Superboy and the LSH #256

Superboy and the LSH #256 (1979)
by Gerry Conway & Joe Staton
cover by Dick Giordano

 Brainiac 5 doesn’t seem to be a fan of Gerry Conway, judging by the cover.

This is indeed the redemption of Brainiac 5, after going insane in issue #250.
I’m sure watching TV all day will help his sanity.

It is kind of funny that he’s continuously breaking the lights, since it implies the staff can’t figure out a way to stop him.

At least Matter-Eater Lad is going to be fine. Eventually. Maybe.

You know, I’m not entirely convinced this guy is really a doctor. Maybe they should ask him where he got his license.

Meanwhile we cut to… oh come on, AGAIN!? Are we ever going to do ANYTHING with this plot point!?!?

Not in THIS issue!

No, this issue’s plot revolves around the Legion forcefully requisition an amusement park world.

And no, I’m not exaggerating for comedic effect. The Legion straight up bullies the owner and force him to surrender the park to them!

We then cut to Brainiac 5 hallucinating being a baby again. I don’t think that’s a good sign.

Enjoy the super rare appearance of Brainiac 5’s parents.
His father was naturally Brainiac 4, born with the name Kajz.
His mother doesn’t even get a name in ANY continuity; she’s shown to be a brunette here, but in the reboot she’s a blonde. In that continuity she’ll be the one to carry the title Brainiac 4.

This is ostensibly the origin of Brainiac 5. That’s interesting, but honestly it feels quite generic.

The main gimmick of Brainiac’s people is supposed to be that they’re smarter than other species, but honestly I’m beginning to think their gimmick is being a##holes.

While this is going on, the Legion is fighting the Science Police. Who knew stealing an entire establishment  was actually a crime?
(edit: I originally called this stealing the entire planet, but the comments correctly pointed out that the amusement park covers only the canyon… whoops)

All while Saturn Girl is looking at Brainiac 5’s hallucinations…

…which include a scene “from his adolescence”. This raises the question: just how old is Brainy? Or the rest of the Legion for that matter? Dawnstar being 16 was treated as her being younger, so… early twenties? At least? Superboy is still in high school at this point.

Anyway, I guess the memory is about the first time Brainiac 5 did something heroic.

Apparently what happened is the girl he saved reacted poorly (told you it’s a planet of a##holes), but THIS time she hugs him. Because it’s not a hallucination: it’s a hologram created by the Legion.

And that’s all Brainiac 5 needed to get better, after going insane and nearly destroying all life in the universe. Yes, SERIOUSLY, that’s it!!! He just needed a virtual hug!!!

The fact that the Legion could’ve used Princess Projectra instead of committing a crime is brought up, with a rather unconvincing explanation, and we end with the cliffhanger of the Legion being cornered by the Science Police.

Since, you know, stealing and stuff.

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Legion significance: 0/10
Brainiac 5 returns to active duty, but his absence was so short it’s barely noticeable.

 Silver Age-ness: 7/10
That is one heck of a quick and stupid way to treat mental illness.

 Does it stand the test of time? 3/10
Brainiac 5’s origin is fine if very generic. Other than that… this was very uninspired. It also feels uncharacteristically short: it’s 17 pages but it feels like there’s 10 pages of content, tops.

We are legion
23 Legionnaires
5 reserve members
1 on sick leave (Matter-Eater Lad)