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Written by: Andy Diggle
Art by: Leonardo Fernandez
Colors by: Matt Hollingsworth
Letters by: Simon Bowland
Cover art by: Leonardo Fernandez, Matt Hollingsworth
Cover price: $4.99
Release date: August 14, 2024
Batman: Gotham By Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age #3, by DC Comics on 8/14/24, introduces readers to the revised history of the Amazons, sets up a Golden Age hero, and hints at an interplanetary war.
Written by: Gail Simone
Art by: Eddy Barrows, Danny Miki
Colors by: Rex Lokus
Letters by: Dave Sharpe
Cover art by: Eddy Barrows, Danny Miki, Tomeu Morey
Cover price: $4.99
Release date: August 14, 2024
Action Comics #1068, by DC Comics on 8/14/24, brings Superman's first challenge from the Gorathians to an end before starting the next challenge to save multiple cities at once.
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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Action Comics #1068 continues Superman's contest of champions with Earth's survival as the prize. Gail Simone's tale keeps the pace, energy, and smart action high for a rousing tale. Plus, the art team's execution is generally on point, except for wonky faces on Jimmy. That said, Rainbow Rowell's backup story is a bizarre headscratcher.
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Written by: Jeremy Adams
Art by: Fernando Pasarin, Oclair Albert
Colors by: Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Letters by: Dave Sharpe
Cover art by: Ariel Colón (cover A)
Cover price: $4.99
Release date: August 14, 2024
Wowee, wow, wow. Let's just make up a name for Jeremy Adams and call him the Lemon Master because the quality of entertainment he's squeezing out of Absolute Power should make his fellow DC writers pucker up their sour faces with envy. Is Green Lantern #14 perfect? no, but Adams makes the most out of the tie-in and pushes his own story forward by loading every square inch with importance and meaning.
When last we left Hal Jordan in Green Lantern #13, Absolute Power tie-in, Hal escaped captivity and torture at the hands of Amanda Waller's minions. When Hal worked his way through the Gamorra Island prison, he discovered a huge cache of weaponry that Waller confiscated from Earth's heroes and villains.
In Green Lantern #14, we pick up immediately after the ending of issue #13. Hal Jordan spies his ring in a case among all the weaponry Waller's soldiers are crating up and preparing for shipment. Hal creates a small distraction with the help of one of Toyman's tops and knocks out the guards who have his power ring.
I like what Jeremy Adams is doing with Hal Jordan. He uses his courage and smarts to gain an advantage and, hopefully, to get back into superhero shape. That said, the last issue and the start of this one only work if Gamorra Island has the worst security in the world, not to notice a shirtless guy running down the halls.
The issue cuts to Alan Scott, who we saw willingly go off with Jadestone at the end of Absolute Power: Task Force VII #3. We now know Jadestone took Scott to the Gamorra Island prison. Scott and Jadestone play chess in Scott's cell, discussing the philosophical potential of free will, an after-effect of Jadestone absorbing the Starheart energy from Alan Scott. Jadestone excuses itself when it hears the alarm set off by Hal's actions.
Here, we see the promise of what was started in Absolute Power: Task Force VII #3 continue to play out. When Jadestone absorbed the Starheart energy, Jeremey Adams planted the seed that the Amazo robot may have gained free will. Scott smartly nurtures that seed with the hope that it will pay off. Jadestone's "conversion" is the most interesting thread in the tie-ins.
The scene switches back to Hal. He's pursued by Waller's stormtroopers, and he breaks open every case within reach to use whatever weapons he can to fend off the stormtroopers long enough to escape. Just when he thinks he might have a chance, Jadestone arrives and quickly captures Hal.
Jadestone may be wrestling with conflicting programming, but he doesn't waste time restraining Hal with a Green Lantern construct.
The issue cuts to Carol Ferris and the still-free members of the JSA inside the Tower of Fate. The JSA knows they need help by growing their numbers, but they know they'll get captured within minutes if they leave the Tower. Their solution? Ask Carol Ferris to go since it's unlikely Amanda Waller would be looking for her.
Carol's scene with the JSA is one of the highlights of this issue. Her wide-eyed wonder at sitting with a team of superheroes inside a magic tower reminds readers that superhero comics are supposed to be hopeful, optimistic, and fun. If Carol decides to become Star Sapphire full-time as a takeaway from this experience, it would be a welcome change.
The comic switches to the Great Hall of OA, where Thaaros holds a meeting with the council. Thaaros's allies are concerned about Hal Jordan's recent attack, but Thaaros assures them that Hal has been neutralized. Members of the council grumble that their world would become the target of a multi-planet offensive if it was discovered that all the ambassadors were replaced by shapeshifters. Thaaros tells his brethren not to be concerned because he intends to lead his force to a total takeover of the galaxy.
Jeremey Adams inserts a scene that feels like it comes out of nowhere, but it smartly plants intriguing seeds for the series after Absolute Power ends. It's clear Thaaros's fellow shapeshifters do not share his lust for totalitarian authority, so his fellow Durlans may not be so loyal to him for long.
The issue cuts back to Hal in the Gamorran Prison. Without a dead ring, Hal is no match for Jadestone. Hal tries to run, firing every weapon he can get his hands on, but nothing works. Out of desperation, Hal picks up and aims a stick at Jadestone, a stick that just so happens to be Abra Kadabra's wand. After a massive explosion, Jadestone concludes Hal was vaporized. In reality, Hal just gave himself and his allies a huge boost.
The issue ends with Christmas coming early, an undercover mission, and tears of sorrow and anger.
