“Eons ago, our race had bodies. But upon acquiring the power to work mental miracles, we discarded the clumsy bodies and assumed this infinitely more efficient Brain-Globe form.”
This was the boast of the four Brain-Globes of Rambat as they defeated Superboy and looked to move the Earth to their solar system in the 1950s (1).
But they were defeated by the Super-Pets and forced to flee. But having found Earth, and having access to communication across time and space, they were not willing to give up conquering Earth easily. Any Earth.
Their opportunity came following the Great Oz Flux event of 1975(2), where opportunities to travel between parallel Earths became easier. The Brain Globes were unwilling to travel during the event itself due to the involvement of intelligent animals in the event. However, in 1976 a second event allowed them to move unnoticed across universes. (3).
Attempts to establish control of the analogue of their home world went poorly. Two of their number perished after an encounter with Rocket Raccoon in 1986 (4)
Requiring an Earth-like environment, it is unknown how the two remaining Brain Globes survived over the next decade. Particularly considering their inability to plan without bragging.
However, in 2001 a new student appeared in Xavier's institute of higher learning. Like others joining the institute at this time, such as Xorn, this Brain Globe concocted a cover story. Calling itself Martha Johanssen, the Brian Globe (wavy tentacles retracted into the base of the globe as per picture) conveniently used the X-Men's current enemies, The U-Men as being responsible for her condition, earning their support.(5)
"Martha's" telepathic abilities, and extremely large ego were kept in check by pharmaceutical cocktails precisely delivered into areas of the brain.
Over the years Martha would gradually drift towards a central role in the team. Critics have suggested that it was simply her turn to move up the scorecard. But she would eventually take over the role of Cerebra, using her psychic skills to track down other mutants.(6)
However, the numerous rises and falls of the X-Men meant that Martha's therapeutic drugs could not be relied upon, eventually resulting in a breakdown.
Martha had never lost contact with any of the mutants she had found and psychically drained their energies to create a path between two universes in a bid for domination. It took the combined efforts of super heroes from both Earths to put a stop to the Brain Master of Rambat (7).
The heroes realised that the Brain Globes could never be allowed to subdue the minds of millions again. Having studied the drugs used previously to subdue Martha at Xavier's, the heroes constructed a new containment vessel.
Over the centuries this vessel became a focal point. It stood for resistance and defiance in the face of great evil. It's origins almost lost in time, it would become the centre piece for the Legion of Superheroes' second head quarters(8). In the picture below, the regenerating pacifying drugs can still be seen injecting key areas of the Brain Globe.
(1) - Adventure Comics 293
(2) - Crisis on Earth-Oz Special
(3) - Superman/Spider Man Crossover Special
(4) - Tails of the Rabid Racoon 5
(5) - The Improbable X-Men 118
(6) - X-Men: Roster Shuffle: The End? 2
(7) - Revenge of Rambat Special
(8) - Adventure Comics 367
Lost Tales of the Legion: Null Girl Lost Tales of the Legion: Vrykos Lost Tales of the Legion: Energy Boy Lost Tales of the Legion: Questor Lost Tales of the Legion: Arm Fall Off Boy ;ost Tales of the Legion: Millennium Lost Tales of the Leigon: Blue Devil Losat Tales of the Legion: Superboy Prime Lost Tales of the Legion: Spoiler Lost Tales of the Legion: Biron