House of Brainiac

Last updated
"House of Brainiac"
Publisher DC Comics
Publication dateApril – June 2024
Genre
Title(s)
Superman (vol.6) #13-15
Action Comics (vol. 1) #1064-1066
Superman: House of Brainiac Special #1
Main character(s) Superman
Lex Luthor
Brainiac
Lobo
Lois Lane
Superboy (Kon-El)
Creative team
Writer(s)Joshua Williamson
Jeremy Adams
Artist(s)Rafael Sandoval
Fico Ossio
Edwin Galmon
Penciller(s)Rafael Sandoval
Letterer(s)Dave Sharpe
Colorist(s)Alejandro Sánchez
Editor(s)Paul Kaminski
Jillian Grant

"House of Brainiac" is a Superman crossover story arc published by DC Comics in April 2024. The series is co-written by Joshua Williamson with artwork by Rafael Sandoval, Miguel Mendoca, Rico Ossio, and Edwin Galmon.

Contents

Teased in Superman Annual 2023 #1, the story arc is told in Action Comics and Superman, where Superman and Lobo have to deal with an invasion from Brainiac. The event was released to critical acclaim from critics, with critics praising Joshua Williamson's writing, the art, the characters, and the action.

Publication history

On October 23, 2023 during New York Comic Con, DC Comics announced that the next Superman event will be "House of Brainiac" released in April 2024. [1] It was also revealed that Green Lantern and Power Girl will have tie-ins to that event. [2] [3] The event will also debut a new villain called the Brainiac Queen, a female variant of Brainiac. [4]

Plot

Prelude

Lex Luthor removed Superman's identity by using technology from Warworld (home planet of Mongul), Henry Bendrix's machines to amplify Manchester Black's psychic ability because he wants the world to not see Superman and Jon Kent as humans. Superman confronts Lex Luthor, and sends him back to prison. [5]

Superman is then asked by Lex Luthor to be the head of Supercorp (a company that will assist Superman in his heroics). Although Superman is hesitant, he begrudgingly agrees to work with Lex. [6]

Before Superman's first arrival to Metropolis, Luthor had aspired to be the city's first hero, first clashing and then teaming up with Doctor Pharm and Mr Graft to work in their research on green kryptonite, discarding them both when he has no more use of them and stealing their research, which leads them to be vengeful and attack Lex Luthor. Superman and Lex Luthor eventually team up to defeat Doctor Pharm and Mercy Graves. [7] It's secretly revealed that Brainiac put Czarina (Lobo's city) in a bottle, and Doctor Pharm captured Lobo to run experiments on him. [8] After Superman teams up with Lex Luthor to defeat Doctor Pharm and his team, Lobo is freed and Brainiac starts heading to Earth. [9]

Main story

Lois Lane is enjoying her first day off in years and greets Connor Kent (Superboy), Kong Kenan, Othul-Ra and Osul-Ra (children her and Clea adopted after Warworld Saga), Supergirl, Lana Lang, Natasha Irons, Steel, and Perry White on her way to a yoga session with Jimmy Olsen and Silver Banshee. As Clark joins them, he overhears an army of Czarnians and robots descending upon Metropolis. As Superman and his allies started fighting off the robots and Czarnians, Steel reveals he tried calling for backup but something is interfering with their systems. Superman realizes that Brainiac is the one behind the invasion, just as Brainiac sends General Chacal (a Czarnian similar to Lobo) to attack Supercorp where Lex Luthor is being detained. Brainiac captures Metallo, Mercy Graves and Lena Luthor (Lex's daughter), while Lex barely escapes during the chaos. Brainiac captures all of Superman's allies including Silver Banshee and Lex, and teleports away before Superman can catch him. [10]

Superman confronts Lobo at the Warriors Bar in Coast City about the Czarnians' invasion in Metropolis but Lobo denies his involvement. Brainiac tortures Silver Banshee, when he starts coughing up blood, and asks his Brainiac clones to take him to the cooling chamber. Superman explains to Lobo what happened, and Lobo recognizes General Chacal, with Supercorp creating vehicles for Superman and Lobo to head toward Brainiac's ship due to the United Planets quarantining Earth. As they are heading toward Brainiac's ship and pass the United Planets headquarters, they are attacked by General Chacal and his minions. Brainiac heals himself and frees Lex Luthor, where Lex Luthor tells Brainiac if he leaves Lena Luthor alone, he will give him Superman. Brainiac is about to take Lana Lang to experiment her, but Supergirl realizes Brainiac's technology is from a planet called Colu, and deactivates their prison because of her experience with a Future Brainiac. However, Superboy and Supergirl realize they still don't have their powers, and have shrunk. [11]

