This summer (or winter for us south of the equator), DC Comics launched their highly anticipated crossover event Absolute Power. The 4-issue limited series, which kicked off in July, pits the heroes of the DC Universe against a triumphant Amanda Waller and her powerful allies in an epic battle for control.
It starts with a bang… 2 actually
In Absolute Power, Amanda Waller finally makes good on her threat to rid the world of metahumans. With help from the anti-metahuman android Failsafe and the Brainiac Queen, Waller steals the powers of every superhero and villain on Earth. It falls on DC’s Trinity – Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman – to rally their depowered allies and mount a desperate resistance against Waller’s new world order.
The event has unfolded across the main Absolute Power series as well as tie-ins in ongoing titles like Action Comics, Batman, and Titans. In the first issue, Waller’s plan goes into effect as her Amazo robots fan out across the globe, zapping heroes and villains alike of their abilities. Magic users have their minds wiped, while travelers through time, space and the multiverse are cut off.
With the heroes on the run, issue #2 sees the resistance regroup and launch counterattacks, even as Waller’s control tightens. But victories are few and losses are heavy. In a tragic turn, Waller takes control of Jon Kent and turns him against his father Superman.
By issue #3, the situation is dire. The Fortress of Solitude has fallen and the heroes have retreated to Themyscira for a final stand. Unlikely alliances form as battle lines are drawn for a no-holds-barred showdown. The thrilling conclusion in Absolute Power #4 promises a bare-knuckle brawl for the fate of the DC Universe.
… and the Reception…
Absolute Power has earned praise for its dramatic storytelling, shocking twists, and spectacular visuals. The reunion of the World’s Finest creative team, writer Mark Waid and artist Dan Mora, has been a particular highlight.
Reviews describe the series as “full of big moments”, with “oodles of action, adventure, excitement, and drama”. Mora’s artwork especially has been hailed as “mesmerizing” and a “biggest bright spot”.
However, some critics feel the event relies too heavily on tie-ins, making the story feel incomplete in the main series. Others question the credibility of Waller’s sudden ability to so thoroughly defeat the world’s heroes.
Still, with a “surprisingly engaging script” from Waid, most agree Absolute Power is an “unqualified success” and “DC’s most exciting event in years”. Sales have been strong, with the first issue alone selling out multiple printings.
So what now?
As the dust settles, Absolute Power leaves the DC Universe in a very different place. Heroes and villains alike may find themselves with new and unfamiliar abilities. Relationships have been forged and broken. And the line between hero and villain is blurrier than ever.
Upcoming titles like Justice League Unlimited and the Dawn of DC initiative will explore the fallout of Absolute Power and set the stage for the next era of storytelling. With Waller defeated but the world still reeling, the DC Universe braces itself for an uncertain future.
Needless to say, Absolute Power has shaken up the status quo and ushered in a brave new era for DC. As this game-changing event concludes, fans are left to wonder what the reverberations of Absolute Power will mean for their favorite heroes. One thing is certain – the DC Universe will never be the same.