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{{Infobox comics character <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
{{Infobox comics character <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
|image=[[Image:BrainDrain.jpg|250px]]
|image=[[Image:BrainDrain.jpg|250px]]
|caption=''Brain Drain'' as featured in a panel from ''[[Invaders (comics)|The Invaders]]'' #2 (Oct. 1975). Art by [[Frank Robbins]].
|caption=Brain Drain as depicted in ''[[Invaders (comics)|The Invaders]]'' #2 (Oct. 1975). Art by [[Frank Robbins]].
|character_name=Brain Drain
|character_name=Brain Drain
|real_name=Werner Schmidt
|real_name=Werner Schmidt
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}}
}}


'''Brain Drain''' is a fictional character who first appeared in [[American comic book]]s published by [[Marvel Comics]] in 1975 as a villain, but later becoming an ally of [[Squirrel Girl]].
'''Brain Drain''' ('''Werner Schmidt''') is a fictional character who first appeared in [[American comic book]]s published by [[Marvel Comics]] in 1975 as a villain, but later becoming an ally of [[Squirrel Girl]].


==Publication history==
==Publication history==
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==Fictional character biography==
==Fictional character biography==
'''Werner Schmidt''' first appears as Brain Drain in the title ''[[Invaders (comics)|Invaders]]'', leading a group of beings claiming to be [[Continental Germanic mythology|Teutonic]] gods against [[World War II]] superhero team the Invaders. Brain Drain recounts in [[Flashback (narrative)|flashback]] his origin to [[Captain America]], explaining how a falling meteorite all but killed him. The "meteorite" was in fact a spaceship, with the four alien inhabitants saving Schmidt's brain and eyes and placing them in a robot body. With his brain waves heightened during the process, Schmidt dubs himself "Brain Drain" and taking mental control of the aliens - which he calls "Star Gods" - renames them after old German gods: [[Donar]], Log, [[Froh]], and [[Brunnhilde]]. When Brunnhilde is released, she taunts Brain Drain into committing suicide in a vat of chemicals, which destroy the characters. The Invaders escape as the aliens then destroy themselves and the installation.<ref>''The Invaders'' # 1-2 (Aug.&Oct. 1975)</ref>
Werner Schmidt is a [[Nazism|Nazi]] scientist whose crew was killed in the crash of the ''Tekeli-Li'' spaceship. Its alien passengers rescue him and transplant his brain into a robotic body with mind-control abilities. Schmidt dubs himself "Brain Drain", takes control of the aliens - which he calls "Star Gods" - and renames them after German gods [[Donar]], Log, [[Froh]], and [[Brunnhilde]]. After being freed from Brain Drain's control, the aliens commit suicide by jumping into a vat of chemicals.<ref>''The Invaders'' # 1-2 (Aug.&Oct. 1975)</ref><ref>''Marvel Premiere'' #30 (June 1976)</ref><ref>''Marvel Two-in-One Annual'' #1 (Jan. 1976) & ''Marvel Two-In-One'' #20 (Oct. 1976)</ref>


⚫
In ''[[Alpha Flight (comic book)|Alpha Flight]]'', Brain Drain allies with the [[Master of the World (character)|Master]], an enemy of the superhero team Alpha Flight. Joining the Master's team [[Omega Flight]] in a new robot body, Brain Drain and other villains battle the heroes on several occasions, before finally being defeated.<ref>''Alpha Flight'' #108 (May 1992); #110 - 112 (July-Sep. 1992) & #129 - 130 (Feb.-March 1994)</ref><ref>''Miss America Comics 70th Anniversary Special'' (Aug. 2009)</ref>
The character is mentioned by fellow [[Nazism|Nazi]] villain [[Red Skull]] in the title ''[[Marvel Premiere]]'',<ref>''Marvel Premiere'' #30 (June 1976)</ref> and reappears in a two-part story in the title ''[[Marvel Two-In-One]]'', and together with Nazi allies [[Master Man (Marvel Comics)|Master Man]], [[U-Man]] and ''Skyshark'' plans to sabotage [[New York City]] with a new super weapon. The plan, however, is foiled by time-travelling [[Fantastic Four]] member the [[Thing (comics)|Thing]] and the [[Liberty Legion]].<ref>''Marvel Two-in-One Annual'' #1 (Jan. 1976) & ''Marvel Two-In-One'' #20 (Oct. 1976)</ref>


Brain Drain returns as an antagonist in ''[[The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl]]'', but is quickly defeated due to his outdated technology and design flaws. After [[Squirrel Girl]] upgrades him, he reforms and becomes a student at [[Empire State University]].<ref>''[[The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl]]'' vol. 2 #1 (Dec. 2015)</ref>
⚫
The title ''[[Alpha Flight (comic book)|Alpha Flight]]'' reveals that Brain Drain's brain casing is apparently lost in the snow below a mountain for decades, and is rescued after taking mental control of a nearby hiker. The character allies himself with the [[Master of the World (comics)|Master]], a perennial foe of the superhero team Alpha Flight. Joining the Master's team [[Omega Flight]] in a new robot body, Brain Drain and other villains battle the heroes on several occasions, before finally being defeated.<ref>''Alpha Flight'' #108 (May 1992); #110 - 112 (July-Sep. 1992) & #129 - 130 (Feb.-March 1994)</ref>