Superboy and Supergirl hide from Brainiac's wolves, and convinces Livewire and Parasite to free themselves and go to Brainiac's station. Livewire and Parasite return Superboy and Supergirl to their normal size, and encounter Lex and Brainiac experimenting on Lana Lang. Brainiac captures the duo, and transports him, Lex, and Supergirl to his homeward Colu. Supergirl escapes from her bonds and takes Lex with her, with Brainiac sending reinforcements to capture them. Superman and Lobo fight off the Czarnians but retreat once they realize General Chacal is stalling them for Brainiac. They go to Hardcore Station, a place where intergalactic aliens stop to rest, and meet Space Cabbie. Lobo asks where Brainiac is, and General Chacal finds them by tracking Lobo's scent. General Chacal asks Lobo to take his position as leaders of Czarnians and asks Lobo to take out Superman. [12]

Superman initially gains the upper hand, but General Chacal helps Lobo capture Superman. Brainiac decides to run his experiments on Lena, while deciding to capture Lex and Supergirl after Lex tells Supergirl that Brainiac is starting to lose part of his memories after bonding with him. Both of them are saved by Colu (Brainiac's race) people, with one of them claiming to be Brainiac's son. Brainiac takes the captured Superman, Parasite, Livewire, Superbly, Livewire, and Parasite to his room, where he uses their energy to create his wife Brainiac Queen. Lobo and General Chacal plan to leave, but Brainiac betrays them by ordering Brainiac Queen to slaughter the majority of Lobo's people and General Chacal in order for her to gain more power. [13] [14]

Brainiac tells Superman he plans to let Brainiac Queen devour him and his allies and destroy other worlds in order to end all of existence. Lobo frees Superman, Livewire, and Parasite in order to hold off Brainiac Queen. Brainiac goes to Lena and tells her that due to her having Lex's spirit and her mother's immortal DNA, he will have his ship absorb her. Brainiac explains that his experience in absorbing knowledge has caused him to lose part of his memory and gotten weaker. Connor Kent use his tactile telekinesis to extend his field of control, which deactivates Brainiac Queen and disrupts Brainiac's ship. [15]

The Colu residents and Superman allies return to normal size, while Superman plans to free all of Brainiac's imprisoned cities. Lex Luthor arrives and tells Superman that Brainiac wanted to spread out across multiple bodies in the multiverse due to his body can not sustain the level of knowledge and power. While working with Brainiac, Lex discovered a hidden back entrance in his programming, and plans to take over Brainiac's entire ship in order to save Lena. Brainiac realizes what is happening, and orders his family and Colu Residents to attack Superman, Lobo, and Supergirl. [16] While Lex is trying to save Lena, it's revealed that Brainiac offered Lena in exchange for futuristic alien technology. Brainiac experimented on her and forced her to be his avatar, but Superman saved her. Just when Lex manages to free Lena from Brainiac's programming, Brainiac's Sentries start to attack them. [17]

Superman, Lobo, and Supergirl are initially overwhelmed by Brainiac's forces, with Brainiac forcibly taking control of the Colu residents. Superboy arrives with the rest of Superman's allies to help Superman. Lex and Lena manage to take out the rest of Brainiac's sentries and they arrive at the core of Brainiac's hive mind. Lex is tempted to betray Superman, but decides to connect his mind to the hive in order to shut down Brainiac's ship and intelligence. Lena warns him that it will overload his mind, but Lex does it nonetheless, which causes Brainiac's army to shut down. [18]

Lobo shrinks Brainiac's army so he can carry them to safety, while Superman confronts Brainiac. Brainiac reveals to Superman that his intelligence has been shutting down, which allows him to experience with emotions for the first time. Superman realizes that Brainiac has been seeking is love and family. Brainiac makes Superman promise to save his city and family, and Superman agrees. Brainiac warps Brainiac Queen away before the ship explodes and killing him, but not before telling Superman that he has looked at the secret of the universe and realizes that everything will end. Everyone reunites with each other in Metropolis, while Vril enlarges the rest of Brainiac's cities and creates a new planet called Colu 2.0 in order to house them. Superman thanks Lobo for his help, and Lobo leave but not before promising Superman that they will have a real fight. Superman reunites with Lois Lane in Metropolis, but is shocked to learn from Lena that Lex Luthor has his intelligence removed due to his exposure with Brainiac's ship and no longer remembers who he is. Meanwhile, Doomsday is pounding away [19]

