In ‘Justice League of America’ (2013) #8, titled “Paradise Lost”, Shazam performs a super strength feat. The Justice League has been imprisoned in prisons that are actually illusions created by the Crime Syndicate with technology. Finding Shazam’s prison, J’onn is engaged in a fight. During the fight, Shazam at full power punches Martian Manhunter who is at less than half strength.
How much super strength does it take for Shazam to punch Martian Manhunter at less than half strength?
In ‘Justice League’ (2013) #8, titled “Paradise Lost”, Martian Manhunter performs a super strength feat. During the fight, Shazam at full power punches Martian Manhunter who is at less than half strength. AP Photo/DC Comics.
SHAZAM STATED TO BE AT FULL POWER PUNCHED MARTIAN MANHUNTER 10 METERS AWAY DRAWING BLOOD.
SHAZAM GENERATED 5.1145083*10^27 NEWTONS OF FORCE, WITH 5.1145083*10^28 JOULES OF WORK, THE EQUIVALENT OF 144477.635593 TIMES THE SUN’S GRAVITATIONAL FORCE ON PRIME EARTH. ENOUGH TO SHATTER A LARGE PLANET.
SUPER STRENGTH FEAT:
SOLAR SYSTEM
Super Strength: Solar System 67%
For our database entries on DC Power Levels, visit the DC page!
Shazam has been imprisoned in a prison by the Crime Syndicate that turns out to be an illusion. Martian Manhunter states Shazam is at full power whereas J’onn is at less than half strength.
We will use this statement to estimate J’onn being at less than half strength.
MARTIAN MANHUNTER’S SUPER STRENGTH
In ‘Action Comics’ (2014) #34, Superman and Martian Manhunter together manage to slow the descent of the Brainiac Mothership that was descending on Earth at 36000 miles per hour.
In ‘Action Comics’ (2014) #34, Superman and Martian Manhunter together slow down the Brainiac Mothership that was descending on Earth at 36000 miles per hour. AP Photo/DC Comics.
We will use this feat to calculate Martian Manhunter at less than half strength.
NUMBER CRUNCHING
In the issue, it is stated that the Brainiac Mothership is bigger than Earth. Let’s estimate it to be twice the size of Earth. K2-18b exoplanet has been found to be 2.6 times the Earth’s radius and 8.6 times its mass. If we assume the Brainiac Mothership to be the size of K2-18b, then its mass is roughly 8.6 times the mass of Earth. Let’s calculate the kinetic energy of the Brainiac Mothership.
KE = (1/2)(mv2) = (5.972 × 10^24 x 8.6)(16093.44)^2) = 1.3301972*10^34 J. Let’s calculate the gravitational force F. Then, since both Superman and Martian Manhunter contributed, we divide the force by two.
F = Gm1m2/r2 = (6.67 × 10^-11 m3/kg s2)(8.6)(5.972 × 10^24 kg)^2)/(2*10^12 m) = 1.0229017*10^28 N.
To find the strength of Martian Manhunter at less than half strength, we divide by two.
Shazam at full power = Martian Manhunter at less than half strength = 1.0229017*10^28 N/2 < 5.1145083*10^27 N.
Then we calculate the work done punching J’onn 10 meters away which is 5.1145083*10^28 J. This super strength is more than the gravitational force of the sun on Earth. This means Shazam is less strong than Martian Manhunter at half power but probably at least Planetary Level.
SUPER STRENGTH
Shazam generated 5.1145083*10^27 N of force at full power to punch Martian Manhunter at less than half strength 10 meters away making him bleed. Shazam had to generate a Solar System Level of Super Strength since he likely hit Martian Manhunter with a punch 144477.635593 times greater than the gravitational force of the sun on Earth.
Toggle the Toggle Arrow below to view the calculations.
Calculations for Shazam, Justice League of America’ #8
Mass Of Sol = 5.972 × 10^24 kg.
Gravitational Force Of Sun On Earth = 3.54*10^22 N
KE = (1/2)(mv2) = (5.972 × 10^24 x 8.6)(16093.44)^2) = 1.3301972*10^34 J.
F = Gm1m2/r2 = (6.67 × 10^-11 m3/kg s2)(8.6)(5.972 × 10^24 kg)^2)/(2*10^12 m) = 1.0229017*10^28 N.
Shazam at full power = Martian Manhunter at less than half strength = 1.0229017*10^28 N/2 < 5.1145083*10^27 N.
