Everything That Happened in DC's "Absolute Power": Your Essential Guide to DC All & the Absolute Universe
Everything That Happened in DC's "Absolute Power": Your Essential Guide to DC All In & the Absolute Universe
"The complete story of Amanda Waller's war on superheroes that reshaped the DC Universe and launched DC's biggest initiatives since Rebirth." — Catch Up Guide for Current DC Comics
NEW TO DC COMICS? START HERE! This is the definitive guide to understanding DC's current landscape. "Absolute Power" is the crucial bridge between Dawn of DC and today's DC All In/DC K.O. & Absolute Universe initiatives. Read this to catch up with current DC Comics!
Absolute Power #1 Cover - Art by Dan Mora
If you're trying to catch up with DC Comics' current storylines and feeling lost with the new DC All In (also known as DC K.O.) and Absolute Universe initiatives, you've come to the right place. "Absolute Power" was the 2024 American comic book crossover storyline that served as the dramatic conclusion to the Dawn of DC initiative and directly set the stage for everything happening in DC Comics today. Written by Mark Waid with art by Dan Mora, this massive summer event ran between July 3 and October 2, 2024, and represented DC's biggest crossover of the year. The storyline centered on Amanda Waller's grand plan to eliminate all superpowers from the DC Universe by recruiting two powerful allies: Failsafe (a rogue Batman android) and Brainiac Queen.
This comprehensive article details every major event, character development, and tie-in that comprised this earth-shattering DC event. More importantly, it explains exactly how "Absolute Power" reshaped the DC Universe and created the foundation for the current DC All In and Absolute Universe storylines you're seeing on comic shelves today. Whether you're a returning reader or completely new to DC Comics, this is your essential guide to understanding DC's current landscape.
Why This Matters for Current DC Comics
"Absolute Power" wasn't just another crossover event—it was the catalyst that fundamentally altered DC's publishing strategy. The event directly led to:
- The launch of DC All In/DC K.O.—DC's current publishing initiative that focuses on bold, status-quo shaking stories
- The creation of the Absolute Universe—a parallel DC reality that explores alternate versions of beloved characters
- The introduction of Absolute Batman—the flagship title of the Absolute Universe written by Scott Snyder
- The rebirth of the Justice League with a new Watchtower and reformed membership
- Earth's isolation from the Multiverse—a status quo change affecting every current DC title
Understanding "Absolute Power" is essential for enjoying current DC Comics!
Background: The Road to Absolute Power
Waller's Rise to Power
For years, Amanda Waller had been positioning herself as humanity's protector against superhuman threats. The turning point came during the "Beast World" crossover event, where Waller engineered a crisis that turned Beast Boy's powers against the planet. Beast Boy accidentally infected Earth with spores that transformed humans into feral animals—including all the world's superheroes. This catastrophic event, coupled with Cyborg's hacking of military defense systems to stop Waller's deadly weapons, created widespread fear and mistrust of metahumans.
Amanda Waller, the mastermind behind Absolute Power
The result? The President of the United States established the Bureau of Sovereignty—an agency designed to keep superheroes in check, with Waller at its helm. This new organization had unprecedented power to override the President during crises and was headquartered in the Justice League's former base, the Hall of Justice, which Waller renamed the "Hall of Order."
Waller's radicalization had deeper roots. During the Titans storyline, she lost her family due to crime, which led her to found the Suicide Squad. Her experience on Earth-3 (home of the Crime Syndicate) further radicalized her against metahumans, convincing her that all superpowered beings—heroes and villains alike—were too dangerous to exist unchecked.
Waller's Sinister Allies
Waller didn't act alone. She assembled what DC called a "Trinity of Evil"—two powerful allies who gave her the means to execute her grand design. The first was Failsafe, an android created by Bruce Wayne's alternate Batman personality (the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh) as a contingency plan to stop Batman if he ever went rogue. Failsafe eventually turned against his creator, believing he could be a better Batman without Bruce's humanity. Clock King described him as "Batman crossed with the Terminator," and this twisted version of the Dark Knight became Waller's most dangerous weapon against the real Batman and his allies.
