The Justice Society were attacked in New York by one of Amanda Waller’s power absorbing androids. The Amazo absorbed Jesse Quick’s speed, and the energy and shadow powers of Jade and Obsidian, prompting the rest of the team to flee to Coast City in the hope of harnessing help from Green Lantern Hal Jordan.
The Amazo’s new powers, though, allowed it to keep up and it makes fast work of stealing power from the likes of original variety GL Alan Scott. Then, without warning, the android shuts down.
While the heroes flee in a minivan with sometime Star Sapphire Carol Ferris, whom they’ve rescued from the spot where the missing Hal Jordan parks his caravan, the green power-infused Amazo is changing. Once again mobile, he heads back to Waller’s US HQ.
And as the Amazo feels the first stirrings of free will, Carol – whose life has been disrupted for years after being dragged into the world of heroes and villains by, first, Hal Jordan, and then a bunch of alien Amazons – is nearing an epiphany.
On the other side of the world, Steve Trevor is undercover in Amanda Waller’s Genoshan vault for heroes and villains.
And things only get more interesting in the second half of the issue.
Absolute Power continues to defy expectations by being a thoroughly entertaining story. It’s not nearly as Waller-centric as expected. Instead, in this seven part mini-series, different creative teams are giving us a look at different DC Universe heroes fighting back against the Wall’s power grab.
This issue benefits from having the superb Jeremy Adams writing, continuing the story strand begun in last month’s Green Lantern #13 when Alan and pals were attacked in the Big Apple. I think this is the first time Carol has spent time alongside a team – more often than not she’s not been in her right mind while powered. Nowadays she has control of her energies so I’m hoping to see her fighting alongside the JSA.
The characterisation is terrific all round, from Carol’s thoughtfulness to Alan’s leadership via Steve’s defiance. Teenage witch Salem putting aside her usual brattiness in the face of a pretty existential threat is a treat, and it’s excellent to see the usually milquetoast Angle Man get a hit in against Waller’s enforcers.
Marco Santucci’s strong line is perfect for the story, with Jadestone – as he’s called on the cover and nowhere else – looking truly formidable. And there’s a wonderfully detailed scene set in the Oblivion Bar, drinking home of choice for some exceedingly well-rendered mystics (mind, Dan Cassidy needs to stop hiding with the likes of Felix Faust and get Blue Devilling). My single favourite visual this issue is Pat Dugan bundled under a blanket on top of the minibus in his STRIPE robo-suit, looking decidedly creepy. Prianto’s work here reminds me of the great Howard Porter’s art, which can’t be bad.
Arif Prianto’s rich colours add to the attractiveness of the package, while letterer Dave Sharpe does an excellent job keeping track of the Amazo’s state of mind.
Toss in a snazzy Pete Woods cover and it all adds up to a top quality day in the DCU, one which provides some real notes of optimism in what’s been so far a pretty grim affair for the heroes.
Too Dangerous For a Girl 2 