Major Highlights in DC Comics’ Absolute…

By August Tales

Sweeping Change in ‘Absolute Power’

The recent event ‘Absolute Power’ sees the formidable Amanda Waller work her cunning to cleanse Earth-Prime of superheroes. ‘Absolute Power’ #4, a collaboration between Mark Waid and Dan Mora, uncovers truths that ripple through the DC Universe. The climax also lays the foundation for the fresh ‘DC All-In’ campaign and the creation of the ‘Absolute Universe’.

Dreamer survives and returns from oblivion

Modern superhero crossovers don’t fear courting death, and ‘Absolute Power’ played into this theme. The psychic protagonist, Dreamer, was given a death sentence for opposing Amanda Waller. However, with a bit of assistance from her companion, Jon Kent, Dreamer survived.

Dreamer discloses that her survival strategy involved taking refuge in Dreaming. Despite serious injuries, Jon Kent’s vivid dreams as he resisted the Brainiac Queen motivated her to hold on. Subsequently, Dreamer enhanced Jon’s mental resilience against the villainous artificial intelligence using her abilities.

Amanda Waller- From Power to Prison

Predictably, Earth-Prime’s champions rallied against Amanda Waller. Waller’s army of Amazo drones may have stripped the heroes of their powers, but their heroic spirits remained intact. This, paired with a cache of borrowed supervillain weapons, allowed them to take the offensive to Waller’s confidential base in the island nation of Gamorra.

Disgraced yet diligent, Waller stayed defiant even after her manipulative tactics became public knowledge. Things took a dark turn for Waller when she discovered that she could no longer remember superhero identities or the people she manipulated for personal gain. This amnesia was courtesy of Dreamer, whose powers advanced significantly during her tenure with the Suicide Squad, enabling her intrusion into memories and dreams.

But let’s not misconstrue the reality. Dreamer didn’t erase Waller’s memories; she blocked Waller’s retention of sensitive information. In Dreamer’s eyes, this was justice served – a tormented Waller left impotent and fully cognizant of her loss.

Green Arrow’s Loyalty Questioned and Cleared

‘During the ‘Absolute Power’ event, speculations about Green Arrow’s allegiance were rife. The Emerald Archer agreed to assist Amanda Waller, in a thinly veiled bid to access the old Justice League armory. Contradicting portrayals about Oliver Queen’s faith in Waller’s “order at any cost” have emerged — some indicating his covert opposition, while others depict him as a steadfast soldier.

Absolute Power #4 discloses Green Arrow as a stealthy operative. With help from Martian Manhunter, Oliver Queen successfully shielded his insurrection plans from Amanda Waller while his subconscious found ways to sabotage her operations, thus aiding the resistance.

The Closing of the Multiverse

Amanda Waller’s grand scheme was to amass an army spread across the multiverse to enforce her regime on multiple Earths. Earth-Prime’s heroes managed to shut her interdimensional gate, trapping Earth-Prime within its realm, isolating it from parallel realities.

Power Change Affects Many Superheroes

Despite Batman and Blue Beetle successfully overthrowing the Amazo drones and restoring the superheroes’ stolen powers, certain powers did not revert to their original holders, leaving some superheroes powerless. We’re left guessing whether this change will be short-lived, or whether additional processes will be needed to course-correct.

A New Era for the Justice League

Green Arrow, Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman assemble in the final pages of Absolute Power #4. Green Arrow stresses the gravity of forming a vigilant Justice League. His superhero peers are in agreement and reveal their plans for a revamped Watchtower base, setting the groundwork for a renewed team of DC’s greatest in the forthcoming ‘Justice League Unlimited’ series.

Don’t miss the action. ‘Absolute Power’ #4 is available in comic book shops everywhere.