- "This isn't over.. We shall all die, but when judgement falls... I will be seated upon the altar... in his heavenly kingdom above. As the rightful Führer... of the Fourth Reich!"
- ―Lothar to the twins before his death.[src]
Oberstgruppenführer Lothar Brandt, also going by the alias Jacques Martel, is the main antagonist of Wolfenstein: Youngblood. After the Second American Revolution, and the death of General Engel, he was appointed governor of Neu-Paris, but as the Nazi regime began to decline, he became disillusioned and sought contacts in Berlin in order to form a military junta called the Fourth Reich to topple the Nazi regime and save Germany from the destruction of Earth.
Biography[]
Before 1980[]
Lothar Brandt was a son of a prominent Nazi party politician and a silver screen actress. He rode up to the rank of general in his time in the Wehrmacht. In 1957, he met and married Julie "Juju" Brandt, and they would have three children at an unknown time. Julie would please Lothar by committing heinous crimes against her own people, including torturing resistance leader Emmanuel to death.
After the Second American Revolution and the demise of Adolf Hitler, he became disillusioned and dissatisfied with the current regime which he saw as weak and incompetent. As far as Lothar was concerned, as long as they are in charge, the Third Reich will fall. He gathered like-minded individuals in the German Armed Forces and created a secret organisation aimed at toppling the current Nazi regime from the inside, so he could take over as Hitler's successor and found a Fourth Reich.
His activities placed him under at least some suspicion by the Gestapo. Eventually, the regime in Berlin got wind of his activities, and he and Julie fled to the Paris underground just as agents from Berlin arrived in Neu-Paris, though he did not escape unscathed as evidenced by the scars on the left side of his face.
Events of Youngblood[]
Toward the end of the game's story, it is revealed that the Brandts have infiltrated the French Resistance, Lothar disguised as the mute wood-carver Jacques Martel with Julie as the resistance leader Juna/Juju. His ultimate goal was to retake Paris and commence "Operation Ascension", which would topple the regime in Berlin. Julie aided him in this goal by manipulating the Blazkowicz twins and Abby Walker, first into killing General Winkler who was meant to replace Lothar as the ruler of Paris and then by hacking the computers of the Brother Towers that connect Paris and Berlin.
The girls succeed in accessing the three computer towers but Abby also decrypts a message from Lothar to his ally Messer, and downloads a picture of Lothar, realizing that he was Jacques. While this was going on, Lothar and Julie planned to sedate the girls' wine, and slit their throats, which Abby learned by using her microphone. When Lothar and Julie were ready to kill the twins while gloating about their plans, the twins attacked, but they escaped as the girls had to help Abby (who was stabbed in the eye by Julie). Lothar and Julie returned to Lab X, and he spoke over the intercom that he was leading again.
While in the Siegturm tower, Lothar criticized Julie for failing to sedate the girls, feeling humiliated that they were outsmarted by them. Despite appearing to want to kill her, they have interaction, and he orders General Messer to start the first ascension. Julie notices that the twins are coming, and Lothar orders her to stand in front of the elevator despite her concern. Julie is killed by the twins, and Lothar suits up to fight them and is shocked to see them with powers (having gain the God Key powers from their father). Though Lothar appeared to have the higher ground due to his power suit and soldiers, however, thanks to the ingenuity of the Terror Twins, Brandt is eventually killed on the roof of the Siegturm.
However, his death is not in vain as his second-in-command Messer and the rest of the Fourth Reich managed to successfully conduct a coup in Berlin, taking control of the Nazi empire for their own in possible to plan a counteroffensive to the Allies to retake all the nation that had reoccupied ever since the victory of World War II.
Personality[]
Corrupt, treacherous and megalomaniacal to the point of mental illness, Lothar Brandt is a towering figure in the German military; intelligent, ruthless and ambitious, but charismatic and capable of improvisation. After over two decades of holding Paris for the Reich in his iron grip, he has developed a massive power base with an ego to match. Over the years, Lothar had grown tolerant to indulgences by his subordinates and used his position to enrich himself and solidify the loyalty of his men. In addition to the establishment of Drei Brüder, the three military installations that control Paris, he had the Eiffel Tower razed and rebuilt as the monstrous Siegturm as a monument to his own power, with a luxurious penthouse for himself and his wife. He commissioned Der Nachtfalter, a new class of zeppelin that was to serve as his private luxury craft that would be appropriated for more practical purposes by General Winkler.
To a degree, Lothar's arrogance and increasing contempt of the central Nazi government is justified - he is one of only a handful of high-ranking officials who recognize or at least are willing to publicly opine that the recent freak weather patterns are not natural phenomena and has at some point become directly aware of the nature of Hitler's doomsday weapon. He is also willing to accept the reality of the Third Reich's diminished position in the world and acknowledge the existence of other nations (their former vassals) implicitly as equals. Despite his brutal rule of Paris, the Nazi military has benefited from his lateral thinking - he has consolidated various aspects of his army into four major strongholds that all support each other - Brother One, controlled by the Gestapo, controls the flow and ebb of information around France, Brother Two is responsible for the supply of the zeppelin fleet and mechanized army units around the city and can deploy reinforcements anywhere around Paris through the use of the Fallturm drop pods and Supersoldaten cannons. Brother Three, before it's destruction, was responsible for secret research on experimental weapons, though likely intended for Lothar's own goals. Finally, the Siegturm, ostensibly just a monument and a penthouse, serve as his red herring base of operations, covering the existence of the mysterious Lab X.
