Superman: Brainiac Attacks

Brainiac crash-lands on Earth and hijacks Lex Labs to siphon data from LexCorp weapon systems. He uses the lab's resources to advance his own power and map Earth's defenses. The threat immediately signals Superman and Lex Luthor to counter.

Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen are dispatched to one of Luthor's laboratories after Brainiac's arrival. The Lex 9000 satellite attempts to destroy Brainiac to boost LexCorp's public image. They witness the developing confrontation.

Superman arrives and discovers Brainiac downloading LexCorp data. After a fierce clash, Brainiac is seemingly destroyed by Superman's ice breath. The city breathes a temporary sigh of relief.

Luthor retrieves Brainiac's intact brain chip and reactivates him, planning to use Brainiac as a weapon to defeat Superman and project himself as hero. Brainiac accepts, rebuilding with Lex 9000 as a new body. The alliance reshapes the threat facing Earth.

Clark mulls over revealing his secret to Lois, torn between personal honesty and the risks it would bring. Editor Perry White then sends Clark and Lois to Metropolis to review a restaurant, hoping for a story to fill the page. The newsroom decision sets up the next phase of events.

Brainiac returns to Metropolis and injures Superman and Lois with Kryptonite rays. Lois is exposed to a metallic-based poison that could prove fatal if untreated, elevating the urgency for a cure. The city braces for the next move in Brainiac's plan.

Superman obtains a sample of Lois's blood from the hospital and heads to the Fortress of Solitude to analyze it. He discovers Argonium 44, the only cure, sourced from the Phantom Zone. The discovery sets a strict deadline to save Lois's life.

Brainiac locates Superman in his Antarctic retreat and makes a move to download Krypton data from his computer. Superman triggers a self-destruct sequence and escapes to the Phantom Zone, leaving Brainiac to believe him dead. The race for Krypton data intensifies.

Brainiac returns to Metropolis where Luthor awaits to fulfill their agreement. Jimmy investigates Luthor and uncovers his collaboration with Brainiac. Brainiac has also removed a self-destruct fail-safe Luthor had planted should he betray him.

Superman seemingly defeats Brainiac and cures Lois, but stepping outside the hospital proves to be an illusion crafted by the Phantom Zone. He is chased and attacked by Phantoms before making his escape. The hospital becomes a battleground of illusions and danger.

In a prolonged battle in Metropolis, Superman and Brainiac clash while Luthor is injured in the crossfire. Mercy Graves discovers Jimmy pursuing evidence against Luthor and brutalizes him, but Jimmy manages to scramble one of Luthor's robot exoskeletons and knock Mercy unconscious. The evidence remains at risk as the conflict rages on.

Brainiac is finally defeated when Superman breaks the brain chip, destroying Brainiac's core. With the cure destroyed, Lois faces certain death, and Superman uses Argonium 44 to heal her. Lois mistakes him for Clark at first, but he reveals his true identity to her in the moment of crisis.

Superman recovers a piece of Kryptonian technology to begin rebuilding the Fortress of Solitude. He also vows to quit the Daily Planet to spare his loved ones future risk should any foe discover his secret identity. A new balance begins to form between Clark Kent and Superman.

The climax leaves an injured Luthor facing criminal prosecution for Brainiac's attack, while Lois rushes to cover Mister Mxyzptlk's looming appearance in Metropolis. The city braces for a new kind of challenge as justice closes in on Luthor.

Watching Lois's fearless drive to get the story, Superman reconsiders his decision to quit the Daily Planet and chooses to stay close to her. His commitment to protect her keeps his secret in check while their partnership grows stronger.