Absolute Power (Comics) | Review

Here's what happens when years of careful planning finally pay off: Amanda Waller doesn't just threaten the DC Universe anymore, she completely dismantles it. This isn't another villain-of-the-month story where heroes face temporary setbacks before inevitable victory.

Absolute Power represents the devastating culmination of Amanda Waller's complex multi-year scheme that began during Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths and methodically built dangerous momentum through major events like Knight Terrors, Beast World, and House of Brainiac, creating an interconnected web of consequences.

The genius lies in how writer Mark Waid (Fantastic Four: Authoritative Action, Fantastic Four: Rising Storm) treats this as the logical endpoint of everything we've seen Waller accomplish since 2022. She's not suddenly more powerful or clever than before.

Instead, all her previous machinations finally converge into one devastating moment where preparation meets opportunity. The result feels earned rather than convenient, making this essential reading for anyone following DC's interconnected storytelling approach.

Amanda Waller has achieved her ultimate goal: stealing the metahuman abilities of every hero and villain on Earth, thanks to combined might of Failsafe and the Brainiac Queen. This "Trinity of Evil" represents the perfect storm of technological advancement, otherworldly intelligence, and human ruthlessness working in synchronization.

The setup brilliantly exploits current global anxieties about misinformation and public trust. A systematic campaign of disinformation and fake footage targeting superheroes culminates in widespread global panic, giving Waller exactly the political cover she desperately needs.

When heroes lose public support, government intervention becomes not just acceptable but demanded by terrified citizens. What makes this particularly devastating is how Waller targets each superhero dynasty systematically rather than launching broad attacks.

Starting with Superman as her primary target, she methodically dismantles the foundation of heroic power while a resistance attempts to form around Batman's quest for vengeance. This approach prevents heroes from coordinating any effective responses while keeping readers guessing about who gets neutralized next.

The scope extends far beyond Earth as the devastating conflict spreads from the iconic Fortress of Solitude to Themyscira to Gamorra and beyond. Each strategic location represents a different pillar of heroic strength that Waller systematically destroys with precision.

The global reach emphasizes that nowhere remains safe when someone controls both the narrative and the technology to reshape reality. Previous events like Knight Terrors created widespread fear and distrust of superheroes, giving Waller exactly the opening she needed.

This deliberate connectivity clearly shows DC's strong editorial commitment to building meaningful consequences that span multiple ongoing storylines rather than treating each major crossover event as completely isolated entertainment for temporary thrills.

The most unsettling aspect involves how Waller operates within legal frameworks rather than as a traditional super-villain. She doesn't break the system; she uses it to achieve goals that would be impossible through direct confrontation. This approach makes her victories feel more permanent because they're built on institutional power.

Characters who survive the devastating initial assault must carefully navigate a completely transformed world where their greatest strengths and most reliable abilities have become dangerous liabilities that actively work against their survival and mission objectives.

Heroes accustomed to solving problems through direct action find themselves completely outmaneuvered by someone who spent years carefully studying their established methods and preparing detailed countermeasures for every single possible response they might attempt.

The emotional weight comes from watching relationships crack under pressure as trust becomes a luxury nobody can afford. When anyone might be compromised, even longtime partnerships face unprecedented strain. Waid uses these dynamics to explore themes of loyalty and sacrifice that feel genuine rather than manufactured.

Artwork by Dan Mora (Justice League Unlimited: Into the Inferno, Superman: Rise of the Superwoman) captures both intimate character moments and universe-spanning devastation without losing any visual coherence or storytelling clarity through the entire crossover event.

His design work for Failsafe and the Brainiac Queen creates genuinely intimidating antagonists that feel distinct from previous DC threats. Panel composition guides readers through complex action sequences while maintaining clarity during quieter emotional beats.

Mark Waid's writing demonstrates why he's considered a master of crossover events. The pacing builds tension methodically without rushing through important character development. Dialogue feels natural even when conveying complex plot information, allowing personalities to shine through exposition-heavy moments.

Waid's handling of Amanda Waller deserves praise for avoiding cartoon villainy in favor of chilling competence. Her motivations remain consistent while escalating to logical extremes, creating an antagonist who feels dangerous through careful planning.

Absolute Power succeeds as both culmination and transformation, delivering genuine consequences that fundamentally reshape DC's entire status quo rather than providing temporary excitement. Serving as the conclusion to the Dawn of DC, this crossover represents years of careful setup paying off in spectacular fashion.

The connection to DC All In shows how this event creates foundation for future storytelling rather than clearing the board for editorial convenience. Characters emerge fundamentally changed, carrying scars that will influence their actions across multiple titles.

For readers skeptical of modern crossover events, Absolute Power offers proof that systematic storytelling can create meaningful consequences when properly executed. This represents essential reading that transforms the understanding of how power operates in DC Universe, while leading things to DC All In Saga up next.

Absolute Power trade paperback and hardcover edition is currently available for purchase at comic-book shops, bookstores or major online retailers like Amazon. For digital readers, platforms like ComiXology, Kindle and DC Universe Infinite offer the book digitally.