As the curtain lifts on the inaugural chapter of Absolute Power, an ominous revelation hovers in the air: Amanda Waller, the intimidating maestro behind the scenes, revealing the trump card up her sleeve – six gleaming Amazo robots, crafted to perfection under the deft control of the artificial algorithm, Failsafe. Warranting the designation of Task Force VII, these automata outshine the rest in a chilling way. The typical fare of simply cloning superhero talents? Oh no, these robots push the envelope. Their highlight is an uncanny proclivity to deplete the powers of superheroes they cross paths with.Nevertheless, it appears that this innovative solution is not quite enough for the indomitable strategiser christened ‘The Wall’. There’s more than meets the eye in the preview of Absolute Power: Task Force VII #1, delicately drafted with a skilled pen by Leah Williams and graphically brought to life by Caitlin Yarsky. One finds Waller’s gaze penetrating a level deeper than just neutralising the super strength of Earth’s heroes. The intricacy of her game is frighteningly shrewd; she yearns to see these powerful beings stripped not just of their powers, but their freedom as well – locked behind the forbidding bars of the prison cells.

The bullseye on Waller’s dartboard magnifying the Shazam family—with the Captain and Mary Marvel prominently featured. Her vision extends beyond the ordinary quotas of arresting the superheroes; Waller lusts for latching on to their source of electrifying strength, the potent Rock of Eternity. To actualize this grand scheme of things, Waller churls in a character who enjoys the privilege of sharing screen space with Superman and possesses an eerie knack of sniffing out metahuman targets. It adds an interesting twist to the tale, as the magical heroes led by Shazam seek refuge in dark corners, away from the probing light.

Basking in a breathtaking cover and an intense prologue spanning four pages, one can’t wait to flip open Absolute Power: Task Force VII #1.

Waller’s choice of a makeshift champion is nifty but not unexpected. Enter the Parasite—a formidable antihero who is in a league of his own with the extraordinary capacity to rival any hero he locks claws with. Not unfamiliar territory for Parasite, he moulds his energies in detecting the pulsating sources of superpowers in his vicinity. Not to mention, having sweat in the Suicide Squad jersey makes him a perfect fit for returning to villainy in Absolute Power. This particular call-up is catching eyes, given Parasite’s recent attempt at a moral U-turn.

Recent chronicles of the monthly cameo of Superman saw Parasite dawn a robe of reformation. Now under the payroll of SuperCorp, on work release tenure, Rudy Jones, the Parasite’s human counterpart, sports an experimental wristband that feeds him rations of energy—putting his quest for essence of metahumans to rest. Liberated from the clutches of hunger pangs, Parasite has been channeling his energies in constructive labor. However, the glimmering hope diminishes when the wristband stands redundant, revealing Parasite in his vulnerable avatar—a meek addict ready to champion Waller’s ambitious cause to engineer Absolute Power.

Absolute Power: Task Force VII #1 hits the comic shelves globally on the 10th of July, 2024. The riveting narrative promises a thrilling ride highlighting the frailties and strength of our beloved superheroes, masterfully crafted by expert hands working behind the scenes.