DC’s event of the Summer continues with Absolute Power #2 from writer Mark Waid, artist Dan Mora, colorist Alejandro Sánchez, and letterer Ariana Maher. It’s a tense issue, with the stakes getting even higher as the heroes meet and try to discuss what their next move should be, and Amanda Waller planning all the while.
The issue starts with Waller looking at a list of all the heroes that she has captured, along with the ones that she hasn’t. Fortunately, she says she has a way to get who she’s missing. It then cuts to the remaining heroes hiding in the Fortress of Solitude. They’re all panicking, trying to think of what to do in retaliation when one hero takes charge and gives a talk to them. They all power up with whatever tech or suits they can find, but that’s when they get attacked by Waller and her Amazos, along with a new threat.
WRITING
Waid has a gift for pacing. Every scene in this issue feels carefully placed, and the story reads incredibly smoothly because of that. Once again, Waid demonstrates his ability to write multidimensional characters. While Waller is absolutely on the hunt for these metahumans, there’s a part in the beginning of the issue where she reaffirms that civilians are not to be hurt by any means. She’s not just this cold blooded strategist, though that’s what she may come off as. Her main goal has always been to protect normal people from those with powers. Interestingly, she does that using her own power in government, while also using metahumans. She needs Dreamer and Green Arrow now, but what will happen when she no longer has uses for them?
Waid also does a great job handling a large cast of characters. Everyone feels equally as important as one another with newer, lesser known characters also showing up and making a small name for themselves. Everyone feels utilized, and that already makes this feel like this crisis is truly reaching the farthest corners of this universe.
ART
Mora kills it here yet again. He really excels at drawing detailed ensembles, which is exactly what this issue is filled with. There’s this page where Waller is looking at a screen with heroes on it, and it’s jaw dropping. There are so many characters displayed and so much detail put in to each portrait. It’s incredibly impressive. Later, when he draws everyone meeting in the Fortress of Solitude, each character is given so much detail and autonomy through damaged suits and facial expressions.
There’s this page showcasing Superman’s solar regeneration suit, and the S is beautifully drawn. The silver S is metallic, and so there is a glare reflecting that and it’s impressively detailed. Later in the issue, many of the main Justice League characters follow Supes in gaining new suits, and they’re all well designed. Each looks as though it fulfills the needs for the powers they lost, like each piece is necessary. It’s as if detail and design was the test for the issue, and Mora passes with flying colors.
Mora’s action is also a sight to behold. He puts so much effort into the fight scenes with large casts and does an amazing job of drawing them battling without their powers. Mora does this thing where the character still moves as though they’re using their powers, even though they’re missing them. Like a phantom limb, it’s almost like they’re still there.
COLORS
Sánchez’s colors are also on another level here. Everything is lit amazingly, with Sánchez using every source of light to his advantage and is able to blend them well on every single character that light hits. It’s very visually pleasing. He also uses the lighting in the Fortress of Solitude to give a sense of hope. It’s never too overwhelming, but when it shines, it shines on a character’s face that highlights their determination. It’s lit with a purpose.
At one point, Superman and Batman stand beside each other, both wearing black, but the black on Superman’s suit looks almost like a completely different texture because of the shading. Not only that, but when one of Waller’s robots attacks, they’re covered in a layer of purple to signify the Brainiac Queen’s control. It’s incredibly well thought out.
LETTERS
Maher’s letters here are interesting, mostly because they change things about certain characters. Where the Queen Brainiac’s textboxes used to be a darker green, they’re lighter here, showing how Waller’s experiment had affected her, making her less mechanical and more human. That, and Jon Kent’s bubbles have changed as well. They’ve changed from the normal ones to these sharp boxes to show the changes in what Waller has done to him.
Not only that, but multiple Amazos are here this time around and they all get chances to speak. While it’s all the same bubbles for each, their bubbles are all robotic, but plain. Unlike Queen Brainiac’s and Failsafe’s, theirs don’t have colors attached to them and so they’re left plain with no autonomy, Waller’s minions. It’s a nice touch.
CONCLUSION
Attention to detail was the name of the game this time around, and the team of Waid, Mora, Sánchez, and Maher excelled at it. They provided a tense story with stellar action that you’re sure to be thinking about for ages. Absolute Power #2 sets the stage for what’s to come, and will leave you wondering who is really on who’s side.
