Decay (DC Comics)

Decay is the name of three fictional characters owned by DC Comics. The first was an enemy of the pre-Crisis Supergirl, while the second appeared as a villain in the Wonder Woman comic book series.^[1] The third version appeared in the New 52 as an enemy of Superboy.

Decay
Decay II on the cover of Wonder Woman #4.
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	Pendergast: Supergirl (vol. 2) #1 (November 1982) Decay II: Wonder Woman #3 (vol. 2) (April 1987) Decay III: Superboy (vol. 6) #21 (August 2013)
Created by	Pendergast: Paul Kupperberg Carmine Infantino Decay II: George Pérez Decay III: Justin Jordan
In-story information
Alter ego	Howard Pendergast
Abilities	Disintegration

Fictional character biography

Howard Pendergast

Howard Pendergast is a delusional scientist who manipulates Gayle Marsh into becoming the super-villainess Psi to help him destroy civilization under the pretense of eradicating "decay". When Pendergast attempts to kill Psi for her failure to defeat Supergirl, she transforms him into a decaying monster before eventually restoring him to normal.

Decay II

Phobos is a living statue created by Phobos to earn the approval of his father Ares.^[2] It battles Wonder Woman before she destroys it with the Lasso of Truth.^[3][4]

Julian Lazarus later resurrects Decay by transferring its spirit into a virtual replica before Wonder Woman destroys it.^[5]

Decay III

A third incarnation of Decay is introduced in The New 52 continuity reboot. It is a psychic monster created by Sarah, a young captive of H.I.V.E. Decay battles Superboy and Doctor Psycho before the latter subdues Sarah and traps her in a peaceful dream world.^[6]

Powers and abilities

All incarnations of Decay can disintegrate matter via touch.

References

1. Jimenez, Phil; Wells, John (2010). The Essential Wonder Woman Encyclopedia. Del Rey. p. 108. ISBN 978-0345501073.
2. Wonder Woman (vol. 2) #3
3. Wonder Woman (vol. 2) #4
4. Wonder Woman (vol. 2) #7
5. Wonder Woman (vol. 2) #112-113
6. Superboy (vol. 6) #21

External links

• Decay (Howard Pendergast) at the DC Comics wiki
• Cosmic Team Profile
• The Unofficial Decay Biography