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DC Power: Rise of the Power Company (2025) #1 (DC Cultural Anthologies
The Justice League’s watchtower looming in the skies is intended to inspire hope and faith in superheroes, but not everyone believes metahumans act in humanity’s best interests. The fringe beliefs that “Waller was Right” have grown louder as paramilitary groups take to the streets to take Earth back for the human race. Enter Josiah Power, a meta-attorney who’s seen enough of rising hate and sets out to assemble a team not only to protect black and brown communities from these new threats but also to rebuild human faith in heroes.
DC Power returns for a third year in a new format, continuing the storylines from Absolute Power and All In and setting the stage for the return of the Power Company!
DC Power returns for a third year in a new format, continuing the storylines from Absolute Power and All In and setting the stage for the return of the Power Company!
Kindle Edition
Published January 29, 2025
About the author
Brandon Thomas
201 books39 followersBrandon Thomas is the writer and co-creator of critically-acclaimed comics series EXCELLENCE (Skybound/Image), HORIZON (Skybound/Image) and THE MANY ADVENTURES OF MIRANDA MERCURY. Previous work includes the comics series NOBLE (Lion Forge), VOLTRON (Dynamite), and FANTASTIC FOUR TALES (Marvel).
NOBLE #1 was awarded the Fist Award for Best International Comic by the 2017 Lagos Comic-Con, in recognition of best usage of characters/stories based on persons of African descent. NOBLE was also nominated for 2019 Glyph Comics Awards in six categories: Story Of The Year; Best Cover (winner); Best Writer; Best Artist (winner); Best Male Character (winner); and Best Female Character.
Since 2003, Brandon has written comics for several publishers, including Marvel, Lion Forge, Arcade, Dynamite, and DC Entertainment, and has published over 300 original columns as part of the Ambidextrous series. His first creator-owned project THE MANY ADVENTURES OF MIRANDA MERCURY shipped from Archaia Entertainment to widespread critical success, leading to his biggest comics projects to date — the sci-fi conspiracy thriller HORIZON (co-created with artist Juan Gedeon), and the action fantasy series EXCELLENCE (co-created with artist Khary Randolph) — both published by Robert Kirkman’s Skybound Entertainment.
Brandon also hosts The Two Brandons podcast with Eisner-Nominated writer Brandon Easton (Transformers: War For Cybertron, Star Trek: Year Five, Vampire Hunter D: The Series).
He lives and writes in Southern California with his wife and son.
NOBLE #1 was awarded the Fist Award for Best International Comic by the 2017 Lagos Comic-Con, in recognition of best usage of characters/stories based on persons of African descent. NOBLE was also nominated for 2019 Glyph Comics Awards in six categories: Story Of The Year; Best Cover (winner); Best Writer; Best Artist (winner); Best Male Character (winner); and Best Female Character.
Since 2003, Brandon has written comics for several publishers, including Marvel, Lion Forge, Arcade, Dynamite, and DC Entertainment, and has published over 300 original columns as part of the Ambidextrous series. His first creator-owned project THE MANY ADVENTURES OF MIRANDA MERCURY shipped from Archaia Entertainment to widespread critical success, leading to his biggest comics projects to date — the sci-fi conspiracy thriller HORIZON (co-created with artist Juan Gedeon), and the action fantasy series EXCELLENCE (co-created with artist Khary Randolph) — both published by Robert Kirkman’s Skybound Entertainment.
Brandon also hosts The Two Brandons podcast with Eisner-Nominated writer Brandon Easton (Transformers: War For Cybertron, Star Trek: Year Five, Vampire Hunter D: The Series).
He lives and writes in Southern California with his wife and son.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 14, 2025
These vignettes were fire. I saw some returning characters I already rock with and got introduced to a few new ones that got me hooked. I haven’t been deep in DC lately, but Static and Black Lightning are about to drain my wallet. Overall, this is a solid Black History Month issue—respect to the creatives putting in work to celebrate our heroes.
February 7, 2025
This was such a good collection of stories each one shining in its own way, but my personal favorite had to be the story with Josiah Power and the return of the power company, that is so cool!!