Work done = 5.1145083*10^27 N * 10 m = 5.1145083*10^28 J.
Comparison = (5.1145083*10^27 N)/(3.54*10^22 N) = 144477.635593.
For the issue, click on the Amazon product image below to purchase the comic.
One of the marquee showdowns in comic book history. Collect this comic as a celebration of the special moments in the history of the DC Universe. Available on Amazon.
Click on the Amazon product image below to purchase the comic.
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
A VILLAINS UNITED tie-in! Get ready for Superman vs. Black Adam–and Doctor Psycho will be there to pick up the pieces!
‘Action Comics’ #831 is a turning point in DC continuity. It set up the banding together of the supervillains of the DC Universe and positioned Black Adam as a major player on the global scene. This is the battle that laid out the lines of demarcation between Superman and Black Adam.
John Byrne’s art is crisp in this issue with full colors while Gail Simone against shows the nuances of portraying a multi-dimensional supervillain in Black Adam.
This is an event you do not want to miss. Share this comic to fans of Black Adam and comic book rumbles. It is definitely worth its price and will leave you wanting for more Black Adam! And Doctor Psycho!
The Kindle and Comixology formats are highly recommended.
‘Action Comics #831’ answers the question of who would win in a fight between Superman and Black Adam. The fight between the hero and the villain is well orchestrated and the stakes are raised because Metropolis is in danger. If you are looking for a believable fight between these two powerhouses, look no further.
The comic is excellent for your collection and for studying John Byrne’s lines and panels. You will definitely love the strong expressions on the characters and the structurally sound layouts of Metropolis. This is the comic to own in order to build your 2000s John Byrne collection.
This product has 1 rating of 4 out of 5 with no customer reviews.
Overall, this comic was good.
CONCLUSION
POSITIVE:
Kindle and Comixology formats available.
NEGATIVE:
None.
OUR PRODUCT REVIEW RATING:
I recommend this comic as an entertaining comic book battle between Superman and Black Adam.
How much intelligence does it take for Brainiac’s Coluan brain to process the knowledge of “over seventy times seven octodecillion beings.”1?
In ‘Action Comics’ (2008) #868, Brainiac states an intelligence feat. Brainiac’s Coluan brain can process the knowledge of “over seventy times seven octodecillion beings.”1 AP Photo/DC Comics.
BRAINIAC’S COLUAN BRAIN CAN PROCESS THE KNOWLEDGE OF “OVER SEVENTY TIMES SEVEN OCTODECILLION BEINGS.”1
BRAINIAC’S 12TH LEVEL INTELLECT CAN PROCESS THE EQUIVALENT OF 1.4178241*10^70 BYTES PER SECOND OF INFORMATION, AND IS 5.6712964*10^60 TIMES MORE INTELLIGENT THAN THE INTERNET.
INTELLIGENCE FEAT:
GALAXY
Intelligence: Galaxy 75%
For our database entries on DC Power Levels, visit the DC page!
Brainiac stated a feat of intelligence to Superman: His Coluan brain can process the knowledge of seventy times seven octodecillion beings. For comparison, we used the data capacity of the Internet and of a human being.
We will use these facts to calculate how much information Brainiac can process in bytes and estimate his Intelligence Level.
In comparison, the Internet comprises of 1200*10^15 bytes of data. Let’s calculate how much more intelligent Brainiac is in comparison to the Internet.
Ratio Of Information/5G Internet = (1.4178241*10^70 B/s)/(2500000000 B/s) = 5.6712964*10^60.
INTELLIGENCE
When Brainiac meets Superman, awakening for the first time in three centuries, he states his A.I. is the digital conversion of the information in the Milky Way galaxy within hours.
Brainiac’s 12th Level Intellect can thus process 1.225*10^75 bytes of information at the Cosmic Level of Intelligence.
Toggle the Toggle Arrow below to view the calculations.
Calculations for Brainiac, ‘Action Comics’ #868
Bytes Of Information In A Human Being = 2.5*10^15 Bytes.
Bytes Of Information In The Internet = 1200*10^15 Bytes.
Bytes Of Information in Brainiac = (4.9*10^59)(2.5*10^15 bytes)/(1 human) = 1.225*10^75 bytes.
Processing Speed = (1.225*10^75 bytes)/(24 hr * 3600 s) = 1.4178241*10^70 B/s.
Ratio Of Information/5G Internet = (1.4178241*10^70 B/s)/(2500000000 B/s) = 5.6712964*10^60.
