Series: Legion of Super Heroes

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Corey Burton is Brainiac once more on 'Legion of Super Heroes'

Renowned voice actor Corey Burton reprises his celebrated role of Brainiac from 'Superman: The Animated Series' in the Saturday, December 1 episode of 'Legion of Super Heroes' entitled 'Message in a Bottle.' Burton made his Brainiac debut in the S:TAS series premiere on September 6, 1996. More than 11 years later, Burton easily slipped back into the role.

"Brainiac is such a tasty character ­ so effortless, so wonderfully still and quiet. It really allows me to play great subtleties. The words perform themselves with a character like that." Burton says the voice is a bit of a homage to famous voices from the annals of science fiction.

"It's just my basic mental image of a robotic intelligence, based partly on the Hal 9000 from '2001', and the detached narration from the original 'Outer Limits'. The voice is very arresting in its quietness ­ that makes it that much more frightening." To say the least, Burton was happy to reprise the role.

"I always thought Brainiac was the coolest character. He's completely detached from the violence ­ to him, it's just a consciousness. He doesn't breathe, he doesn't struggle ­ it's just the pure vibration of the words themselves that make his delivery so cold and emotionless."

In 'Message in a Bottle,' Superman and the Legion must venture into the legendary bottled city of Kandor in order to stop Imperiex, who seeks an advanced Kryptonian technology believed to be hidden inside. In order to help the Legion and clear his 'family' name, Brainiac 5 must delve deep into his memory banks to access information from the original Brainiac.

Set to air December 1 at 11:00 a.m. ET/PT on Kids' WB! on The CW, 'Message in a Bottle' is written by Joseph Kuhr and directed by Scott Jeralds and Brandon Vietti. Adam Wylie voices the Gatekeeper, while Kari Wahlgren stars as Shrinking Violet and Richard McGonagle lends his pipes to the Chancellor.