As mentioned this issue takes us through multiple stories in the dc universe. The first story which is split to show up at the start and end of the issue follows Josiah Power and his status after absolute power. Since AP and the return of the Justice league, there have still been people against meta humans. Josiah has been working in the public eye to change those ideas and work in the name of his nephew who died during the events of absolute power. To make matters worse it turns out that since his nephew’s death he has lost control of his abilities to absorb ambient energy and convert it into raw power. As an alternative he has teamed up with steelworks for a temporary solution where they boom tube him to a mars moon and allow him to disperse all the energy in a very destructive manner, and then bring him back a few hours later once the radiation has gone away.
But he is running out of time as the world’s ideas are slipping away from him, and he has decided it is time to bring the power company back. With the help of the telepathic powers of Amanda Waller’s nephew, Deadeye, they got to work immediately on finding the perfect candidate to lead the team: black lightning. Once they had all the information they needed about him, from his morality to his family, Josiah decided to bring him in. The one thing that bothers me about this scene is how thorough to a playbook Josiah tried to force their conversation to get the highest chance of black lightning saying yes. Unfortunately for them, the Justice league has passive safeguards against psychic intrusion and he was onto them for the start and knows that they want to reform the power company. Black lightning has nothing against it, and he knows what they are doing will really help people, but he is overloaded as it is with the Justice league and his family and everything else…even black lightning has a limit and he can’t join the power company just yet. This story ends as Josiah’s abilities start to lose control again and Doctor Irons teleports him away to disperse the energy. He is glad that at least black lightning knows if his problems as the day may be soon when he becomes the threat that proves everyone right. I hope that day never comes.
One of the other stories that unfolds in this issue focuses on Bolt (Malik White). I don’t have much knowledge of this character but he is a med student who found out he was a descendant of black Adam and was able to take on his power! But since absolute power he hasn’t been able to access his abilities, but it seems that a part of him is suppressing the abilities from ever truly activating due to all of the anti meta human sentiment right now. This is put on full display when he goes into work at the hospital only to find a bunch of people showing signs of super human abilities have been injured by the humanity first movement. But before he can even start helping people his entire day is interrupted by Vixen! She is also injured an has been teleporting everywhere trying to handle the chaos and they need his help as well. But as he tries to show her that he doesn’t have access to his powers anymore he starts to see a vision of humanity first attacking the hospital and potentially killing vixen! Lucky for us, this was only a potential future shown to Malik by the Akkad, the people born of Black Adam’s malevolence. Like his nth metal ring he uses to access his powers, they have changed and are learning and are now able to access the channel that Adam used to grant him his power. Although the ring gave him his power the power now runs freely through him and he is free to do with it as he pleases. As he returns to the real world before the possible terrible future could unfold, he now finds that he is able to call upon Shazam and become bolt on his own terms! He is able to defeat the humanity first goons that bust down the wall and has decided to use his powers to help people once again!!
The next story follows Cyborg and Green lantern Sojourner in her first real Justice league mission! They received a distress call from a STAR labs satellite and boom tubed over to take a look, but once they got there they were only able to find 4 out of the 6 inhabitants and they were all acting strangely. Jo was able to locate the other two drifting in space suits outside, as she went outside to help them that is when the culprit decided to show himself! It turns out the four are acting weird because they are being mind controlled by the one and only despero! He wanted to see if the Justice league reforming was true, so he setup this bait and setup a trap. Now using his powers he starts to dive into the mind of Jo and surround herself with the voices of the family she left behind and feels guilty about not visiting, while using his strength to just start going in on cyborg. Cyborg is able to hold his own, but it’s only after finally getting to Jo’s mind to help her realize it was all fake, were they able to group back up and truly take down despero! He ended up teleporting away to lick his wounds while they stayed behind to save the survivors. But cyborg knows he will be back for more sooner rather than later.