THE DC HIERARCHY OF INTELLIGENCE HAS COLUANS AS ITS STANDARD
Coluans. AP Photo/DC Comics.
Firstly, the DC hierarchy of intelligence includes alien races, gods, metahumans, cosmic beings and humans. At the top of the classic DC hierarchy of intelligence are the Coluans. Second, the ranking system stems from the intelligence system from the planet Colu.
Originally, Coluans are aliens from the planet Colu. Historically, heir political system is as advanced technarchy where machines rule the everyday lives of Coluans. In fact, Colu is ruled by the Computer Tyrants, sentient machines that regulate every aspect of Coluan life. To contrast, this is different from Krypton’s former system of government. Here, an advanced state of science and technology created a caste system. However, In both regimes, genetic engineering has reached a very advanced state. Indeed, disease is eradicated and the lifespan is prolonged. As matter of fact, Coluans through genetic manipulation are able to live up to 3600 Earth years.
Certainly, Coluans have a very advanced state of technology and science. As a result, the average citizen on Colu has an 8th-level intellect. Clearly, Colu’s intelligence system is the product of its super-science and of a world ruled by logic, not emotion. In fact, on Colu, life is conserved in immortal cybernetic forms.
Since the Silver Age, Brainiac has been recognized as the most intelligent being in the DC Universe. By Coluan standards, Brainiac is a 12th level intellect. Some time ago, Vril Dox I escaped Colu and Vril Dox II liberated the planet from the Computer Tyrants. Finally, Vril Dox I’s psyche inhabited a robot and became Brainiac. According to his programming, Brainiac can to convert all life in the Milky Way galaxy to digital information. As matter of fact, this process may occur in a matter of hours and bottle life on his Skull Ship.
IN “SUPERMAN’S TOP 10 MOST WANTED,” BRAINIAC IS LISTED AS A 12TH-LEVEL INTELLECT
In “Superman’s Top 10 Most Wanted”, Brainiac is listed as a 12th-level intellect. AP Photo/DC Comics
FEATS:
POST-CRISIS
Shrinking entire cities into bottles.
Creating impenetrable force-fields.
Sending armies of Brainiac probes to invade planets.
Telepathic attacks on the Justice League.
Converting life into digital information on his Skull-ship.
Creating a solar aggressor in order to detonate a sun.
Displaying superhuman strength to hold his own against Superman.
His Coluan brain can process the knowledge of “seventy times seven octodecillion beings.”1
In ‘Action Comics’ (2012) #7, the Collector identifies Superman as an 8th-level intellect.In ‘JLA’ (1997) #3, Flash (Wally West) uses the Infinite Mass Punch in order to knockout Zum. AP Photo/DC Comics
FEATS:
POST-CRISIS
Built the Fortress of Solitude.
Engineered the super robots.
Invented the Vanishing device to open wormholes to Metropia, a pocket dimension in the Phantom Zone.
Can operate the Phantom Zone projector.
Built Jimmy Olsen’s signal watch.
Memorized the entirety of the Miracle Machine in an instant.
Can calculate air pressure when flying.
Creates a serum to heal Mon-El of lead poisoning.
POST-FLASHPOINT
Memorized a library of medical information in seconds.
Articulated the Unified Field Equation.
Located Krypton with his radar sense.
IN THE 21ST CENTURY, LEX LUTHOR IS THE HIGHEST RATED INTELLECT, BETWEEN A 7TH AND A 9TH-LEVEL INTELLECT
In ‘Superman’ (2013) #15, Lex Luthor imprisoned at a military facility, states Superman’s mind is second to his. AP Photo/DC Comics.
FEATS:
POST-CRISIS
Creates the Warsuit, a high powered mech armor/suit designed to take down Superman.
Outhacked Brainiac.
Turned the sun red in order to kill 100,000 Supermen.
Created an alternate timeline with the Worlogog where Darkseid enslaved the Earth with the Anti-Life Equation.
Created JLA duplicates with the Worlogog.
Cured an incurable disease.
Split Supergirl into Good Supergirl and Evil Supergirl.
Similarly, the DC hierarchy of intelligence uses the Coluan system of intelligence. However, Earth continues to use the term “genius”. To this end, the term denotes individuals with tremendous or superhuman intellectual capabilities. On Earth, there are different geniuses by category, specialty and capability.
