Pariah (comics)

Pariah
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	Crisis on Infinite Earths, #1 (April 1985)
Created by	Marv Wolfman (writer) George Pérez (artist)
In-story information
Alter ego	Kell Mossa
Species	Human
Team affiliations	Black Lantern Corps
Abilities	Brilliant scientist with vast intellect Invulnerablity to physical harm Immortality up to and including the Crisis on Infinite Earths Immediate teleportation to the focal point of any catastrophic event Flight

Pariah is a scientist in comics published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Crisis on Infinite Earths #1 (April 1985), and was created by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez.

Biography

In the 1985 12-issue comic book limited series Crisis on Infinite Earths, Pariah (real name Kell Mossa) was one of the greatest scientists from his version of Earth (retconned as an alternate dimension rather than a parallel Earth).^[1] 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.^[2] 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.^[3] 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.^[4]

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. 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,^[5] but later resurrected by Dark Angel.^[6]

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.

Pariah can be seen inside a cell within "the Circus" prison of A.R.G.U.S. ^[7]

References