REVIEW: ‘Absolute Power’ Issue #4

Absolute Power #4 is published by DC Comics, written by Mark Waid, art by Dan Mora, colors by Alejandro Sánchez, and letters by Ariana Maher. This is the final issue of the event. The heroes make their final assault on Amanda Waller’s forces, fighting without their powers against nigh-invulnerable villains.

This issue brings the action. Dismantling Waller’s intricate plan requires multiple fronts. Like the setup for the event, the resistance has unfolded over the big DC titles, taking down Waller’s defenses and gathering weapons one by one. But there is still a lot to accomplish in Absolute Power #4. From the second the heroes appear, the pace escalates, and the action begins. There is a constant pushing, trying to break Waller’s lines.

The Amazos and most heroes outside the base are in a battle. Underneath, Green Lantern and the Flash work to stop the Multiversal army from interfering. And Nightwing aims straight for Waller. The structure jumps between these three locations, balancing them perfectly.

At first, the surprises weren’t too impressive. Many of the switches were obvious. Later in the issue, there are complications and surprises, both good and bad, especially as the event winds down. DC’s finest may have saved the world, but there are lasting complications. These can be personal for many heroes and much larger in scale.

For a book of this size and with so much going on, it is difficult for characters to make themselves known among the chaos; big figures within the event fall quieter due to the action. Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman have essential roles, but these are mainly physical presences. Nightwing gets to make inspirational speeches on the eve of the battle. During the conflict, Dick is in a confined space with Waller, with them in her control room and having an intense confrontation.

Perhaps the best dialogue in Absolute Power #4 comes from the basement, where Hal Jordan and Barry Allen fight to close the portal that brings in the terrifying legion from Earth-3. There is a beautiful, classic feel to that combination, one of the most endearing friendships in the DC Universe, and no one knows them better than Waid.

The main character of Absolute Power #4 is not one of the heroes but Amanda Waller. The whole crossover was about the execution of her plan and the collection of her army. This issue takes that away, and what it does to her psychologically is fascinating. The levels of desperation she reaches are terrifying, with any restrain evaporating. Waller’s knowledge and leverage have always been her true power. She can anticipate and plan her way out of situations, which has always given her a position of respect from heroes and villains alike. But as that goes, seeing what she is left with is interesting.

The art unleashes its full potential in Absolute Power #4. The battle leaves no holds barred, pitting the still-powerless heroes against soldiers with advanced weaponry and the emotionless Amazo robots. That core battle outside the facility is filled with fighting, with immensely physical and brutal pieces of action. Bullets fly, and weapons swing. The heroes have slight differences in their designs as they have been outfitted with makeshift weapons.

The detail is immaculate. The strain and pressure of the scenarios can be seen in the characters’ faces, reaching an ultimate culmination by the end of Absolute Power #4. Perhaps the moment the reader has been waiting for goes by too quickly, but that recapture of pride and confidence is impressive. A distinct change in momentum can be seen physically, not just within the dialogue.

The colors are phenomenal. This is a dark comic with light and energy added to it to break out from the shadows. The shadows are essential within Absolute Power #4, as that is how the heroes travel. They step out of pitch-black areas, with small sources of light illuminating them.

Some brilliant panels are created using this technique, notably Batman and his newfound Mother Box. Depending on where they are, red and blue threaten to overwhelm the characters. Superpowers cut through that hegemony of colors, such as Flash’s costume or Green Lantern’s ring. The lettering is almost perfect, but one panel has a minor mistake. An early example of a text placement can be seen outside of a word balloon. Again, it is tiny, but it is noticeable.

It would still have been beneficial to stretch the main book into five or even six issues, to spend more time at the event, and to explore the key themes further. However, the shortening also forced the story to be told more quickly and explosively. Not every wound has been healed, and the scars may require surgery. It will be interesting to see what happens to those characters that were so important to this series in the future. Will they continue to be involved in the big crossovers, or will the old faithful replace them?

Absolute Power #4 delivers on all fronts. Nothing is left unanswered, and the various plot threads are brought in for this final push. The battle is mindblowing and breathtaking, with exhilarating energy and many possibilities to cover. It is the end of one era and the start of another, with DC’s All In coming immediately after this book ends.

Absolute Power #4 is available now wherever comics are sold.