Brainiac 5

"So, what's your power? Super-strength? Speed?" "I have a twelfth level intellect." "Great, you can knock 'em out with your diploma!" — Supergirl and Brainiac 5[1]

Brainiac 5, also known as Brainy, was a 12th-level intellect Coluan who was a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes in the 31st century. He was a descendant of the original Brainiac, who had at some point discovered a way to pass his code down at the genetic level. While Brainiac 5 shared his ancestor's genius, he rejected the malevolence that made the original Brainiac feared throughout the galaxy.

History

Supergirl, Green Arrow, and Green Lantern were transported to the 31st century by Brainiac 5 and Bouncing Boy in order to rescue the rest of the Legion from the Fatal Five. Despite Stewart and Bouncy soon falling victim to the Five's mind-control device, the surviving heroes were able to win the day. Partially due to her comfort with the Legion's era of advanced technology, and partially due to a mutual attraction between her and Brainiac 5, Supergirl elected to remain in the 31st century as a member of the Legion.

Powers and abilities

Brainiac 5 had no innate superpowers apart from his vast, 12th-level intellect and knowledge of hand-to-hand combat, but as a genius inventor, he wore a powerful force-field belt of his own design that was strong enough to withstand blows from Supergirl. He also wore the standard-issue Legion flight ring, which he had also created.

Background information

Other than the tri-circled Brainiac symbol on his forehead, Brainiac 5 bears little to no resemblance to his ancestor outside of a vast intellect and the curious blue-green hue of his skin. In the comics, Brainiac 5 had green skin (as did his ancestor), but this was changed because Brainiac's (artificial) skin color was blue in the DCAU.

Appearances

Superman: The Animated Series

• "New Kids in Town" ^(Cameo)

Justice League Unlimited

• "Far From Home"

References

Members of the Legion of Super-Heroes
Andromeda • Blok • Bouncing Boy • Brainiac 5 • Chameleon Boy • Colossal Boy • Cosmic Boy • Dream Girl • Kid Quantum • Light Lass • Lightning Lad • Phantom Girl • Saturn Girl • Shadow Lass • Supergirl • Timber Wolf • Triplicate Girl • Ultra Boy • Wildfire