The following article contains spoilers from Batman #126, on sale now.
Batman's newest enemy outclassed him in every way, a shocking development. But, as with all machines, the reason Failsafe could accomplish the unexpected is written into its programming. Or, rather, where the giant robot's programming came from. In Batman #126 (by Chip Zdarsky, Jorge Jimenez, Tomeu Morey, Clayton Cowles), when the Dark Knight was forced out of his cave by Failsafe, he managed to briefly get in contact with Oracle, who tried to figure out what was going on. Her analysis concluded that Failsafe wasn't just composed of standard robotic components; it, at least partially, included Amazo tech in its build.
As many DC fans will remember, Amazo is an android that debuted in The Brave and the Bold #30 (by Gardner Fox and Mike Sekowsky). He's historically one of the Justice League's most dangerous adversaries, but one that hasn't seen a lot of action in recent years. Failsafe including components from that deadly foe represents a partial comeback for Amazo and could foreshadow a total return in all his glory.
Doctor Ivo designed the Amazo android initially to act as a thief of the various components Ivo needed to create a means of immortality. Amazo's technology gave him one of the greatest abilities found in the DC Universe: power absorption. This "absorption cell" allowed him to drain powers from other individuals and replicate them for himself. As the cell did not limit Amazo to only absorbing one power at a time, the android could integrate multiple abilities depending on who he faced. Therefore, the larger the team attempting to stop him, the more significant a threat Amazo could make himself, especially when the Justice League's most powerful members were involved.
As such, the android has been a persistent thorn in the Justice League's side for decades. However, since the New 52, Amazo hasn't gotten as much attention. The last time he was actively used was as a side character for a group known as the Cabal. In addition, an Amazo virus, which indirectly led to the creation of a brand new Kid-Amazo, also proved a threat for a time. However, as with him being part of Failsafe, the original android was mentioned but did not appear during the team's attempts to limit the virus. Beyond these incidents, it's been largely quiet on the Amazo front for years now.
Failsafe's introduction provides a unique opportunity. Amazo has a history of lying dormant within his programming until reactivated. Depending on how much Amazo is in Failsafe, then there is a chance that the original android might be able to activate itself. Perhaps Amazon could even take over Failsafe's body. There's even the possibility that the Failsafe arc is merely a prelude to Amazo's return, setting up an even bigger problem for Batman. After all, if it had been Amazo targeting him, then Batman wouldn't have been able to survive.
With any luck, Failsafe's introduction can restore this earlier villain to his former glory. Even if this isn't where the story leads, Failsafe's very existence provides writers with countless opportunities to bring back an old classic. As long as some part of his mechanical form remains, then so too does the hope that Amazo will return to the DCU. Of course, fans are the only ones who would be happy to see him again. Everyone else in the universe will have to deal with the fallout of such a calamity.