REVIEW: ‘Absolute Power: Task Force VII’ Issue #3

Absolute Power: Task Force VII #3 is published by DC Comics, written by Jeremy Adams, art by Marco Santucci, colors by Arif Prianto and letters by Dave Sharpe. This is part of the Absolute Power event. One of the Amazo robots targets the Justice Society of America but soon learns that absorbing the power of Alan Scott has consequences.

As with the previous editions of the tie-in, a unique story arises from an individual Amazo. This Amazo, named Jadestone, already made its presence known in the pages of Absolute Power #1 and Green Lantern #13, so readers have seen what it’s capable of. It now has the abilities of the JSA, including the immense speed of Jesse Quick. It means the Amazo robot can travel across the world instantly, absorbing the power of any superhuman it comes across. This potentially makes it the most powerful of the robots. But Jadestone’s earlier encounters have corrupted and turned the plot into something close to a choose-your-own-adventure story for the robot.

A peculiar pace ensues as  Jadestone fulfills its duties of hunting metahumans, pondering decisions before executing them. It is a further example of how the superpowers affect the robots beyond a simple acquisition. Although there are only two decisions for each scenario, the unpredictability of each outcome is often high. More heroes are hunted, leading to ferocious fights that leave us wondering if our favorite characters are still alive by the end. But the ending takes a deviation from the expected outcome.

The dialogue is fascinating and brilliantly scripted by Adams. Absolute Power: Task Force VII #3 is the first to feature narration, and those captions are cold and emotionless. And yet, Jadestone is beginning to develop thoughts, with options appearing in its systems instead of singular directives. The other Amazos were developing personalities but weren’t creating conflict with their functioning. This one seems nefarious, but perhaps underestimating it is a dangerous game.

This tie-in does an excellent job of picking up the pieces from the opening issue and scattering the heroes. Team-ups are generated, but the heroes are merely running and scrambling for options. In this issue, the weakened JSA members rescue Carol Ferris, who fell victim to one of Waller’s opening attacks. The dialogue between the humans is interesting, too. Wildcat, Green Lantern and others within the Justice Society are frayed and frantic, often snapping and clashing with each other as they disappear into the shadows.

The art is magnificent. The Amazo immediately adapts and evolves from its first appearance, diversifying from the others. It is made larger, clad in armour, and crackling with energy. Whilst it has absorbed many powers, Green Lantern’s Starheart is the most prominent within the story, so it has the biggest impact visually. The massive robot generates weaponry out of energy constructs, imposing and ruthless. Many heroes and villains are involved in this issue, either out on the run or already captured. They all look phenomenal under Santucci’s style.

In a place like the Oblivion Bar, one of Jadestone’s targets, there is a vast variety of magic-based characters hiding. Yet Santucci crams them together while maintaining a high level of detail. Some figures may lead to minor plot holes, such as Deadman, but dwelling on them would be unfair. When the fight erupts, it is chaotic and frantic, with many individuals trying to stop the massive machine. It is also interesting to see the heroes in their costumes superbly illustrated but powerless within them.

The colors are terrific in Absolute Power: Task Force VII #3. Green is heavily included in the issue, but originating from the Amazo, rather than a Green Lantern for a change. When Jadestone transforms after its immense absorption of powers, it is completely covered in emerald armor, with the power of Scott’s Starheart radiating from it.

That bright, rippling light is usually a sign of hope and positivity, but within this issue, it is used for the opposite, which is disconcerting. The letters are straightforward to read and brilliantly designed. The narration of the Amazo robot is colour-coded. The essential captions are red, whilst the interfering text is green. It doesn’t take long to understand the concept, and it looks fantastic.

Absolute Power: Task Force VII #3 takes the concept further. This has been a heavy metal series filled with all-out war between the Amazo robots and the heroes of the DC Universe. The battles and the art have been breathless and breathtaking simultaneously. However, the comics have also explored the personalities of technological monsters, which are developing and gaining importance in every issue. The chapters have been vastly different due to the change in creative teams, making the tie-in an entertaining ride before the next installment in the blockbuster event.

Absolute Power: Task Force VII #3 is available where comics are sold.