As February rolls around, DC Comics is bringing back its yearly DC Power anthology, which is meant to focus on its Black heroes. This year’s installment, DC Power: Rise of the Power Company #1, takes a different approach. For the first time, a special is tying into the current events at DC – specifically, the current All-In initiative and the fallout from Absolute Power.
Two stories in the book hammer this home, as they are meant to be a setup for the new Power Company. For those not in the know, the Power Company was a group of superheroes led by attorney Josiah Power, who turned their powers toward the highest bidder. Now, having lost his son Daniel during Absolute Power along with control of his immense metahuman abilities, Josiah seeks to reforge the Power Company – but with a new angle.
Some readers probably recognize Josiah as appearing in the pages of Black Lightning (aka one of DC’s best books on the stands right now), and both chapters that focus on him underline the dual struggle he is having with grief over his son and the loss of control with his powers. Here’s where I once again have to give props to Brandon Thomas, who pens both Josiah stories – he writes Josiah in a variety of different situations. He is genuinely interested in exploring what drives him to reform the Power Company.
Equally deserving of praise is Charles Stewart III, whose illustrations range from the mundane – see Josiah doing interviews or grabbing a hot dog off the street – to the extraordinary. The extraordinary part comes when Josiah’s powers go off, resulting in bursts of energy that cover the page, and sear themselves into the user’s brain thanks to Ulises Arreola’s colors. The cherry on top is where exactly Josiah has chosen to let loose his powers. Let’s just say it’s truly out of this world and leave it at that.
Credit: DC Comics
The rest of the one-shots fluctuate between promising and ok. On the former side is “Unfinished Business” by John Jennings, Caanan White, Atagun Ilhan, and Andrew Dalhouse, which unites Cyborg and Green Lantern Jo Muellin; it manages to be both a high-octane space battle and an emotional tale, as Jo is visiting Earth for the first time in a long time. On the other hand, “Ring of Power” by Zipporah Smith and Kelsey Ramsey doesn’t quite hit the high you’d expect from a Vixen and Bolt team up.
Rise of the Power Company‘s standout story has to be “Dynamic Duo,” which teams up Duke Thomas, aka the Signal, and Jace Fox – the Batman of New York. It’s an idea I can’t believe no one has thought of, but Vita Ayala understands what makes this particular dynamic duo work, as Duke’s lighthearted nature provides a great foil to Jace’s gruffness. So does Ray-Anthony Height’s artwork, as Jace is far more quick and brutal in his fighting while Duke prefers to keep his opponents off guard. And Chris Sotomayor’s color work features plenty of golden hues in Duke’s suit, while Jace has the dark suit you’d expect from a Batman.
“Dynamic Duo” truly thrives when the two stop to connect. From discussions about what’s expected of them (they raise a good point about how Red Hood has done far worse than them) to playing a simple game of spades, this is the one story that left me wanting more. People might say there are enough Bat-books on the stands, but Batman and the Signal from this creative team wouldn’t hurt.
DC Power: Rise of the Power Company #1 takes a different approach than the anthologies of old, especially when it comes to unique pairings. It had me yearning for more – particularly with Batman & the Signal – and eagerly awaiting more Black-led books like the upcoming Power Company one-shot. And that’s how you know your anthology works.
DC Power: Rise of the Power Company #1 is available wherever comics are sold.
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