ComicsDc ComicsAbsolute Power #1: DC’s summer event kicks off with a huge issue full of character betrayals, evil A.I., and big changes for SupermanWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
ComicsDc ComicsAbsolute Power #1: DC’s summer event kicks off with a huge issue full of character betrayals, evil A.I., and big changes for SupermanWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: DC)
DC’s big summer eventis here at last! This week’s Absolute Power #1 is the opening salvo in what looks set to be a massive shake up of the status quo for all of DC’s heroes as Amanda Waller,Failsafe, andthe Braniac Queenunleash their terrible plan to take out the world’s superheroes once and for all.
Amanda Waller uses A.I. to fake superhero attacks
(Image credit: DC)
A.I. sucks. Yes it does. And in Absolute Power, Amanda Waller uses it to fake a mass superhero attack on innocent civilians, creating footage of Green Lantern, Supergirl, and other heroes going on a homicidal rampage. The news goes viral and soon people are turning on the heroes – leading a mob to almost beat Animal Man to death and burning down the Doom Patrol’s HQ.
The heroes lose all their powers
(Image credit: DC)
Superman has been temporarily taken off the board
(Image credit: DC)
An early shock in the issue and one that ties into the point above is what happens to Superman. Before we’ve even reached the issue’s title page, a random henchman has panicked and shot the Man of Steel. Normally this would have no effect, but with everyone’s powers vanishing, it’s enough to wound him and send him tumbling from the sky.
That doesn’t mean that Clark is going to be completely benched for the whole of this event, of course. Readers of Batman #150 will already know that -mild spoilers-the backup story in that issue establishes that Superman is alive and currently in Bruce Wayne’s care. Still, he’s unlikely to pose much of a threat to Waller right now.
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Oliver Queen is working for Amanda Waller
(Image credit: DC)
Over the last few months Amanda Waller has been amassing some superhero support of her own. She’s alreadyforced Dreamer into working alongside her, and Peacemaker is, of course, fully signed up. Shockingly, however, Green Arrow Oliver Queen is now a fully paid up member of Team Waller. He’s had a rough few months and in last week’s Green Arrow #13 it was made clear that he’s come to see The Wall’s point of view on things. That issue ended with Ollie abandoning the mantle of Green Arrow with his son Connor Hawke taking it on instead. In Absolute Power #1 Ollie declares that he has chosen to be on “the right side of history,” and accuses his former-friends of failing to effect real change in the world.
Now, how much of this is for real remains to be seen. Green Arrow #13 saw Ollie ruthlessly kick Roy Harper out of a window, but that was ambiguously framed – was he trying to seriously harm Roy, or get him out of the way of Waller and Peacemaker? Given how often Ollie has held the other heroes to account in the past, it makes sense that he would at least consider siding with Amanda Waller, but we’re keeping an open mind on this one until we’ve seen more of where the story is going.
Something very bad is happening to Jonathan Kent
(Image credit: DC)
The final few pages of the issue show Jonathan Kent imprisoned and with appear to be cybernetic implants throughout his body. What’s more, he doesn’t seem to have any memory of who he is. It’s not looking good for Superman and Lois’s son, and this transformation is sure to have a lasting impact on the character – we already know that it will be the focus of September’s upcoming Absolute Power: Super Son #1 one-shot from Sina Grace, Nicole Mains, John Timms, and Travis Mercer.
Absolute Power #1 is out now from DC.
Find out more about writer Mark Waid’s plans for Absolute Powerin our in-depth interview.
PRODUCTSBatmanSupermanWonder Woman
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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
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Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
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Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
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3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
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Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
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3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
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Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
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2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
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Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
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4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
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Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”