QUESTIONS: Brother I and OMACs *Spoilers*

[Batfan]

What exactly is an Omac. I've been reading all the Crisis issues and tie ins, but what is an OMAC? Is it alien, AI, mutants?

[Arvandor]

Apparently, its some kind of engineered virus that takes over the bodies of humans, and transforms them into living weapons capable of wiping out metahumans.

[Donald M.]

So in other words they're DC's version of the Bio-Sentinels from the Zero Tolerance storyline?

[RabidWolfe]

Originally, around 10 years or more ago it was "One Man Army Corps." But that was when it was just one guy. Now its a whole buch a' robot suits or sumthin'.

Now it stands for something else entirely. I'm not sure what. I vaugely think its "Outlandish Marketing Advertisement Concept."

[Batfan]

Apparently, its some kind of engineered virus that takes over the bodies of humans, and transforms them into living weapons capable of wiping out metahumans.

when exactly was this established? I'm not doubting you, I just can't believe I missed all this stuff

[Jkid099]

Right now the bio-engineered thing is what has been guessed from what has been shown in the issues, the random nature of those who "become" OMACs (in a Batgirl issue, a little old lady transformed into the meta-human killing machine), and things Max Lord has said (I believe he mentioned a virus at one point). Most likely the truth about what the OMACs are will be revealed in the last issues of "The OMAC Project."

[Batfan]

I see. So these OMAC's are basically like the Agents in the Matrix movies.

[RabidWolfe]

Despite my snarky comment above, I think this new OMAC concept is dang cool.

[Stanlos]

I see. So these OMAC's are basically like the Agents in the Matrix movies.

That's what it seems like to me too. Which is really frightening stuff! You apparently can be one and not even know you've been 'infected.'

[Batfan]

That's what it seems like to me too. Which is really frightening stuff! You apparently can be one and not even know you've been 'infected.'

So it's possible that one of DC's hero's could easily become an OMAC

[Jeff O.]

Originally, around 10 years or more ago it was "One Man Army Corps." But that was when it was just one guy.

OMAC No. 1 -- from 1974 (http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/oddball/index.cgi?date=2001-04-10)


Addition via edit:

OMAC index from DarkMark (http://darkmark6.tripod.com/omac_index.html)

[trickster]

So it's possible that one of DC's hero's could easily become an OMAC

Apparently not. So far Brother I or Max haven't tried it. Perhaps heroes are immune, or it would just ruin any reason for storytelling. "We'll just have a bunch of OMACs and send all the heroes home in bodybags within a week".
Come to think of it, Brother I doesn't even seem so powerful. Why not make a whole city of OMACs? It'd all be over very soon.

[lonewolf23k]

So it's possible that one of DC's hero's could easily become an OMAC

Actually.. The recent Superman storyline hints at Superman being one of the OMACs...

[Batfan]

well if the hero's don't turn into Omac's we could possibly see friends of hero's...like an Alfred or Lois, jImmy Olsen.

[Shem the Penman]

well if the hero's don't turn into Omac's we could possibly see friends of hero's...like an Alfred or Lois, jImmy Olsen.

Which is pretty much the same thing they did with Manhunters in Millennium, way back when.

[K'Nort]

Which is pretty much the same thing they did with Manhunters in Millennium, way back when.

Exactly. I've been pretty curious about how they're going to stay away from those similarities. But a temporary virus is quite different. And pretty sneaky/creative.

[Arvandor]

Exactly. I've been pretty curious about how they're going to stay away from those similarities. But a temporary virus is quite different. And pretty sneaky/creative.

Actually, it's looking like they're about to reveal some connection between the OMACs and the Manhunters, in the next issue of Manhunter.

[Kent H]

In theory they probably could infect at least some heroes, but technically that would defeat the purpose of the OMACs, since they're meant to observe and/or kill metas apparently.

And according to the cover of Adventures of Superman #641, OMAc now stands for Observational Meta-human Activity Construct.

[Guts/Batman]

Actually.. The recent Superman storyline hints at Superman being one of the OMACs...

For all intents and purposes, he was. Even if he didn't have the blue suit on he was.

Rucka himself said that Max viewed Superman as the ultimate OMAC.