Tie-ins

Green Lantern

The United Planets order Guy Gardner to bring Lobo in due to his dangerous behavior. Guy Gardner finds out Lobo has seemingly been wrestling and calls Booster Gold to confront him on letting Lobo be in a wrestling match, but Booster Gold hangs up. Guy Gardner interrupts the match, and takes Lobo into custody, but is confronted by space dolphins. [20] Guy Gardner and Lobo hide from the space dolphins, and goes to a planet to ask for an interspace transmitter for backup. Guy Gardner learns that this "Lobo" is just a random Czarnian, and the Czarnian accidentally reveals their location to where all the bounty hunters will want to attack "Lobo" due to the high bounty. [21]

Superman: House of Brainiac Special #1

Brainiac reminisces on how similar Krypton and Czarnia (Lobo's home planet) origins were, except Czarnians unlocked the secret to immortality. This caused conflict between the Czarnians where one side wanted to spread their knowledge across the universe, while the other wanted to spread destruction. One Czarnian name General Chacal rebelled the benevolent Czarnians and led a rebellion. The leader of the benevolent Czarnians named Tribb discovered Brainiac and asked for his help.

In exchange for Brainiac taking care of General Chacal, Tribb would give him one city of her planet, and give him the secret to immortality. Brainiac agreed, but discovered that Czarnians are inherently violent, and one day the benevolent Czarnians will be just as ruthless as General Chacal. Brainiac betrayed Tribb and captured the city of Paz, overrun by the General's forces, for his collection, but felt slight regret over seeing what he had done.

In the present day, Perry White is running for mayor who is nervous about his debate against Garon Blake who wants to deport aliens living in Metropolis. Perry White is uncomfortable with the increase in xenophobia in Metropolis and talks to a bartender on what to do. During the debate, Garon Blake thanks Brainiac for abducting the aliens during the recent invasion. Perry White points out that thanks to the aliens living in Metropolis, people are safer and all Garon Blake wants is their money. An alien girl is discovered in the debate, which leads to a riot. However, one of Garon Blake's supporters decides to join Perry White's side after seeing how violent and xenophobic the supporters were to the alien. Amanda Waller meets with the Council of Light, which turns out to be multiple versions of Brainiac. [22] It's revealed that Brainiac teleported Amanda Waller and her Suicide Squad when they fought the Crime Syndicate before Dark Crisis. Amanda is angry that Brainiac used her, and warns him to stay out of her way. [23]

Titles involved

Main series

Tie-ins

Critical reception

According to Comic Book Roundup, the entire event received an average rating of 8.5 out of 10 based on 214 reviews. [25] Gabe Hernandez from Weird Science wrote, "Superman #13 has the makings of a rock-solid Superman adventure. The plot developments are intriguing, Williamson's possible motivations for Brainiac could open the door for a new status quo for the character, and the action is on-point." [26] David Brooke from Action Comics wrote "Action Comics #1065 further proves that "House of Brainiac" is a great superhero adventure worth checking out. Combining the space opera with action works wonders to keep readers entertained with a story they've never seen before." [27]

Future

The end of "House of Brainiac" will lead to "Absolute Power", DC's next company-wide event, which features the Brainiac Queen into the "Trinity of Evil" alongside Amanda Waller and Failsafe, working together into a campaign to drain the powers of all metahumans, regardless of being heroes or villains. [28]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lex Luthor</span> Fictional supervillain appearing in DC comics publications and related media

Alexander Joseph "Lex" Luthor is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Lex Luthor originally appeared in Action Comics #23. He has since endured as the archenemy of the superhero Superman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Supergirl</span> Fictional superheroines in DC Comics

Supergirl is the name of several fictional superheroines appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The original, current, and most well known Supergirl is Kara Zor-El, the cousin of superhero Superman. The character made her first appearance in Action Comics #252 and was created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino.

