“Morality would frown upon / Decency look down upon / The scapegoat fate’s made of me” -Depeche Mode’s “Walking in My Shoes”

Previously, Etienne Lux prevented Brother Ray “Heavy” Harris’s brutal retaliation from destroying the world, and the Earth still spins for now. But like always, Lux chose to be the scalpel to cause the least amount of deaths while threatening to destroy Haven to keep the peace. As supposed normalcy returns and their alliances resume, a potential threat could cause an imbalance to the well-maintained peace and safety of the planet. With the new millennium arriving closer every day, so too does the hand of the doomsday clock reach midnight. Kieron Gillen and Caspar Wijngaard introduce a ticking time bomb that propels the world even more to the brink of death in The Power Fantasy #2.

“You’ll stumble in my footsteps / Keep the same appointments I kept / If you try walking in my shoes”

Picking up in the aftermath of the climactic confrontation in the previous issue, Gillen and Wijngaard let things breathe but never truly absolve the pressure hanging above the characters. No matter how hard they try, the characters cannot stop the doomsday clock and prevent the future from happening. Essentially, they are delaying the inevitable death and destruction that will arise one day from them using their powers against each other. Their relationships and personas exist as a sort of theater to keep the desired peace and to prevent each other and humanity from lighting the metaphorical and literal fuse. Wijngaard’s artistry of body language and facial expressions sells so much of the unspoken drama that weighs upon them. Their conflict cannot be solved by violence or fighting but by constant discussions, agreements, and politicking. 

“I’m not looking for a clearer conscience / Peace of mind after what I’ve been through / And before we talk of any repentance / Try walking in my shoes”

Despite not seeing what fully occurred between 1966 and 1999, Gillen gives glimpses into the Nuclear Family’s previous identities and how they have changed over time. Lux still carries the self-imposed burden of desiring to be the “ethical” figurehead of the six but hides his intentions much close to his chest. Conversely, Heavy continues to uphold his fiery counterculture attitudes but has accepted that he has made mistakes and to learn from them. Neither are paired as complete opposite binaries of each other but exist as complementaries. Eschewing the notion of a simple “hero” or “villain,” Gillen presents us with flawed and human individuals doing their best to hold onto what they have with the power they hold and how they want to influence the world. Yet the difference between them lies in how they accept their guilt and the damage they have done. 

“Now I’m not looking for absolution / Forgiveness for the things I do / But before you come to any conclusions / Try walking in my shoes”

Then comes the reveal of Heavy secretly having a son that would impact and upset the fragile brokered peace that cost decades of conflict and death and blood. Unlike the other Atomics in Haven, the boy exists as a genuine superpower whose life could destroy the world if the other Superpowers found out. Yet his existence could signal a potential necessary change to make the world a better place and lead towards a better future. The older generations tend to fear the younger ones who will inherit the Earth from them and take over. The boy’s life signals a potential future or end for the world the Superpowers aim to protect.

“But I promise now, my judge and jurors / My intentions couldn’t have been purer / My case is easy to see”

Wijngaard’s line art and colors remain unmatched and an essential element of The Power Fantasy #2. With its retro-futuristic aesthetic and designs, it’s a fantastic piece of art from the front and back covers to its impressive interiors. Wijngaard demonstrates why he’s such a real powerhouse and expertly conveys the dramatic and intense nature of the sci-fi story. Letterer Clayton Cowles and designer Rian Hughes make The Power Fantasy #2 a striking and phenomenal comic book. 

“I would tell you about the things they put me through/ The pain I’ve been subjected to / But the Lord himself would blush / The countless feasts laid at my feet / Forbidden fruits for me to eat / But I think your pulse would start to rush”

The world’s end will eventually come despite our best efforts to prevent it. Peace can only last so long until it breaks down, and we are forced to see the full face of death that we hide away from ourselves. Gillen and Wijngaard prove that it does not start with a bang but with a small flame that lights up the powder keg. The doomsday clock has begun to speed up, but the characters do not even realize it. The future will arrive one way or another.

Story: Kieron Gillen Art/Colors: Caspar Wijngaard Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Read

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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