NEAR SUPER-GENIUS:
Here, these are individuals that are the apex of human achievement. Incredibly, they have the resources to conquer the Earth, stop alien invasions and destabilize other planets. In fact, their achievements in science, technology, business and politics involve power over a planet. Or, the ability to conquer other alien races, and plan against/for universal catastrophes.
Incredibly, these individuals display tremendous scientific and technological achievements. Similarly, they have specialties in robotics, engineering, physics, weaponry and science. Moreover, they invent advanced technology, weaponry and make contributions to science.
Mr. Terrific flying with his T. spheres in space. AP Photo/DC Comics.
POLYMATHS
Spectacularly, these individuals are experts in multiple fields. Incredibly, they are able to create revolutionary technology, solve problems at the local all the way to the universal scale. Moreover, they have enough planning to conquer the world, or the universe. To sum, they are experts in fields such as engineering, medicine, science, physics, chemistry. Also, are included various forms of human skills such as planning, strategy, management and business.
Batman in the sewers of Gotham City. AP Photo/DC Comics.
INVENTORS IN SPECIALIZED FIELDS
Creatively, these individuals are extraordinary geniuses in their fields of expertise. In a true sense, they are inventors that made ground-breaking or revolutionary inventions. In fact, their discoveries further human technology. These include artificial intelligence, engineering and mathematics. To sum, they are geniuses in the true sense and are able to think in creative ways.
PROFESSOR IVO, DR. WILL MAGNUS, T.O. MORROW, HIRO OKAMURA, CYBORG
In ‘Superman: Sacrifice’ (2005), Wonder Woman kills Maxwell Lord to free Superman from his control by snapping his neck. AP Photo/DC Comics
IN DC UNIVERSE
SUPERMAN… A THREAT?
In the events of ‘Superman: Sacrifice’ (2005), Wonder Woman kills Maxwell Lord. In ‘Superman (2005) #219, Clark and Lois are watching a documentary about Superman in bed. The documentary states natural disasters are particularly devastating and beyond human control, then it compares them to Superman. Clark turns off the documentary and wonders if the public sees him as a menace.
He mentions recent events at Puccalpa where he fought an OMAC to a standstill and people died. The event turned the people against him and he wonders why the attacker attacked him. The Disaster Week documentary continues and states that Superman’s heat vision is “off the charts by any of the standard scientific measures.” In between, are scenes of Clark at the Daily Planet talking to Jimmy Olsen. Jimmy mentions that Metropolis may be safer without Superman. At that moment, a beam attacks the Daily Planet.
In ‘Superman: Sacrifice’ (2005), Superman’s heat vision is the subject of Disaster Week which shows him as a menace. AP Photo/DC Comics
Asking Jimmy to take cover, Superman takes into action in order to trace the beam to an apartment. Talking to one of the bystanders, Superman finds out the attacker has been using wires and screaming like a crazy person about Superman. Superman meets the super-villain, named Blackrock. He engages Blackrock in combat. Superman attempts to take down Blackrock in a series of attacks then resorts to the use of heat vision.
With an “enough!”, Superman resorts to an uncontrolled blast of heat vision. He pours the energy destroying the camera that Jimmy Olsen’s camerawoman was holding. A gas tank blows and things are catching fire. Even though Blackrock is no longer drawing power from the rock, Superman continues. When Jimmy Olsen shouts to Superman “Superman! He’s done!”, Superman stops. Asking why Blackrock attacked him, Blackrock states it is because he is Superman and an alien. Asking Jimmy how he is, Jimmy says he is alright. However, the woman is scared and flees. The public responds Superman is not human and nothing can hurt him. Superman takes the rock and throws it into the sun.
In ‘Superman: Sacrifice’ (2005), Superman’s heat vision is out of control in order to defeat Blackrock. AP Photo/DC Comics
SUPERMAN IS MIND-CONTROLLED WITH VISIONS OF KILLING HIS ROGUES
In ‘Action Comics (2005) #829, Superman is mind-controlled with visions of killing Brainiac. In the morning, Lois awakes in bed in Metropolis and asks for “Clark.” She thinks about her marriage to Superman and says she does not understand him. She talks about his vision powers and how awe-inspiring they are. On the phone, Lois says she is worried about Clark because he did not come home. She found it new that Clark looked at her with doubt.