Lana Lang is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Lana is a supporting character of Superman, a childhood friend and the love interest of young Clark Kent. She was created by writer Bill Finger and artist John Sikela, and first appeared in Superboy #10. The character has occasionally gained superhuman powers and assumes the superhero identities of Insect Queen and Superwoman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lar Gand</span> Fictional DC comics universe character

Lar Gand, known mainly as Mon-El, is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly in association with the Legion of Super-Heroes, Superboy, and Superman. The character has been reinterpreted over the years, but in all versions serves as a hero with abilities similar to those of Superman, sometimes serving as a substitute for him.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bizarro</span> Comic book supervillain

Bizarro is a supervillain or anti-hero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by writer Otto Binder and artist George Papp as a "mirror image" of Superman, and first appeared in Superboy #68 (1958). Debuting in the Silver Age of Comic Books, the character has often been portrayed as an antagonist to Superman, though on occasion he also takes on an antihero role.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brainiac (character)</span> Supervillain in the DC Universe

Brainiac is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by writer Otto Binder and artist Al Plastino, and debuted in Action Comics #242. He has since endured as one of Superman greatest enemies. The character's name is a portmanteau of the words brain and maniac.

<i>Superman: Red Son</i> 2003 three-issue comic book mini-series

Superman: Red Son is a three-issue prestige format comic book mini-series published by DC Comics that was released under their Elseworlds imprint in 2003. Author Mark Millar created the comic with the premise "What if Superman had been raised in the Soviet Union?" It received critical acclaim and was nominated for the 2004 Eisner Award for best limited series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lobo (DC Comics)</span> DC Comics character

Lobo is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. He was created by Roger Slifer and Keith Giffen, and first appeared in Omega Men #3. He is an alien from the utopian planet of Czarnia, and works as an interstellar mercenary and bounty hunter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brainiac 5</span> Comic book superhero

Brainiac 5 is a superhero appearing in comics published by DC Comics. He is from the planet Colu and is a long-standing member of the Legion of Super-Heroes in the 30th and 31st centuries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fortress of Solitude</span> Location featured in Superman comics

The Fortress of Solitude is a fictional fortress appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly in association with Superman. It is the place where Superman first learned about his true identity, heritage, and purpose on Earth. The fortress functions as a place of solace/occasional headquarters for Superman and is typically depicted as being in frozen tundra, away from civilization. Its predecessor, Superman's "Secret Citadel", first appeared in Superman #17, where it was said to be built into a mountain on the outskirts of Metropolis. By issue #58 it is referred to as the Fortress of Solitude, seems at a glance to be a freestanding castle, and is said to be located in a "polar waste". When the Fortress reappears in 1958 and for the first time takes center stage in a story, it is again an underground complex in a mountainous cliffside.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perry White</span> Fictional character in DC Comics

Perry White is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. He is the editor-in-chief of the Metropolis newspaper the Daily Planet. The character maintains very high ethical and journalistic standards and is an archetypal image of the tough, irascible, but fair-minded boss.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metallo</span> DC Comics character

Metallo is the name of different supervillains appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly as an adversary of Superman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lena Luthor</span> Fictional character in DC Comics

Lena Luthor is the name of two fictional comic book characters in DC Comics. The first one, introduced in 1961, is the sister of Superman's nemesis Lex Luthor, while the second one, introduced in 2000, is Lex Luthor's daughter who is named after her aunt.

<i>Superboys Legion</i> 2001 DC Comics miniseries

Superboy's Legion is a two-issue comic book mini-series, published by DC Comics cover dated February and March 2001, under the Elseworlds imprint. Written by Mark Farmer, with art by Farmer and Alan Davis. The comic series is a tale about the baby Kal-El, the last survivor of the doomed planet Krypton, arrives on Earth in the 30th century and is found by billionaire R.J. Brande. As Kal grows up, he decides to find other super-powered teens like himself and form a Legion of Super-Heroes. The story uses elements from the Silver Age Comics, most notably the original Legion of Super-Heroes series.

Lex Luthor is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. As Superman's archenemy, he has been portrayed in almost every Superman media franchise and adaptation.

<i>Superman: Secret Origin</i> Limited series comic book

Superman: Secret Origin is a six-issue monthly American comic book limited series published by DC Comics. The series was written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Gary Frank, featuring the superhero Superman. The story featured the "definitive" origin of Superman for the modern, post-Infinite Crisis DC Universe continuity, starting with Clark Kent in his pre-teens as Superboy. Within the series he goes on to meet a young Lex Luthor and the Legion of Super-Heroes in Smallville, Kansas, and soon heads to Metropolis where a young adult Clark debuts as Superman.

<i>Superman: War of the Supermen</i>

Superman: War of the Supermen is an American comic book limited series from DC Comics that serves as the culmination to the Superman line-wide event New Krypton. The series began on Free Comic Book Day 2010, with a zero-issue released free of charge before the main limited series began the following week.