The last story this issue focuses on is between Signal and Batman (Jace Fox) in New York City! This is more of a fun issue as signal ends up finding Batman in a brawl and hops in to help, only to realize that this Batman doesn’t know any of the normal bat family team up techniques. They are eventually able to bring it down and confide in each other about the challenges and weight to be the best at everything and never fail, while sharing their culture with everyone. They decide they have a lot more in common and spend the end of the day playing spades back at Batman’s hideout. Really cool to see those two hang out.
As mentioned this issue takes us through multiple stories in the dc universe. The first story which is split to show up at the start and end of the issue follows Josiah Power and his status after absolute power. Since AP and the return of the Justice league, there have still been people against meta humans. Josiah has been working in the public eye to change those ideas and work in the name of his nephew who died during the events of absolute power. To make matters worse it turns out that since his nephew’s death he has lost control of his abilities to absorb ambient energy and convert it into raw power. As an alternative he has teamed up with steelworks for a temporary solution where they boom tube him to a mars moon and allow him to disperse all the energy in a very destructive manner, and then bring him back a few hours later once the radiation has gone away.
But he is running out of time as the world’s ideas are slipping away from him, and he has decided it is time to bring the power company back. With the help of the telepathic powers of Amanda Waller’s nephew, Deadeye, they got to work immediately on finding the perfect candidate to lead the team: black lightning. Once they had all the information they needed about him, from his morality to his family, Josiah decided to bring him in. The one thing that bothers me about this scene is how thorough to a playbook Josiah tried to force their conversation to get the highest chance of black lightning saying yes. Unfortunately for them, the Justice league has passive safeguards against psychic intrusion and he was onto them for the start and knows that they want to reform the power company. Black lightning has nothing against it, and he knows what they are doing will really help people, but he is overloaded as it is with the Justice league and his family and everything else…even black lightning has a limit and he can’t join the power company just yet. This story ends as Josiah’s abilities start to lose control again and Doctor Irons teleports him away to disperse the energy. He is glad that at least black lightning knows if his problems as the day may be soon when he becomes the threat that proves everyone right. I hope that day never comes.
One of the other stories that unfolds in this issue focuses on Bolt (Malik White). I don’t have much knowledge of this character but he is a med student who found out he was a descendant of black Adam and was able to take on his power! But since absolute power he hasn’t been able to access his abilities, but it seems that a part of him is suppressing the abilities from ever truly activating due to all of the anti meta human sentiment right now. This is put on full display when he goes into work at the hospital only to find a bunch of people showing signs of super human abilities have been injured by the humanity first movement. But before he can even start helping people his entire day is interrupted by Vixen! She is also injured an has been teleporting everywhere trying to handle the chaos and they need his help as well. But as he tries to show her that he doesn’t have access to his powers anymore he starts to see a vision of humanity first attacking the hospital and potentially killing vixen! Lucky for us, this was only a potential future shown to Malik by the Akkad, the people born of Black Adam’s malevolence. Like his nth metal ring he uses to access his powers, they have changed and are learning and are now able to access the channel that Adam used to grant him his power. Although the ring gave him his power the power now runs freely through him and he is free to do with it as he pleases. As he returns to the real world before the possible terrible future could unfold, he now finds that he is able to call upon Shazam and become bolt on his own terms! He is able to defeat the humanity first goons that bust down the wall and has decided to use his powers to help people once again!!
The next story follows Cyborg and Green lantern Sojourner in her first real Justice league mission! They received a distress call from a STAR labs satellite and boom tubed over to take a look, but once they got there they were only able to find 4 out of the 6 inhabitants and they were all acting strangely. Jo was able to locate the other two drifting in space suits outside, as she went outside to help them that is when the culprit decided to show himself! It turns out the four are acting weird because they are being mind controlled by the one and only despero! He wanted to see if the Justice league reforming was true, so he setup this bait and setup a trap. Now using his powers he starts to dive into the mind of Jo and surround herself with the voices of the family she left behind and feels guilty about not visiting, while using his strength to just start going in on cyborg. Cyborg is able to hold his own, but it’s only after finally getting to Jo’s mind to help her realize it was all fake, were they able to group back up and truly take down despero! He ended up teleporting away to lick his wounds while they stayed behind to save the survivors. But cyborg knows he will be back for more sooner rather than later.
