The telepathic, telekinetic Henry King Sr., aka Brain Wave, is a diabolical DC villain and constant nuisance of the Justice Society of America. A founding member of the Injustice Society, Brain Wave was created by Gardner Fox and Joe Gallagher, who introduced him 80 years ago in All-Star Comics #15 (February-March 1943).

Henry is a very intelligent metahuman who loved to read and surprised himself one day by creating 3D projections of his favorite characters. He earned a degree in psychiatry, while also using his ability to project images in his secret criminal enterprises. He partnered with Professor Elba to enhance the latter’s insanity serum with Brain Wave’s powers, and they spread it around the country, causing crime waves and chaos. When Elba tried to inject Johnny Thunder with the serum, Doctor Mid-Nite manipulated Elba into injected himself and he fell out a window and died.

Curious about the superheroes who bested his partner, Brain Wave sought them out as his alter ego, psychiatrist Henry King. He implanted post-hypnotic suggestions into the minds of the JSA, except for Green Lantern, and convinced them to gather at the 1939 World’s Fair, where he imprisoned them. He did the same to the All-Star Squadron, but when he tried the trick on Green Lantern, Alan Scott’s will was too strong, and Brain Wave was defeated.

Years later, the JSA learned that several criminal enterprises were Brain Wave’s handy work. Starman found Henry’s psychiatry office, but could not produce enough proof of his wrongdoings to have him arrested. Eventually, the JSA, plus Wonder Woman, Hawkgirl, and others attacked Henry’s Sharktooth Bay tower. Brain Wave used image projections to distract and capture them, until Wonder Woman broke free. To evade capture, Henry leapt off the tower and was presumed dead.

But of course, the crafty villain survived, and would return many times to mess with the minds of heroes.