Amanda Waller has one of the most wildly varied backgrounds in DC Comics history. Originally, she was introduced in Suicide Squad as a working-class matriarch who got into politics after three crime-related deaths in her family. The New 52 changed her considerably, dropping her weight and remaking her into a spy and contemporary of Deathstroke, Grifter, and Black Canary. Absolute Power: Origins #1 redefines Amanda Waller’s history yet again, restoring her original backstory with a twist.
Written by John Ridley, with art by Alitha Martinez, Absolute Power: Origins #1 reveals the new history of Amanda Waller. Her story is compared and contrasted with that of Bruce Wayne. Both were defined by the deaths of their families and a desire to see justice done. However, while Batman found sympathetic authority figures, Amanda Waller found complacent cops unwilling to rock the boat. This inspires her to get into politics, volunteering with the Congressional campaign of an idealistic councilor named Marvin Collins.
The history relayed in Absolute Power: Origins #1 restores the original backstory of Amanda Waller from 1987’s Secret Origins Vol. 2 #14, albeit with more mature sensibilities. That story introduced Amanda Waller as a widow whose husband died trying to kill the drug dealer who assaulted and murdered their daughter. Also, she lost a son to gang violence before finding political influence as part of Marvin Collins’ staff. However, the retelling goes in a drastically different direction.
Amanda Waller a villain from start in Absolute Power: Origins
Absolute Power: Origins #1 confirms the modern Amanda Waller was never the idealist she sometimes seemed to be in the early Suicide Squad comics. Rather than earning her position with hard work and fair play, Waller schemed and blackmailed her way into Washington. She used her position with Marvin Collins to learn his secrets. With that done, she threatened to air his dirty laundry if he didn’t help push her anti-vigilante agenda once in Congress.
This sinister take on Amanda Waller is more consistent with her behavior in modern comics like Absolute Power. However, it is at odds with most of her past portrayals. The classic Amanda Waller didn’t like vigilantes but had some sense of personal honor. The new Amanda Waller, by contrast, has adopted the attitude that the ends justify the means.
Absolute Power: Origins #1 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