Elsewhere, Clark and Jimmy Olsen are on the scene on the latest Blackrock incident. Clark is happy no one was seriously injured. Jimmy asked the Daily Planet’s science writers to estimate peak temperatures and it seems it reached to about 1000 oC of glass melting. Clark asks Jimmy if Superman over-reacted and Jimmy is unsure. Jimmy does state that Superman used to save the nuclear option to big-bads like Doomsday and Gog and not second-raters like Blackrock. Clark heads back to the Daily Planet and asks to see Lois Lane. Peaking through the walls with his X-ray vision, he see Brainiac flirting with Lois Lane. Clark storms through the door.
In ‘Action Comics (2005) #829, Lois Lane wakes up worried that Superman didn’t come home. AP Photo/DC Comics
Clark attempts to reassure Lois that he is here to save her. Lois tells Clark Brainiac is a friend. Lois says Clark is scaring her. Superman takes Lois away and activates the security protocols at their apartment. At the Fortress of Solitude, he is hunting down Brainiac with the Superman robot. Brainiac takes over the Superman robot and Superman quickly defeats him. Brainiac guides Superman to his location seven miles beneath the ocean in the Marianas Trench. It is the Brainiac Skull Ship. Superman engages Brainiac in combat. Brainiac states Lois he has looked into Lois’ mind and she does not know whether to call him Superman or Clark.
He states the problem is Superman is hiding from the truth: he is pretending to owe allegiance to a world he does not belong to. He is an alien. Brainiac states the humans fear Superman. Superman says “wrong!” and breaches the ship’s hull. Superman says he can withstand 16000 psi, but wonders if Brainiac can. At that moment, Brainiac shows Perry, Lana, Jimmy and Lois bottled up. Superman can’t save them and they are submerged by the waters. Then, Superman decides to kill Brainiac in order to avenge them. At that moment, a bright light erupts. Superman is at the Fortress of Solitude, kneeling, with blood in his hands and the Superman robot at his side. Then, the Justice League arrives.
In ‘Action Comics (2005) #829, Superman is mind controlled that he is fighting Brainiac. AP Photo/DC Comics
SUPERMAN TAKES DOWN THE JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA IN ORDER TO TAKE ON MAXWELL LORD
In ‘Adventures of Superman’ (2005) #642, Superman realizes his visions were a mind control that resulted in him nearly killing Batman. Superman is on the Justice League Watchtower on the moon, inspecting Batman’s bruised. He recognized the thumbprints on Batman’s neck and realizes they are his. However, he refuses to believe it. Wonder Woman who had been standing behind Superman for thirty minutes comes into the room to operate the purple ray on Bruce.
Superman states he did not do it and she says she knows. Wonder Woman states Superman is “the strongest of us in almost every way.” Superman states he keeps seeing images of Lois dying, of Brainiac, Doomsday, Darkseid or Ruin. Wonder Woman says she will join him in the Conference Room where Martian Manhunter has finished his analysis of the security recordings.
In ‘Adventures of Superman’ (2005) 642, Superman realizes his visions were a mind control that resulted in Batman’s near death. AP Photo/DC Comics
The security recordings show Superman attacking Batman, slamming him on the Watchtower computer and then engaging turrets and a defense drone. Superman fires heat vision at Batman. At that moment, Wonder Woman teleports on the Watchtower and blocks the heat vision. Then, she ties Superman with her lasso. Strategically, Superman breaches the Watchtower hull twice, once to counter Wonder Woman and then to escape.
Superman says he thought he was fighting Ruin. Following a mind scan to heal the implanted psychotic episode in Superman’s mind, it is found that Maxwell Lord is at the origin of the mind control. Wonder Woman teleports away Batman to safety. As the Justice League prepares to place Superman in a teleportation loop. Superman sensing their menace, attacks.
In ‘Wonder Woman’ (2005) #219, Wonder Woman has tracked Superman’s whereabouts to Maxwell Lord’s location. Speaking to Maxwell Lord, she finds out he secretly stole Batman’s Brother MK I, murdered Blue Beetle and has Superman under mind control. Maxwell Lord says he has absolute control over Superman and that he has filled him with visions of paranoia. As Wonder Woman is about to convince Maxwell Lord, Superman comes in at high speed. Maxwell Lord has convinced Superman that Wonder Woman is Doomsday and that she has murdered Lois.
Superman fires heat vision at Wonder Woman who can barely get her bracelets up. Then, he takes her to the sun. As they approach the sun, Wonder Woman takes out some Kryptonite. However, Superman punches her back to Earth. She blacks out for an instant. Wonder Woman crash lands in Wyoming. As she comes out of the crater, Superman freezes her. As Superman listens to find Wonder Woman, she hits his ears with her bracelets causing a concussion. Then, the turn of the battle. Though Superman manages to break Wonder Woman’s wrist, she uses birds as a distraction in order to slow him down, get away and find Maxwell Lord.