[spEEdy]

These whole OMAC beings remind me too much of the Manhunters during the Millenium storyline....
Manhunters could be anyone and can be activated at any given time.
Sounds just like the OMAC things...
:confused:

[sehthan]

Actually, it's looking like they're about to reveal some connection between the OMACs and the Manhunters, in the next issue of Manhunter.

I'm not sure that's where they're going. That would seem to be at odds with the sweeping retcon in issue 13...

...where the connections to the Manhunter androids were deleted from the origins of every previous hero called Manhunter.

The Manhunter androids have been re-established over in Green Lantern, though.

[Gaz]

In theory they probably could infect at least some heroes, but technically that would defeat the purpose of the OMACs, since they're meant to observe and/or kill metas apparently.

And according to the cover of Adventures of Superman #641, OMAc now stands for Observational Meta-human Activity Construct.
Could be some non-meta heroes like Green Arrow or The Question (Question's just a paranoid 'tec, right?)

[Jkid099]

It's weird, yeah, the cover of #641 says "Observational Meta-human Activity Construct" yet in OMAC #5, the satellite itself refers to them as "One Man Army Corps" again. *Shrug*

As for what the OMACs actually are:
They're apparently a nano-tech construct formed from B-13 tech. apparently acquired from Department of Defense / Lexcorp contacts (presumably DoD still had some after Metropolis returned to normal while the Luthor presidency was still going on). There is a base virus that was injected into one million plus people worldwide through a series of "poisoned" vaccinnations that people will usually take for whatever remedies they need. When an OMAC is needed, the virus in their system links to the Brother I satellite, and the latent nanites in their body activate ... transforming them into a cyborg killing machine. So I suppose if certain heroes did get their vaccinations this year, then there could be trouble.

[Guts/Batman]

Well, what the characters in the story call it and what the satellite itself would call itself I would think be different. It is a fully autonomous AI now. It thinks on its own.

Especially now that phase I is over...

[DarthDookuk]

The new issue says that the nano-bot virus was hidden in regular vaccinations, to reach the population. So guessing that heroes dont go to regular doctors to get vaccinations, i would say that is why no heroes would be OMAC's.

[chicagokmc]

The new issue says that the nano-bot virus was hidden in regular vaccinations, to reach the population. So guessing that heroes dont go to regular doctors to get vaccinations, i would say that is why no heroes would be OMAC's.

why would this apply to all heroes? supes, wonder woman, flash - sure. but green arrow, black canary, black lightning are heroes that come to mind. and maybe these aren't even the best examples, but the point is there are non-meta human heroes out there who are tied to groups like jla/jsa where there are resources to do such exams.

[Jkid099]

It's a possibility. Most likely Max had the virus sent through a series of various vaccinations in order to prevent it from being easily traced. However, more than likely (judging by the people seen who have turned into OMACs) a specific series of vaccinations were targeted so only a specific demographic would become OMACs. Logically, Max would have had vaccinations that affect teenagers into mid-adulthood only implanted with the virus. Having a baby or extreme old person (who knows if their body could handle the transformation) turn into an OMAC would not seem plausible. Then again, the OMAC that appeared in that Batgirl issue was an old woman as well.

Of course that could be considered just a writer / editorial mishap. Or perhaps the virus operates in which no matter who's infected, they will be made stronger (healthier) to handle the "possession."

[d00m]

why would this apply to all heroes? supes, wonder woman, flash - sure. but green arrow, black canary, black lightning are heroes that come to mind. and maybe these aren't even the best examples, but the point is there are non-meta human heroes out there who are tied to groups like jla/jsa where there are resources to do such exams.

If the omac virus was issued via inculations then the chances of a hero being affected are slim. They'd only be effected if they need injections for a trip abroad (tho I doubt any DC heroes worry about this).. or if they had tetnus shots or something..

BUT .. could any of the heroes' loved ones be OMACs at the moment???

[Guts/Batman]

Given how calculating Brother Eye and Max were, I would think that Max would be precise to whom gets infected. It seems to be random.

Which kind of sounds stupid to me since Max/Brother Eye has access to EVERYONE on Earth.

[powerforward]

ok, this is probably petty stuff but i had some questions/comments on omac...

1)first, how does brother eye give powers to normal people? what happens to enable normal people to be able to take on superman?
2)did bruce invent that technology, or did max lord/checkmate?
3)if bruce invented it, why not use it on himself?
4)when did bruce invent this?/why no mention of it in his solo books?