Robot Chicken DC Comics Special 2: Villains in Paradise is an episode of the television comedy series Robot Chicken and it was aired as a half-hour special during Cartoon Network's Adult Swim on April 6, 2014. It serves as the sequel to the Robot Chicken DC Comics Special that focuses more on the Legion of Doom and is followed by Robot Chicken DC Comics Special III: Magical Friendship.

Lex Luthor is a supervillain in The CW's Arrowverse, based on the character of the same name created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Adapted for television in 2017 by Glen Winter and Greg Berlanti, he made his first appearance in the Supergirl episode "Luthors". Both Aidan Fink and Jon Cryer portrayed versions of the supervillain, with Aidan Fink portraying a young Lex Luthor and Jon Cryer portraying Lex as an adult.

References

  1. ↑ Epps, Justin (2023-10-13). ""House of Brainiac": Superman's Cosmic Enemy Brainiac Is Finally Returning to Change the DCU Forever". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  2. ↑ "Superman and Lobo Visit the House of Brainiac This April!". DC. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  3. ↑ Brooke, David (2024-03-14). "DC reveals June 2024 'House of Brainiac' crossover details • AIPT". aiptcomics.com. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  4. ↑ Forsberg, Taylor Blake (2023-10-17). "Meet DC's New Brainiac Queen: This Twist on the Iconic Villain Is DC's Next Big Bad". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  5. ↑ Gayen, Sayantan (2023-05-01). "Superman & Lex Luthor's Partnership Leaves The Man of Steel With a Ticking Time Bomb". CBR. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
  6. ↑ Dodge, John (2023-04-21). "Superman Just Scored a Major Win – For Lex Luthor". CBR. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
  7. ↑ Lawrence, Brandon (2019-06-14). "Superman #12 Review". Black Nerd Problems. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
  8. ↑ Morrison, Matt (2023-08-09). "Comic Review: Superman Annual #1 (2023)". Comic Book Movies and Superhero Movie News - SuperHeroHype. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  9. ↑ Hernandez, Gabe. "Superman #12 Review" . Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  10. ↑ Rose, Hannah (2024-04-09). "REVIEW: Action Comics #1064 Spotlights Superman's Most Personal Enemy". CBR. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
  11. ↑ Morrison, Matt (2024-04-16). "New House of Brainiac Villain Makes Even Lobo Uneasy". Comic Book Movies and Superhero Movie News - SuperHeroHype. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
  12. ↑ Hernandez, Gabe. "Action Comics #1065 Review" . Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  13. ↑ "MSN". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  14. ↑ Comments, Rich Johnston | (2024-05-20). "Amanda Waller And The Brainiac Queen This Week (Spoilers)". bleedingcool.com. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  15. ↑ Goldfield, Ray (2024-06-25). "Review - Superman: Action Comics #1066 - The Last Temptation of Lex Luthor". GeekDad. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  16. ↑ Laspada, Christian (2024-06-25). "Action Comics #1066: Superboy's Time to Shine". Comic Watch. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  17. ↑ Brooke, David (2024-06-18). "Action Comics #1066 review". aiptcomics.com. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  18. ↑ Comments, Rich Johnston | (2024-06-24). "The Impact House Of Brainiac Will Have On Superman (Spoilers)". bleedingcool.com. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  19. ↑ Brooke, David (2024-06-25). "Superman #15 review". aiptcomics.com. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  20. ↑ "Green Lantern #10 Review: The Lantern Rebellion Begins". Comics. 10 April 2024. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  21. ↑ Franey, Christopher (2024-05-14). "Green Lantern #11 review". aiptcomics.com. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  22. ↑ Comments, Rich Johnston | (2024-04-29). "House Of Brainiac, Amanda Waller And Council Of Light Spoilers". bleedingcool.com. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
  23. ↑ Beasley, David (2024-04-30). "REVIEW: Superman: House Of Brainiac #1". The Aspiring Kryptonian - Superman Superfan. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
  24. ↑ As, Trevor Van (2024-03-10). "Superman: House Of Brainiac Reading Order Checklist". How To Love Comics. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  25. ↑ "ComicbookRoundup". Superman: House of Brainiac. October 23, 2024. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  26. ↑ Hernandez, Gabe. "Superman #13 Review" . Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  27. ↑ Brooke, David (2024-05-15). "Action Comics #1065 review". aiptcomics.com. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  28. ↑ McMillan, Graeme (2024-04-30). "Superman: House of Brainiac Special #1 is the Absolute Power prologue you didn't see coming". Popverse. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.