61. Parasite

Parasite has taken several forms in the Superman comics. This DC supervillain, as his name suggests, has the ability absorb energy, knowledge, and superpowers simply by touching another being. As you can imagine, that makes him a formidable adversary to the Man of Steel.

The character's original Silver Age origin introduced him as a simple plant worker who became exposed to hazardous material -- junk that was brought back from space by Superman -- that transformed him into a purple-hued parasitic entity (who rocks sweet green briefs).

Parasite's Modern Age revamp introduced the character in a similar manner, but an epic lunar battle with Superman resulted in the new Parasite being mutated into a grotesque monster with a gaping leech-like maw. He later absorbed a shapeshifting being, granting him the ability to mimic any of his victims. Superman defeated Parasite once and for all after he kidnapped Lois Lane. In the Kingdom Come graphic novel, it is Parasite who is responsible for the cataclysmic events that destroy much of the American Midwest. In a battle with Magog and his Justice Battalion, Parasite rips apart Captain Atom, unleashing a devastating nuclear explosion.