What Inspired The Author To Write 'Absolute Power'?

As a longtime follower of the author's work, I think 'Absolute Power' was born from their fascination with moral ambiguity in superhuman stories. The concept flips traditional hero narratives—what if someone with godlike abilities decided to 'fix' humanity by force? The author often references historical dictators in interviews, suggesting inspiration from real-world figures who believed their cruel methods were justified. You can see this in the protagonist's gradual shift from idealism to tyranny. The novel's brutal efficiency versus messy democracy debate mirrors current political tensions too. For similar themes, check out 'Irredeemable'—it explores superheroes gone rogue with even darker consequences.

The author's background gives huge clues about 'Absolute Power's' origins. They grew up in a post-revolutionary country where propaganda painted warlords as saviors, which clearly influenced the book's central conflict. The protagonist's belief that 'ends justify means' echoes real revolutionary rhetoric I've studied.

Interestingly, the author admitted in a podcast that the character design came from merging two historical figures—a revered general who committed war crimes 'for peace,' and a tech billionaire who thought AI should govern humans. The novel's chillingly logical arguments for dictatorship showcase this blend.

What makes it unique is how it frames superpowers as accelerants for existing philosophies rather than just tools. The protagonist doesn't snap—they methodically apply their ideology until compassion becomes 'weakness.' For deeper dives into power corruption, 'The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas' is a great short story companion.

Having analyzed the author's notes, 'Absolute Power' seems like a response to modern superhero saturation. They wanted to challenge the 'with great power comes great responsibility' trope by asking: what if someone interpreted 'responsibility' as control? The protagonist isn't insane—they genuinely think slaughtering dissenters is kindness, which makes it terrifying.

Key inspirations include philosophical works like Nietzsche's will to power and Hobbes' Leviathan. The author twists these ideas into a superhuman context—when one person can single-handedly enforce order, democracy becomes impractical. The story's genius is making you briefly agree with the villain before revealing the horror of their 'utopia.'

If you enjoy thought experiments about power, watch 'The Boys'—it deconstructs hero worship differently but just as brutally.