Amazon.com
Are we ready for yet another take on superhero morality? Let's hope so, because
The Authority: Relentless retools old ideas for a new century. Warren Ellis has his heroes think globally as they kick butt locally, stopping or slowing down to consider how they can use their powers to "make the world a better place." How he can pull this off in our oh-so-ironic age is an artistic mystery, but the results are clear: superheroes with believable personalities
and community spirit. Two story arcs, each encompassing terror and evil on a global scale, pit the group of seven against armies of superhumans dispatched in scenes reminiscent of the best action movies. Many of the characters from the older Stormwatch series reappear here, and fans will be pleased to learn that Ellis has, if anything, improved his depth and storytelling prowess. Bryan Hitch's penciling, Paul Neary's inking, and Laura Depuy's coloring are all equally responsible for the gloriously lovely artwork--from interdimensional spaceships to dismembered spinal cords, they make saving the world beautiful.
--Rob Lightner
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Amazon.co.uk
Under New Management finds The Authority facing two possibly dire losses: the death of their sardonic leader Jenny Sparks, and worse, the departure of the founding creative team of Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch. Breathe a sigh of relief as the baton of Wide-Screen Pandemonium is seamlessly passed to newcomers Mark Millar and Frank Quitely. Ellis and Hitch complete their acclaimed run with the superb
Outer Dark in which the team face off, to all intents and purposes, "God"- returned to Earth after aeons to reclaim its home and forcibly evict the unexpected human "infestation". God's malevolent reappearance at the dawn of 2000 also coincides with the end of Jenny Spark's role as The Spirit of the 20th century. Ellis crafts a fitting (and supremely subversive) swan-song for Jenny that sees her go out fighting as well as offing Our Maker "US Execution style".
The Nativity finds the new creative team grappling with the series' two new intriguing strands: The Authority's new found celebrity and what happens when the Spirit of the 20th century moves in to the 21st. As far as a diabolical super-genius and his legions of super-soldiers are concerned, it's the chance to mould the future. Millar has retained the series' signature cynicism and humour while Quitely sensibly doesn't ape Hitch, his own action-friendly style ensuring the series' hectic pace. So, dispense with the doubts: it's still the best superhero series for quite some time and one that has managed to keep it's promise of being the comic with a $100 million budget every issue.
--Danny Graydon