Waller Has Her Own Batman - Failsafe, now controlled by Amanda Waller. Image from DC.com blog
Waller's second major ally was the Brainiac Queen, a female android version of Brainiac created by the villain himself. Unlike traditional Brainiac, who collected knowledge, the Queen was designed to collect and consume powers. Brainiac siphoned energy from Superman and his Kryptonian allies to power her creation. Her abilities were terrifying—she could drain powers from metahumans, leaving corpses in her wake. In her first appearance in Superman #14, she effortlessly slaughtered a room full of Czarnians.
Brainiac created the Queen as a means to experience the feeling of love he lost during his previous planetary invasions. Her primary function was to devour abilities from worlds he conquered until she gained her final form. After admitting his last defeat against Superman, Brainiac sent the Queen away, rendering her amnesiac. When she awoke, Waller and Failsafe recruited her to help complete their agenda.
Waller also manipulated heroes into serving her agenda:
- Dreamer (Nia Nal): Waller blackmailed Dreamer by threatening to expose Parthas, a secret community of extraterrestrials and minorities. During a Suicide Squad: Dream Team mission to Gamorra Island, Nia was tricked into becoming an accessory to the murder of President Sara Nakamura—mother of Jon Kent's boyfriend, Jay Nakamura. This manipulation spanned Suicide Squad: Dream Team #1-4 (March 12 - June 11, 2024).
- Green Arrow (Oliver Queen): Waller sank her claws into Oliver Queen beginning in Green Arrow #9, promising to help him find his missing family members (including Roy Harper) in exchange for stealing technology. This manipulation continued through Green Arrow Vol.7 #12-13 (May 28 - June 25, 2024), with Oliver eventually wearing a new uniform while working for Waller.
Green Arrow now working for Amanda Waller
Task Force VII: Waller's Power-Draining Army
Waller and Failsafe created a group of Amazos dubbed "Task Force VII"—the ultimate weapon to drain powers from superheroes worldwide. These robots were specifically designed to target and neutralize superhuman abilities, with each member specialized for different types of heroes:
- Depth Charge: Specialized in underwater and aquatic heroes
- Global Guardian: Focused on international heroes and global threats
- Jadestone: Targeted mystical and magical beings
- Last Son: Specialized in Kryptonian-level threats
- Paradise Lost: Focused on Amazonian and warrior-class heroes
- Velocity: Targeted speedsters and high-mobility heroes
What Waller didn't anticipate was that Task Force VII would absorb some of the heroes' morality during their encounters. As they drained powers, they also absorbed fragments of their victims' personalities, causing them to develop sentience and begin questioning Waller's orders. This unexpected development would become her undoing.
The Absolute Power Event:The Complete Story
Prelude: Setting the Stage
Before the main event began, several key storylines established the foundation for Waller's plan:
- Batman Vol. 3 #145-149 (March 5 - June 18, 2024): The "Dark Prisons" arc revealed Failsafe's full capabilities and his eventual defeat by Batman, only for Waller to recover the android.
- Suicide Squad: Dream Team #1-4 (March 12 - June 11, 2024): This series detailed Dreamer's manipulation by Waller and the tragic mission to Gamorra that resulted in President Nakamura's death.
- House of Brainiac (April 9 - June 25, 2024): This Superman storyline introduced Brainiac Queen and established her power-draining abilities.
- Free Comic Book Day 2024: Absolute Power Special Edition (May 5, 2024): This special preview showed glimpses of Waller's future plans and Green Arrow's new role.
- Titans Vol. 7 #11 (May 21, 2024): Further developed the growing fear of superheroes that Waller was exploiting.
Free Comic Book Day 2024: Absolute Power Special Edition Cover
Absolute Power #1: "Powerless"
The main event begins with a shocking scene in Metropolis: Superman is shot down by ordinary handgun fire while trying to stop robbers. This is the first indication that something is terribly wrong with the world's superheroes.
28 Hours Earlier - Keystone City: Animal Man and Animal Girl land in a park only to be met by an angry mob that nearly beats Animal Man to death. Across the globe, videos circulate showing superheroes committing acts of violence and destruction. Batman and Robin watch these reports from the Batcave, with Batman quickly deducing the videos are AI-generated fakes designed to discredit superheroes.
Hall of Order: Amanda Waller reveals to Sergeant Steel that the Brainiac Queen created these fake videos as part of their plan to eliminate every superhero on Earth. Failsafe arrives and activates "Task Force VII"—a group of Amazo robots specifically designed to drain superheroes' powers.
