Comic Title: Action Comics #649
Publisher: DC (DC Comics Inc.)
Address: 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
Cover Date: January 1990
On Sale Date: December 5, 1989 Shipping Date December 5, 1989
Source: Previews, #9

Shipping Date December 7, 1989
Source: Amazing Heroes, #174

Shipping Date December 7, 1989
Source: Advance Comics, #11

Direct Market Date December 7, 1989
Source: Comic Shop News, #128

Copyright Date December 5, 1989
Source: Library of Congress, Copyright Office 1989

Frequency: Monthly
Cover Price: $0.75
Page Count: 32
Contains: Ownership Statement
Circulation: 71369
Editor: Mike Carlin

Title: "Man and Machine"
Pages: 22

Feature(s):
Superman (Post-Crisis)

Writer: Roger Stern
Penciller: George Perez
Penciller: Kerry Gammill
Inker: Brett Breeding
Letterer: Bill Oakley
Colorist: Glenn Whitmore

Reprinted In:
Superman Vs. Brainiac TPB (2009)
Adventures of Superman:George Perez HC (2020)

Feature Character(s)

• Superman (last appearance in Adventures of Superman #462; next appearance in Superman #40)

Supporting Character(s)

• Colin Thornton (last appearance in Adventures of Superman #461; next appearance in Adventures of Superman #463)
• Mara Talbot (an executive intern; first appearance; next appearance in Superman #40)

Villain(s)

• Brainiac (last appearance in Adventures of Superman #462; next appearance in Adventures of Superman Annual #2)
• Lex Luthor (last appearance in Adventures of Superman #462; next appearance in Adventures of Superman #463)

Other Character(s)

• Sydney Happersen (last appearance in Adventures of Superman #462; no further appearances)
• Reginald Augustine (first name revealed; last appearance in Action Comics #648; no further appearances)

Cameo Appearance(s)

• Milton Fine (in flashback)
• Guardian (in flashback)
• Metallo (in flashback)
• Dubbilex (in flashback)

Comments:
The Brainiac Trilogy Part Three

Synopsis:
Clark Kent begins his new job at Newstime. Using the computer archives, Clark learns about Luthor's aborted hostile takeover of S.T.A.R. Labs while he was in space. He also connects the sale of S.T.A.R.'s psionics lab to a former Luthor employee. He deduces that the lab is where Luthor is hiding Brainiac.

When Superman reaches the lab, Brainiac has already completely the genetic engineering of a new body with the help of geneticist Dr. Augustine. Brainiac tries to defeat Superman with the power of his will. Superman's mind is too strong, but the battle delays the Man of Steel long enough for him to reach a newly constructed starship.

Brainiac blasts off into space. He intends to return to Colu to seek revenge. Superman pursues and nearly catches up. Brainiac then reveals that he planted bombs in Metropolis. Superman is forced to break off pursuit to save the city. Brainiac escapes. He sends Superman a mental message promising to return.