The Power Fantasy Volume 3: The End of History

The Power Fantasy #12-16

by Kieron Gillen, Caspar Wijngaard (Artist)

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Superheroes, Graphic Novels Comics, Comic Book

136 pages, Paperback

First published April 21, 2026

About the author

Kieron Gillen is a comic book writer and former media journalist.

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, the world needs to last until the next Power Fantasy trade is released in 2027. Holy shit!

[mrglasswillbreak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back in 1945, Etienne’s powers gave him a brain that left him fully conscious, but in a vegetative state from birth. He spends years in the hospital bed, mind controlling people to keep him alive, until he takes over the body of a kid stuck in a permanent coma and leaves the hospital, projecting his mind from his original crippled body. Since his brain was rapidly outgrowing his original body, over the years, he found a way to keep only his brain alive in a tank at a secret location only Valentina knows. This means the only way to actually kill him is to kill the brain.

All of Heaven(a floating city for superpowered individuals made possible by Heavy(a member of the Nuclear Family with insane gravity powers)) celebrates Heavy’s son, Kid Ignition, being the seventh Superpower/member of the nuclear family, but the US government fears that a new Superpowers would upset the power balance, so they plan to nuke the floating city. Etienne puts Heavy’s son in a permanent vegetative state to balance things out, which forces Valentina to reveal everything including Etienne’s brain location to everyone when they meet in Valentina's space home.

Etienne reveals that he has been neutering potential Superpowers with world-threatening abilities, and that he plans to make the entire human race docile once he’s powerful enough. Heavy threatens to kill him, and Etienne threatens to take all of America with him. Heavy hauls Etienne’s massive tank brain into space, effectively killing him, and Etienne decides not to use his Failsafe to kill all of America before he dies. Eliza starts to lose her shit because with Etienne gone, she can no longer hear God’s voice, and Masumi breaks up with Isabella after finding out that Etienne wipes her mind to help her deal with the stress of their relationship.

Three months pass and things continue to get worse as Eliza’s mind unravels under the pressure of what awaits her in hell for selling her soul. So she decides to collapse all of reality into hell to avoid her fate, and Magus(Dev) decides to help her, betraying his and Valentina’s plan to stop Eliza using the pyramid. This makes Magus’ own pyramid cult betray and kill him since they want to live. Heavy and Valentina manage to kill Eliza after she opens a portal to hell by putting a Blackhole in her head and pushing her into said portal before the Pyramid seals it back up, but Eliza kills Heavy and 30 million other people before they can. Sadly the people who died included Masumi’s lover Isabella.

The immediate ensuing depression upon realizing Isabella is dead activates Masumi’s abilities, turning her into a massive Kaiju that envelops and destroys the planet with an equally massive energy blast killing everything except Valentina, who then defies God and travels back in time to work out a way to prevent any of that from happening with Etienne. Another splendid volume, this is some unique master class superhero shit that’s scratching an overpowered character itch for me so well. The art was already top notch, but some of the panels in this volume are insane, especially towards the end.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Far out, man. In lots of good ways.

Bless Valentina for even trying with this bunch because, maaaaaan...


You can't for a second imagine he's really dead, can you?

[Lukasz · Rating 5 out of 5]

That's a brilliant series and I need more.

[Cody Wilson]

This third volume of The Power Fantasy is the strongest yet. After laying the groundwork and building tension across the first two volumes, writer Kieron Gillen and artist Caspar Wijngaard deliver on that setup with a series of well-executed, impressive twists. While the old cliché about the journey and destination holds true, the creative team’s ability to pull off a satisfying conclusion (of sorts) makes the series up to this point worthwhile. The creative team clearly had a plan from the series’ start and executed it in style.