Present Day - Metropolis: Jon Kent (Superboy) and Conner Kent arrive to find Superman injured and falling from the sky. Before they can help, they're depowered and captured by Amazo robots. Waller initiates a worldwide broadcast announcing her intention to permanently solve the "super-powered being problem."
The Amazos of Task Force VII (Depth Charge, Global Guardian, Jadestone, Last Son, Paradise Lost, and Velocity) simultaneously attack heroes worldwide, successfully depowering and capturing most of Earth's superheroes.
Gotham City: As Batman tries to warn heroes through their secret communication channel, he's intercepted by Green Arrow—who reveals Waller has brokered deals with the United Planets to lock down Earth, preventing anyone from entering or leaving. She's also secured the Multiverse, Timestream, and Microverse. Green Arrow explains that Waller made sure no help would arrive from other dimensions or timelines.
Fortress of Solitude: Meanwhile, Jon Kent is given cybernetic enhancements by the Brainiac Queen and rendered amnesiac. The remaining heroes regroup at Superman's fortress, arguing over who should lead the resistance until Nightwing steps up and organizes them into a coordinated resistance movement.
The Fortress of Solitude destruction during the heroes' escape to the Phantom Zone
Absolute Power #2: "Resistance"
The heroes land on Themyscira, where Donna Troy and Wonder Woman convince Nubia to provide refuge. Meanwhile, various missions unfold across the globe:
Gamorra Prison: Wonder Woman and Robin interrogate Captain Boomerang to learn the location of Waller's metahuman prison, eventually discovering it's on Gamorra Island. During their mission, they discover that Wonder Woman, Billy Batson, and Detective Chimp are on the run, while Spectre, Mary Marvel, and Madame Xanadu have been captured and depowered.
Waller's Base: Barry Allen (The Flash) manages to retrieve Kryptonite from the destroyed Fortress of Solitude. Hal Jordan, who was arrested in the initial attack and taken to the Hall of Order, later escapes and recovers his power ring. After being attacked by guards, he uses Abra Kadabra's wand to teleport himself and a vast quantity of weapons to Themyscira, the Resistance's new headquarters.
Batman and Catwoman: Bruce Wayne recruits Catwoman to help steal Waller's Mother Box. Batman is trying to gather resistance in Bludhaven and believes the plan to stop Amanda Waller is in the Titans Tower. He sneaks in the tower, where he meets a captured Cyborg, who tells Batman that Waller is in the south of Gamorra, and she has a Mother Box. An Amazo robot attacks Batman, but he quickly escapes. Batman meets with Flash and Wonder Woman to tell them what happened, and they plan to recruit Catwoman to steal the Mother Box.
Bruce Wayne convinces Catwoman to help him with his heist. During their mission, they encounter Black Alice, Bizarro infused with Brainiac's technology, and Deadeye (Amanda Waller's nephew). After escaping from them, they realize Cyborg was sensing a Boom Tube that is constantly open and discover the Boom Tube leads to a different location. They find out the Mother Box is in a building that has been shrunk and placed in a bottle on the desolate planet of Czarina. Just then, Bizarro, Deadeye, Gunsmith, and Black Alice wake up and confront Batman and Catwoman.
Superman and Zatanna: After escaping the Fortress, Superman and Zatanna search for the Map of Mordru which would allow them to access the Dark Roads (magical pathways through the universe). They make their way to the Oblivion Bar where most of the world's magic users and supernatural creatures are hiding. Neron, the demon-lord who rules Hell, reveals that he has the map and offers to make a deal for it—setting up a crucial mission that would enable the heroes to teleport across the globe.
Jon Kent's Transformation: After being depowered, Jon Kent is captured by Task Force VII member Last Son, who delivers him to the Brainiac Queen. She wipes his memories and converts him into a cyborg under her control.
Task Force VII Rebellion: The Amazo robots begin absorbing morality from the heroes they've captured, causing them to question Waller's orders. Waller, enraged by their developing sentience, orders Failsafe to initiate a partial reboot.