For the full battle, click on the Amazon product image below to purchase the comic.
OUR REVIEW RATING SCORE:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Visit our product review for “Action Comics (1938-2011) #831.”
Writers and Artists
Gail Simone and John Byrne
SYNOPSIS FOR “BLACK AND BLUE”
The super-villains are joining together and Metropolis is caught in the crossfires. Bizarro is being recruited by Zoom into the Secret Society led by Lex Luthor. In Metropolis, Superman must battle Black Adam over his protection of the super-villain Doctor Psycho who has the citizens of Metropolis in his mind-control. Can Superman defeat Black Adam in time to save the citizens of Metropolis?
IN SUPERHERO BATTLES
THE FIGHT OF THE CENTURY! SUPERMAN VS BLACK ADAM!
In ‘Action Comics’ (2005) #831, Superman confronts Black Adam over his protection of the villain Dr. Psycho. AP Photo/DC Comics.
Enter the two contestants in Metropolis. On the left side is Superman, the Man of Steel and on the right side is Black Adam, the Champion of the Egyptian gods.
Let’s look at the stats.
SUPERMAN – NEW EARTH
Super Strength: Stellar 58%
Super Speed: Stellar 67%
Durability: Solar System 67%
Energy Projection: Solar System 67%
Fighting Skills: Metahuman 67%
Intelligence: Genius 42%
PARAPHERNALIA
Items in the Fortress of Solitude.
Legion Flight Ring.
Archer rifle.
WEAKNESSES
Vulnerability to Kryptonite.
Vulnerability to Red Sun Radiation.
Vulnerability to Magic.
High-Pitched Noises.
Psionics.
BLACK ADAM – NEW EARTH
Super Strength: Stellar 58%
Super Speed: Supersonic 58%
Durability: Solar System 67%
Energy Projection: City 25%
Fighting Skills: Warrior 75%
Intelligence: Leader 33%
WEAKNESSES
Vulnerability to Electricity.
SUPERMAN IS IN POLE POSITION OF THE BATTLE RANKER COMPETITION
To find out Superman’s battle rank, visit the Battle Ranker page.
Superman confronts Black Adam in Metropolis over his protection of the villain Dr. Psycho. Dr. Psycho has Metropolis in a psychic hold.
The battle to decide who is the strongest warrior!
In ‘Action Comics’ (2005) #831, Superman confronts Black Adam over his protection of the villain Dr. Psycho. AP Photo/DC Comics.
OUTCOME: DRAW
A FAN OF SUPERMAN AND DC COMICS? SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER TO RECEIVE THE LATEST POSTS ON YOUR FAVORITE DC HEROES.
Processing…
Success! You're on the list.
Whoops! There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Please reload the page and try again.
BLACK ADAM IN COMICS
‘The Power Of Shazam’ (1994) #1, marks the first appearance of Black Adam in DC continuity. The graphic novel tells the origin story of Captain Marvel (Shazam) and his confrontation with his archnemesis Black Adam.
The graphic novel was created by Jerry Ordway and John Costanza.
In ‘L.E.G.I.O.N.’ (1989) #1, Vril Dox II speaks of the origin story of his father, Vril Dox I, on Colu. AP Photo/DC Comics
In ‘L.E.G.I.O.N.’ (1989) #1, Vril Dox II speaks of the origin story of his father, Vril Dox I who would become Brainiac, on Colu.
Vril Dox I, who would become Brainiac, was born on the planet Colu. Colu was out on the Magellanic clouds, located as the fourth planet from the sun’s star system. Colu was a very advanced planet and it is estimated only about 1 percent of the population lived outside connurban areas. As a whole, the planet Colu was an eighth level intellect.
Coluans lived under the tyrannical control of the Computer Tyrants. The Computer Tyrants controlled and manipulated the daily lives of Coluans, even “brainwashing the chidren from birth– Raising them in sterile, computer-run edu-bloks–“1
Vril Dox I was a genius on Colu even by the Computer Tyrants’ standards. In order to not risk tampering with his mind, the Tyrants offered Vril Dox I a choice. Dox chose to stand with the machines against his own people. Dox worked magnificently for the Tyrants improving their compu-designs and their hold on Coluans. He was rewarded with the permission to inseminate a female. A son was born and was named Vril Dox II.
