- "After this encounter, I'll be immortal! I'll rule the world!"
- ―Parasite
| "The Power of the Parasite!" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Action Comics | |
| Title: | "The Power of the Parasite!" |
| Volume: | 1 |
| Number: | 360 |
| Cover price: | .12 |
| Cover date: | March, 1968 |
| Publisher: | DC Comics |
| Credits | |
| Cover artists: | Neal Adams |
| Cover inker: | Neal Adams |
| Cover letterer: | Gaspar Saladino |
| Assistants: | E. Nelson Bridwell |
| Editors: | Mort Weisinger |
| Navigation | |
| Previous: | Action Comics #360 |
| Next: | Action Comics #362 |
"The Power of the Parasite!" is the title to the first story featured in issue #361 of the first Action Comics ongoing comic book series published by DC Comics. It features the character of Superman and was written by Jim Shooter with artwork & inks by Al Plastino. The second feature is a Supergirl story called "Supergirl's Super-Date!". It is written by Otto Binder and illustrated by Kurt Schaffenberger. Both stories were edited by Mort Weisinger. This issue shipped with a March, 1968 cover date and carries a cover price of .12 cents per copy.
"The Power of the Parasite!"[]
| "The Power of the Parasite!" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Title: | "The Power of the Parasite!" |
| Credits | |
| Writers: | Jim Shooter |
| Pencilers: | Al Plastino |
| Inkers: | Al Plastino |
| Colorists: | Unknown |
| Letterers: | Unknown |
| Editors: | Mort Weisinger |
An alien space geographer unwittingly resurrects the Parasite, who immediately kills him after absorbing his life energy. Returning to Earth, the Parasite infiltrates the Daily Planet as a reporter, but soon finds himself in close proximity to Superman and begins slowly leeching his powers. Superman goes off to stop the Octopus Gang, plug up a dam and stop a bank robber wearing an exoskeleton, but it all begins to take a massive toll on him. Strengthened by all of Superman's stolen power, the Parasite begins fighting him. Members of the space geographer's race come to Earth and avenge their fallen comrade by assisting Superman in capturing the Parasite. Encasing him in an impenetrable force field, they take him away in their ship to put him in space jail.
Featured characters
Supporting characters
Villains
Minor characters
- Lois Lane (Cameo appearance only)
- Space-geographer (Only appearance; dies)
Organizations
- Octopus Gang (Only appearance)
Races & Animals
Locations
- Atlantic Ocean
- Metropolis
- Platos II (Referenced only)
Items
- 3-D photon-resonance grapher
- Evapo-rays
- Exoskeleton
- Force field
- Mechanical octopus
- Poison
Vehicles
Powers
- Energy absorption
- Enhanced senses
- Enhanced strength
- Flight
- Life energy absorption
- Power absorption
- Power duplication
- Super-breath
- Superhuman stamina
- Superhuman strength
Miscellaneous
"Supergirl's Super-Date!"[]
| "Supergirl's Super-Date!" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Title: | "Supergirl's Super-Date!" |
| Credits | |
| Writers: | Otto Binder |
| Pencilers: | Kurt Schaffenberger |
| Inkers: | Kurt Schaffenberger |
| Colorists: | Unknown |
| Letterers: | Unknown |
| Editors: | Mort Weisinger |
Linda Danvers gives computer dating a try and finds herself matched up with a fellow student from Stanhope College named Duane Todd. She becomes even further intrigued, when Duane begins demonstrating superhuman abilities and speaks in the Kryptonian tongue. Could Duane be a Kryptonian? Linda decides to get to the bottom of this mystery, but ultimately "swipes left".
Featured characters
Supporting characters
Villains
Minor characters
- Jor-El (As a statue)
- Lara Lor-Van (As a statue)
Organizations
Races & Animals
Locations
- Metropolis (In flashback only)
- Stanhope College
- Louie's Snack Bar
- Tony's Pizza Palace
Items
Vehicles
Powers
Miscellaneous
- Earth-One
- College
- Flashbacks
- Museum (In flashback only)
Notes & Trivia[]
- This issue carries the approval stamp of the Comics Code Authority.
- This issue shipped to retailers on January 30th, 1968.
- Superman was created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster. He first appeared in Action Comics #1 in June, 1938 in a story called "Superman, Champion of the Opressed".
- This issue includes the Metropolis Mailbag letters column.
- "Supergirl's Super-Date!" is reprinted in the Supergirl: The Silver Age Omnibus, Volume 2 hardcover collection, released in July, 2018.
- This issue includes a house ad for Action Comics #360, which is an 80-page giant.
- The events of this issue have been retroactively attributed to the reality known as Earth-One.
- Superman appeared last in Justice League of America #61. He appears next in Superman #205.
- This is the second appearance of Maxwell Jensen, the Parasite, who is resurrected in this issue. He appeared last in Action Comics #340. He appears next in Superman #286.
- This is the first, and to date, only known appearance of Duane Todd, who is Supergirl's potential love interest in this issue.