Team Arrow's Resistance: Despite Batman instructing Team Arrow to remain on Starfish Island (as they were the only heroes not targeted by the Bureau), they instead decide to capture Professor Ivo, believing he may know of a secret weakness in Task Force VII. Meanwhile, Green Arrow recovers a box that contains the key to defeating the Justice League. He and his allies then battle Waller's enforcer Bright and the Tomorrow Woman. During the chaos, Bright kidnaps Cheshire and her daughter Lian before Green Arrow arrives and demands he let them go.
Jon Kent transformed into a cyborg under Brainiac Queen's control
Absolute Power #3: "Last Stand"
Nightwing organizes the resistance with clear objectives: Aquaman, Blue Beetle, Red Tornado and Yara Flor are instructed to take out John Starr (Time Commander) in Amanda Waller's headquarters; Donna Troy and the Amazons are tasked with defending Themyscira; and the rest of the heroes will work to rescue the captured allies.
Themyscira Under Siege: Brainiac Queen and the possessed Jon Kent attack the Amazonian island. With help from Nightwing, Mister Terrific, and Artemis of Bana-Mighdall, Jon is freed from Waller's control. Jon defeats Brainiac Queen by showing her that Waller is the true enemy—revealing Waller's manipulation and betrayal. Batman and Superman arrive and use the Mother Box to teleport Brainiac Queen to Pluto, with Zatanna reporting that she and Superman have unlocked the Dark Paths to enable teleportation.
Waller's Multiversal Army: Meanwhile, Barry Allen is directed by Steve Trevor to head to the basement of Waller's base, where he discovers she is assembling a multiversal army. Her forces include soldiers from various Earths, including the Crime Syndicate from Earth-3. Hal Jordan intervenes when the multiversal army attacks Barry, giving him time to shut down the gateway between dimensions.
The Key to Victory: Batman and Ted Kord (Blue Beetle) meet with John Starr (Time Commander) and discover that Task Force VII can regenerate because they're using Starr's time-reversal technology to heal before being attacked. Starr plans to use his hourglass to override one Task Force VII robot, causing a chain reaction that will destroy them all and return the stolen powers to their original owners. Before they can execute the plan, Starr and Batman are knocked out.
Green Arrow finds Time Commander's hourglass at Waller's base
Green Arrow picks up the hourglass and shoots it as an arrow at one of the Task Force VII robots, shutting down the entire system and restoring all heroes' powers. This also deactivates Failsafe permanently. Wally West and Jay Garrick combine their speedster willpower with Hal Jordan's Green Lantern abilities to hold off Waller's multiversal army long enough for Barry to complete his mission.
Green Arrow explains how Martian Manhunter placed a telepathic suggestion in his mind that made him believe in Waller's cause until it timed out
Green Arrow reveals his undercover mission—Martian Manhunter had placed a telepathic suggestion in his mind that made him believe in Waller's cause until it timed out. He knew Waller would not trust him because she had telepaths around her, which is why he needed this elaborate ruse. Dreamer returns and knocks out Waller before she can attack Nightwing. She explains how Jon dreamed of her constantly while under Brainiac Queen's control, which pulled her into the Dreamscape and allowed her to heal from her wounds.
Barry is forced to sever Earth's connection to the Multiverse to stop Waller's army from coming through, while Waller goes on a rant about how she won by manipulating the world to hate metahumans. Unknown to her, Nightwing has Air Wave record her and broadcast her speech to the world.
Absolute Power #4: "Showdown"
Two days later, the world is recovering from Waller's attack:
The Cost of Victory: Barry Allen reveals that severing Earth from the Multiverse also severed his connection to the Speed Force. Wally West and Jay Garrick confirm they can no longer access the Multiverse. The heroes are dealing with the consequences of their victory—many have their powers mixed up with other heroes due to the chaotic nature of the power restoration.
Waller's Fate: Dreamer erases Waller's memory of the heroes' secret identities and leaves her imprisoned alone in Belle Reve. In a moment of vulnerability, Waller explains how she suffered the tragedy of losing her family due to crime, which led her to found the Suicide Squad. Her experience on Earth-3 has caused her to be more radicalized and hate the metahumans—a cycle of trauma that ultimately consumed her.