The last story this issue focuses on is between Signal and Batman (Jace Fox) in New York City! This is more of a fun issue as signal ends up finding Batman in a brawl and hops in to help, only to realize that this Batman doesn’t know any of the normal bat family team up techniques. They are eventually able to bring it down and confide in each other about the challenges and weight to be the best at everything and never fail, while sharing their culture with everyone. They decide they have a lot more in common and spend the end of the day playing spades back at Batman’s hideout. Really cool to see those two hang out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2025
Obviously, this was a nod to representation of Black culture. All the main characters in this issue were Black, even though this issue consisted of multiple vignettes.
This might be the most I have ever heard from that Signal guy who hangs out with the Bat Family now. I stopped reading Batman comics with the New 52, and even though I am now willing to read DC again since Rebirth happened, I still haven't really read anything Batman yet. I am aware of who the Bat Family is now, but this Black guy is the character I know the least about. And I still find myself baffled by the fact fans seem to actually LIKE Damian. Shortly before I stopped reading DC, I guess he was starting to transition to a more heroic role. It was only a year or two before that that he was a villain plotting to kill all the other Robins.
Anyway, little annoyed by the fact Josiah was the only character to have two vignettes. He appeared at the beginning and the end of this issue. He is clearly going to reform "The Power Company." But, the writer never once mentioned that this is a queer character. That's why I already know who he is, even though I never read the original Power Company comics from the 90s. He is listed as one of the few queer characters from that time period.
As usual, minority representation struggles with intersectional issues, I guess.
I was vaguely aware of the Black, gender-queer Green Lantern who also had a vignette here. I had never read a comic with her in it before, but I had seen articles about her (them?) as a character. I actually don't know what pronouns to use for this person, who appears to be biologically female, but I read somewhere that --they?-- were something gender-queer. Again, just as with Josiah, no one addressed this character's orientation or gender identity at all. So, that also means I have no clues about which pronouns I'm supposed to be using.
A tolerable issue for what it is.
This might be the most I have ever heard from that Signal guy who hangs out with the Bat Family now. I stopped reading Batman comics with the New 52, and even though I am now willing to read DC again since Rebirth happened, I still haven't really read anything Batman yet. I am aware of who the Bat Family is now, but this Black guy is the character I know the least about. And I still find myself baffled by the fact fans seem to actually LIKE Damian. Shortly before I stopped reading DC, I guess he was starting to transition to a more heroic role. It was only a year or two before that that he was a villain plotting to kill all the other Robins.
Anyway, little annoyed by the fact Josiah was the only character to have two vignettes. He appeared at the beginning and the end of this issue. He is clearly going to reform "The Power Company." But, the writer never once mentioned that this is a queer character. That's why I already know who he is, even though I never read the original Power Company comics from the 90s. He is listed as one of the few queer characters from that time period.
As usual, minority representation struggles with intersectional issues, I guess.
I was vaguely aware of the Black, gender-queer Green Lantern who also had a vignette here. I had never read a comic with her in it before, but I had seen articles about her (them?) as a character. I actually don't know what pronouns to use for this person, who appears to be biologically female, but I read somewhere that --they?-- were something gender-queer. Again, just as with Josiah, no one addressed this character's orientation or gender identity at all. So, that also means I have no clues about which pronouns I'm supposed to be using.
A tolerable issue for what it is.
August 19, 2025
Not JUST another DC Cultural Anthology...
This collection of stories is focusing on the reintroduction of the 'Power Company'. Think of it as a 'Heroes For Hire' for DC. It went over like a lead balloon when it first came out, but now might be its time.
These were all strong stories that fed a lot of character info to the reader in a minimal amount of pages (exposition dump, much?)
- "Company Man" : Josiah Power is dealing with the death of his nephew. broken meta powers, and a world that is suspicious of all things superhero after Amanda Waller played her cards. Maybe it's time to 'get the band back together'....
- "Ring of Power" : Vixen and Bolt (Black Lightning's chosen heir) share a moment about heroing. The nature of Bolt's connection to, and difference from Black Adam is pointed out.
