"One, True" Brainiac Appreciation

[Munkiman]

He's at least as smart as Lex Luthor (if lacking imagination), and strong enough to give Superman a physical challenge. He has incredible alien technology made from an amalgam of different worlds, he collects cities and blows up planets, he caused the destruction of Krypton (I think. Probably.), and his motivation is basically the same as the Brainiac from the animated series, which is my favorite version of Brainiac, but this one is definitely a close second, and my favorite Superman villain.

Who else loves the most recent version of Brainiac?

[superchick]

'At least as smart as lex luthor' is a dramatic understatement

[Munkiman]

True.

I also love that he downloaded a copy of Superman's mind, allowing him to predict Superman's reaction to any situation.

[Retro315]

Love Brainiac.

His being more like the Animated version is a great way to up his danger levels, and explain all the previous forms of Brainiac in one fell swoop. (Since Animated Brainiac was constantly reviving himself from a piece of programming into new bodies - which incidentally was awesome in Krueger and Alex Ross's Justice as well).

Stands to be Superman's greatest villain, potentially. Guy put Metropolis in a bottle! Still has a pet monkey! Has an army of Terminators!

[Mat001]

I definately like this version of Brainiac. He has the best elements of the previous incarnations and can back it up in a fight.

[Schluffy]

I really dig this version of braniac. However I do prefur him in his cocoon state in the machine with the tubes. When hes the big bruding hulk like character I did get a bit turned off as I imagined him to be almost like a golum physique, no longer needing to move for centuries as thinking is all he needs. His body would fade. I dont mind it (especially when Gary Frank is drawing him) but it really took me by suprise. And in classic Geoff Johns fashion its a great Retcon while still honoring everything that has some before it.

[Munkiman]

It was so great, though, when he emerges from the cocoon, and Superman is just like, "I beat up your robots and your pet monkey, so yeah, I'm just gonna take Kandor and leave and ohcrapthisguyisbig."

[Schluffy]

Ha I have to give you that, it is cool that he can match his strength. Also does anyone know what happened with braniac between the New Krypton crossover and him in Adventure Comics?
I stoped reading Action (i read it for a good 4-5 issues then called it) & Superman after the crossover and now lex is just in braniacs ship with him? (I havnt had a chance to get a copy of Adventure 2 either as im in the UK so if they explain it there I wouldnt know) Was there anything big I missed in action/supes?

[Mat001]

Not much has happened. Brainiac was last seen in Adventure Comics #0, which came out in March. He and Lex were mostly unseen until Adventure #1, though Lex was last seen in Action Comics #885. So you haven't missed much.

[The Chief5425]

Brainiac is tied with the Time Trapper for my favorite DC villain, for reasons largely covered by the original poster. Yes, I love that he more closely resembles the DCAU Braniac (in fact, can we just call it a day and appoint Bruce Timm editor in chief of DC?).

As others have said, I'd love to see him mix it up with other elements of the DCU, particularly the Green Lantern corps.

[Sean Walsh]

I still haven't gotten a good grasp on this new incarnation yet, but I think I like it.

Not much has happened. Brainiac was last seen in Adventure Comics #0, which came out in March. He and Lex were mostly unseen until Adventure #1, though Lex was last seen in Action Comics #885. So you haven't missed much.

They both had a considerable role in ADVENTURE #2 last week, actually.

[Crimson Knightman]

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/brainiac/brainiac-1.jpg

Brainiac will always be my favorite Superman villain, I've always felt that he should be Superman's greatest foe because he is the perfect counterbalance to brains and brawn. What Geoff Johns did for Brainiac recently was impressive (especially how he was responsible for Jonathan Kent's death) until the whole "germs" paradox came into play which I found to be somewhat ludicrous. Other than that, I found the upgrade for Brainiac to be logical. What Brainiac needs is consistency, he needs for future writers to continue to utilize his potential as not only as one of Superman's greatest foes but as a force to be reckoned with across the spectrum of the DC Universe. Also as far as who should be the next villain in the next Superman film is concerned, it should be Brainiac.

[Mat001]

They both had a considerable role in ADVENTURE #2 last week, actually.

Yeah, but the question was between the end of "New Krypton" and right now, what were they doing.

[Artificial idiot]

It took Lex that long to finish his epic monologue... And as we saw in Adventure 2, he still wasn't quite finished. :biggrin: :tongue: :wink:

Love the new Brainiac! The story introducing him was just a grade A comic, no question!

[dupersuper]

Introduced in a kick-a$$ story? check
Did NOT try to wipe away every post-crisis Brainiac appearance? check
Classic robot and skull ship design? check
Well timed; just before Vril Dox 2 gets a regular title again? check
Monkey? check
Shrinking cities? check
Dangerous threat? check

[JessieMidnight]

I always loved Brainiac, especially the one from the animated series, so this new version of him is my favorite! I liked how this also explains his other versions. I saw a scan though that showed Superman fighting all kinds of Brainiacs, even the one from the animated series, anyone have it or know what it's from? Anyway my favorite Superman villain, and I love the current "real" version of him.

[The Chief5425]

I saw a scan though that showed Superman fighting all kinds of Brainiacs, even the one from the animated series, anyone have it or know what it's from? Anyway my favorite Superman villain, and I love the current "real" version of him.

I believe that scan was from an Action Comics annual a few years back (not at home, don't have the issue number handy). Best of all I think it was supposed to be representative of future events, which means we may see Supes encountering the Brainiac from whichever Earth they've decided contains the DCAU.

[Mat001]

Actually, it's from Action Comics #850. And yes, I have it.

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g92/darth-sinister/Avatars/Avatars-2/Avatars-3/Avatars-4/Ac11.jpg

It was Johns' way of setting up the "Brainiac" arc, without giving away too much. Guedes used actual Brainiacs to represent that, with a few thrown in for good measure.

[JessieMidnight]

That's it, thanks for posting it! The animated version of Brainiac was always one of my favorite versions, so it's cool they put him in this. I was a little worried the other day because I remembered this scan, and wasn't sure if it was suppose to be in the Superman/Brainiac hardcover that I got finally. Thanks for clearing that up for me.

On a side note, has anyone seen Jim Lee's design of Brainiac for the DCU online game, it's pretty cool I think. I always wanted to see his version of Brainiac, and he did a good job.

Anyway I hope Geoff Johns or someone keeps the new Brainiac's story going, and that they don't forget about him.