[Squashua]

People were infected with nanites/nanobots that could be activated by Brother I.

These nanobots/nanites were implemented AFTER Batman lost control of Brother I to Checkmate/Maxwell Lord.

The nanobots/nanites are a derivative of future technology, notably Booster Gold's robotic former-partner/sidekick, Skeets.

So to answer your questions...

1) Nanobots/Nanites; they grow an armor coating of them and become like a Terminator T-1000 or Terminatrix

2) Checkmate did from Skeets-tech and other sources.

3) He didn't invent it.

4) He didn't invent the tech; Brother I was probably a side project, much like his stolen JLA Takedown Protocols. Go read early issues of JLA: Classified and see Batman's "Sci-Fi Closet".

[Matt K]

People were infected with nanites/nanobots that could be activated by Brother I.

These nanobots/nanites were implemented AFTER Batman lost control of Brother I to Checkmate/Maxwell Lord.

The nanobots/nanites are a derivative of future technology, notably Booster Gold's robotic former-partner/sidekick, Skeets.

So to answer your questions...

1) Nanobots/Nanites; they grow an armor coating of them and become like a Terminator T-1000 or Terminatrix

2) Checkmate did from Skeets-tech and other sources.

3) He didn't invent it.

4) He didn't invent the tech; Brother I was probably a side project, much like his stolen JLA Takedown Protocols. Go read early issues of JLA: Classified and see Batman's "Sci-Fi Closet".


So essentially they are like the prime sentenels from X-Men's Operation Zero Tolerance. That explains alot.

[powerforward]

thanks for clearing that up.

[IamtheRock3]

They may Answer this but what your theroires


If Omac tied to the crisis(like manhunter said) like the other big Events..does that mean Someone BIGGER set the Omacs to get started or set bats up. Or this one just a Batman's and max's baby

When DID Batman lose control of brother Eye

Why cant anyone see brother Eye..I mean got wonder woman vision, Superman vision, phycis, mages, etc etc. Heck all WW got to do is Lasso someone in the know

How long did batman have brother Eye.Did batman every Actully use this thing. All ways wondered why he never used it on the villans. But he didnt know what Max, Sue digby, or othere were doing either

[foxfire]

I thought it was interesting how they said Superman searched all of earth space and didnt find Brother I... but its there somewhere... or maybe its in outer space and someone from the Rann/Than war opperates it?

[converge241]

the Superman For Tomorrow run shows the creation of an OMAC and drops some details that may or may not help

[IamtheRock3]

the Superman For Tomorrow run shows the creation of an OMAC and drops some details that may or may not help


Like what.

[converge241]

my books arent in great order right now so if anyone has some specific stuff from the run please post

basically it shows the recruitment of someone to become an OMAC and shows them being changed..there is a lot of dialouge that may make sense now or later in retrospect as more OMAC info comes out

For Tomorrow may be related to Infinite Crisis more than people realize..1st appearance of the new OMACs and also features a somehwat out of control Supes

[foxfire]

I thought it took place a year ahead of the rest of the DCU... which is funny cause then it would take place almost in the OYL... but that cant be right...

[converge241]

you know i had that debate with some people here but i was basically told to go pound sand :)

i initially thought the story took place after IC (this was before IC started) cause the gist of the story was that something awful had happened and Superman was trying to protect everyone..and DC specified it was a year from now...

people here had said since the story lasted a year real time that a year had passed in comic time which doesnt make sense cause technically based on what dc said then superman would be 2 years ahead PLUS we know DCU time doesnt move in real time

if for tomorrow DOES take place after IC (we will have to wait and see right?) then maybe thats a new 2nd wave of OMACs being built

but DC has made it clear that after IC 5 or whatever the DCU jumps ahead one year

so who knows??

*head hurts*

[IamtheRock3]

Well here how I took it

All 3 Superman comic took place at differnt times in Superman lives. One Superman was fired, One no Lois Lane, One The cop superman was working with had a higher postion then she did in the other superman comci At the end they all caught up

Superman was a year Ahead when it started..but then they made it so we caught up. Kind of like 52

By the end of 12 months we were suspose to catch up

[Lightbend]

It looks like the OMACs may be a government/conspiracy thing. The OMACs currently seen would be the fifth iteration-OMAC 3 was Equus, OMAC IV was the one made out of the priest. They said they were going with a different direction with the fifth OMAC project-the nanovirus apparently the way they were going, suggesting a possible Apokaliptan connection or alien involvement.

