DC's Absolute Power: Task Force VII continues to explore the state of Amanda Waller's new enforcers. This time, we rejoin the sociopathic brain child of Chip Zdarsky's Batman of Zur-En-Arrh, Failsafe. Yet, Failsafe isn't just another one of Waller's obedient Amazo androids. Like the Batman Who Laughs, Failsafe is the latest horrifying inversion of everything that makes Batman a hero. With that in mind, the few who choose to oppose him must be ready to outsmart Batman himself. Notwithstanding, the only thing they can come up with during their prep time is a whole lot of guns and jacking a villain's lair. Let's take a closer look!

Yes, That Bat God

The most common concept that surrounds modern Batman fiction is the concept of "The Bat God." In other words, far too many fans cite Bruce Wayne's ability to plan and prepare for any situation as making him virtually invincible. Typically, fans will believe that with just enough "prep time," Batman can trounce nearly everything the DC Universe can throw at him. Hell, some might go further than just DC Comics. As a major character, the rationale is that Batman should be equal with any one of his god-like peers. Anyway, every now and then writers like Grant Morrison, Scott Snyder, and now Chip Zdarsky explore this concept in various ways. Unfortunately, this leaves fans with unrepentant incarnations of Batman's most controversial trait come to life.

As a result, somewhat toxic statements like "Batman always wins" become commonplace. In this latest issue, writer Pornsak Pichetshote (Dead Boy Detectives) utilizes this statement in-universe to represent surprisingly binary points. Firstly, the phrase can reassure characters in the universe to believe in Batman's capabilities. Pichetshote strongly implies that the phrase has become a positive mantra that helps the citizens of Gotham to keep their faith. In contrast, the once reassuring phrase mutates into a taunt with horrifying implications when applied to Failsafe. Simply put, if Batman always wins and Failsafe is Batman, then there is no hope in defeating it. Even if this is true, fortunately for the DC Universe there is more than one "Batman." At the very least, his successors Nightwing, Tim Drake, and the other Robins would like to believe they are capable of matching wits with the robot.

Fury Of Failsafe

Much of the issue focuses on a small resistance of surviving heroes led by Tim Drake out of an old Court of Owls hideout. His team members include Batman's former Justice League of America (2016) recruit The Ray, Titans (2018) recruit Miss Martian, and WildC.A.T's Voodoo. In spite of Failsafe disarming their powers, Voodoo supplies them with a heap of weapons from Wildstorm's Halo Corporation. Sadly, neither The Ray nor Miss Martian are comfortable with shooting weapons as compensation. In addition, M'Gann is badly coping with the loss of her sensory abilities. Meanwhile, Voodoo unsuccessfully fends off the sociopathic robot alone without using any of the weapons she recommends.

The main idea is that Failsafe believes heroics and mercy reflect their sense of superiority. Whether this implies Batman believes this or not, it predictably triggers the team's physical and psychological vulnerabilities. Before long, Failsafe is snapping appendages and beating down every member of the team one by one. This is where Claire Roe's sharp pulp like art style really shines. Personally, I found visually reminicent of the creative team during Chuck Dixon's Robin (1993). In fact, one of the book's best sequences features Nightwing facing down Failsafe in deep shadow with only slivers of flat color and light.

Recommended If...

• Absolute Power is on your pull list.
• You actually like Failsafe.
• You've maintained interest in Task Force VII.

Overall

Although this may be one of the better issues of Absolute Power: Task Force VII, this story is fairly mediocre. What is so troubling about the premise of Absolute Power is how over powered the antagonists really are. Namely, Failsafe was bad enough before the Amazo upgrades, but now it is hard to see what chance Nightwing and the others have of besting the ghost of his mentor. Moreover, the hero and villains have dense plot armor diminishing what could have been a fascinating confrontation. Miss Martian's portion of the story includes interesting melodrama, but the Court of Owls stuff or Wildstorm parts feel like superficial additives. None of the b-story surrounding Steve Trevor's curiosity about the machine they're building in Gamorra's prison is captivating at all. Still, issue #4 has a great look and tone that will probably be a favorite among the other stories in this event.

Score: 5.5/10