Taking a step back, Gillen ends up with an interesting commentary on the relationship between liberalism and realpolitik. Readers are left asking whether Valentina, the series’ embodiment of liberalism, was right to pursue a “hands off” approach to keeping the peace. Should she have done more to reign in Etienne, who she watched manipulate the other superpowered characters to maintain the status quo? Or should she have worked more closely with him? Judging by the cliffhanger, the creative team plans on exploring these questions in greater depth. But I appreciate that beyond the characters’ interpersonal conflicts, this series has a deeper political point that carries a fair amount of ambiguity.

Even as cerebral and at times expository as the scripts get, the art by Wijngaard visually grounds the narrative. The fact that Wijngaard delivered sixteen consistent issues of art (penciling and coloring on his own) for a nearly monthly indie book is a major achievement. He brings variety and creativity to every page, making the visuals as vibrant and unpredictable as the script. It’s difficult to even imagine what this series would look like under a different artist.

All of this is to say, the Power Fantasy is a terrific series, and I can’t recommend it enough.

[Alex Sarll]

And so The Power Fantasy concludes – unless it doesn't. This was always a comic all about how top-level superheroes coming to blows would, if treated remotely realistically, lead to the end of the world. So it was truly ingenious how the team took the basket case that is the modern comics marketplace and bolstered what was happening inside the series with the practicalities around it, such that, going into issue 16, I genuinely didn't know whether I was reading the grand finale. I have absolutely no intention of robbing anybody else of that same uncertainty, but I would advise reading it sooner rather than later if you want to find out for yourself. Still, throughout its run this has normally been the first comic I read after picking up my order, because I got spoilered once (Europe!) and had no intention of letting that happen again. Which sometimes comes with its own drawbacks; frequently I'm picking my comics up because I'm in town anyway, which often means I'm going out, which then means I'm reading TPF tipsy on public transport, hardly the best way to appreciate the sheer amount of craft and thought that's gone into every aspect of it, even the bloody indicia. But perhaps a suitably receptive state to be appropriately blown away by its sheer profligacy, the way it'll upend what we thought we knew and reveal a detail out of which many comics would juice a whole arc, if not a spin-off (Etienne's living arrangements!), and then toss it over its shoulder, on to the next thing, because for these creators ideas are easy but time is short, an enviable bind to be in. If I have a criticism it's that, like so many ostensibly terrifying SF and fantasy scenarios, it was a series secretly predicated on a weird optimism; the series' six Superpowers were all capable of terrible acts, but at base all of them were trying to act for the best, at least to start with. Whereas if you look at the six most powerful people in the real world, that's true of... none of them? Still, it would have been an unrewarding slog for the readers, let alone the people working on the book, to spend all that time with cyphers as flat and unpleasant (not to mention the sausage party of it all) as the rulers of our own doomed Earth. So with the proviso that for all the apocalyptic brinkmanship it's actually utopian, I'm calling it a masterpiece (at least as regards the run to date, which might be the whole thing, or might not).

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t decide if I’d rather this book ended here or not.


I’m kidding. I’m glad we are getting more. Gillen’s best work? And that’s a very high bar.

[Chelsea 🏳️‍🌈 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This ends in a way that would be a suitable ending for the series, IMO. A tragic story for Valentina, sure, but an ending.

Etienne is the coolest comic book character I’ve read about this year. The backstory of his life after losing his parents was so interesting and complex. Heartbreaking in that his line about only surviving because he had a power was true. Black lives are only valued by many as much as they can serve the needs of others. Etienne having power was his only chance at being treated remotely equally.

This was frustrating and I appreciate the complexity of Etienne being a bit of a dick, but a smart dick. His relationship with Valentina fascinated me and was a darker version of Diana and Bruce’s in DC comics. Bruce would (by the overwhelming majority of comics) never approve of killing potential threats, but his staunch pragmatism and constant distrust of the powerful and Diana’s faith in humanity clashed in such a compelling way. Diana was much less naive than Valentina. I think this volume ending hinting at her growing from that.