I still go by the belief Despero's behind it.

[Peter Svensson]

In Manhunter, we learned that the OMACs are derived from a combination of Lexcorp and Manhunter (the android warriors made by the Guardians of the Universe) tech by the government. Lexcorp has had dealings with Apokolips, though it could also be Brainiac tech involved as well.

[sonofagun]

sorry newbie that I am I got all caught up in all the infinte crisis drama, but ont thing that bugs me, if brother I is all seeing, and We know he is from reading OMAC, why would anyone in checkmate bother tearing skeets apart, and useing his circutry to "bug" blue beetle in countdown, if OMAC has taught us anything, it's taught us that Batman developed a very sophistocated eye in the sky to watch the metas, so why tear apart a poor robot (and as much as I hate Bat Dick, I don't think he would do this) any Ideas? or was this a throwaway Idea just to advance Booster's departure?

[Emerald Ghost]

At the end of Countdown, everything was erased from Brother's files. At the beginning of OMAC #1, Brother says it was not Blue Beetle (as had been thought) and no one in the Checkmate organization. Max guessed it might have been Creator (Batman), but from his confusion and lack of being able to contact Brother, I find this unlikely.

Who do you think did it?

[stealthwise]

Sasha Bordeaux?

[lonewolf23k]

At the end of Countdown, everything was erased from Brother's files. At the beginning of OMAC #1, Brother says it was not Blue Beetle (as had been thought) and no one in the Checkmate organization. Max guessed it might have been Creator (Batman), but from his confusion and lack of being able to contact Brother, I find this unlikely.

Who do you think did it?

I think it was Brother itself, isolating it's files from Max and making it look as if they'd been deleted.

Why? Because he's slowly becoming independant..

[Emerald Ghost]

Sasha Bordeaux?

Possible, but she hadn't been turned into an OMAC at that time, so it might have been difficult.

I think it was Brother itself, isolating it's files from Max and making it look as if they'd been deleted.

Why? Because he's slowly becoming independant..

Very plausible. I would point out that they seemed to take great pains to make it a clear divide in the book, however; Brother had to activate the Independence subroutine which was hooked into the Kingisdead program.

[ApexPredator]

Holy broken dreams Batman!!!!

I just figured it out...

Barbara Gordon has figured out what is going on and is going to set things right because she wants her legs back!!!!!

She is the3 one who shut down the computers and she is the one who reprogrammed a superman robot to explode on the JLA watchtower!!!

dont you see it....she is the apex predator.

[Emerald Ghost]

Holy broken dreams Batman!!!!

I just figured it out...

Barbara Gordon has figured out what is going on and is going to set things right because she wants her legs back!!!!!

She is the3 one who shut down the computers and she is the one who reprogrammed a superman robot to explode on the JLA watchtower!!!

dont you see it....she is the apex predator.

Didn't she lock the Society out of their computers also in Villains U? They showed the oracle head... :D

[Oracle_0128]

I too think that it was Oracle. We know that she had something to do with the satellites. Then the whole Brainiac thing happened. Plus...Calculator is pretty pissed off right now at her.

I think there is more to her than meets the eye. Plus...her and Ted were pretty close, so it's not impossible for him to have confided in her.

[cmndob]

Yeah I sorta thought that Batdick did the skeets deed and it was just another confrontation waiting to happen. Maybe not but he did build Brother I. I can't see Bats being too sympathetic to AI.

[Guts/Batman]

How did Oracle know about Brother Eye in the first place? Did she help Bruce build it?

I know there was a recent BoP arc where Barbara gets infected by Brother Eye but don't know how that worked out.

I think it was Brother Eye doing itself. It was semi-autonomus to begin with so...

[Just_A_Rat]

I think that Brother I could not see into the rather sophisticated Bug. It probably had all kinds of baffles to stop any known kind of surveillance, so they had to get something inside.

[ForEverAncien]

Babs survived the infection, it was a war of wills.

