History:
MICHAEL RABINOWITZ
Real Name: Michael Rabinowitz
Identity/Class: Alternate reality (New Universe) human paranormal
Occupation: Pediatrician
Group Membership: C.I.A.
Affiliations: Billy, Veronica Rabinowitz
Enemies: The Feds, muggers
Known Relatives: Veronica Rabinowitz (wife)
Aliases: None
Base of Operations: A cabin in Oswego, Oregon; formerly Mahattan, New York, USA
First Appearance: Justice II#30/2 (April, 1989)
Powers/Abilities: Michael has the parability to cause spontaneous combustion in other humans who are nearby him. He has no control over his parability, which seemed to be linked to his emotional state. When Michael grows angry or upset, a pinkish energy emerges from his body and people in the proximity of this energy will burst into flame, even if Michael was not angry or upset at the person in question.
Height: Unrevealed (approximately 5'11")
Weight: Unrevealed (approximately 130 lbs.)
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Light brown
History:
(Justice II#30/2 (fb)) - Michael was a pediatrician with a private practice in Manhattan, New York, married to Veronica and had been planning to have children of his own one day. In January, 1988, Michael had just treated his patient Billy and was walking home when he was assaulted by a mugger with a knife. Michael felt himself becoming angry when suddenly a pinkish energy came out of Michael's body and encircled the mugger, causing him to burst into flame. Michael was horrified at the man's death and fled, uncertain of what exactly had happened but certain he'd caused the man's death.
The next day, Michael went out for lunch with Veronica and she told him she wanted to give up her career and start raising a family with him. As they were walking down a street, Michael saw three members of the Feds gang breaking into a car. Michael yelled at the Feds to get away from the car. One of the Feds lunged at Michael with a tire iron and Michael felt himself growing angry again; as before, the energy emerged from his body and quickly killed the gang member, burning the flesh off his bones; Michael was especially horrified to realize the gang member was fully conscious as the fire consumed him. While the other Feds fled, Michael ran to the gang members remains screaming, "Please-- don't be dead." When he tried to pick up the man his body crumbled into ash.
Michael became determined to prevent himself from killing again so he went to see his psychiatrist for help in controlling his parability. When he told the psychiatrist he'd caused two men's deaths, the psychiatrist opined it was a self-delusion brought on by a guilt complex relating to his need to help others. Suddenly, Michael's parability activated again and caused the psychiatrist to burst into flame. Michael realized he'd killed an innocent man without meaning to. Michael returned to his car and drove through Manhattan, trying to puzzle out what he should do. When another motorist began honking at him Michael grew angry and his parability activated again, causing the motorist to burst into flame. Michael stopped his car and watched the motorist burn inside his vehicle. As another car approached, Michael stood in the road, begging someone to kill him; then he passed out.
Michael was sent to a hospital and placed under observation. When Veronica came to visit him he begged her to leave him, afraid that he'd kill her too. Realizing as long as he was around other people he might accidentally kill again, Michael fled to a cabin in the Oswego woods.
(Justice II#30/2) - Michael sat alone in the cabin, tormented by the memories of the people he'd killed and being separated from Veronica. One day, he was surprised to hear a knock at the door. A man from the C.I.A. introduced himself and told Michael the agency knew about his parability and wanted to recruit him.
Comments: Created by Eric Siry, Marc McLaurin and Jim Lee.
Given how out-of-control Michael's powers were and the terrible job the C.I.A. did trying to recruit other paranormals in various New Universe comics, I doubt he worked out well for the agency.
Profile by Prime Eternal.
CLARIFICATIONS:
Michael Rabinowitz should not be confused with:
Veronica was Michael's wife. Although she had a career she had just decided to give it up so that she and Michael could start a family. Unfortunately, it was at that time that Michael's parability emerged and he caused several deaths. Although Veronica didn't know about Michael's parability, she witnessed the death of a Feds gang member at Michael's hands. When Michael realized he couldn't control his parability and might cause her death he forced her to leave him alone for her own protection.
--Justice I#30/2 (30/2 (fb)
images: (without ads)
Justice II#30/2, page 1, panel 1 (main)
Justice II#30/2, page 2, panel 5 (powers)
Justice II#30/2, page 6, panel 1 (Veronica)
Appearances:
Justice II#30/2 (April, 1989) - Eric Siry (writer), Marc McLaurin (penciler), Jim Lee (inker), David Wohl (editor)
First posted: 10/25/2026
Last updated:
10/26/2026
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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