Summary
Warning! Spoilers ahead for Superman #15!As unbelievable as it sounds,Superman’slongtime enemy Brainiac just found a path to possible redemption. The Coluan menace has terrorized the stars for eons in his mad pursuit to be the sole possessor of the DC Universe’s knowledge. But a change to Brainiac’s mind might finally be helping him see the light.
InSuperman #15by Joshua Williamson and Rafa Sandoval, the Super-Family is making theirlast stand against Brainiac. As they fight his ‘house’, Lex Luthor and his daughter Lena find Brainiac’s hive mind and Lex takes it upon himself to connect to the hive mind and erase it.
Luthor succeeds and Brainiac’s connection to his ship breaks, causing it to destabilize. Superman confronts Brainiac, who, without his intelligence, is forced to grapple with feelings he’s repressed for years. Clark offers Brainiac a chance to come with him, butBrainiac insists that Superman save the citizens of Colu first.
Brainiac’s Intelligence is Replaced with Empathy
Despite possessing most every bit of knowledge in the DC Universe, Brainiac was tormented by the feeling of missing something, which drove him mad. In an effort to fill those holes, Brainiac attempted to create the perfect being, the Brainiac Queen. To bring her to life,Brainiac invaded Metropolis and kidnapped nearly every metahuman within the city. He took the Super-Family and their various allies and used their powers toactivate the Brainiac Queen. However, the Queen wasn’t merely a companion for Brainiac. She was a killing machine designed to consume power until nothing was left in the DCU.
Brainiac is often presented as a cold, calculating figure who doesn’t feel emotions or care about anything. But with his immense intelligence considerably drained, he’s finally able to feel compassion for his fellow Coluans and for his Queen. One of the most intriguing aspects of the current Superman run is how it’s been able to humanize and redeem members of Superman’s rogues' gallery. Parasite, Livewire, and Silver Banshee have all gone from being thorns in the Man of Steel’s side to trusted allies. Now that Brainiac has discovered his inner empathy,he too could become an ally to Superman.
Brainiac’s Next Appearance Could Be as Superman’s Friend
Chances are that Brainiac’s not gone for good. His hive mind, though, is. While he still proclaims to be a “thousand times” smarter than Superman, Brainiac now has access to feelings he didn’t before and that’s a crucial development for him. Now, instead of antagonizing Superman and his family, Brainiac could assist them. He’s spent the better part of his life as an information pirate, so what better way for him to make it up than by using his vast intelligence for good? Hopefully, the next timeSupermansees Brainiac, his new emotions will drive him to help.
Superman
The icon who launched the entire world of superheroes, the last son of Krypton escaped his dying world to crash land on Earth and be raised as Clark Kent. The world knows him better as Superman, the Man of Steel, the leader of the Justice League, and the most well-known hero in the DC Comics Universe. Blessed with the powers of a demigod, Kal-El of Krypton fights enemies both small and cosmic in his endless pursuit of truth, justice, and a better tomorrow.
