WARNING: This article contains potential spoilers for Absolute Superman #2!
Since his debut over 56 years ago, Brainiac has transformed significantly as a formidable antagonist to Superman. Initially envisioned as a humanoid extraterrestrial possessing 12th-level intellect, he has assumed various roles, including that of a nefarious artificial intelligence. The latest incarnation intertwines these facets, introducing an unexpected alliance with Lois Lane.
In last month’s release of Absolute Superman #1 by Jason Aaron, Rafa Sandoval, and Ulises Arreola, readers meet Lois Lane as a member of the Lazarus Corps Force—an armed global policing entity that exercises stringent laws and oversees a regime of forced labor under the guise of peacekeeping.
The narrative also hinted at Brainiac’s emergence through a brief visual, showcasing the villain in a setting labeled “Lazarus Corps R&D Department,”indicating a collaborative effort between Lois and this menacing entity. Continuing from this premise, Absolute Superman #2 delves deeper into Lazarus’s enigma, spotlighting an unsettling yet revealing confrontation between Brainiac and Lois Lane.
Brainiac Assumes the Role of an Artificial Intelligence in Absolute Superman #2
Brainiac Heads Lazarus’s Research & Development
In Absolute Superman #2, Lois Lane returns to the Lazarus Corps headquarters after her dramatic attempt to apprehend Superman backfires. In a surprising twist, she finds herself handcuffed to him while he skillfully evades capture by the remnants of the force. Amid this chaos, Lois witnesses Superman’s remarkable capabilities firsthand.
Upon returning to headquarters, she is instructed to file a report detailing her observations about Superman’s actions through an automated tracking system. It soon becomes evident that this “automated system”is actually none other than Brainiac himself, posing as an omnipresent surveillance mechanism.
The implications of this revelation are staggering; Brainiac subtly manipulates the entire reporting process. He cleverly crafts questions designed to steer Lois’s answers, ultimately portraying Superman in an unfavorable light. For instance, when he prompts Lois to assess Superman’s threat level and she asserts he poses no danger, Brainiac overrides her judgment, assigning a higher threat level than warranted. His probing continues with options like “Neutralization”or “Control,”yet when Lois counters that Superman can’t be tamed, he misappropriates her response to conclude with “Agent advises termination,”a suggestion that Lois never proposed.
Brainiac Functions as the New Age ‘Thought Police’ from Orwell’s 1984
Lois Lane’s Unseen Supervisor is Brainiac
Frustrated by the glitches in the report logging, Lois exclaims, “Damn it, you’re not listening! Stupid computer!”little realizing she’s addressing Brainiac. This moment highlights a critical misunderstanding; both Lois and the Lazarus Corps members mistakenly regard Brainiac as a mere computer system. Unbeknownst to them, he embodies the role of a modern “Thought Police,”reminiscent of the oppressive regime depicted in George Orwell’s classic novel, 1984—a surveillance entity controlling and dictating public sentiment.
In this context, Brainiac’s influence over Lois’s reporting reflects an alarming agency manipulation, undermining her autonomy, and aligning with his own nefarious objectives. This dynamic signals a shift in the relationship between the two characters; while Lois remains unaware of Brainiac’s true identity, a power imbalance, akin to a supervisor-subordinate relationship, is subtly established, with Brainiac orchestrating events from obscurity.
Absolute Superman’s Character Evolution of Brainiac Unites His Most Notable Attributes
A Glimpse at Brainiac from Absolute Superman #1 (2024)
This contemporary portrayal of Brainiac ingeniously melds two of his quintessential representations: the extraterrestrial with unparalleled intellect and the reimagined rogue Kryptonian AI. It appears that in the Absolute Superman saga, Brainiac may embody a blend of both identities, creating a multifaceted antagonist. This incarnation provides a fresh perspective on his character by combining elements from his storied history, bringing forth a remarkably engaging narrative that continues to captivate readers as the storyline progresses.
Absolute Superman #2 is currently available from DC Comics.
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