This was a bummer, but entertaining. Here’s hoping Tonya becomes more valuable to the plot. There’s a chance she does get the change the world of Gillen takes the story in that direction. Her casual understanding of Etienne’s actions was a bit annoying, but in line with her focus on the greater picture.

I continue to Jimmy Eliza and Masumi’s motivation are a bit too similar.

[Guillem C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lo leí siguiendo los issues mensuales. Kieron saca nuevo arco para final de año o tendremos problemas.

[André Habet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t want to spoil. I refuse to. Damn. This is comic book storytelling from someone who knows the medium like few others. This is not only a story but a summoning. At its closing, I somehow wanted this to be it for the comic but also for it to keep on another 100 issues. Closure and infinite, you can’t beat that for comics storytelling.

[Person Michaels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another densely plotted epic that I’m happy to be caught up on (actually good timing with the series on brief hiatus). It scratches a Hunter x Hunter Succession Contest Arc itch. In The Power Fantasy’s case, the entire premise hinges around the ultra-powerful protagonists not being able to confront each other physically at all without causing immediate planetary destruction. Superhero action is replaced by thoughtful monologuing, intricate schemes, and exploration of if human morality is even feasible at the level of power these characters possess. If you can handle a heaping of cringe in the dialogue, and enjoy long-form slow burn storytelling, 100% check this out. I’ll be rereading in the not-too distant future to make sure I’m keeping track of everything.

[Kytana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kieron Gillen writes the kind of comics you can't easily explain; you just have to get into the weeds and try to decode the universe yourself. And honestly? What a beautiful, chaotic, confounding mess. This is the ultimate definition of blowing up your life for the plot—except it's the whole planet, driven by mystery mechanics the reader can't even begin to guess.

4/5 ⭐️ Bizarre, chaotic fun. Where the hell is this going next?!

[Lio · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Oh a review from Lio he'll give his thoughtful insight—" WRONG BECAUSE I AM ABSOLUTELY FROTHING AT THE MOUTH AWAITING THE NEXT VOLUME!!! I am WAY too hype for this series and I don't even care to pretend otherwise!!!

Easily my top comic this year, easily a new favourite I'll need to make space on my bookshelves for! It's like it was written with myself as the intended audience and I'm LOVING it!

[Des Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

GODDAMN that's how you write an ending! But it isn't the ending? Clearly it was meant to be the ending. Now I'm not complaining, I will gleefully take more time with these characters and I'm excited to see another Authority style group in comics, but that was a devastating and rapid simulation of the end of days in the age of nuclear proliferation. Dire, striking, instant and scary AF. Brilliant series with brilliant reveals, which reaps every sewn fruit. Masterclass.

[Audet Maxime · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great payoff from the buildup of the first 2 volumes. Everything comes to a head as plans are set in motion and the fragile status quo unravels before us. Immediately went and reread the entire series right after finishing this, and it was even better the second time.

I did not see the ending coming, and I cannot stress enough how good it was. Left me torn between wanting 3 more volumes and for this to be the definite end at the same time *chef’s kiss*.

[Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

This arc's ending is a total rip-off from the famous X-Men Days of Futurepast, but the lead-up was SO good, and unlike Futurepast where the state of things in the future was just hand-waved, here the super-powered individuals had agency and _they_ created the mess.

[Nikolas I · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to hug and shake the shit out of every one of these characters until tears blind me. Never have I experienced a universe where I have cared so much for every character. This has my heart, and I freely give it.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just keeps throwing those curveballs. With each volume the intensity increases

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could read these characters debating one another for twenty issues. Add on top if that this artwork. *chefs kiss*

[Adam Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pretty no-holds barred ending to era 1 of this series. Fantastic art.

[Joey Nardinelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t wait for the physical copy so I found the individual issues and raced through it. Wild ending, but didn’t feel like a whiff. Really delivered on the flaws and the logical directions for several characters, though it left me thinking that both Eliza and Dev were pretty underdeveloped compared to some of the other characters. I love that this ultimately subverted conventions and the lays groundwork for a possibly future series that should itself be doing something distinct from the original run. I just keep thinking how this certainly won’t end up in the pantheon of comics next to Watchmen, but arguably it’s one of the strongest to be informed by Moore’s piece that I’ve read to date.

