Water cooler talk in the DC Universe has hit a fever pitch after the Justice League found its superpowers pickpocketed by their evil Amazo doppelgänger counterparts. The hands behind this audacious play? None other than Amanda "Boss Lady" Waller. The idea of Waller waging war against heroes is no fresh headline to the Bulletin. With superhuman abilities often dwarfing governmental capabilities, superheroes are that obnoxious free radical – unpredictable and supremely potent. Now, Waller’s naming convention for her latest Amazo automatons delivers a frisson of intrigue about her machinations in the DC Universe.

The Justice League’s mirror image – the Amazo-bots, rest snug as a bug in the lap of Waller. Under her orchestration, one Amazo bot got a taste of what it’s like to be a Super-Family member, pilfering their powers while spoofing their emblem. Today, Waller’s hyper-submissive "Justice League" holds the reins in hunting down the remaining heroes. In a classic display of Waller’s limited tangent thinking, she’s christened this super-bot – the "Last Son." This tag becomes all the more poignant in "Absolute Power: Task Force VII #1" penned by Leah Williams and Caitlin Yarsky.

Decoding Waller’s Lust for Dominion

Does Waller’s issue lie with the existence of uber-potent individuals or is she simply aiming to rock the puppeteer strings on them? Waller’s naming strategy for her spanking new Amazo task force finally tips her hand – she’s not tooling for Justice League’s erasure. Far from it! She wants the scepter of command over them.

So what does Waller name her newly minted Amazos? "Last Son" and "Paradise Lost" are christened and each packs a weighty intimation. The terms "Last" and "Lost" blatantly underscore Waller’s conviction of a terminal and enduring downfall for these superheroes. "Last Son" is a nod to Superman, the Last Son of Krypton. "Paradise Lost", on the other hand, tips its hat to Wonder Woman, the inhabitant of the secluded utopia Themyscira.

The Power Equation in Waller’s World

Waller’s naming technique, which leans heavily on the identities of the heroes pilfered, hints at a deeper revelation. Waller’s history is peppered with her scheming from behind the curtain — often countering heroes teaming up, asserting autonomy, and accumulating power. However, her clout is rooted in this very facet, coupled with the argument that her actions are the genesis of salvation for "ordinary" people from the heroes. In the scenario where she singlehandedly wrangles the remaining superheroes, how would she milk power?

For those fascinated by Waller’s current groove in the DC Universe, the upcoming miniseries "Absoluter Power: Origins" by John Ridley and Alitha Martinez promises to delve deeper into Waller’s refreshed "origin story." You can catch Absolute Power: Origins #1 on July 24th, 2024 published by DC Comics.

The Implications of Waller’s Play

However, Waller’s cunning plot appears short-sighted, at best. Fabricating a super squad, wielding the abilities and themes of the Justice League does little more than reshuffling the superpower deck. In the grand scheme, she’s not pruning threats but merely moving chess pieces around — potentially heightening the risk factor. For instance, when the "Last Son" takes on Black Adam with Parasite in Task Force VII #1, it ushers in a surprising revelation — absorbing powers isn’t a mere standalone process. This Superman-themed villainous bot ends up assimilating aspects of Superman’s principles and persona, putting him in a quandary.

Teetering Control: Is Waller Ear-deep in Hot Water?

In "Absolute Power #1", Waller is taken to task regarding her intent of wiping out superpowers, whether it’s a "want" or a "desire." "A want", she’s forewarned, "can be achieved. A desire is a void that nothing can ever wholly satiate." Sadly, Waller’s quest for control over all kickass individuals turns out to be a desire. With the transference of their powers and personality traits to the Amazos, Waller could be courting the risk of her "evil" Justice League turning tail on her or slipping under her radar.

With the "Last Son" already displaying the knack to debate dilemmas with the heroes he’s tracking, it’s a coin toss on whether this vulnerability would be revealed to Waller or hidden. Meanwhile, this villainous League is grappling with a potpourri of influences on their identities. For instance, the "Last Son" possesses both Kryptonian and magical prowess now. Further, "Failsafe" is navigating as Waller’s partner and team lead, reminding the Amazos that they wear the "Batman" mantle. Waller’s hitherto vague lust for power seems to stand on shaky ground. As it steers towards a messy denouement, the true-blue Justice League would be left salvaging the pieces.

Rack up your collection with Absolute Power: Task Force VII #1, Batman #150, and Absolute Power #1, now available from DC Comics.