Brandt's understanding of the Nazi administration allows him to work around them - he is aware that his maverick nature will earn him a reckoning in Berlin and uses it as a critical component of his plan. Believing his vision is the only thing that can save Germany, he devises a scheme to funnel the cream of the Nazi's technological powerhouse to Paris and begin the Ascension - to literally raise the cities of the Reich, his new Fourth Reich, above the clouds using engines powered by artificially created protostars and rule from the skies as the Earth below is reduced to a wasteland. In Lothar's eyes, such a feat would literally make him a God, and fulfill his destiny as successor to Adolf Hitler.
Even by the standards of the Nazis, Lothar is psychotically egotistical. Despite his intelligence, much of his behavior is fueled by delusions of grandeur and possible symptoms of autism - in one of his diary entries, Lothar is implied to frequently examine his own stool. As his plan comes closer to fruition, he becomes increasingly paranoid and lonely, detached from reality and other people in what he has decided is his God-given quest. Even Julie Brandt, who he has relied on as a lover, confidant, partner and mother of his children and who in turn is slavishly devoted to him, is no less expendable than any one of his men - he cheerfully uses her and his remaining loyalists as human shields, finding the sight of the Blazkowicz twins slaughtering them to be a 'beautiful' sight - Lothar himself is excited at the prospect of personal combat, and frequently reveals a deeply bloodthristy nature. His ego, however is easily damaged - he is infuriated when the Twins and Abby turns the tables on him, finding the experience humiliating. When he is defeated however, he accepts his fate, believing himself to have done nothing more than serve his holy cause.
While not anticipating Winkler shutting him out of the Paris defense network, Lothar is resourceful enough to adapt an existing plan and improvise. Despite the fact that members of the Paris Resistance had seen Lothar in person, his injuries and affected muteness allowed him to convincingly remain undercover and serve as a useful agent for at least several months. Through Julie, he is able to use his insider intelligence and experience as a commander to guide the Resistance against his own security apparatus and get the Twins to compromise Paris' defenses until Winkler was dead and all three Brothers were under Resistance control.
Though he considers himself Hitler's successor, evidence exists that Lothar has been creating distance from the late Führer for several years during his rule of Paris. His introduction of the brutalist Brothers and the Siegturm, not to mention much of the military additions around the city, was a demonstration of his architectural preferences compared to Hitler's long desire for the more classical style. In addition, he as allowed for the relative liberalization of the military by allowing all-female SS special-ops units called Jägers to operate semi-independently of his main forces. His use of them on the Siegturm indicates as a class they privately owe their allegiance to him.
Lothar also has a talent for woodworking. In his guise as Jacques, he mills a king chess piece and gives it to Jess, possibly as a subtle taunt. His station in the Catacombs can be used to refill the Twin's melee weapons.
Strategy[]
There are three stages to battling Lothar;
In the first stage, Lothar will be alone. His advanced power armor, however, is completely immune to all your weapons, while his dual-wielded machinepistols are loaded with special armor piercing rounds that will do massive damage. In addition, he can both cloak and teleport frequently around the room. The only way to defeat him is to use the recently acquired God Key power to catch his own bullets and send them back at him, staggering him. Releasing the Key as close as possible to him will make sure that more of his bullets will hit him. After a short period, he will activate his jetpack and fly to the top of the Siegturm.
To follow him, you will fight your way around the Siegturm's exterior and into the central elevator platform, where waves of Fourth Reich Nazis will attack. Most of these will be infantry, so using the Dieselhammer and DieselKraftswerk weapons are probably the best idea, while bringing out the Laserhammer for the odd pair of Supersoldaten.
Once you reach the top of the Siegturm, Lothar will reappear and hover around near your location, firing endless barrages of micromissiles that do mild damage. At the same time, several groups of Nazi infantry will attempt to distract you. The easiest way for this fight is to use the elevators at the towers to avoid most of the infantry and attack Lothar directly. The best way to do this is to use your laser weapons and hit his red jetpack. Avoid using weapons like the Uberhammer and the Blitzgeweher Nail gun, as you'll likely waste your shots. Come back down to the platform if you need to restock on ammunition, health and armor. The towers contain supplies that can be opened with the ElektroKraftwerk At various points, he will call in a strafing run by a Düsenjäger, the Nazi's next generation of VTOL fighter jet. You cannot destroy it, so it is best to break line of site and run to one of the towers. Eventually Lothar's jetpack will malfunction and he will crash into one of the towers. Use this period to restock on health and ammo before approaching the crash site.
For the final fight, he will emerge with twin-linked superlasers and a submachinegun. He will be assisted by a handful of infantry but will deal enormous damage; he will kill you both very quickly if you succumb to the temptation of standing toe to toe with him. It is best to keep your distance, keep moving, use cover and support your sister. This is the ideal stage to use the Uberhammer and after that, everything else you have left until he crumples to the ground.