Dreamer erases Waller's memory of heroes' secret identities before leaving her imprisoned in Belle Reve
The New Justice League: Green Arrow calls a meeting with Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman at the Secret Sanctuary to explain his actions. They begrudgingly accept his apology. Batman reveals that while most heroes regained their powers, some have abilities mixed with other heroes—a consequence of the chaotic power restoration. Green Arrow admits his undercover plan wasn't the smartest but insists the crisis could have been avoided if the heroes had maintained better communication and never disbanded the Justice League.
Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman review the schematics for the new Justice League Watchtower
Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman show Green Arrow the schematics for the new Watchtower—a symbol of hope and unity in the aftermath of Waller's war. The three founders of the Justice League have learned from their mistakes and are determined to rebuild stronger than ever.
Waller's Confession: In a final twist, it's revealed that Nightwing had Air Wave record Waller's rant about how she "won" by manipulating the world to hate metahumans. This recording is broadcast worldwide, exposing her true motives and clearing the heroes' names. Public opinion begins to shift back in favor of the superheroes, restoring the trust that Waller worked so hard to destroy.
The Road to DC All In & the Absolute Universe
Why "Absolute Power" Matters Today: The event wasn't just a dramatic conclusion to the Dawn of DC initiative—it was the catalyst that directly led to DC's two major current initiatives: DC All In (also known as DC K.O.) and the Absolute Universe.
DC All In Special #1 Cover - The direct follow-up to Absolute Power that launched DC's current initiatives
DC All In/DC K.O.: Following the events of "Absolute Power," DC Comics launched the DC All In initiative (sometimes referred to as DC K.O.) in October 2024. This initiative represents DC's current publishing strategy, focusing on bold, status-quo shaking stories that build directly on the foundation established by "Absolute Power." Key elements include:
- The reborn Justice League with a new Watchtower headquarters and reformed membership
- Earth's isolation from the Multiverse—a direct consequence of Barry Allen's actions in "Absolute Power #4"
- Heroes with mixed powers—a result of the chaotic power restoration at the event's climax
- The DC Power anthology series exploring the impact of "Absolute Power" on DC's Black superheroes
- Ongoing consequences including Barry Allen's severed connection to the Speed Force and Jon Kent's recovery from his cyborg transformation
The Absolute Universe: More dramatically, "Absolute Power" also set the stage for the creation of the Absolute Universe—a parallel DC reality that explores alternate versions of beloved characters. This initiative launched with DC All In Special #1 and features:
- Absolute Batman (#1-11, October 2024-present)—DC's flagship Absolute Universe title written by Scott Snyder and illustrated by Nick Dragotta, featuring a 24-year-old blue-collar civil engineer Bruce Wayne who operates as Batman with his own self-designed equipment
- Absolute Superman, Absolute Wonder Woman, and other Absolute Universe titles exploring alternate origins and versions of DC's iconic characters
- Stories that exist outside the main DC Universe continuity but are deeply connected to the events of "Absolute Power"
- A bold creative approach that allows writers and artists to reimagine characters while respecting their core essence
Absolute Batman #1 Cover - The flagship title of the Absolute Universe that launched after Absolute Power
The connection between "Absolute Power" and these initiatives is direct and intentional. As DC editorial director Katie Kubert explained, "Absolute Power" was designed not just as a conclusion to Dawn of DC, but as the foundation for what would come next. The event's consequences—including Earth's isolation from the Multiverse, the reborn Justice League, and the mixed powers of various heroes—continue to shape stories across DC's entire publishing line.
For readers trying to understand current DC Comics, "Absolute Power" is the essential bridge between past and present. Without understanding this event, the motivations of characters in current storylines, the status of the Multiverse, and the very structure of the DC Universe will remain confusing and disconnected.
Where to Go Next: Your DC All In & Absolute Universe Reading Guide
Now that you understand "Absolute Power," here's where to go next to catch up with current DC Comics:
- DC All In Special #1 (October 2, 2024) - The direct follow-up that launched both DC All In and the Absolute Universe
- Absolute Batman #1-11 (October 2024-present) - Scott Snyder's flagship Absolute Universe title
- Superman #19-21 (July-September 2024) - Joshua Williamson and Dan Mora's continuation that introduces the new Superwoman
- Justice League Unlimited #1-6 (November 2024-present) - The reborn Justice League in action
- DC Power: Rise of the Power Company #1 (January 14, 2025) - Exploring the impact of "Absolute Power" on DC's Black superheroes
- Absolute Superman #1 (2025) - The next major Absolute Universe title
These titles build directly on the foundation established in "Absolute Power" and will help you catch up with current DC Comics!
