Written by: John Layman
Art by: Max Raynor
Colors by: Luis Guerrero
Letters by: Dave Sharpe
Cover art by: Pete Woods
Cover price: $3.99
Release date: July 24, 2024
Absolute Power: Task Force VII #2, by DC Comics on 7/24/24, takes the event to Atlantis when Depth Charge captures Aquaman and forces Atlantis to surrender. Meanwhile, Steve Trevor has a bad day.
Is Absolute Power: Task Force VII #2 Good?
What the heck was the point of this comic? The Task Force VII miniseries is billed as the companion run to the main Absolute Power event. Still, so far, the issues don't tell you anything you don't already know or tell you extra information that doesn't matter. In fairness, Absolute Power: Task Force VII #2 is a better-written and drawn comic than the abysmal issue #1, but still, it doesn't need to exist.
When last we left Task Force VII in issue #1, the Amazo robot known as Last Son pursued Billy Batson and Mary Bromfield to the Rock of Eternity, with the help of an indentured Parasite. During the "fight," the adoptive siblings were captured, Mr. Dinosaur got his tail kicked, and Steve Trevor was taken to Gamorra to meet his new boss, Sarge Steel.
In Absolute Power: Task Force VII #2, we catch up with Tempest and the Doom Patrol AFTER the Amazo Robot known as Depth Charge defeated Aquaman and the Doom Patrol. Everyone on the team lost their powers, so they decided to pursue Depth Charge to Atlantis because an Arthur Curry without powers is an Arthur Curry who can't breathe underwater.
Before you start arguing about whether or not breathing underwater is a "power" instead of part of Arthur's hybrid biology, this comic treats it like it is. There's no point making a stink about it. Yes, it's a dumb creative mistake. C'est la vie.
Depth Charge arrives at Atlantis to demand they stand down and accept Amanda Waller's benevolent control. At first, the military takes up arms, but Arthur (encased in a cube with error) orders his people to stand down and not start a fight they're not ready to win.
In unison, the Atlanteans follow Arthur's command. Depth Charge flies into a rage because the Atlanteans follow Arthur's orders instead of Depth Charge's, and the Amazo robot lashes out at the city with destructive force. In the melee, Tempest and the Doom Patrol sneak Arthur away to find refuge with the rest of his super friends.
Meanwhile, Sarge Steel shows Steve Trevor to his new office. When Steve immediately finds out the antiquated phone is tapped, Steel flies into a rage, knocks Steve out, and calls for Security to take Steve into custody.
What's great about Absolute Power: Task Force VII #2? Max Raynor's art is strong, energetic, and packed with energy. The plot doesn't make much sense, but Raynor makes it look good.
What's not great about Absolute Power: Task Force VII #2? As hinted at above, Arthur's ability to breathe underwater is part of his biology, not a power. Normally, that should be a nitpick, but the major crux of this issue hinges on Arthur becoming the damsel in distress, which forces him to take Tempest's direction.
Further, the issue adds nothing to the event other than to show the details of Atlantis's downfall, reinforce the growing concern that the Amazo robots are unstable, and show that Steve Trevor was taken to Gamorra island without the intention of doing anything with him.
In effect, nothing important or useful happened in this issue that you couldn't surmise off-panel or haven't already seen from a different angle in other Absolute Power-related issues.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.
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Final Thoughts
Absolute Power: Task Force VII #2 gives readers a view into how Amanda Waller's Absolute Power attack subdued Aquaman, Atlantis, and the Doom Patrol. Sadly, most of that fight takes place off-panel, and the rest of the information adds nothing meaningful to the event. In every sense of the word, this tie-in is pointless, but at least Max Raynor's art looks darn good.
5.5/10
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The bigger problem is even if we were to accept breathing underwater as a power not biology then that would mean every Atlantean person who gets their powers taken by Amazo should also be unable to breathe underwater since it's a power that is being taken not biology, however since they keep saying Arthur is half human and therefore cannot breathe underwater now, I get the feeling the same would not happen to full Atlanteans which is utter nonsense whichever way you look at it, whether you accept breathing underwater as a power or as biology. Lol
ReplyDelete! It’s always interesting to see how different storylines unfold and the character dynamics evolve. On a lighter note, if you’re looking for a cozy reading environment, I highly recommend lighting a teddy bear candle. Its warm, comforting glow and delightful scent can make your comic book reading experience even more enjoyable.
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