WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for Absolute Power #1!Green Arrow has confirmed that the Justice League has permanently lost their powers, with no hope of regaining them, forever altering the status quo in the DC Universe. What’s more, the once-hero-turned-turncoat has provided further insight into just how dire the situation is, revealing that there is truly no easy fix to this monumental crisis event.

Mark Waid and Dan Mora’s blockbuster summer crisis event officially kicks off with Absolute Power #1, an issue that immediately plunges the DC Universe into meltdown mode with a planet-wide attack on all metahumans. The attack begins with Amanda Waller releasing deepfake AI videos showing the world’s heroes mercilessly and indiscriminately slaughtering civilians.

With the world now united in the belief that metahumans need to be stopped, Waller unleashes the next phase of her plan: Task Force VII, a group of powerful Amazo robots capable of stealing powers, leaving any superpowered individual they encounter defenseless and drained of their abilities.

Green Arrow Confirms the Justice League Has Lost Their Powers Permanently

With Task Force VII unleashed, fans witness the DCU’s greatest heroes lose their powers one by one, including magic users and those whose powers are derived from objects. Batman, taking charge of the situation, orders all heroes to go into hiding and wait for further instructions that he will broadcast via their secret frequency. However, Green Arrow, now on team Waller, informs the Dark Knight that their frequency isn’t a secret as he has shared it with Waller. This comes as a shock to Batman and the others, as they hadn’t known Green Arrow was working with Waller until this moment.

Green Arrow then informs the DC heroes that the Amazos stealing their powers aren’t like the previous power-stealing robots the Justice League has fought in the past. Their new design ensures that even if the heroes manage to destroy them, their powers still won’t be returned. Oliver clarifies, “What’s taken is irretrievable. There is no return mechanism. Your powers are never coming back.” In addition to this game-changing revelation, Green Arrow also reveals that they’ve barricaded the multiverse, sealed away the timestream, and the microverse. Hence, there are no easy exits or fixes.​​​​​​

Green Arrow May Be the Justice League’s MVP in Absolute Power Despite Him Working With Amanda Waller

Green Arrow is working with Amanda Waller because she is blackmailing him with threats against his family. In Joshua Williamson’s Green Arrow run, Oliver tells his family that he is playing the long con, but recent events suggest he has truly turned against his fellow heroes. However, all might not be as it seems. Absolute Power #1 may have confirmed that Green Arrow is still on the side of the angels. At first glance, Oliver broadcasting Waller’s plans seems like him declaring victory or encouraging metahumans to surrender, but a closer examination of his words suggests he was actually issuing a warning to his former teammates.

There was no reason for Green Arrow to announce that Waller has access to the secret hero frequency; in fact, it would have been smarter if he hadn’t. Additionally, Green Arrow provides Batman and the League with vital information about the new designs of the Amazos and which plans of action won’t work against them. Hence, these revelations read more like veiled warnings to his fellow heroes. In essence, Green Arrow has shared critical intelligence with the Justice League, even if it’s delivery was disguised as him declaring victory for Amanda Waller.

Absolute Power #1 is available now from DC Comics!