Pariah (comics)
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Pariah (the alias of Kell Mossa) is a fictional character from the DC Comics universe.
[edit] Origin
In the 1985 12-issue comic book limited series Crisis on Infinite Earths, Pariah was one of the greatest scientists from his version of Earth (retconned as to coming from an alternate dimension rather than a parallel universe). Kell's unorthodox experiments to view the creation of the universe resulted in the Anti-Monitor learning of the existence of Kell's Earth and destroying it with waves of anti-matter. Kell survived (unbeknownst to him, through the intervention of the Anti-Monitor's benevolent counterpart, the Monitor) and acquired the (involuntary) ability to travel from one alternate Earth to another, forced to witness untold millions perish, although he could control this ability on occasion. Taking the name "Pariah", he is forced to watch as each Earth is consumed. 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.
Because of the Monitor's alteration of his being, Pariah is drawn against his will to locations where extreme danger looms, commonly the Earth that was currently being destroyed by the anti-matter. Pariah was seemingly indestructible and immortal, but relatively powerless in terms of his physical capabilities (Although he sometimes appeared capable of flight), and he considers the powers he has a curse, since they doom him to witness horrors he can not stop, nor even offer him the solace of death.
[edit] Demise
Pariah attempts to warn Lex Luthor that a dangerous predator is coming. However, this Luthor is in actuality Alexander Luthor of Earth-3, posing as this universe's Lex Luthor in order to create the Secret Society of Super Villains. Pariah is subsequently murdered, apparently shot to death ironically by the "predator" Pariah was referring to, the Earth-3 Luthor.
Infinite Crisis writer Geoff Johns explained that Pariah's immortality was only effective with the original Multiverse, hence how he was able to be killed, though he was shown to possess that power during the War of the Gods and other stories he appeared in after the Crisis.
[edit] External links
- Alan Kistler's Guide To THE CRISIS - An in-depth three part retrospective by comic book historian Alan Kistler on the Crisis, including a comprehensive issue-by-issue summary, map of the multiple universes, a discussion on why the Crisis had to happen and how effective it was, various cover and interior art scans, and a discussion on Marv Wolfman's novelization. Includes a detailed retelling of Pariah's origin and his career following the Crisis.
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