- "Unfinished Business" : Cyborg and ...Far Sector Green Lantern team up and it's pointed out that GL hasn't been home since she was given the ring and left. They bond over family moments.
- "Dynamic Duo" : Jace Fox (Batman of New York?) and The Signal team up. Only problem is that THIS Batman isn't used to being part of a team. Signal gives him the lowdown on the pressure they all feel and how representation is a heavy burden to bear.
It all leads up to a Power Company relaunch....coming soon. This is essentially an issue zero.
This collection of stories is focusing on the reintroduction of the 'Power Company'. Think of it as a 'Heroes For Hire' for DC. It went over like a lead balloon when it first came out, but now might be its time.
These were all strong stories that fed a lot of character info to the reader in a minimal amount of pages (exposition dump, much?)
- "Company Man" : Josiah Power is dealing with the death of his nephew. broken meta powers, and a world that is suspicious of all things superhero after Amanda Waller played her cards. Maybe it's time to 'get the band back together'....
- "Ring of Power" : Vixen and Bolt (Black Lightning's chosen heir) share a moment about heroing. The nature of Bolt's connection to, and difference from Black Adam is pointed out.
- "Unfinished Business" : Cyborg and ...Far Sector Green Lantern team up and it's pointed out that GL hasn't been home since she was given the ring and left. They bond over family moments.
- "Dynamic Duo" : Jace Fox (Batman of New York?) and The Signal team up. Only problem is that THIS Batman isn't used to being part of a team. Signal gives him the lowdown on the pressure they all feel and how representation is a heavy burden to bear.
It all leads up to a Power Company relaunch....coming soon. This is essentially an issue zero.
January 29, 2025
Comics are (for the most part) published on a four week schedule, so when the calendar delivers 5 Wednesdays in a month, comic fans are usually treated to a fair number of specials, one-offs, and annuals. For the most part, I find these books often are very ancillary and don’t add to the narrative. This book, which also doubles as a Black History Month anthology, bucks that trend. All the stories tie into continuity and two of the stories actually drive forward an upcoming storyline I’m quite excited about.
Back in 2002, DC launched a new team with the series The Power Company. A for-profit superhero firm that operated like a law firm with partners and associates taking on contracts for protection and crisis resolution. A quirky premise, with very unknown characters, it quickly found a place in my heart, but the majority of fandom did not agree. Now, in the aftermath of Abdolute Power, it looks like DC is putting the franchise back on the map—albeit with a different mission. I’m quite excited to see where the new team goes!
Back in 2002, DC launched a new team with the series The Power Company. A for-profit superhero firm that operated like a law firm with partners and associates taking on contracts for protection and crisis resolution. A quirky premise, with very unknown characters, it quickly found a place in my heart, but the majority of fandom did not agree. Now, in the aftermath of Abdolute Power, it looks like DC is putting the franchise back on the map—albeit with a different mission. I’m quite excited to see where the new team goes!
February 8, 2025
Didn’t know what to really expect from this, but it’s BHM so I had to delve into this issue.
Apparently it’s just a compilation of stories around the Black heroes in the All In/Absolute Universe for DC. They all seem to circle back into the Power Company, and hopefully more comes of this soon, but all in all it was just a decent compilation of black heroes. Def a fan of that Signal character. He is what I expect a youthful black hero to be like in modern times. The Cyborg and Green Lantern story was pretty good as well too.
3.9 out of 5 stars, cause I wish it had more substance. I gotta dive more into the black heroes cause seemingly none is really compelling to me since Static Shock.
Apparently it’s just a compilation of stories around the Black heroes in the All In/Absolute Universe for DC. They all seem to circle back into the Power Company, and hopefully more comes of this soon, but all in all it was just a decent compilation of black heroes. Def a fan of that Signal character. He is what I expect a youthful black hero to be like in modern times. The Cyborg and Green Lantern story was pretty good as well too.
3.9 out of 5 stars, cause I wish it had more substance. I gotta dive more into the black heroes cause seemingly none is really compelling to me since Static Shock.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews