Justice League: No Justice Brings Back Brainiac's Son, Vril Dox

WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Justice League: No Justice #2 by Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, Josh Williamson and Francis Manapul, in stores now.

The creative team behind Justice League: No Justice promised big moments in every issue, but after the first issue's surprising finish, it was hard to imagine how they would top the death of Brainiac. However, the second issue may have succeeded, ending on an incredibly unexpected note with the return of Brainiac's son Vril Dox, also known as Brainiac 2. This revelation may serve to simultaneously save the mission, open the DC Universe to incredible new cosmic heights, and reaffirm Brainiac's legacy.

Team Entropy needs to power the Tree of Entropy on Colu, so they decide to initiate a jailbreak and spread chaos on the planet. Drawn to the prison by the technology in their new costumes, the team of Batman, Deathstroke, Lex Luthor, Lobo and Beast Boy realize the suits are pulling them to a specific cell.

Inside the most secure part of the prison is Vril Dox, who is possibly just as brilliant as Brainiac, but without without most of the evil inclinations that make his father a threat to the universe. Perhaps the day will be saved after all.

Brainiac 2.0 is Here to Save the Day

In exactly one page, we learn everything we need to know about Brainiac's son: He's a jerk, he's arrogant, and he's absolutely brilliant.

According to Post-Crisis continuity established in 1989's Invasion! event series, Vril Dox is a clone of Brainiac created by the villain himself in order to pass on his power and legacy to an heir. However, unlike his father, Brainiac 2 has always been more of a good guy, even if he's something of a Machiavellian cosmic hero in Pre-Flashpoint continuity. The idea of Batman being unhappy to see him may be more about his methods than seeing him as a genuine threat. He is, after all, pretty much a master manipulator.

Though Vril has made attempts to distance himself from his father's ideals, a Brainiac is still a Brainiac, thus he has an incredible intellect and cutthroat tactical mind. This is why he tells the assembled heroes that they were doomed to fail, and that his father "may have needed your powers, but his plan required him at every step." This, in turn, sets Vril Dox up as a stand-in for Brainiac.

If Brainiac 2 is anything like he was in previous continuity, he might take this opportunity to save the universe by usurping control of the entire Justice League, and then lead them to victory over the Omega Titans. If they need the precision of his father's mind, Vril Dox is absolutely the next best thing.

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After distancing himself from his father, Vril Dox used the incredible gifts he retained from Brainiac to start the galactic police force known as L.E.G.I.O.N. While Vril continuously manipulated those around him, the end goal was always to make the universe more orderly and safer for innocent people. Over the years, his group has been deposed several times, at one point leading to him founding a group of rebels, appropriately known as R.E.B.E.L.S., in order to gain back his power.

Given the fact that Vril Dox can be seen wearing his uniform inside his cell, some of this continuity seems to have been retained -- though Lobo's reaction to him will tell us just how much, considering their pre=Flashpoint history. Why he was imprisoned there is yet to be revealed, but it's more than likely he has lost control of L.E.G.I.O.N. once again.

It will be interesting to see how this potential plot point will be incorporated into the overall story. With the Green Lanterns and Darkstars nearing all out war over in Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps, the universe could use all the law and order it can get. Bringing back L.E.G.I.O.N, or R.E.B.E.L.S., as a force for good could help save many innocent lives, especially if a new space sector is about to be created and explored in the new Justice League Odyssey title.

The Legacy of Brainiac

The concept of legacy is perhaps the single most important aspect of the DC Universe. It was the elimination of legacy that ultimately caused the New 52 to fail, and the restoration of it that made Rebirth a success. Legacy in the DCU doesn't stop with the superheroes, though, because many villains have their own leacies to leave behind. Just as Batman has left behind a legacy with his son Damian Wayne, Brainiac has created a son of his own. Even one of the universe's greatest threats has a legacy to pass on.

This legacy of his doesn't stop with a single generation, though. Vril Dox may be the son of Brainiac in the 21st Century, but the line continues well into the future. Just as Brainiac beget Vril Dox, Vril also beget a son in Lyrl Dox. Brainiac 3 would continue the linage with Kajz Dox, and Brainiac 4 would create Brainiac 5, the longtime member of the Legion of Super-Heroes -- another team DC fans have been anxiously waiting to see make its official Rebirth debut.

It's nearly impossible to discuss the legacy of Brainiac without mentioning the Legion as well. It has been stated that Vril Dox's organization is supposed to be a precursor to the more famous Legion in the 31st Century. Though we have not seen the Legion of Super-Heroes in several years now, DC Comics is clearly building the modern day foundation that will eventually lead to a return. It all starts with the reemergence of Vril Dox.