All Comics in the Absolute Power Event
"Absolute Power" was not just a four-issue miniseries—it was a sprawling event with numerous tie-ins that expanded the narrative across the DC Universe. Here's the complete reading order:
Preludes and Setup
- Batman Vol. 3 #145-149 (March 5 - June 18, 2024) - The "Dark Prisons" arc that set up Failsafe's role
- Suicide Squad: Dream Team #1-4 (March 12 - June 11, 2024) - Dreamer's manipulation by Waller
- Green Arrow Vol. 7 #12-13 (May 28 - June 25, 2024) - Green Arrow's coerced alliance with Waller
- House of Brainiac (April 9 - June 25, 2024) - Introduction of Brainiac Queen
- Free Comic Book Day 2024: Absolute Power Special Edition (May 5, 2024) - First preview of the event
- Titans Vol. 7 #11 (May 21, 2024) - Development of anti-superhero sentiment
- Absolute Power: Ground Zero #1 (June 25, 2024) - Direct prelude to the main event
Main Event Series
- Absolute Power #1-4 (July 3 - October 2, 2024) - The core miniseries by Mark Waid and Dan Mora
- Absolute Power: Task Force VII #1-7 (July 10 - September 25, 2024) - Focuses on the Amazo robots and their rebellion
- Absolute Power: Origins #1-3 (July 24 - September 25, 2024) - Explores the backstories of key characters
- Absolute Power: Super Son #1 (September 18, 2024) - Focuses on Jon Kent's transformation and recovery
Major Tie-In Issues
- Batman Vol. 3 #150-152 (July 3 - September 4, 2024) - Batman and Catwoman's mission to Czarina
- Green Lantern Vol. 7 #13-15 (July 10 - September 11, 2024) - Hal Jordan's weapon recovery mission and multiversal army confrontation
- Superman Vol. 6 #16-18 (July 17 - September 18, 2024) - Superman and Zatanna's Dark Roads quest
- Wonder Woman Vol. 6 #11-13 (July 17 - September 18, 2024) - Wonder Woman and Robin's prison investigation and Themyscira defense
- Green Arrow Vol. 7 #14-16 (July 24 - September 25, 2024) - Green Arrow's redemption arc and Team Arrow's resistance
- The Flash Vol. 6 #10 (June 25, 2024) - Barry Allen's Speed Force connection and multiversal gateway mission
Critical Reception and Legacy
"Absolute Power" received strong critical acclaim, with the main four-issue limited series earning a "Very Good" rating and a Comicscore Index of 84 based on 82 critic ratings. Comicbook Roundup gave the series an average rating of 7.8 out of 10 based on 222 reviews.
The tie-in series also performed well:
- Absolute Power: Task Force VII received a "Good" rating with a Comicscore Index of 71
- Absolute Power: Origins received a "Good" rating with a Comicscore Index of 77
The event successfully concluded the Dawn of DC initiative and launched the DC All In era, overseen by Joshua Williamson and Scott Snyder. Snyder emphasized that All In would not involve reboots or relaunches of current titles, instead building directly on the foundation established by Absolute Power. The event's lasting impact includes:
- The reborn Justice League with a new Watchtower headquarters
- Barry Allen's severed connection to the Speed Force
- Earth's isolation from the Multiverse
- Mixed powers among various heroes
- The establishment of Themyscira as a sanctuary for displaced heroes
- The permanent imprisonment of Amanda Waller in Belle Reve
- The restoration of public trust in superheroes
Final Verdict: "Absolute Power" stands as one of DC's most ambitious crossover events, weaving together multiple character arcs and storylines into a cohesive narrative about power, responsibility, and redemption. Amanda Waller's transformation from government operative to world-threatening villain provided a compelling antagonist, while the heroes' journey from fractured individuals to a unified resistance showcased the enduring power of hope and teamwork. Most importantly, this event serves as the essential bridge between Dawn of DC and the current DC All In/DC K.O. & Absolute Universe initiatives. Understanding "Absolute Power" is crucial for enjoying current DC Comics. 4.5/5 stars.
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