She won...but had a sorta a mother/child discussion with the infection...sorta I say.
How did Oracle know about Brother Eye in the first place? Did she help Bruce build it?

I know there was a recent BoP arc where Barbara gets infected by Brother Eye but don't know how that worked out.

I think it was Brother Eye doing itself. It was semi-autonomus to begin with so...

[TommyV]

Wasn't she "infected" by Braniac? I don't think it was Brother Eye that infected her, although I do like the idea that she erased the files. Oracle is one baaaaad mother!

[da noble savage]

Anybody got any specultations on what the truth justice mission the omacs when into at the end of crisis.

[da noble savage]

I think it was brother I too. :D

[Rollo_Tomasi]

Well, remember during IC #1 when Superman told Wonder Woman that she couldn't go back to Paradise Island because she needed to be "brought to justice" for what she did to Maxwell Lord? I think that is exactly what the mission the OMACs were heading out to do is. They are enroute to attacking Paradise Island. See the Perez cover for IC #3 for more evidence.

[da noble savage]

sweet can u post the cover.

[Emerald Ghost]

Oracle is one baaaaad mother!

Shut yo' mouth. :D

[ApexPredator]

I think that its the new program that Barbara Gordon hacked into the OMAC protocols.

She is going to reconfigure the OMACs to help the heroes fight off the villians who make many multiple versions of themselves using the 100 pounds of kryptonite which are chemically altered into a form of black kryptonite which will unleash a multitude of versions of each villian.

the OMACS are actually going to help us all in the end.

[PatrickG]

I'd say whoever did this is the mastermind behind the Rann-Thanagar War, the Spectre's insanity, the Villains uniting, etc.

They've pretty much said that one person is responsible for the events of all four mini-series and the implication is that it's the person who masterminded the JLA's demise as well.

So they're probably (at the very least) someone capable of undoing mindwipes, moving planets across the galaxy, creating a portal to other dimensions, pulling in an alternate reality Lex Luthor (ie. businessman Lex) and reprogramming a massive AI satellite.

Whoever it is has issues with the JLA, magic users, villains and the GL Corps. They want Power Girl disoriented, has an agenda in deep space involving a portal at the center of the universe for which most of this stuff is an elaborate cover to keep Earth out.

Someone has arranged for Pariah and Harbinger to die, from the looks of it. OR successfully managed to fake both characters' deaths (as well as faking J'Onn's death) to cover some kind of covert operation.

And Psycho Pirate is apparently the "inside man".

Sounds to me like the Monitor or maybe the Anti-Monitor. Maybe Darkseid. Maybe a Lex Luthor or Brainiac. Maybe Krona. Not TOO many options though, I think.

[titanfan]

Barbara Gordon has figured out what is going on and is going to set things right because she wants her legs back!!!!!


Well, while this is still a crappy motive, at least she wasn't doing it because she wanted Dick Grayson back!

[da noble savage]

I think that its the new program that Barbara Gordon hacked into the OMAC protocols.

She is going to reconfigure the OMACs to help the heroes fight off the villians who make many multiple versions of themselves using the 100 pounds of kryptonite which are chemically altered into a form of black kryptonite which will unleash a multitude of versions of each villian.

the OMACS are actually going to help us all in the end.

for real dang what story does she do that in is it bird's of prey or was it outside of it.

[DEATH]

I know that they're normal people turned into Super powered beings by Batmans stolen satelite, but what trigers it, how powerful are they, do they have free will, what are they meant to do etc..?

[Jkid099]

OMACs are the product of a techno. virus made from various things, most notably the B-13 virus (the futuristic virus brought to the past by Brainiac 13 that transformed Metropolis into a futuristic city for a few years. And was later utilized by Lex Luthor to make LexCorp richer, and help him become the President) and supposedly some Manhunter technology. It was created (as far as we know right now. This will be possibly elaborated on as Infinite Crisis continues) by Maxwell Lord who acquire the B-13 tech. from contacts in the Department of Defense (when Luthor became President, he had the American Armed Forces outfitted with B-13 tech). The virus was then distributed around the globe through a series of "fake" vaccines ensuring a means of evening the distribution of OMAC units around the globe.

