Review by Win Wiacek
Superman’s arch-foe Brainiac was originally a mere marauding alien, but continually refitted over the decades until he now stands as the ultimate artificial nemesis, a thing of cogs, clockwork and computer code.
This collection represents appearances both landmark and rare from the many brilliant writers and artists who have contributed to the Kryptonian canon over the years. Naturally enough, this terrific tome opens with 1958’s impressive introduction ‘The Super-Duel in Space’ by Otto Binder and Al Plastino, wherein an evil alien scientist attempts to add Metropolis to his collection of miniaturised cities in bottles.
As well as a titanic tussle in its own right, this tale completely changed the mythology of the Man of Steel, by introducing Kandor, a city full of Kryptonians who had escaped the planet’s destruction when Brainiac captured them. Although Superman rescued his fellow survivors, the villain escaped to strike again, and it would be years before the hero could restore the Kandorians to their true size.
Next is a lovely and clever 1960 yarn from Superman’s co-creator Jerry Siegel, illustrated by the exceptional fine art team of Curt Swan and George Klein (sample art left). ‘Lana Lang, Superwoman’ has the Man of Tomorrow temporarily imbue both Lana and Lois with superpowers to foil a blackmail/murder plot by the viridian villain. The novel-length saga ‘The Team of Luthor and Brainiac’ is by Edmund Hamilton and Swan from 1964, not only teaming the hero’s greatest foes in an uneasy alliance, but also revealing more about the alien antagonist. He’s actually a malevolent mechanism in humanoid form, designed by the computer-tyrants of the planet Colu to infiltrate and destroy organic civilisations and cultures.
There’s a big jump to 1978 for an epic three-part clash that first appeared scripted by the hugely undervalued Cary Bates and illustrated by Swan. ‘Krypton Dies Again’ sees Superman once more battling Brainiac when the light from the decades gone explosion of his homeworld finally reaches Earth. The resultant flash supercharges his Kryptonian cells leaving the Man of Steel helpless. ‘No Tomorrow for Superman!’ finds an increasingly berserk hero unable to cope until joined by Hawkman to finally resolve ‘A Matter of Light and Death!’
In 1983 both Luthor and Brainiac were given radical makeovers to make them more apposite menaces for the World’s Greatest Superhero. Marv Wolfman and Gil Kane (sample art right) amped up the computer conqueror’s threat-level with ‘Rebirth!’ as cosmic forces reshaped the humanoid horror into a mechanistic angel of death.
Another redesign followed DC’s 1980s continuity rationalisation, so in John Byrne and Jerry Ordway’s ‘The Amazing Brainiac’ from 1988 Vril Dox is a monolithic disembodied intellect from the planet Colu who inhabits and transforms showbiz mentalist Milton Moses Fine. Under Roger Stern and George Pérez in 1990 it grew beyond physical limits in ‘Man and Machine’ to become a time-travelling ball of malignant computer code, constructing or co-opting ever-more formidable physical forms in its self-appointed mission to eradicate Superman.
By the time 2000’s ‘Sacrifice for Tomorrow’, by Joe Kelly, German Garcia and Kano the fiend had transformed into its 13th iteration and converted Metropolis into an automated City of the Future. It’s also learned how to possess human infants – including Lana Lang’s newborn son and Luthor’s daughter Lena – a chilling thriller to end on, but only a taste of the monstrous horror Brainiac is capable of.
This comprehensive collection is a compelling introduction and overview of the undying enemy alien and a superb treat for fans of every vintage.
