Happy Birthday: Parasite
Maxwell Jensen was the classic, small-time crook before his own idiocy transformed him into something far greater.
Jensen was working at a plant attached to a research center and opened one of the storage containers, thinking it might contain the company’s payrolls. Instead the biohazardous extraterrestrial materials inside transformed him, staining his skin purple and giving him the power to absorb the powers of anyone he touched.
The Parasite, as Jensen dubbed himself, became one of Superman’s most dangerous foes, especially since Jensen could not only absorb Superman’s powers but also learned his secret identity.
Hmm, I never knew that was Parasite's original name. Wonder if he's a long-lost uncle.
Note to self: Do not shake Van's hand when the opportunity arises.