Not got an answer on the story connection...
But brains in jars...
Louis Meyer - Harlem Heroes, brain in a jar after the crash & then brain in a robot body.
Kano - Bad Company, had half a brain in a box...
Mr 10% - Robusters, owner of the company, brain in a robot.
Girl I can't remember the name of - Judge Dredd, run over, brain in a robot body (run over again?)
I'm not even trying to think hard... yes, quite common in 2000AD - but then there have almost been 35 years, bound to be a few recurring themes.