Absolute Power #2 review

Resistance is futile! It’s a sci-fi cliche, but not one the heroes who have escaped Amanda Waller’s power-sapping Amazo androids believe. They’re gathered in Superman’s Fortress of Solitude and making plans to take the world back from ‘The Wall’. First order of business, choose a leader.

As the veterans argue among themselves, a hero from one generation down steps up.

Experienced, centred, charismatic… everyone realises Nightwing is the man to organise the harried heroes in teams small enough to fly under Waller’s radar as they approach the problem from various angles.

Across the planet, a certain sociopath is making plans of her own.

Ordering the Brainiac Queen to mount an assault on the heroes’ hideout – having Green Arrow on side has given her access to the good guys’ secrets – Waller teams the sentient alien computer with a more human drone.

It’s Super Son Jon Kent, who was captured in the first wave of attacks on the metahumans, with a very grim glow-up. Surprised by someone immensely powerful whom they really don’t wish to fight, the heroes are in big trouble.

There’s a fair amount of action in this chapter of DC’s summer event, and as drawn by modern legend Dan Mora, it looks fabulous. The heroes may be down, but they certainly don’t look out, especially those who get new action suits.

And when a character is less confident, Mora likewise conveys that with conviction.

Air Wave as secret weapon? Now that’s what I want from a story encompassing the entire DCU, lesser-lights given a chance to shine. And that’s what you get when a writer with deep love of company lore writes an event book. Will Mark Waid make Air Wave the man of the hour when it comes to ending Waller’s rule? Or will it be the hero who dies this issue – well, apparently… their powers give them a very easy escape route. Maybe Jon will escape the mental tendrils of Brainiac Queen!

It could as easily be someone who hasn’t come on stage yet – or All of the Above – Waid is good with surprises, as evidenced by the way a couple of Fortress staples are used. And he’s superb with characterisation, subtly using Aquaman’s history to make him the right man to attempt to reassure a worried SuperDad.

That scene with the alpha super-males vying to be boss makes huge sense, and it’s great to see Dick step forward. It’s even better to finally see someone acknowledge that disbanding the Justice League at the end of Dark Crisis made no blooming sense. Maybe Wonder Woman really is as wise as Athena.

Waller continues to be a real stinker, on the one hand insisting she doesn’t wish to bring non-heroes into the fray, sounding almost reasonable, while controlling Dreamer by loudly threatening her family.

A big ‘well done’ to colourist Alejandro Sánchez and letterer Ariana Maher for their super-solid contributions. The former’s skin and costume tones are well above average, while the latter does fine work throughout, with Brainiac Queen’s dialogue treatment especially effective.

Mora’s cover is pretty decent, conveying the physical threat level without giving away the who of it all.

As second issues go, this comic has it all – it deepens the overall storyline via action and character, drops hints as to what’s to come and it looks superb. Absolute Power continues to be an above average event.