Parademon
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In the DC Universe, parademons are monstrous shock troops of Apokolips used by Darkseid to maintain the order of Apokolips. Loyal to their master, but none too bright, the armored Parademons fly through the air, carrying powerful weapons used to quell the rabble. Their true strength is in their numbers, which reach into the thousands. When acting together they can overwhelm even the toughest heroes.
They are chosen from the most sociopathic and cruel residents before being given gliders and trained in combat. They are often accompanied by gigantic dogs, called Hounds.
The original Parademons were created by Jack Kirby in New Gods (Vol. 1) #1 (1971).
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[edit] Notable Parademons
Note: Parademon (from Secret Six) and Mike may be the same character, but it has not yet been revealed.
- 3g4 - A Parademon drone who somehow develops a self-awareness and questions his training. Killed by Topkick for treachery (Aquaman #37).
- Colonel Harrendous - Officer of parademon invasion force. Killed when Alien egg within him burst (Superman/Aliens II #2).
- Mike - A forgotten Parademon left on a Caribbean island by Darkseid, Michael took on a mind of his own and began to kidnap people off passing ships to get company (Total Justice #1).
- Parademon - A renegade Parademon who was forced as a member of the Secret Six or, as punishment, Mockingbird would inform Granny Goodness about his presence here (Villains United #1).
- Pharzoof - rogue miniature Parademon (Birds of Prey #12).
- Topkick - Parademon drill instructor (Aquaman #37).
One Parademon eventually broke rank and became a notorious member of the Secret Six (and may be Mike, the same Parademon who previously battled the Justice League).
[edit] Secret Six Parademon
A rogue Parademon was seen in the Infinite Crisis storyline, Villains United. He was forced to join the Secret Six or, as punishment, Mockingbird would inform Granny Goodness about his presence here. During that time, he formed a bond with Ragdoll III, calling him "clown".
The nature of their relationship is unknown, nor how they formed such a close bond.
When the mansion the Six were living in was attacked by members of the Society, he detonated the Mother Boxes he had strapped to his body, killing him. Before he died, he wanted the "clown" to tell him a joke and make him laugh one last time, which led to the following exchange:
Ragdoll - You've misread me. I don't KNOW any jokes. Wait - you've lost three limbs, and you're about to die in the mud without ever knowing a home or a name. Parademon - Hah! See? I told you you were fun-
And Parademon died laughing.
In the current Secret Six mini-series, it is revealed that Parademon has been stuffed and is kept in Rag Doll's bedroom. Rag Doll talks to his stuffed body as though he is still alive.
It is theorized this Parademon is Mike, a talking Parademon that appeared in Total Justice (a Justice League spin-off from the mid-1990s) but any connection between the two is as yet unconfirmed.
[edit] Mike
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As part of one of his plans to acquire the Anti-Life Equation, Darkseid left a contingent of Parademons on a small Caribbean island. Eventually, seemingly having been forgotten, one of the Parademons took on a mind of his own, and dubbing himself Michael (but prefers to be called Mike), he began to kidnap people off passing ships to get company.
One of the boats that Michael took happened to have Tim Drake, the current Robin, and his father Jack on it, thus drawing the attention of the Justice League. Green Lantern, Flash, Aquaman, and Batman all came to the island, and were drawn into conflict with Darksied, who had come to retrieve his errant Parademons.
After a battle with Green Lantern, when the Justice League transport they were in crashed, Michael was presumed dead by Darkseid, and the Apokoliptian war lord left Earth.
Batman had spirited Michael back into his home beneath the island, and left him with a television for company, warning him if he left, he would have to face the Dark Knight.
[edit] Powers
Typical abilities of a parademon include heightened strength and a high tolerance for pain. Apokaliptian armor grants them the ability of flight.
As opposed to most parademons, Mike and the Secret Six Parademon (possibly one and the same) as well as Pharzoof could speak, and seemed to have more than the rudimentary intelligence most parademons possess. The latter was shown to enjoy being tortured by his opponents.
[edit] Other Media
On the final two (1984-85) seasons of the Superfriends, when Darkseid became a recurring (if watered-down) villain, the use of the word "demon" on television was often protested by parents' groups. Thus Darkseid's minions were always referred to as "para-drones" on that show.
Parademons have also been seen in several episodes of Superman: The Animated Series, most notably in the Apokolips, Now two-parter. They were last seen in the final episodes of Justice League Unlimited, following a resurrected Darkseid's attempt to take over Earth once more.
They are non-speaking creatures, and usually appear as invading armies.
[edit] External links
- The Unofficial Parademons Biography
- Parademon Super Powers action figure
- Inhabitants of the Fourth World
| New Gods | |
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| Creators: | Jack Kirby |
| New Genesis: | Highfather • Orion • Mister Miracle • Lightray • Forever People |
| Apokolips: | Darkseid • Kalibak • Desaad • Granny Goodness • Parademon • Steppenwolf |
| Other Characters: |
Metron • Black Racer • Forager • Big Barda • Mantis |
| Concepts and Items: | The Source • Source Wall • Anti-Life Equation • Mother Box • Boom Tube |