Overall, Jeremy Adams packs gobs of twists, turns, and cool developments in this issue to expand what's happening in the main Absolute Power event and make progress on the Green Lantern series. That's quite a balancing act, so kudos to Adams for another entertaining read.
How's the Art? Fernando Pasarin and Oclair Albert deliver a pitch-perfect set of visuals with action, adventure, heart, and a tiny amount of appropriate humor. The figure work, facial acting, and action all look great, and Romulo Fajardo Jr.'s coloring is on point.
Marc Guggenheim delivers another one-off story that centers on a Green Lantern named Shynt D'Proba. Shynt was honored to become a Green Lantern when the power ring chose him, but he soon came to suspect that the rings no longer choose bearers based on nobility and honor but on their likelihood of compliance to Thaaros.
Now a member of Thaaros's Shadow Lanterns, Shynt hatches a plan to be rid of Thaaros's manipulative influence and, hopefully, ensure his ring passes to a truly worthy successor.
Marc Guggenheim's tale of quiet dissension within Thaaros's ranks is perfectly serviceable, and the art is decent enough. That said, the real kicker of the story is the suggestion that a new Lantern will be joining the Corps without Thaaros's manipulation soon.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.
Follow @ComicalOpinions on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
Green Lantern #14 is one of the strongest tie-ins to Absolute Power because Jeremy Adams gives you plenty of cool developments, action, excitement, and adventure while finding an organic way to further the plot on Green Lantern. There isn't a bad spot scene in this entire comic, and the art team delivers.
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Written by: Pornsak Pichetshote
Art by: Claire Roe
Colors by: Lee Loughridge
Letters by: Dave Sharpe
Cover art by: Pete Woods
Cover price: $3.99
Release date: August 14, 2024
Absolute Power: Task Force VII #4, by DC Comics on 8/14/24, pits Nightwing, Robin, and a small team of resistance fighters against Failsafe in an abandoned Court of Owls headquarters.
Well, this isn't the worst tie-in in the world for Absolute Power, but there are a few continuity problems that pose a huge challenge for this issue, one in particular. If Absolute Power: Task Force VII #4 had been a one-shot or short story, you could excuse the disconnect, but not this time. Absolute Power: Task Force VII #4 begins with Voodoo running through the Maze of Owls as she's pursued by Failsafe. In the main conference wing of the Court of Owls headquarters, Nightwing commends Robin for forming an unconventional resistance group comprised of Voodoo, The Ray, and Ms. Martian. The team looks over weapons and explosives Voodoo "borrowed" from her job at the Halo Corporation. We learn during the chat that Voodoo, The Ray, and Ms. Martian have all lost their powers during Task Force VII's first-wave assault. In the maze, Failsafe catches up to Voodoo. She tries to fend off the robot with martial arts but to no avail. Before Failsafe can leave with Vodoo as its prisoner, Nightwing arrives with the rest of the group to fight. During the tussle, everyone gets away after an intentional explosion opens a hole in the floor to an underground river below. Only Ms. Marvel, who suffered a broken arm in the fight, remained behind as Failsafe's prisoner. The issue includes a tacked-on scene with Steve Trevor making his way through Waller's Gamorra Island prison, disguised as a guard. Trevor learns that Waller is forcing the captured, de-powered villains to build a very large portal. What's great about Absolute Power: Task Force VII #4? In a strange reversal from the previous issues in this tie-in miniseries, Steve Trevor's discovery that Amanda Waller is building a portal is the most interesting bit. Trevor's revelation is the first hint that Amanda Waller's worldwide assault could conceivably be bigger and more complex than anyone realized. What's not great about Absolute Power: Task Force VII #4? Continuity errors abound, particularly with one character. When last we left Nightwing, he was up to his neck directing an assortment of reconnaissance and strike teams from the Fortress of Solitude. What is he doing here? What is the leader of the former Justice League and the Titans, who took on the responsibility of forming a counter-offensive to Waller's takeover, doing in a former Court of Owls headquarters? Nightwing's presence makes no sense. When last we left Failsafe, he was in Amanda Waller's headquarters, directing Waller's forces as they round up the remaining 20% of depowered heroes and villains. What is Failsafe doing in a Court of Owls headquarters, chasing after low-level threats? Failsafe's presence makes no sense. In all, the story is just an okay one-off, but placing two of the most important characters in a meaningless tie-in issue seems out of place and disjointed from the main event. How's the Art? Claire Roe's art is perfectly fine for this issue. Admittedly, Roe's style isn't the same as the typical DC house style, but it works well enough for this issue. The action is well done, and Lee Loughridge's colors look great.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.
Follow @ComicalOpinions on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
Absolute Power: Task Force VII #4 delivers another one-off issue focusing on another member of Task Force VII - Failsafe. In and of itself, Pornsak Pichetshote's story is fine, but the characters involved here, particularly Nightwing, suggest the story is out of step with the main event. At best, this comic is just okay.
We hope you found this article interesting. Come back for more reviews, previews, and opinions on comics, and don’t forget to follow us on social media:
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If you're interested in this creator’s works, remember to let your Local Comic Shop know to find more of their work for you. They would appreciate the call, and so would we.
Click here to find your Local Comic Shop: www.ComicShopLocator.com
As an Amazon Associate, we earn revenue from qualifying purchases to help fund this site. Links to Blu-Rays, DVDs, Books, Movies, and more contained in this article are affiliate links. Please consider purchasing if you find something interesting, and thank you for your support.
