Written by Jeph Loeb
Art by Carlos Pacheco; Jesús Merino; Ivan Reis; Laura Martin; & Richard Starkings
Cover Art by Carlos Pacheco; Jesús Merino; & Laura Martin
SUMMARY:
Released as a trade paperback in 2006, this 128-page compilation reprints the then-recent Superman/Batman # 14-18. A trio of 31st Century renegades warp the space-time continuum by abducting infant Kal-El from the Kents in Smallville and an orphaned Bruce Wayne from their prospective origins. Four other pivotal Justice Leaguers: Hal Jordan, Barry Allen, Martian Manhunter, and Aquaman are then ruthlessly eliminated to prevent future resistance. In a grim Total Recall-like present-day, the expression – “absolute power corrupts absolutely” applies, as surrogate brothers Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne dominate Earth on behalf of their ‘three’ mysterious parents.
A defiant Wonder Woman & Uncle Sam’s Freedom Fighters are no match for them, as several brainwashed Legionnaires supply additional firepower for Clark & Bruce. Yet, an unlikely threesome in yet another reality beyond time and space forces Superman & Batman to restart their intended origin once more. The World’s Finest Duo must somehow then undo the considerable damage they’ve wrought. Meanwhile, alternate realities on top of alternate realities are plaguing Superman & Batman. A stunning betrayal sets up one last reality where Ra’s Al Ghul has wiped out Earth’s heroes and taken command of the planet. Superman & Batman must risk everything to restore reality back to what it is, not simply what it should be.
Note: This title was previously released as a hardcover in 2005.
REVIEW:
In terms of assets, Absolute Power sports some welcome twists – i.e. Uncle Sam assuming a familiar Justice Leaguer’s powers, not to mention a cool last page. Further, the art team’s visuals are consistently well above-average. That leaves writer Jeph Loeb’s ultra-convoluted storyline, which negates its surplus of goodies (including a slew of unexpected cameos) with unnecessarily grisly violence.
Specifically, the excessive mayhem (including a decapitation and multiple heat vision obliterations) is appalling – i.e. a full two pages alone glorify Wonder Woman’s beating and strangulation-related demise. Casually mentioning that Zatanna Zatara had been previously tortured to death (off-screen) by the depraved World’s Finest evidently wasn’t enough misogyny for this creative squad. Adding the Freedom Fighters’ destruction (including Phantom Lady’s death) only exacerbates a vile excuse for entertainment, no matter if it accentuates the corrupted heroes’ mentality. At a minimum, the art squad could have asserted good taste, for instance, by conveying Wonder Woman’s death from a distance or in shadow. No, this creative team opts for sadistic shock value, so readers will see it be used to later haunt Superman.
Later on, Loeb explores an intriguing reality where Batman’s parents had lived. Seemingly righting the ship, plot-wise, Absolute Power’s redemption fall short, as Loeb decides more implied gore is necessary. For that matter, absurdly conveying that Superman would instantly recover after being impaled through the heart by a kryptonite blade thwarts a potentially dramatic moment to reset ‘reality.’ Even worse , Loeb opts to add yet another alternate reality to tidy up his storyline. While revealing at last who an enigmatic second Superman is a neat trick, everything makes far too little sense come the end. The poignant epilogue scenes with Wonder Woman and Alfred come too little too late, but at least Absolute Power goes out on a classy note.
If Loeb hadn’t squandered an intriguing premise (i.e. more along the lines of what if Superman and Batman traded worlds with The Crime Syndicate’s nefarious Ultra Man and Owlman), then Absolute Power might have been worth keeping.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
The original covers are presented as full-page reprints. There’s some brief creative team synopses. Also, a two-page ad hypes trade paperbacks available re: Superman and Batman’s solo adventures
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 3½ Stars
