After Lex Luthor, Brainiac is perhaps the most famous of the classic Superman villains. The Absolute Universe has teased its version of the evil artificial intelligence, with references to an AI of the same name utilized by the sinister Lazarus Corporation. A preview of Absolute Superman #7 finally reveals Absolute Brainiac in the flesh. Although, “in the flesh” is both an inaccurate and ironic turn of phrase.
Written by Jason Aaron with art by Carmine Di Giandomenico, Absolute Superman #7 opens at a military base in the Nevada desert. It is here that a group of soldiers called the Omega Men seek out Brainiac. What they find, however, proves completely overwhelming despite their advanced technology and psychic connection.
The first four pages of Absolute Superman #7 can be viewed below:
Absolute Superman’s Brainiac is truly alien
Brainiac has always existed as a dark mirror of the Man of Steel. Both are aliens, but Superman is human in both appearance and mannerisms. Indeed, it could be argued that the kind-hearted Clark Kent is more human than some villainous humans.
Brainiac, by contrast, operates from a cold and purely logical point of view. Even in his more biological iterations, he seems like a machine. This has been made manifest in some variants of the character, who were cyborgs or robots.
The Absolute Superman version of Brainiac looks comparatively nightmarish. He appears to be a mix of organic and mechanical parts. However, his desiccated torso gives him a somewhat undead appearance. This makes it unclear if his green skin is the result of decay or if he is an alien who somehow came into the service of Lazarus Corp.
Absolute Superman #7 arrives in comic shops everywhere on May 7, 2025.
