Action Comics 361

ACTION COMICS 361 (1968)
“The power of the Parasite!” by Jim Shooter & Al Plastino
“Supergirl’s Super-Date!” by Otto Binder & Kurt Schaffenberger
cover by Neal Adams

The second Parasite story, “The Power of the Parasite!”. Not to be confused with the first Parasite story… titled “Power of the Parasite!”.
Let’s hope it’s more creative than its title!

We begin with Clark Kent rushing to cover a story about a flying saucer, but he’s distracted by the Octopus Gang.

Why Superman, of all people, is skeptical about UFOs is really incomprehensible to me.

The flying saucer is actually an alien cartographer. (!!!)

There’s something in the atmosphere that interferes with his instruments, and since it registers as a life form the alien decides to revive him.

This is, of course, how the Parasite comes back to life after blowing himself up last time.

He’s going to be smarter this time, which isn’t actually all that hard.

So while Superman is dealing with the Octopus Gang (this is their only appearance)…

…a disguised Parasite absorbs Jimmy Olsen’s “journalistic talent”.
OH COME ON, the dude has had dozens of superpowers and THAT’S what you absorb!?

I suppose he didn’t notice that Jimmy doesn’t have an ounce of talent because he’s actually absorbing the same thing from the entire Daily Planet staff.
Also: walking up to the desk of a journalist and politely ask to use her typewriter to get a job?

Sounds legit.

The Parasite’s fake identity of “Larcon Leech” steals so much talent that he’s given a tryout on the spot. I guess we’re just lucky that Superman didn’t immediately fall in love with those L.L. initials.

Despite the idiotic premise, I’m actually impressed on how well Parasite is following his own plan.

I especially found it funny that Parasite was worried his plan was working TOO well, since Superman took way too much time to repair a broken dam.

Superman even gets his butt kicked by a random supervillain with an exoskeleton. He doesn’t even get a name!

The next phase has the Parasite creating a series of emergencies that he knows Superman will handle, stealing more and more energy each time.

But the cover DID promise us a fisticuff, so eventually:

And it’s rather brutal for 1960s Superman!

But don’t worry: he can always be saved by a deus ex machina!

Except… surprise: it’s NOT a deus ex machina!

That’s right: he eventually figured out that Parasite was behind everything and has been working with the aliens.

Surprisingly competent for Silver Age Superman, but that’s Jim Shooter for you!

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Moving to the Supergirl story, which is about online dating before “online” meant anything.

Supergirl participates both in her secret identity to find a date…

…and in full costume for a publicity stunt.

Well, there’s a precedent for her love of dancing.

Her dancing skills have improved significantly (not that it’s hard).

The fact that her date might have super-powers is supposed to be a mystery.

Which is insane because IT WAS ON THE FIRST PAGE!!!
I’ll never understand why Silver Age comics did this kind of stuff.

Anyway, the telltale sign is that he speaks Kryptonese.

I’m afraid Supergirl is becoming too much like her cousin. Taking your date to a movie about you is such a Superman move!

And speaking of Superman moves: fake Kryptonite!

“The opportunity to date me”? Yep. That clinches it… Superman’s personality is infective.

Since she’s fully embracing her family’s awfulness, the next logical step is to act like a jackass.

She hopes this will force her date to reveal he has super-powers, but…

After Supergirl rescues herself by faking reaching for some floating piece of wood, we get some explanation.

“Supermanium” shows up from time to time in the Silver Age: it’s supposed to be nearly indestructible, but apparently it can be etched by anyone. (WTF!?)

Apparently Kryptonese is so easy that you don’t even need any help to pronounce it.

In hindsight, Supergirl was being a liiiiitle too paranoid about all this stuff.

You just couldn’t help being awful to the end, right comic?

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Historical significance
Superman story: 1/10
Technically speaking this is the whole reason there is more than one Parasite story, but that’s it.
Supergirl story: 0/10
Could it be anything else?

Silver Age-ness
Superman story: 3/10
What’s the Octopus Gang? Who is the random bank robber with an exoskeleton? Who cares!
Supergirl story: 5/10
Tragically average. How has Supergirl’s quality fallen…

Does it stand the test of time?
Superman story: 9/10
This is even better than the first Parasite story, and I really liked that one. This one is far better structured: since we follow the Parasite from beginning to end, the surprise ending actually feels earned. Even Superman comes off as very competent, despite having no clue about what’s going on during the majority of the story!
Supergirl story: 0/10
Schaffenberger’s art is always welcome, but the rest is just awful.