A massive database of metahuman / superhero / supervillain information was compiled by Lord & Checkmate, and from that a series of elimination protocols. Essentially all the tactics and abilities of known metahuman superheroes / villains were analyzed, and ways to counter them found. The OMAC Project was finalized with the activation of the OMAC units being tied into the Brother Mark I Satellite which Lord stole from Batman. Upon a received signal, any certain OMACs are activated.

They are much stronger than any normal person. One single OMAC has been known to go toe-to-toe with Superman. However, they are not invincible, and if unusual tactics are taken by their targets, can easily be defeated. This is why they usually travel in packs of three or more to make co-ordinated (and usually deadly) assaults against their targets. While one hero may find a way to defeat an OMAC, usually two others are coming up behind him/her with a carefully calculated killing assault.

So far a virus was utilized to "disconnect" several hundred thousand OMACs from Brother I, and an EMP was employed against others. It is feasible Brother I has created counters to this for the remaining OMACs defense.

[hugh45]

Will the original OMAC appear and is it human?

[Justin Davis]

How does the general public know the name OMAC? I saw it used by reporters and more in IC #1. I doubt they're flying around saying stuff like, "Hey, we're OMAC's and we're going to kill a bunch of superheroes and supervillains. Cool? Cool."

Also, how exactly do they fly?

[bosshog7169]

clark kent or lois lane or one of those reporters who is in the know probably broke the story on the name.... just go with it, this story rocks

[comic_lover]

What exactly is an Omac. I've been reading all the Crisis issues and tie ins, but what is an OMAC? Is it alien, AI, mutants?Old.McDonald's.Amature.Clown's
Trust Me.
:D

[Arkham Resident]

So?

Is it just to spy on Metahumans, the JLA, or both. Does it have a module to kill or terminate the subjects? Where did Max Lord start with the enhancements. The OMACS , are they really a part of Brother Eye or just its mutation...

Your thoughts and opinions...

I ask this because Batman is being blamed for the consequences were seeing in IC.. should he be?

[Guts/Batman]

I'm getting tired of OMACs now. They are just literally everywhere. At first, they had the "new Plot Device" feeling going...and it was ok. But now they have the "old Plot Device" feeling.

The massive Deus Ex Machina at the end of OMAC Project didn't really help it. Hawkman #46 didn't help the feeling of it's "tired Plot Device"-ness setting in for me.

I don't mind Brother Eye, though.

As to what extent this is Battman's fault, I see it as Batman's fault for creating Brother MK1. The OMACs aren't.

[Chad G.]

I was thinking today as I was re-reading the OMAC set. Does anyone else find that OMAC's are overpowered for how they are created. I mean really, the ability to stand toe to toe with Supes and the Flash based on nano-tchnly endowing the infected person with the offensive and defensive capability that they have shown? I just don't see it. I'm all for suspension of disbelief, but this kind of pushes the envelope.

[scratchie]

Why, it could well be the least believeable plot device I've ever seen in a comic book!

Sorry, I couldn't resist. I think the serious answer to your question is "Yes. Yes we do" but I don't think it's inherently any less believeable than the fact that Superman can fly or the Flash can run 10x the speed of light.

[Kevinroc]

I just found it odd. The OMACs can go toe to toe with Superman but they have various different settings depending on who their target is instead of being in Superman-mode all the time.

I guess so other heroes could beat them?

But it was just silly.

[Guts/Batman]

I just found it odd. The OMACs can go toe to toe with Superman but they have various different settings depending on who their target is instead of being in Superman-mode all the time.

I guess so other heroes could beat them?

But it was just silly.

Yea. They can be superman mode with the other abilities, too. Hawkman #46 was hilarious because of this.

The OMAC grows wings because it can't fly in Hawkman #46 but in every other comic with a flying superhero the OMACs didn't need wings to fly. WTF?!?!?!

Consistency is crying somewhere.

I found OMACs to be a cool plot device at first but now...I hate it when they are in a story.

That and they are so convienently placed. It's not even a surprise of who is an OMAC for the most part, anymore.

[LordEd1976]

That and they are so convienently placed. It's not even a surprise of who is an MAC for the most part, anymore.

Knock on wood man. Otherwise next issue of Flash will have Linda Park turning into one.

To any DC writer reading this thread,
IGNORE WHAT I JUST SAID. I NEVER SAID ANYTHING. DO NOT TAKE MY SUGGESTION.

[Cayman]

Did the OMACS ever battle Amazo?

