected by Dark Angel
in Supergirl
(vol. 5) #19.
As part of the Blackest Night event, Pariah's corpse is reanimated by a black power ring and recruited to the Black Lantern Corps
. He appears in Blackest Night #2 (October 2009), interrupting a cadre of mystical heroes gathered to investigate the strange occurrences of the event and again in Green Lantern
#45 as the black rings restore the planet Xanshi.
Scientist
A scientist in a broad sense is one engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas of science. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word...
published by DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
. He first appeared in Crisis on Infinite Earths
Crisis on Infinite Earths
Crisis on Infinite Earths is a 12-issue American comic book limited series and crossover event, produced by DC Comics in 1985 to simplify its then 50-year-old continuity...
#1 (April 1985), and was created by Marv Wolfman
Marv Wolfman
Marvin A. "Marv" Wolfman is an award-winning American comic book writer. He is best known for lengthy runs on The Tomb of Dracula, creating Blade for Marvel Comics, and The New Teen Titans for DC Comics.-1960s:...
and George Pérez
George Pérez
George Pérez is a Puerto Rican-American writer and illustrator of comic books, known for his work on various titles, including Avengers, Teen Titans and Wonder Woman.-Biography:...
.
Fictional character biography
In the 1985 12-issue comic bookComic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
limited series
Limited series
A limited series is a comic book series with a set number of installments. A limited series differs from an ongoing series in that the number of issues is determined before production and it differs from a one shot in that it is composed of multiple issues....
Crisis on Infinite Earths
Crisis on Infinite Earths
Crisis on Infinite Earths is a 12-issue American comic book limited series and crossover event, produced by DC Comics in 1985 to simplify its then 50-year-old continuity...
, Pariah was one of the greatest scientists from his version of Earth (retconned as an alternate dimension rather than a parallel Earth). Pariah's unorthodox experiments to view the creation of the Universe
Universe
The Universe is commonly defined as the totality of everything that exists, including all matter and energy, the planets, stars, galaxies, and the contents of intergalactic space. Definitions and usage vary and similar terms include the cosmos, the world and nature...
result in the Anti-Monitor
Anti-Monitor
The Anti-Monitor is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain and the antagonist of the 1985 DC Comics miniseries Crisis on Infinite Earths. He first appeared in Crisis on Infinite Earths #2 , and was destroyed in Crisis on Infinite Earths #12, only to return after a long absence in Green...
learning of the existence of his Earth and destroying it with waves of anti-matter. He survived, through the intervention of the Anti-Monitor's benevolent counterpart, the Monitor
Monitor (comics)
The Monitor is a fictional character created by writer Marv Wolfman and artist George Pérez as one of the main characters of DC Comics' Crisis on Infinite Earths limited series....
, and acquired the ability to travel from one alternate Earth
Parallel universe (fiction)
A parallel universe or alternative reality is a hypothetical self-contained separate reality coexisting with one's own. A specific group of parallel universes is called a "multiverse", although this term can also be used to describe the possible parallel universes that constitute reality...
to another, forced to witness untold millions perish. During the Crisis, Lady Quark
Lady Quark
Lady Quark is a fictional character, a superheroine in the DC Universe. In the DC Comics 12-issue limited series Crisis on Infinite Earths , the character is one of the rulers of Earth-Six, where the American Revolutionary War had been won by England.-Crisis:Lady Quark's husband Karak and daughter...
is saved by Pariah before the anti-matter destroys her universe, making her the lone survivor of Earth-6. Pariah blames himself for the destruction of his own world, the release of the Anti-Monitor, and the subsequent destruction of universe after universe, until he finally learns he was essentially blameless. Pariah is told by the Anti-Monitor that his scientific investigation did not unleash forces great enough to destroy a universe. Pariah merely opened the antimatter portal to the dawn of time. Taking advantage of Pariah's experiment, the Anti-Monitor converted antimatter into energy, then focused it onto Pariah's universe. The destruction of those worlds allowed the gathering of more energy, which then made the Anti-Monitor strong enough to break free of his prison. After the destruction of the Anti-Monitor, the reformed earth is safe. Pariah, and Lady Quark, ask Harbinger
Harbinger (DC Comics)
Harbinger is a fictional character, a DC Comics superheroine created in the early 1980s.-Fictional character biography:She and her associate, the Monitor, made several short teasing appearances in various DC comic books up until 1985, when the Crisis on Infinite Earths began...
to join them in exploring the new earth. Harbinger agrees to accompany them on their journey. As the three disembark, Harbinger tells them she is hopeful of the future and what it might bring.
Pariah was seemingly indestructible and immortal, but relatively powerless in terms of his physical capabilities (although he also appeared capable of flight), and he considers the powers he has a curse, since they doom him to witness horrors he cannot stop.
Many years later, Pariah attempts to warn Lex Luthor
Lex Luthor
Lex Luthor is a fictional character, a supervillain who appears in comic books published by DC Comics, and the archenemy of Superman, although given his high status as a supervillain, he has also come into conflict with Batman and other superheroes in the DC Universe. Created by Jerry Siegel and...
that a dangerous predator is coming. However, this Luthor is in actuality Alexander Luthor
Alexander Luthor, Jr.
Alexander Luthor Jr. is a DC Comics character who turned from a hero to a villain. Created by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez, Alexander has a prominent role in the DC Universe storylines Crisis on Infinite Earths and Infinite Crisis....
of Earth-3 in disguise, posing as this universe's Lex Luthor in order to create a new incarnation of the Secret Society of Super Villains
Secret Society of Super Villains
The Secret Society of Super Villains is a group of comic book supervillains that exist in the DC Universe...
. Pariah is subsequently murdered by Alexander Luthor in Villains United
Villains United
Villains United is a six-issue comic book limited series, written by Gail Simone with art by Dale Eaglesham and Wade Von Grawbadger, published by DC Comics in 2005...
mini-series, but later resurrected by Dark Angel
Dark Angel (DC Comics)
Dark Angel is a fictional DC Comics villain who battled Wonder Woman. She is a wandering spirit who inhabited the body of Baroness Paula Von Gunther during World War II...
in Supergirl
Supergirl
Supergirl is a female counterpart to the DC Comics Superman. As his cousin, she shares his super powers and vulnerability to Kryptonite. She was created by writer Otto Binder and designed by artist Al Plastino in 1959. She first appeared in the Action Comics comic book series and later branched out...
(vol. 5) #19.
As part of the Blackest Night event, Pariah's corpse is reanimated by a black power ring and recruited to the Black Lantern Corps
Black Lantern Corps
The Black Lantern Corps is a fictional organization of revenants appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The group is composed of deceased fictional characters that seek to eliminate all life from the DC Universe.-Publication history:...
. He appears in Blackest Night #2 (October 2009), interrupting a cadre of mystical heroes gathered to investigate the strange occurrences of the event and again in Green Lantern
Green Lantern
The Green Lantern is the shared primary alias of several fictional characters, superheroes appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The first Green Lantern was created by writer Bill Finger and artist Martin Nodell in All-American Comics #16 .Each Green Lantern possesses a power ring and...
#45 as the black rings restore the planet Xanshi.