| Character Name: | R. J. Brande |
| Publisher: | DC Comics |
| Debut: | As R. J. Brande: Adventure Comics #350 (November 1966) As The Durlan: Invasion! #2 (February 1989) |
| Creators: | E. Nelson Bridwell |
| Full Name: | Ren Daggle |
| Species: | Durlan (trapped in human form) |
| Homeworld: | Durla |
| Alliances: | Legion of Super-Heroes L.E.G.I.O.N. |
| Aliases: | Rene Jacques Brande, The Durlan |
Rene Jacques "R. J." Brande is a character appearing in DC Comics, primarily in association with the Legion of Super-Heroes. He first appeared in Adventure Comics #350, and was created by E. Nelson Bridwell.[1]
R. J. Brande was originally a Durlan named Ren Daggle before contracting Yorggian fever, which locked him in a human form and removed his shapeshifting abilities. He and his wife Zhay are the biological parents of Chameleon Boy (Reep Daggle) and his twin Liggt, but the children were originally unaware of this due to Ren leaving them in the care of their aunt Ji after Zhay's death.[2] [3]
Afterwards, Ren and his brother-in-law Theg, who was similarly trapped as a human, leave Durla and become businessmen, respectively taking on the aliases of Rene and Doyle Brande and using their technology to produce stars. Their right-hand man was Marla Latham, who later became the Legion's adviser. Brande helps Cosmic Boy, Saturn Girl, and Lightning Lad found the Legion after they foil Doyle's attempt to kill him.[4]
After Chameleon Boy learns that Brande is his father, he imprisons himself on Takron-Galtos and loses his powers to Ol-Vir's radioactive vision. He and Brande return to Durla to regain their abilities, with Brande ultimately refusing to do so because he had grown fond of his human form.[5] After Leland McCauley attempts to kill him, Brande embarks on an odyssey that lasts several years.[6]
In post-Crisis on Infinite Earths continuity, Brande is retconned into a 20th-century Durlan and founding member of the intergalactic police force L.E.G.I.O.N., known only as The Durlan. He is eventually transported to the 30th century by Glorith and replaced with an amnesiac Phantom Girl.[7]
In post-Zero Hour continuity, Brande now creates stargates instead of stars, but plays much the same role in the Legion's origins. Additionally, he was originally intended to be the Martian Manhunter, but JLA editor Dan Raspler vetoed the idea.[8] Brande eventually becomes President of the United Planets before losing the position during the "One Year Gap".
The Infinite Crisis event restored an analogue of the pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths Legion. In this version, Brande was assassinated by economic rival Leland McCauley, but provides the Legion with financial support via his will.[9]