Absolute Power: Task Force VII #4 is published by DC Comics, written by Pornsak Pichetshote, art by Claire Roe, colors by Lee Loughridge and letters by Dave Sharpe. This is part of the Absolute Power event. As a resistance group, including Nightwing and Robin, gather in the Maze of Owls, Failsafe is sent to hunt them down.
The story in this issue is ruthless and intense. In a location initially selected for its seclusion and cryptic caverns, it becomes a hellscape of violence. Before the two sides meet, Pichetshote spends a short period of time setting up the essential features of the book. The selection of heroes gathered in the Maze of Owls was formidable once upon a time but now has to make do with stolen weapons and their incredible intellect.
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Even as the team sets out what they have, a feeling of dread washes over. Facing the Amazos seems futile. Absolute Power: Task Force VII #4 is one of the most distressing yet, as Failsafe deals out a ruthless assault on really lovable characters. The fear and desperation is palpable, with even the ending being devastating and upsetting.
The characters within the book are a mixed bag of elite martial artists and depowered heroes. It is the first time since the start of the event that another Robin has appeared, with Tim Drake helping Dick Grayson. He has an excellent tactician’s mind, perhaps even greater than Nightwing’s. He provides the most hope within the issue, bringing a selection of weapons and explosives to the fight.
Miss Martian, M’Gann, is the most powerful member, even without her power, but she is also the catalyst for the distress within the chapter. She is terrified and anxious about losing control of her abilities, and those nerves make the book frightening and uneasy. The Ray, usually a positive character, is worried about using weapons he despises.
Failsafe is intense. It has the mannerisms and cold analysis of Batman, breaking down his enemies’ abilities and personalities as it effortlessly takes them apart. But then it starts to denigrate the characters, belittling them and imposing itself as better than everyone else, making the tone even darker.
The art helps transform the book into a low-level horror story. The claustrophobic surroundings cuts off any support for the heroes. Failsafe is tall and powerful, with creepy tendrils extending from its fingers. As Nightwing and the other heroes dole out as much punishment as they can, the damage starts to show on the head of the emotionless robot. The details are exceptional, and the frayed wires make Failsafe look more inhuman than it already is. The fight is savage and brutal, with powerful strikes and moves that the others of Failsafe’s kind haven’t made yet.
The colors get progressively darker as the story goes on, affected by Failsafe trying to remove the light from the Maze of Owls. If there are bright explosions, it is because some of Robin’s bombs have gone off or weapons are being fired. It is worrying when they stop, as the heroes are running out of ways to fight back against the villain. The lettering is crucial to depicting the pain and the fear within the characters as they get attacked by Failsafe.
There has been an ongoing story throughout every issue of Absolute Power: Task Force VII. Steve Trevor is inside the prison where the captured heroes and villains have been taken. It is only a few pages for each issue, but how each creator has carried the baton has been fascinating. In this edition, an alarming moment is barely dwelled upon, again leaning into the savagery of the issue.
Absolute Power: Task Force VII #4 returns to ruthlessness. The last issue started toying with the idea that the Amazo robots could be reasoned with and that the influence of absorbing the heroes’ powers meant that their personalities were breaching through and starting to cause complications. But Failsafe is something different. It’s cold, calculated and conclusive, seeming to revel in causing pain.
Going from Jadestone’s choose your own adventure story to Absolute Power: Task Force VII #4 shocks the system. With each set of creators come a different approach, meaning every chapter has its own atmosphere. Viewing this event through the eyes of evil can be uncomfortable, especially when particular heroes get very badly hurt, but there is a morbid fascination in continuing.
Absolute Power: Task Force VII #3 is available where comics are sold.
Absolute Power: Task Force VII #4
TL;DR
Absolute Power: Task Force VII #4 returns to ruthlessness. Issue #3 started toying with the idea that the Amazo robots could be reasoned with and that the influence of absorbing the heroes’ powers meant their personalities were breaching through, causing complications. But Failsafe is something different.