Cay

[Guts/Batman]

Did the OMACS ever battle Amazo?

Cay

Haven't seen it happen yet.

[Chad G.]

Knock on wood man. Otherwise next issue of Flash will have Linda Park turning into one.

To any DC writer reading this thread,
IGNORE WHAT I JUST SAID. I NEVER SAID ANYTHING. DO NOT TAKE MY SUGGESTION.

See, I almost expect that to happen next. Clark is sitting at the DP typing, and suddenly, Perry and Jimmy turns into everyones favorite one-eyed friends.

At that point, I will cry.

[Guts/Batman]

See, I almost expect that to happen next. Clark is sitting at the DP typing, and suddenly, Perry and Jimmy turns into everyones favorite one-eyed friends.

At that point, I will cry.

I have already begun to cry when Dr. Mid-Nite freed the man of the nanobytes in Hawkman #46 with no ill effects when in OMAC #6, there were plenty of ill effects felt by those humans in the "suits".

And when Robin beat one but Superman, the JSA (as a group kind of), Wonder Woman and MM had trouble with them.

[Chad G.]

And when Robin beat one......

That was pure crap. You are dead on there.

[Rich L]

What I don't understand was how long this has been going on; Batman created Brother I. Brother I created the OMACS. According to some books (like Hawkman) people are infected when they're inoculated as children - yet you've got adults turning into OMACs. Which means that they were inoculated 15-20 years ago. Which means Batman managed to put a satellite up without anyone noticing before he even became Batman...crazy.

[Sk8maven]

Can you say "time travel"? :p

Maven

[Guts/Batman]

What I don't understand was how long this has been going on; Batman created Brother I. Brother I created the OMACS. According to some books (like Hawkman) people are infected when they're inoculated as children - yet you've got adults turning into OMACs. Which means that they were inoculated 15-20 years ago. Which means Batman managed to put a satellite up without anyone noticing before he even became Batman...crazy.

That's what is puzzling me as well. Hawkman #46 is one of the most confusing comics to come out this whole IC run of comics.

Either the writers didn't know what the hell they were writing or...

The nanobyte technology is only a recent addition to the Brother Eye's repetoire, I think. But that depends on when Max hijacked Brother Eye from Batman and potentially stole Luthor's technology and added it to Batman's satellite.

Batman didn't build this before he was Batman because it was the midnwipe that made him build it so he was clearly Batman when he did. Plus, Batman didn't create the OMACs so that pretty much proves that it wasn't part of the original programming.

We know that Luthor came up with the technology to create the OMACs. However, we don't know when he did that. The current OMACs are tied to some similar experiment much earlier in the timeline. Original Manhunters or some jazz like that.

I think Brother Eye has been in the sky since at least immediately Post-KnightsEnd and into Prodigal. There's only about 5-7 years since Crisis on Infinite Earths in the timeline.

It's not a matter of confusing continuity combined with not enough information (undoubtedly on purpose)

We need more answers before we can do any more theorizing. There's simply not enough information. Unfortunately, the IC special for OMAC Project is 2 monthes away so writers can really screw us up until then.

In effect, the OMACs and Brother MK1 are two totally different timelines.

[Rich L]

That's what is puzzling me as well. Hawkman #46 is one of the most confusing comics to come out this whole IC run of comics.

Either the writers didn't know what the hell they were writing or...

The nanobyte technology is only a recent addition to the Brother Eye's repetoire, I think. But that depends on when Max hijacked Brother Eye from Batman and potentially stole Luthor's technology and added it to Batman's satellite.

Batman didn't build this before he was Batman because it was the midnwipe that made him build it so he was clearly Batman when he did. Plus, Batman didn't create the OMACs so that pretty much proves that it wasn't part of the original programming.

We know that Luthor came up with the technology to create the OMACs. However, we don't know when he did that. The current OMACs are tied to some similar experiment much earlier in the timeline. Original Manhunters or some jazz like that.

I think Brother Eye has been in the sky since at least immediately Post-KnightsEnd and into Prodigal. There's only about 5-7 years since Crisis on Infinite Earths in the timeline.

It's not a matter of confusing continuity combined with not enough information (undoubtedly on purpose)

We need more answers before we can do any more theorizing. There's simply not enough information. Unfortunately, the IC special for OMAC Project is 2 monthes away so writers can really screw us up until then.

