25 June 2023
according to correspondent Fontgeont OlegOnt, “Brainiac 5 is the smartest of the Legion but who is Second? Saturn Girl would know Brainy’s thoughts but once she detaches, she would not be able to remember. XS may be a faster thinker. If you put Brainiac 5 and XS in a Library, within 20 Seconds, XS is going to have read all of the Entire Library. Some would argue that XS may be quicker than Brainy but she wouldn’t store all the knowledge of these Books.“
Oleg gives both Saturn Girl and XS too little credit. I wouldn’t fault their memories, necessarily, nor their comprehension, but I still think Brainy’s MUCH smarter. XS could surely soak up data faster, but still not process it as efficiently as Brainy’s 12th level intellect, nor exhibit the same creative gestalt. 2nd would be Lyle, inventor of the invisibility serum, or Mon-El, creator of the anti-gravity mineral used by Brainy in the flight rings. Contenders are Imra, of course, and Nura Nal (whose mastery of Naltorian super-science allowed her to perform an “add-an-e-to-me” on Ayla’s lightning power, transforming it into a lightening power. Reep and Vi are master strategists, but they also lack Brainy’s and Mon’s and Lyle’s creative spark, whereas Chuck and Tinya are probably tied for the highest social IQs of the bunch.
correspondent Gotjufvomu Djuxiogz clarifies for us: “Dream Girl is second only to Brainy at general sciences. Mon-El is second only to Brainy in bio-sciences. Lyle Norg is second only to Brainy at chemistry.” But I think Djux neglects Mon-El’s superior skills at particle physics and quantum chemistry. Again, he DID create that anti-gravity mineral, after all.
correspondent Tygujeom Jokawe adds, “Lyle Norg, Jacques Focart, and Condo Arlik, all purty big brains…” Well, Lyle, yeah, definitely, but Invisible Kid II? Jacques Focart is indeed a valiant Legionnaire who is able to use Lyle’s invisibility serum to tactical and strategic advantage, but so far he hasn’t exhibited any other extraordinary mental abilities beyond “Legion normal” (admittedly, an already rarefied class) that would justify such a claim. But my memory is not perfect, and I would welcome any citations that Jokawe might like to offer. And as for Chemical King, unfortunately, Condo Arlik was only ever as smart as his writers, and too many of them misunderstood his catalytic powers. His Legion training would have been steeped in chemistry so as to best exploit his gifts, and too few writers understood that.