Summary
WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for Absolute Power #2!Global Guardian, Amanda Waller’sMartian Manhunter-inspired Amazo, makes his official debut inAbsolute Powerby obliterating theTitansin mere seconds, showcasing its unparalleled power. Despite three Titans falling in battle, one hero manages to land a crucial blow against Waller’s Amazo, sparking a glimmer of hope that victory might still be possible for our heroes.
It is not superpowers that mark the first consequential blow against an Amazo, but rather technology.
Mark Waid and Dan Mora’sAbsolute Power#2 continues the main storyline of DC’s blockbuster summer event, picking up atSuperman’s Fortress of Solitude. This refuge becomes the gathering point for heroes who have evaded capture by Waller and her Amazo task force.
However, their safe haven is shattered when Waller unleashes Brainiac Queen,the cyborg Jon Kent, and Global Guardian to lay siege to the fortress. This marks the first proper debut of theMartian Manhunter-inspired Amazo, who makes an unforgettable entrance by taking out three of the Titans' heaviest hitters—Starfire, Donna Troy, and Raven—in mere seconds.
GLOBAL GUARDIAN: Amanda Waller’s Martian Manhunter-Inspired AMAZO Makes His Official Debut
Global Guardian is one of six power-stealing Amazos that compriseWaller’s Task Force VII, used to hunt down Earth’s metahuman population, drain their powers, and then imprison them. Each Amazo is modeled after one of the core seven Justice League members, except for Batman, whose form is replicated by Failsafe. Waller acquired these robots through an alliance with the Zur-En-Arrh-possessed Failsafe, who had amassed a collection of Amazos from an unknown source. Additionally,Failsafe gathered various Zur-En-Arrh Batmen from across the multiverse and integrated their personalities into the Amazos. Consequently, each member of Task Force VII is piloted by a version of Batman.
Although there is no outright confirmation in theAbsolute Powernarrative, it seems likely that Global Guardian’s initial powers come from Martian Manhunter, given his design and abilities—such as invisibility, power signature, and healing—align with the presumably depowered J’onn J’onzz. The Amazo demonstrates his unprecedented power by draining Starfire, Donna Troy, and Raven of their abilities. Furthermore,he shows just how"indestructible"he is by completely healing after being cut in half by Zealot’s Angel Breaker sword, a blade of immense power capable of turning the might of one’s enemy against them.
Batman Lands the FIRST Consequential Blow to Waller’s AMAZO Task Force
Various hero vs. Amazo confrontations have been depicted in theAbsolute Power-related issuesreleased thus far, yet no hero has managed an effective blow against a Task Force VII member until now inAbsolute Power#2. As seen in this issue and previous issues, powers are virtually useless against these robots since they can absorb and turn them back against their user. Therefore,it is not superpowers that mark the first consequential blow against an Amazo, but rather technology.
In issue #2, various Justice League members, including Batman,get new costumes with upgrades. Bruce’s suit, in particular, features purple gloves that emit ultrasonics. These ultrasonics prove to be an effective deterrent against Global Guardian in their one-on-one battle, causing the robot to malfunction.Batman’suse of ultrasonics against theMartian Manhunter-inspired Amazo is the first effective blow for a hero against an Amazo thus far and acts as a pivotal moment that demonstrates there is a way to defeat these robots without relying on superpowers.
Superman’s Iconic Black Costume Returns to DC Canon as His Most Important Power Completely Disappears
Superman’s iconic black costume returns in Absolute Power, serving a crucial role in the narrative rather than merely as an edgy fashion statement.
ABSOLUTE POWER #2 (2024)
Martian Manhunter
J’onn J’onzz, also known as the Martian Manhunter, is a Martian law enforcement officer who, after becoming stranded on Earth, transformed into a superhero and police detective. He was one of the Justice League of America’s original members.