Vril Dox II was born virtually an adult and became his father’s assistant. Vril Dox II hated his father.
Eventually, the machines grew nervous of Vril Dox I’s genius and decided to eliminate him. The Coluan Council convened and when Vril Dox I failed with an experiment, Dox was sentenced to death.
BRAINIAC IS BORN!
Eventually, Vril’s father was discorporated by the angry and fearful Computer Tyrants of Colu. His psyche came to inhabit a robot form and wandered the galaxy as Brainiac. He was destroyed by the Omega Men, and his consciousness traveled to Earth, where another android form was created. (History of the DCU #2) There he soon possessed the body of the telepath, Milton Fine, and began a long history of terrorizing Superman. (Adventures of Superman #438)
In ‘Action Comics’ (2000) #868, Superman makes first contact with Brainiac’s main A.I. for the first time. Brainiac’s 12th Level Intellect is a vast computer mind that allows multiple running calculations with his Coluan brain and interfacing with machines and technology, as seen with the use of his bio-shell within his skull ship.
When Brainiac makes first contact with Superman for the first time, he mentions the superhuman computing power of his coluan brain which can process the knowledge of “over seventy times seven octodecillion beings.”2
Read on!
Brainiac is generally believed to be the most intelligent being in the DC Universe, possessing a twelfth-level intellect that surpasses even Lex Luthor. He is capable of storing and processing trillions of minds worth of information in his data banks and Coluan brain and possesses superhuman calculation abilities, enhanced memory, and advanced understanding of mechanical engineering, bio-engineering, physics and other theoretical and applied sciences. He has been shown as being capable of feats such as shrinking entire planets, creating impenetrable force fields, absorbing information from other beings, transferring his consciousness, time travel, and even creating an army of ten thousand similarly powered probes who are each able to rival and even kill Kryptonians. His vast intellect also makes him immune to mind control.
Let’s look at some applications of Brainiac’s 12th Level Intellect in battles.
IN ‘ACTION COMICS’ #868, BRAINIAC STATES HIS COLUAN BRAIN CAN PROCESS THE KNOWLEDGE OF SEVENTY TIMES OCTODECILLION BEINGS
In ‘Action Comics’ (2000) #868, Brainiac states the computing power of his 12th Level Intellect. AP Photo/DC Comics
In ‘Action Comics’ (2000) #868, Superman has been kidnapped by Brainiac. He awakens aboard Brainiac’s Skull Ship and quickly takes down the Brainiac probes and Koko.
Superman heads for the control room and sees the bottled cities Brainiac has integrated into his A.I. At that moment, Brainiac awakens.
Brainiac and Superman soon engage in battle. Brainiac reveals to Superman it has been the first time in five centuries since he emerged from his bio-shell. He claims he will evolve to perfection.
The Brainiac A.I. states his spinal station is able process the knowledge of octodecillion beings. His Coluan brain is able to process seventy times the information. In addition, his programming is to evolve to integrate the knowledge of the galaxy within “a matter of hours”.2
IN ‘ACTION COMICS’ #869, BRAINIAC SENDS HIS SOLAR AGGRESSOR TO DETONATE THE SUN SUPERNOVA
In ‘Action Comics’ (2008) #869, Brainiac sends his solar aggressor to detonate the sun supernova. AP Photo/DC Comics
During his battle with Superman, Brainiac sends his solar aggressor to detonate the sun supernova. After Brainiac has captured Superman and Supergirl, he bottles Metropolis. He plans to incinerate Earth with the solar aggressor as it detonates the sun supernova. Brainiac states “in less than fifty-seven minutes, my solar aggressor will reach your sun.”4
In Smallville, Pa and Ma Kent watch as the solar aggressor heads for the sun. Pa Kent notes it is headed for the sun.
