Absolute Power: Ground Zero kicks off DC's summer event with three new stories - and the return of a long-dead character

ComicsDc ComicsAbsolute Power: Ground Zero kicks off DC’s summer event with three new stories - and the return of a long-dead characterWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

ComicsDc ComicsAbsolute Power: Ground Zero kicks off DC’s summer event with three new stories - and the return of a long-dead characterWhen 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)

Art from Absolute Power: Ground Zero #1

DC’s big summer eventAbsolute Powerunites three villains - Amanda Waller,Failsafe, and Braniac - as they forge an unholy alliance that will have far-reaching consequences for all the DC superheroes.

The event kicks off with Absolute Power: Ground Zero - a new one-shot that hits comic shops on June 25. We’ve read the issue and while we can’t get into specifics, we can say that it is told in three distinct ‘stages,’ each one focusing on a different character.

Image1of5A gallery of covers for Absolute Power: Ground Zero(Image credit: DC)(Image credit: DC)(Image credit: DC)(Image credit: DC)(Image credit: DC)

Image1of5A gallery of covers for Absolute Power: Ground Zero(Image credit: DC)(Image credit: DC)(Image credit: DC)(Image credit: DC)(Image credit: DC)

Image1of5

A gallery of covers for Absolute Power: Ground Zero(Image credit: DC)(Image credit: DC)(Image credit: DC)(Image credit: DC)(Image credit: DC)

A gallery of covers for Absolute Power: Ground Zero(Image credit: DC)(Image credit: DC)(Image credit: DC)(Image credit: DC)(Image credit: DC)

A gallery of covers for Absolute Power: Ground Zero(Image credit: DC)

A gallery of covers for Absolute Power: Ground Zero(Image credit: DC)

A gallery of covers for Absolute Power: Ground Zero(Image credit: DC)

A gallery of covers for Absolute Power: Ground Zero(Image credit: DC)

A gallery of covers for Absolute Power: Ground Zero(Image credit: DC)

Art from Absolute Power: Ground Zero

(Image credit: DC)

(Image credit: DC)

(Image credit: DC)

(Image credit: DC)

(Image credit: DC)

Art from Absolute Power: Ground Zero

(Image credit: DC)

(Image credit: DC)

(Image credit: DC)

(Image credit: DC)

(Image credit: DC)

Art from Absolute Power: Ground Zero

(Image credit: DC)

(Image credit: DC)

(Image credit: DC)

(Image credit: DC)

(Image credit: DC)

Art from Absolute Power: Ground Zero

(Image credit: DC)

(Image credit: DC)

(Image credit: DC)

(Image credit: DC)

(Image credit: DC)

Art from Absolute Power: Ground Zero

Newsarama: Chip, first off, how was it writing the issue and collaborating with Mark Waid on your story?

The story revives John Starr and is told from his point of view. Why bring him back? And will see him again in the near future?

Zdarsky:Well, I can’t say specifically without ruining the story! And I hope he gets to stick around as he’s a fun character to write, for sure.

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Failsafe is part of a new “trinity of evil” with Braniac and Amanda Waller. How does it feel to have contributed such a memorable character to Batman’s rogue’s gallery?

Zdarsky:It hasn’t quite sunk in yet? Weirdly, I see him as Jorge Jimenez’s creation far more than mine ‘cause the visual is just so damned good. That’s what sells it, y’know? So whenever I see him in another book I just think, “Oh cool, Jorge’s Failsafe character!”

Image1of3Interior pages from Absolute Power: Ground Zero(Image credit: DC)(Image credit: DC)(Image credit: DC)

Image1of3Interior pages from Absolute Power: Ground Zero(Image credit: DC)(Image credit: DC)(Image credit: DC)

Image1of3

Interior pages from Absolute Power: Ground Zero(Image credit: DC)(Image credit: DC)(Image credit: DC)

Interior pages from Absolute Power: Ground Zero(Image credit: DC)(Image credit: DC)(Image credit: DC)

Interior pages from Absolute Power: Ground Zero(Image credit: DC)

Interior pages from Absolute Power: Ground Zero(Image credit: DC)

Interior pages from Absolute Power: Ground Zero(Image credit: DC)

Interior pages from Absolute Power: Ground Zero(Image credit: DC)

Interior pages from Absolute Power: Ground Zero(Image credit: DC)

Interior art from Absolute Power: Ground Zero

(Image credit: DC)

(Image credit: DC)

(Image credit: DC)

(Image credit: DC)

(Image credit: DC)

Interior art from Absolute Power: Ground Zero

(Image credit: DC)

(Image credit: DC)

(Image credit: DC)

(Image credit: DC)

(Image credit: DC)

Interior art from Absolute Power: Ground Zero

Waller is the driving force behind this evil plan, but what role will Failsafe play in it?

Zdarsky:Waller may be the originator of all the nefarious plans, but Failsafe is extremely powerful, with the tactical mind of Batman, so his addition has doubled the threat level but with a stronger physical menace. Can they work together though?

Speaking of Waller, she’s really grown in prominence lately. What makes her such an interesting character, in your opinion?

Zdarsky:The fact that she’s human and genuinely believes she’s saving humanity from all manner of powered beings. Her power, if anything, is knowledge.

You’ve been writing the main Batman comic for the last few years. What’s it like when a big event like this comes along and kinda disrupts the flow?

Zdarsky:Events only disrupt the flow if you don’t know about them until a few months before you’re writing your scripts! This one has been in the works for a long while so I was able to line it up relatively well, I think. I always had in mind the idea of Failsafe/Zur becoming a global threat, so weaving that into Absolute Power made a ton of sense. You’re always navigating continuity when working on these books so it doesn’t really feel all that different from the month-to-month job.

You can find the full details ofthe Absolute Power event and how to read it right here.

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Nemesis board game models and tokens laid out on a board

1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

1

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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4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”

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5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”

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Shadow brandishes a gun in Sonic The Hedgehog 3

1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”

1

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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”

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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”

4

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5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”

5

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1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”

1

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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”

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3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”

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Skeleton 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”

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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”

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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”

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