Brain Drain is mentioned in the [[One-shot (comics)|one shot]] ''Miss America Comics 70th Anniversary Special'', as heroine [[Miss America (Madeline Joyce)|Miss America]] believes the character to be the mastermind behind a Nazi plan.<ref>''Miss America Comics 70th Anniversary Special'' (Aug. 2009)</ref>

Brain Drain returns as an antagonist in ''[[The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl]]'' and is quickly defeated due to his extremely outdated technology (such as vacuum tubes) and crucial design flaws (specifically exposed wires). Upon realizing that Brain Drain did not have a choice about his evil actions due to his programming, [[Squirrel Girl]] and her roommate Nancy Whitehead updated his technology to modern standards. Upon awakening, he reveals that he intended to reform and was specifically seeking Squirrel Girl's help, after which he decides to audit computer science courses at [[Empire State University]], under the human name "Brian Drayne".<ref>''[[The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl]]'' vol. 2 #1 (Dec. 2015)</ref> Afterwards, he takes the recurring role as one of Squirrel Girl's superhero friends.{{Volume needed|c=y|date=January 2023}}


==Powers and abilities==
==Powers and abilities==
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==In other media==
==In other media==
The character also appears in the podcast drama “Marvel’s Squirrel Girl: The Unbeatable Radio Show”, played by [[Peter Hermann]].<ref>https://geektyrant.com/news/trailer-and-poster-for-marvels-newly-launched-6-part-scripted-podcast-based-on-the-comic-squirrel-girl</ref>
Brain Drain appears in ''Marvel’s Squirrel Girl: The Unbeatable Radio Show'', voiced by [[Peter Hermann (actor)|Peter Hermann]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fisher |first=Jessica |date=April 19, 2022 |title=Trailer and Poster for Marvel's Newly Launched SQUIRREL GIRL Podcast Series |url=https://geektyrant.com/news/trailer-and-poster-for-marvels-newly-launched-6-part-scripted-podcast-based-on-the-comic-squirrel-girl |access-date= |website=GeekTyrant |language=en-US}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 21:41, 19 August 2024

Brain Drain
Brain Drain as depicted in The Invaders #2 (Oct. 1975). Art by Frank Robbins.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceFirst mentioned:
Giant-Size Invaders #1 (June 1975)
Full appearance:
Invaders #2 (Oct. 1975)
Created byRoy Thomas
Frank Robbins
In-story information
Alter egoWerner Schmidt
Team affiliationsOmega Flight
Notable aliasesBrian Drayne
AbilitiesBrilliant scientist
Mind control
Robot body

Brain Drain (Werner Schmidt) is a fictional character who first appeared in American comic books published by Marvel Comics in 1975 as a villain, but later becoming an ally of Squirrel Girl.

Publication history

[edit]

Brain Drain first appears in The Invaders #2 (Oct. 1975) and was created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Frank Robbins.

Fictional character biography

[edit]

Werner Schmidt is a Nazi scientist whose crew was killed in the crash of the Tekeli-Li spaceship. Its alien passengers rescue him and transplant his brain into a robotic body with mind-control abilities. Schmidt dubs himself "Brain Drain", takes control of the aliens - which he calls "Star Gods" - and renames them after German gods Donar, Log, Froh, and Brunnhilde. After being freed from Brain Drain's control, the aliens commit suicide by jumping into a vat of chemicals.[1][2][3]

In Alpha Flight, Brain Drain allies with the Master, an enemy of the superhero team Alpha Flight. Joining the Master's team Omega Flight in a new robot body, Brain Drain and other villains battle the heroes on several occasions, before finally being defeated.[4][5]

Brain Drain returns as an antagonist in The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, but is quickly defeated due to his outdated technology and design flaws. After Squirrel Girl upgrades him, he reforms and becomes a student at Empire State University.[6]

Powers and abilities

[edit]

Werner Schmidt was a brilliant scientist. After his brain was transplanted into a robot body by aliens, Brain Drain gained the power of mind control.

In other media

[edit]

Brain Drain appears in Marvel’s Squirrel Girl: The Unbeatable Radio Show, voiced by Peter Hermann.[7]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ The Invaders # 1-2 (Aug.&Oct. 1975)
  2. ^ Marvel Premiere #30 (June 1976)
  3. ^ Marvel Two-in-One Annual #1 (Jan. 1976) & Marvel Two-In-One #20 (Oct. 1976)
  4. ^ Alpha Flight #108 (May 1992); #110 - 112 (July-Sep. 1992) & #129 - 130 (Feb.-March 1994)
  5. ^ Miss America Comics 70th Anniversary Special (Aug. 2009)
  6. ^ The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl vol. 2 #1 (Dec. 2015)
  7. ^ Fisher, Jessica (April 19, 2022). "Trailer and Poster for Marvel's Newly Launched SQUIRREL GIRL Podcast Series". GeekTyrant.
[edit]
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