Why DC’s Absolute Power Was One of Its Best Crossover Events

As a long-time DC fan and comic book enthusiast, I can confidently say that “Absolute Power” is a game-changer for the DC Universe. This mini-series has not only delivered an engaging and action-packed story but also laid the groundwork for the future of DC Comics.

For a considerable time, DC Comics has lagged behind Marvel in terms of sales, but they’ve consistently delivered quality content to their readers. Over recent years, DC has evolved from being predominantly a Batman-focused publisher, with mostly Batman and related titles during the aftermath of “Death Metal” and “Infinite Frontier,” into its current publishing endeavor, “All-In.” This new initiative promises the most diverse DC comic line in years.

In this narrative, Amanda Waller, who had meticulously planned for this situation for years, collaborated with Failsafe and Lady Brainiac to seize control over the superhero community’s powers. This gripping tale, penned by renowned DC writer Mark Waid and illustrated by Dan Mora, is a masterful four-issue series titled “Absolute Power“. It’s an action-packed story with no unnecessary elements, demonstrating why the heroes of the DC Multiverse are unparalleled in their skills. Not all event books are successful, but “Absolute Power” should be remembered as one of the finest event stories of the 21st century.

It Paid Off Its Prime Build-Up

The event titled “Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths” garnered a varied response, but its conclusion left many intrigued. The Justice League’s key members – Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman – chose to disband, with Nightwing and the Titans being asked to take their place by Batman and Superman. Simultaneously, Amanda Waller conferred with the Council of Light, hinting at a secret strategy. Subsequently, various titles across the publishing line continued the narrative:

Dan Mora’s Art Is Gorgeous

Dan Mora’s artistic contributions over the past decade have proven him to be not only an incredibly dedicated artist in the comic book industry, consistently producing two books per month where most artists struggle to manage even one, but also among the best. Mora honed his skills at BOOM! Studios for a considerable period, earning recognition through projects such as Klaus, Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers, Once and Future, and many others. Subsequently, he transitioned to DC Comics where he excelled on Detective Comics and Batman/Superman: World’s Finest. The latter collaboration with writer Mark Waid was particularly significant.

In Waid’s scripts, Mora breathed life, showcasing how his distinctive style blended seamlessly with DC Multiverse’s titans. Known for intricate linework, stunning fight scenes, and visual appeal, Mora’s artistry elevates the comic Absolute Power, contributing significantly to its greatness. Each issue offers a thrilling action sequence, while the last issue is an artistic marvel that captivates readers from start to finish, all thanks to Mora’s contributions.

Mark Waid’s Script Is Exquisitely Crafted

As a dedicated gamer, I can confidently say that Mark Waid is one of the top-tier writers in the comic book universe who knows how to craft compelling superhero narratives. Whether he’s working at DC Comics or somewhere else, his stories never disappoint. However, there’s an undeniable magic when it comes to his work at DC. His recent comeback has been nothing short of remarkable – with “Batman vs. Robin” and “Batman/Superman: World’s Finest” setting new standards for superhero storytelling. It was only fitting that he took on the challenge of writing “Absolute Power,” a choice that I believe will pay off handsomely.

WAID skillfully transforms the construction into a captivating narrative, one that portrays the protagonists overcoming adversity to thwart Waller’s danger. At first glance, four issues might appear brief for an event book of such magnitude, but WAID’s scripts are meticulously timed, offering readers a surprise on every page.

Amanda Waller Had Deserved Her Own Event for Decades Now

Amanda Waller, a central figure in the DC Multiverse for quite some time, has served as both a thorn and an ally to the superhero community. Known as “The Wall,” she’s frequently opposed the heroes yet found herself working alongside them too. The creator of Task Force X usually operates from behind the scenes, waiting for the right moment to act. In the graphic novel “Absolute Power, ” her time had come to shine. She was the driving force behind the narrative, and her ambition – crafting an unstoppable force to safeguard the world – is understandable. However, it’s the extreme measures she takes that make her plan so chilling.

In an unprecedented move, Waller pushed boundaries, forming alliances with some of the riskiest characters one could think of. This strategic decision made “Absolute Power” even more captivating. While a compelling narrative could have been crafted with Failsafe and Lady Brainiac as the antagonists alone, elevating Waller to the main villain was a request long-awaited by readers for years.

It Was Simple

In simpler terms, both Marvel and DC comics frequently employ common themes in their events. Marvel often pits superheroes against one another, while DC tends to involve multiverse chaos. The comic “Absolute Power” is more straight-forward compared to complex stories like “Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths.” In this story, Waller, Failsafe, and Lady Brainiac use the Amazos to seize superhero powers, leading to a struggle for power. Unlike other stories with unexpected twists or villains trying to destroy multiple universes, here the main antagonist is an overpowered government official. This plot is straightforward and effective because of its simplicity.

The Ending Matters

Events within DC comics since “Dark Knights: Metal” have tended to share similar conclusions. Titles such as “Metal”, “Death Metal”, and “Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths” each found unique methods to accomplish the same goal – reinstating the infinite multiverse and rectifying DC continuity. However, these conclusions didn’t hold much long-term significance, despite appearing crucial at the time. Contrastingly, “Absolute Power” avoids this issue. The ending of “Absolute Power” restores the heroes’ powers, but with a unique twist.

As a die-hard gamer immersed in the DC Universe, let me tell you about some mind-blowing twists that have shaken things up! Some familiar faces like Lois Lane and Clock King are now wielding powers, while others have lost theirs. This shift could completely redefine the power dynamics within the superhero community. It seems our Earth is now cut off from the Multiverse, and the Justice League has made a grand comeback. And to top it all off, Darkseid’s creation of the Absolute Universe following the events of ‘Absolute Power’ has added another layer of complexity to this ever-evolving universe. This time around, the changes brought by the book’s ending are more than just another multiversal tweak or continuity reboot – they actually matter!

Absolute Power Continues Building Up Nightwing and Jon Kent

In recent years, Nightwing’s ascension has been one of the most captivating aspects of DC Comics. Dick Grayson, who has long deserved a more prominent role within the superhero pantheon, has often found himself overshadowed by Batman. However, in “Absolute Power”, it was clear that Nightwing remained a pivotal figure in the superhero community. He led the heroes into battle and devised strategies that ultimately secured victory. Concurrently, Jon Kent played a significant role in the narrative, manipulated by Lady Brainiac. Jon presented a substantial threat to the heroes, demonstrating his immense potential power.

In recent DC happenings, there was an unexpected turn of events regarding these two characters. Some viewers might have anticipated their decline in importance, but the storyline “Absolute Power” demonstrated that DC has yet to exhaust the potential of these figures.

Absolute Power Laid the Groundwork for DC All-In

It’s likely that a DC event will conclude with some form of minor reboot for its series. Notably, stories such as “Lazarus Planet” and “Titans: Beast Wars” have not resulted in significant changes to the line or the launching of new books, unlike “Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths” and “Absolute Power,” which brought about substantial alterations and reshaped the status quo.

The essence of a DC event is clearly demonstrated, and “Absolute Power” perfectly encapsulated this. “DC All-In #1” continued the narrative started by “Absolute Power,” escalating it significantly, with tantalizing hints of future events such as the reconstruction of Watchtower and Darkseid’s relentless pursuit of supreme power. This has led to an unprecedented expansion of the DC Multiverse, something fans haven’t witnessed in over a decade.

DC All-In revives beloved DC series such as the Justice Society and Metamorpho, and introduces us to the Absolute Universe – it’s an exhilarating time for DC fans! Absolute Power paved the way for this, offering a fantastic starting point for the editors and creators of DC.

2024-11-30 02:11