[Ya Boi Be Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starts with an absolute bang and never stops that momentum. Etienne's revival does not stay a secret for long. He reveals all he has been doing and gives everyone the option of how to keep the world from not only ending but stop violence altogether. It does involve him in some killing destroying part of free will and it goes quite poorly (doesnt help he also simultaneously revealed he's been turning people's powers off and orchestrating events to keep multiple people cool headed). Heavy kills him and we're left with his forever ethical calm mind as his death sends a text. The only ethical thing to do with a nuclear missile button is to not press it. It's a great start that shows Etienme's plans. You can understand where he's coming from but also get the fear and dislike others have for his plan. It also heavily shows humans focus on hurting one another with Etienne going on about the violent part of our brains he can eradicate with that very part killing him.
And with Etienne gone things quickly go to shit. Not just because Etienne can't help tamper Eliza the ticking bomb bomb but his calmness is gone when Eliza's shitstorm begins. From there it just continues to escalate into the end of the world with Valentina having to jump back in time. It has me really excited for this next arc as Valentina jumped really far back in time. We’ll get to see what happens if Valentina joined forces more with Etienne than being friends with ideological differences. I do expect it not just be a happy ending but instead show a new side of messiness with powerful dealing with being powerful.

[Marybeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You're my oldest friend. I love you. I say this with all the rage my chained heart can muster. Your morals are going to kill us all."

How do you manage arguments with your best friends when you all have the power to take out the Earth, & zero patience?

"My utilitarianism presupposes that the world is worth saving. It would be a mistake to make me question that assumption."

That cliffhanger!!

"I think we're all going to die." "Oh good. Shared beliefs are crucial in a relationship."

A few of our characters have seen the future & they'll do anything to prevent it. One has seen their own future & will end their life at the risk of all humanity. & the rest don't care about the future, they just want to be able to carelessly continue doing what they have been doing, at the risk of everyone else...

"He was protecting the world in the way he knew best. Conversely, he always thought he knew best."

Again, I love the art & the story. I think there was only one (well-labeled) flashback this time.

"We live in an eggshell world & the giants are moving."

Representation: BIPOC MCs & sapphic MC relationship

"The only ethical thing to ever do with the nuclear button is not press it." (vague spoiler for The Locked Tomb series:) Wherever John Gaius is now, he should read that...

[Michael Norwitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The series reaches its inevitable conclusion ... the only way, it could ... if there was any doubt, the assassination of Etienne at the end of volume 2 confirmed it.

The characterisation, as to be expected from the series, is impeccable, with moments which will linger in the mind. Many oddities and mysteries of the series are explained satisfactorily.

I do have some minor nitpicks, which should dissuade nobody from purchasing it:

I'm vague on the theology, particularly Valentina's role, as every time she goes against an opponent on her own she seems useless. Masumi destroying the world at the end was God's plan, then?

The series returns to its opening scene for a retake, which is a trope I personally dislike, but also in this case it wouldn't solve the problems at hand:

a) the 'balancing act' was working satisfactorily until the Queen's dysfunction, which resulted in Eliza's selling her soul and the death of Jacky Magus, but while that could be prevented with advance knowledge, it wouldn't be by Valentina and Etienne running the planet.

b) Masumi's actions at the end possibly could be prevented with advance knowledge ... but it wouldn't be by Valentina and Etienne running the planet.

This remains one of my favorite comic series though and everyone interested in superheroics should read it.

[Valuxiea · Rating 4 out of 5]

It feels like Gillen working through his experience with writing more established superheroes. Etienne really feels like taking Professor X to the logical extreme, which makes him feel very in line with the fan response to Xavier which is a fascinating way to write a character, Heavy feels so in conversation with Magneto in both character design and power set, but is really leaning into his own American revolutionary moment, but also they're their own characters and never feel like only pastiche.

