New Ideas in Neuroscience: The Kryptonian Brain Cell Transplant

February 10th, 2008

Filed under: Comics, Medicine

In my previous discussion of brains and comic books, I neglected to mention a key concept: The Kryptonian Brain Cell Transplant.

It all starts when Linda Danver’s boyfriend David jumps into a swimming pool to save another swimmer, but strikes his head on some underwater debris, suffers brain damage, and falls in a coma.

so much for patient confidentiality

Supergirl, of course, realizes that just because “no power on earth” can save David doesn’t mean that no one can. She rushes off to the Fortress of Solitude to talk with the scientists from the bottled city of Kandor, certain that Kryptonian science can save her boyfriend (along the way, she rationalizes that she and Superman only turn to the Kandorians in the direst of emergencies1). Eminent Kandorian scientist Professor Ron-Kar tells her that only a Brain-Cell Transplant can save David.

Never mind all the other brain damaged patients this could help, I just want to save my guy

The Professor arranges for Supergirl to obtain the Kandorian surgical equipment necessary to perform the transplant (made of Quasi-energy, so that only Superman or Supergirl can use them2). Supergirl first uses the tools on herself to obtain “thousands of super-brain cells”, and then transfers them into David (you’ll also note that the Professor falls victim to the 10% Myth here).

Head On - apply directly to forehead. Head On - apply directly to foreheadlooks like she's tossing a salad

The operation is a success and David survives! Unfortunately, he’s not quite what he appears. Instead of being an ordinary graduate student, he is instead a criminal gang leader masquerading as a graduate student for cover. He’s dating Linda not because he cares for her, but because he thinks she’ll make a good alibi for him (poor Linda/Supergirl, she never could find a good date). He discovers that the brain cell transplant has not only saved his life, but also granted him superpowers just like Supergirl. He puts on a lead mask3, calls himself the Super Scavenger, and robs a bank. Supergirl quickly catches up to him.

surprisingly, the bags of money did not have big dollar signs printed on them

They battle, but David’s super powers are only temporary (much like Superman’s blood transfusions), and Supergirl is able to capture him and turn him over to police. But there goes her date for the weekend…

This medical case study comes from the the physicians at the Vandyre Clinic, Kandorian Professor Ron-Kar, and Supergirl #4 (by Bates, Saaf, and Colletta)

Notes:
1. This is a little ironic coming from Supergirl who seems to call on Kandor for help every other issue. She has an awful lot of dire emergencies — most of which seem to revolve around boys.
2. Which doesn’t explain why the Kandorians have them or how they use them since they don’t have super powers.
3. He wears the mas so Supergirl won’t be able to figure out who he is. While she may be unable to see through the mask, she is able recognize David’s watch. Today’s take home lesson for would be super-villains: avoid over-accessorizing.

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9 Responses to “ New Ideas in Neuroscience: The Kryptonian Brain Cell Transplant ”

  1. Sleestak
    February 10th, 2008 at 11:57 pm

    I never got the lead mask thing. Cripes…look up under the chin at the neckline.

  2. Carl
    February 11th, 2008 at 6:52 am

    I like how, as Supergirl talks to the Kandorian scientist, she presents the appreciative male population of Kandor with a view of her enormous short-short-clad butt.

  3. Keith
    February 11th, 2008 at 7:12 am

    The real question is: Why does Linda go to Bob Newhart for medical advice?

  4. Marc
    February 11th, 2008 at 12:28 pm

    Hey! Kara does finally find a great boyfriend, just not a HUMAN (or humanoid) one: her horse!

  5. H
    February 11th, 2008 at 2:01 pm

    “While she may be unable to see through the mask, she is able recognize David’s watch. Today’s take home lesson for would be super-villains: avoid over-accessorizing.”

    Oh sure that advice works for most bad guys, but what about The Clock, Clock King and Chronos? And don’t get me started on Dr. Accessory, Accessory King and Captain Accessory.

  6. Nick F.
    February 11th, 2008 at 10:45 pm

    >_>

  7. Nick F.
    February 11th, 2008 at 10:46 pm

    d’oh, HTML is enabled…

    “New Ideas in Neuroscience: The Krytponian Brain Cell Transplant” has a typo…should be “New Ideas in Neuroscience: The Kryptonian Brain Cell Transplant”

  8. MSJ
    February 11th, 2008 at 11:43 pm

    I’d rather she wear shorts rather then the miniskirts, which is not really smart for a girl who flies around a lot.

    Also, while the 10% myth is false in humans, maybe it applies to Supergirl? (She is not human, or not all human?. Sorry, I’m not very versed in Super-history, this being DC comics and all)

  9. Keith
    February 12th, 2008 at 7:56 am

    Also Scott, Kudos for the image ALT texts…

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