Absolute Power Task Force VII #3: A Robotic Conscience

Amazos are racking up victory after victory in Absolute Power’s tie-ins. The most significant tie-in casualties are coming in every issue of Absolute Power Task Force VII which is shaping up to be a critical series in the event. And Absolute Power Task Force VII #3 aims to keep that going.

The JSA lies on the ground, defeated, on Absolute Power Task Force VII #3’s opening pages. An Amazo holds Alan Scott by the neck and absorbs his powers. It freezes in the immediate aftermath, giving the JSA and Carol Ferris a chance to escape. The Amazo’s full function returns. But now it possesses contradictory programming–that given to it by Amanda Waller and another that resembles a conscience. Suddenly apprehending Alan Scott isn’t so straightforward.

Absolute Power Task Force VII #3 is the first issue to really dig into an Amazo. Their appearances in the previous two issues as well as Wonder Woman #11 suggested that there may be more than meets the eye with them. This issue raises serious questions about how much control Waller is exerting over the robots.

Expanding Steve Trevor’s storyline so early in the series is a welcome development. His presence at the end of the first two issues, as well as his greater connection to Wonder Woman‘s storylines, gave the impression that this was a separate, perhaps less important story thread. Giving Trevor’s villain hunting storyline added prominence in Absolute Power: Task Force VII #3 reinforces that what happens in this series is important. Everything in this series comes across as critical to the larger event.

Considering that, Carol Ferris’ inclusion in Absolute Power Task Force VII #3 is noteworthy. Her last appearance was in Green Lantern #12. Her absence from the quick cut storyline beats in Green Lantern #13 was conspicuous. Her appearance here portends serious developments for the character, likely because of something that will happen in Absolute Power.

The Amazo spends most of the issue inside what looks like green mech armor. Santucci and Prianto’s collaboration creates a mechanism that looks powerful but not quite as real as its surroundings. Much of this is the result of shading choices. The armor responds to changes in light and shadow with only slight differences in various shades of green. By comparison, the other characters in the panel are more heavily shaded and dark with shadows. They convey actual weight whereas the armor doesn’t.

There aren’t many panels featuring the Amazo post power absorption where he isn’t surrounded by the mech suit. Santucci manages to imbue the robot character with emotion in those moments. It’s helped along by Adams’ dialogue. But minor changes in how the Amazo stands and the direction he aims his head reinforces what Adams’ dialogue tries to convey.

Early in the issue, following its absorption of Alan’s ring’s power, the Amazo goes through a transformation where its silver components turn green. It happens over the course of five vertical offset panels that track the Amazo’s body from top to bottom. The first panel features the robot’s still silver upper torso. The transformation advances in each panel until the robot is fully green in the final panel. Santucci draws a significant amount of multi-layered detail in the first panel which slowly flattens until the last panel. It’s a clever way to communicate the Amazo’s change, and Santucci realizes the image of it very well.

That same transformation includes a repeating sound effect between the panels. It stretches across most of the page, offset to match the panels. The entire page delivers a particularly well done visual.