Quotes[]
- "Lothar, my dear. It's time."
"The degenerates are asleep?"
"Yes."
"Are you ready to shake up the establishment in Berlin, my darling?"
"Reshape the vision of our Deadly Departed Leader and create a Fourth Reich. Ascend to the skies and create a new world above the clouds."
"Heil the Fourth Reich." - ―Julie and Lothar gloating.[src]
- "You sure they are sleeping?"
"Of course! Look - merci girls. Thank you for all your help! Give young girls wine, cigarettes, and adventure, they will believe anything."
"Okay, enough this. The Führer's doomsday clock is ticking. We have to get back inside Lab X and prepare our organization for the Berlin takeover. Let's get this over with. Pull her head back. What a wonderful feeling. To extinguish the blood line of Terror Billy." - ―Lothar and Julie gloating, preparing to kill Zofia.[src]
- "Feels so good to be back here."
"I trusted you Julie."
"Hm?"
You were suppose to ensure they were drugged and you failed."
"We made it, did we not, darling?"
"Have any idea how humiliating that was? Being outsmarted by three degenerate teenaged girls."
Lothar, please-"
"Fooling those spoiled bitches was the only way to get rid of the General and the Überkommandants and get back Lab X. I worked so long to realize my dream. And just as we close in on the finish line, you almost run everything."
"How could I-"
"Shut up!"
"You still love me, don't you, Lothar?"
"What do you think?"
"No, no, no, no." - ―Julie and Lothar in Siegturm.[src]
- "Get in front of the door."
"Is it safe?"
"I'll back you up."
"But I-"
"Stand in front of the fucking door!" - ―Lothar to Julie before her death.[src]
- "I will send you girls straight to hell!"
- ―Lothar to the twins during their fight.[src]
- "Admit it! You have no chance against me, girls - the heir to Adolf Hitler!"
- ―Lothar to the twins during the fight.[src]
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- As Military governor of Paris, Brandt would have headed up the Paris Kommandantur (Military headquarters).
- These headquarters were historically located in the Hotel Majestic, located on the Avenue Kléber.
- The Fourth Reich's primary HQ on the other hand is implied to have been located in the Siegturm.
- Traditionally, the role of Military governor of Paris overlapped with the Militärbefehlshaber in Frankreich (Military Governor in France) position, though it is unclear whether this would be still the case in the 1980s with France having been incorporated into the Greater Reich in previous decades.
- Some of his insignia on his field uniform, combined with his rank, appears to suggest that he also commanded the 80th SS Panzer Army (80. SS-Panzerarmee), likely stationed in and around Paris as its primary garrison.
- He is incorrectly shown with SS runes on both of his collar tabs. The left collar tab displayed wearers rank. The collar tabs of SS Oberst-Gruppenführer had oak leafes on both sides and no SS runes at all.
- Brandt began his career in the Wehrmacht, probably in the Heer (Army), before later transferring to the Waffen-SS.
- Lothar Brandt is one of the strongest bosses if not THE strongest boss in the entire Wolfenstein series. His attacks draw inspiration from the Super Soldier, Hans Grosse and General Deathshead while combining the worst aspects of the three; the durability/tactics of the Super Soldier, the speed/tenacity of Hans Grosse and the arsenal/firepower of Deathshead. Winning a fight against him on higher difficulties (in single player) is nigh-impossible; your sister will keep on getting wasted.
- Lothar Brandt brandishes the most weapons out of any human character in the Wolfenstein reboot series; machine pistols, knives (not used in combat), grenade launchers, nailguns, laserhammers guided missile launchers of the Zitadelle and uberhammers(the same one controlled by the player(not visible))
- He is the only antagonist so far to be killed in game rather than quick action events or cut scenes.
- Lothar Brandt model looks very similar to Martin Cross from RAGE 2, another game that Bethesda Softworks published.
- According to a letter by Julie, Lothar has a Lab X Secretary.
- Lothar gave Zofia a chess piece when he was disguised as Jacques, and she states that she has the piece in her pocket.
- Lothar,'s full name is particularly Scandinavian.
| Organization | French Resistance · Fourth Reich · United States Army · Maquis · FBI · SS Special Projects Division |
|---|---|
| Global Resistance | Jessica and Sophia Blazkowicz · B.J. Blazkowicz · Anya Oliwa · Grace Walker · Abby Walker |
| Nazis | Messer · Lothar Brandt · Julie Brandt · Winkler · Unnamed Reichskanzler |
| Other | Billy Blaze · Max Hass · Set Roth |
| Humans | Soldier · Commander (Übercommander) · Elite Guard · Sniper |
|---|---|
| Machines | Drone · Robotersoldaten ・ Laserhund · Panzerhund ・ Düsenjäger・ Düsenjäger (Fighter) |
| Creatures | Bombenhund · Supersoldaten · Zerstörer · Zitadelle |
| Bosses | Winkler · Brüder Übergarde · Lothar Brandt |