It feels both very X-Men and kind of another run at the work he did with The Wicked and the Divine. This has so much to say about celebrity and divinity that I think broadly resonates and lands for me in a way that series didn't. I also think making this a period piece AU and not trying to address contemporary ideas of celebrity (which were already changing then and fully dated by the end of that comic) was a smart lesson to learn from that comic.

I think it's still fast for my taste, especially vol 3. I'd like to sit in some character beats for longer, but largely I really like it.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I once again had a hard time following what was happening and had to read a summary afterwards. I don't know if it's the art or the fact that there are too many characters so none of them get enough "screen time" to really know them, but I feel like some of the action is a bit rushed.

In this story every superpower except Valentina dies. After the others try to kill Etienne but are unsuccessful in volume 2, we get to see the real story behind Etienne and then they kill him for real after he puts Heavy's son into a permanent vegetative state. Eliza goes crazy and they have to kill her, she kills Heavy on her way out, Magus/Dev's followers kill him, and Masumi turns into a Kaiju and destroys the planet. So Valentina defies God to travel back in time to the original frame from volume 1 where she has a conversation with Etienne. This time she offers to help take over the world.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

oof. just finished Issue 16 and it really stuck the landing which is something I was wondering how on earth would be possible as I read the last 3 issues. not only did it stick the landing, but it put everything from the first scene in Issue 1 onwards into a new context - enough that I needed to start rereading from the start. I thought Etienne was the heart of the series though it could be he just convinced me he's the best and the brightest... now, I don't know, maybe Valentina is the true center. Or maybe it will be the voice of the collective Magus. Everything has come full circle and while it's an interesting take on superheroes with world-ending capabilities... it's also about people trying to do the right thing for their circle; however inclusive that circle is, and the resulting consequences for the rest of humanity.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh.....so that's what we're doing!?

This book has been a challenge for me, month to month. It's easily the most interesting indie book on the stands for some time, and leave it to Gillen for making a book about not fighting that compelling. Thing is, when you do reach your end state....can you go on from there!?

Remarkable how the worst case is this exciting to see, especially with the implications of "what comes next". I'm happy this story can still exist in some form going forward, and like any great story with layers, the moment I finish it, I wanna double back to re read the whole thing to see what I missed in the margins. This is the button put on the end that makes me really connect with the book, from where we started, to where we could go. I'll be revisiting the saga again many times in the future.

[Alexander Lisovsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Второй и третий том Power Fantasy, который мне довольно-таки понравился, продолжает динамику первого: мощный build-up, классные политические и этические дебаты, искры летят от потенциально апокалиптического противостояния, союзы возникают и рушатся, расстановка сил перетекает в какую-то иную форму, твисты твистят, потом финал бахает традиционным гилленовским фейерверком... но как-то не удовлетворяет полностью (как было в первом томе Wic+Div). Во втором чуть лучше, в третьем чуть хуже. По логике событий я ожидал, что на этом произведение завершится, но, похоже, авторы ушли на каникулы — четвёртый том обещают в 2027-м. В целом — практически супер.

[Lilli W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ranking the Superpowers by how interesting they were to read about because everyone was an awful person:

1. Jacky Magus- punk anarchist wizard, I love snarky British assholes, RIP
2. Etienne Lux- like Professor X if he was a sneaky bastard who was only concerned with what was "ethical" while being completely detached from any moral framework
3. Eliza Hellbound- unheard-of levels of Catholic guilt
4. Raymond "Heavy" Harris- basically hippie Magneto
5. Valentina- got New Mexico nuked lol
6. Masumi- depression kaiju is a hell of a concept
7. Dev ("Magus #2")- sellout
8. Kid Ignition- annoying ass kid, didn't even do anything

I NEED issue #17, hopefully since we've jumped timelines my guy Jacky Magus can not die.