The Absolute Power event found Amanda Waller making a power play to rid Earth-Prime of superheroes. It spoils little to reveal that Absolute Power #4 by Mark Waid and Dan Mora features a number of revelations that change the DC Universe. The finale also paves the way for the new DC All-In initiative and the Absolute Universe.
Dreamer lives and returns
It is not uncommon for superheroes to die in a big crossover event. Absolute Power was no exception in this regard, with the precognitive hero Dreamer apparently dying after defying Amanda Waller’s orders. However, Dreamer managed to survive with a little help from her friend, Jon Kent.
Dreamer reveals that she went into the Dreaming. Though she was severely wounded, she was able to pull herself together thanks to the waking dreams of the younger Superman as he fought the control of the Brainiac Queen. Dreamer, in turn, used her powers to bolster Jon’s mental defenses against the evil artificial intelligence.
Amanda Waller disgraced and defanged
Unsurprisingly, the heroes of Earth-Prime rallied to turn the tables on Amanda Waller. Though her Amazo army stole their powers, the drones could not still their heroic hearts. That, coupled with an arsenal of stolen supervillain weapons, enabled them to take the fight to Waller as they stormed her secret base on the island nation of Gamorra.
Even after her efforts to gaslight the general public regarding the heroes being dangerous were exposed, Waller remained unbowed once imprisoned. Her defiance turned to horror, however, as she realized she could not remember any information on superhero secret identities or the people she blackmailed in her rise to power. This was thanks to Dreamer, whose command of her powers grew during her time in the Suicide Squad to the point that she could enter memories as well as dreams.
However, Dreamer was quick to note she did not erase Waller’s memories. Rather, she blocked Waller’s ability to recall all the secrets she had learned over the years. Dreamer decided this would be a fitting punishment, leaving Waller unable to hurt anyone with what she knew and fully aware of how powerless she now was.
Green Arrow redeemed
One question that rose repeatedly during Absolute Power was where the loyalties of Green Arrow truly lay. The Emerald Archer signed on to aid Amanda Waller, nominally to manage the old Justice League armory. However, different stories offered conflicting visions of whether or not Oliver Queen truly believed in Waller’s mission to bring order at any cost. Some comics, like The Flash, showed him subtly working against Waller by helping Barry Allen evade custody. Other comics, like the main Absolute Power title, painted Green Arrow as a loyal soldier.
Absolute Power #4 confirmed that Green Arrow had been a sleeper agent all along. With the aid of Martian Manhunter, Oliver Queen blocked off all conscious thoughts regarding working against Amanda Waller. His subconscious, however, kept finding ways to undermine her efforts while evading constant telepathic scans for subversive thoughts. This placed Green Arrow in the perfect place to aid the resistance.
The Multiverse is closed
Amanda Waller’s ultimate plan was to build an army across the multiverse, installing her new world order on dozens of Earths. The heroes of Earth-Prime were able to close her dimensional gate, but at a cost. The resulting energy loop sealed Earth-Prime off from the rest of the multiverse. This means that nobody, from speedsters to breachers, can travel to alternate realities anymore.
Many heroes had their powers changed or lost them
Batman and Blue Beetle were able to disable the Amazo drones and restore the stolen powers of Earth-Prime’s heroes. However, not all of the powers went back to their original hosts and some heroes remain powerless. It remains to be seen if this will be a temporary occurrence or if special measures will be needed to restore things to normal.
A new Justice League forms
The final pages of Absolute Power #4 show Green Arrow calling a meeting with Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. He says recent events prove the need for a Justice League. To his surprise, the other heroes agree and unveil their plans for a new Watchtower base. This sets the stage for a new team made up of DC Comics‘ greatest heroes in the upcoming Justice League Unlimited series.
Absolute Power #4 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