In effect, the OMACs and Brother MK1 are two totally different timelines.

Very true.

Although now I think about it, Hawkman as a book seems to have more of these problems - specifically regarding Charlie Parker, the Golden Eagle.

Can't remember how exactly, but his life story seemed to be at odds with the Justice Society's exile and Katar Hol's timeline, if I recall.

Eh, blame it on Jimmy Palmiotti. Great writer, great stories, lousy with timelines. Works for me.

[xnef1025]

This is what I figure:

1. Agency X steals and converts Luthor's tech into the nanovirus. They can activate it remotely in infected people and control thier actions, but they don't have a way to put out a strong enough signal to control them all at once or activate from anywhere. The OMAC virus lays dormant in people.

2. Bruce gets mindwiped. Afterwards, the side-effect of increasing paranoia causes him to begin work on Brother Mk I.

3. Max Lord manages the new JL and somehow finds out about Brother.

4. Max becomes Black King of Checkmate and steals Brother Mk I.

5. Checkmate gets ahold of OMACs, either by theft or given to them by the Big Bad behind IC.

6. Max has Brother I reprogrammed to control the OMACs.

7. Hilarity ensues.

[LordEd1976]

This is what I figure:

1. Agency X steals and converts Luthor's tech into the nanovirus. They can activate it remotely in infected people and control thier actions, but they don't have a way to put out a strong enough signal to control them all at once or activate from anywhere. The OMAC virus lays dormant in people.

2. Bruce gets mindwiped. Afterwards, the side-effect of increasing paranoia causes him to begin work on Brother Mk I.

3. Max Lord manages the new JL and somehow finds out about Brother.

4. Max becomes Black King of Checkmate and steals Brother Mk I.

5. Checkmate gets ahold of OMACs, either by theft or given to them by the Big Bad behind IC.

6. Max has Brother I reprogrammed to control the OMACs.

7. Hilarity ensues.

You forgot;

8. a bunch of B-list heroes and villians (some of whom deserve better) get butchered in shock value death scenes

[Bored at 3:00AM]

The Manhunter book just revealed that the nano-tech that was inoculated into all these people and was subsequently used to create the OMACs came from a crashed Manhunter android that the government has been experimenting with since before WW2.

So, the timeline goes like this.

1) US Government discovers Manhunter android and uses its technology to create the Manhunter Project, whose subjects included Paul Kirk and Mark Shaw.

2) Checkmate combines Luthor's technology with the Manhunter Project and creates the OMAC Project.

3) Max Lord takes control of Checkmate and Brother Eye.

3) Brother Eye takes control of the OMACs.

4) Bad stuff happens.

[glennsim]

Yea. They can be superman mode with the other abilities, too. Hawkman #46 was hilarious because of this.

The OMAC grows wings because it can't fly in Hawkman #46 but in every other comic with a flying superhero the OMACs didn't need wings to fly. WTF?!?!?!

Consistency is crying somewhere.

I found OMACs to be a cool plot device at first but now...I hate it when they are in a story.

That and they are so convienently placed. It's not even a surprise of who is an OMAC for the most part, anymore.

Maybe there's some Amazo technology involved, where the OMACs don't have powers per se, they are copying the powers of their opponents (sorta).

It could also be that there's limited energy to go around, so they can't afford to give Robin's opponent the same amount of power as Superman's.

[Guts/Batman]

Eh, blame it on Jimmy Palmiotti. Great writer, great stories, lousy with timelines. Works for me.

That's how I would describe it.

[Guts/Batman]

Maybe there's some Amazo technology involved, where the OMACs don't have powers per se, they are copying the powers of their opponents (sorta).

It could also be that there's limited energy to go around, so they can't afford to give Robin's opponent the same amount of power as Superman's.

I think you're reaching. The OMACs have now become a poorly used plot device that lost their effect on me as a reader.

While it is true we don't have enough information to saying anything definite, OMACs are one of the most inconsistent things of this whole storyline.

The OMAC didn't have to grow wings for flight against WW, Superman or the JLI. Why for Hawkman and Hawkgirl (other than the obvious)? It makes no sense.

It's like they are changing the story...in the middle of the story. And the writers aren't doing it well.