In ‘Action Comics’ (2008) #866, Krypton comes in “first contact” with Brainiac an artificial intelligence from the planet Colu.1 35 years ago, Brainiac invaded the planet Krypton and stole the city of Kandor. General Zod notes Brainiac is “unnatural.”1
Brainiac sends robotic drones that kill people. General Zod and Ursa do not succumb to the hysteria of alien invasion. They attempt to fire back at Brainiac’s robotic drones. Their firepower has no effect. As they try to protect the people, a force field is erected around Kandor which disappears in a flash of light. Thus ends the “first contact” with Brainiac.1
In ‘Action Comics’ (2008) #866, General Zod and Ursa watch as Brainiac steals Kandor on Krypton 35 years ago. Photo/DC Comics
BRAINIAC SENDS A PROBE TO EARTH
In ‘Action Comics (2008) #866, Superman comes in contact with one of Brainiac’s robotic probes near Metropolis. The robotic probe attacks Superman who bleeds. Superman fires a blast of heat vision but the probe is protected by a force field. As Superman prepares his attack, the Brainiac probe scans his blood for DNA, confirms that he has found a Kryptonian then deactivates. He sends the message to the Brainiac Skull Ship.
In ‘Action Comics’ (2008) #867, at the Fortress of Solitude, Supergirl is horrified at the probe. Superman notes that Brainiac is a telepath and telekinetic with a mind a 1000 times more powerful. Brainiac has always taken a different appearance in their encounters some organic, some robotic. Supergirl replies that all of Superman’s encounters were with Brainiac’s programming, not the real Brainiac. Supergirl reveals every Kryptonian feared Brainiac and burns off the robotic probe with her heat vision.
In ‘Action Comics’ (2008) #867, Superman flies into deep space with a Kryptonian spaceship to locate Brainiac. He comes in “first contact” with the Brainiac Skull-Ship and finds Brainiac invading a planet with his probes but is unable to prevent the city from being bottled. Brainiac sends a nuclear missile to the sun that sets off a chain reaction that blows the sun and the planet. Superman floats unconscious in space. In ‘Action Comics’ (2000) #868, wakes up as he is being experimented upon. He quickly frees himself and battles Koko, a monster the result of mutation upon Brainiac’s Skull Ship.
Superman heads to the control room where the bottled worlds are held and finds Kandor. At this time, Brainiac awakens outside his bio-shell for the first time “in three centuries.”2 Brainiac reveals that he has been seeking Superman to complete his knowledge of Kryptonian culture and plans on assimilating him. Brainiac’s final programming reveals the dangers of mad science: it is to assimilate the knowledge of the galaxy within “a matter of hours.”2 Brainiac engages Superman in combat and reveals his decision to invade Earth in order to assimilate Supergirl.
In ‘Action Comics’ (2008) #869, Brainiac invades Earth which comes in “first contact” with the Brainiac Skull-Ship. The Brainiac probes invade Metropolis in search of Supergirl. They find her with Lois Lane. Amidst the alien invasion, Supergirl engages the Brainiac probes in battle. Meanwhile, Superman is battling Brainiac on the Brainiac Skull Ship. During the battle, Brainiac is able to read Superman’s thoughts and to predict Superman’s emotional state. Superman is able to disconnect Brainiac from his bio-shell and meets Zor-El and Alura from the miniature bottled city of Kandor.
They reveal to him that they had devised a dome using Brainiac’s technology around Argo as Krypton was nearing destruction by Brainiac. Recognizing his technology, Brainiac integrated Argo with Kandor. Brainiac is able to recover from Superman’s attack and capture Superman and Supergirl from Metropolis. He plans to integrate Superman by uploading the data of five worlds into Superman’s mind. As the Brainiac Skull-Ship bottles Metropolis, Brainiac sends his solar aggressor to detonate the sun.
SUPERMAN AND SUPERGIRL SAVE EARTH, METROPOLIS AND KANDOR
In ‘Action Comics’ (2008) #870, Brainiac remarks that concerning Metropolis: “this culture is useless.”3 Superman frees himself from his prison and attacks Brainiac. He manages to attack his A.I. Superman frees Kandor and Metropolis. He finds Supergirl being experimented upon and frees her. He asks her to intercept the missile sent to the sun or else it will go supernova. Supergirl tells Superman she is scared and Superman tells her that “it’s okay to be scared.”3
Superman tells Brainiac that life can’t be controlled nor bottled. He takes Brainiac outside his Skull Ship and engages him in combat. Brainiac is startled at the biotic environment and collapses. He tells Superman the cities are tethered to his bio-shell and their containment fields cannot hold. As Superman frees Metropolis and Kandor, Brainiac attacks the Kent farm in Smallville. Meanwhile, Supergirl manages to intercept and to destroy the solar aggressor. Though Superman manages to restore Metropolis from its “first contact” with Brainiac, and Kandor – a once-dead alien species – to their proper sizes, Jonathan Kent has a heart attack.
In 
