CBR: Mapping the Wildstorm Universe: The Authority

[CBR News]

In this first in a series of spotlights on the titles of Wildstorm, Dan Abnett and Andy
Lanning dive into the post-apocalyptic superhero universe by breaking its
greatest team in two. The writers talk to cbr about "The Authority."


Full article here.

[Chris Striker]

DnA have been nothing short of fantastic on this series. I really like the mood they set for the team and out them in position readers have never been in and I can’t wait to see where they go. I also like to see the Warhol Fever is going to be sticking around…

[grifter78]

Finally! The WSU's current direction is getting some much deserved recognition. Obviously, now that the big boys have finished playing in the sandbox for a while (Secret Invasion, Batman R.I.P.,) and others winding down (Final Crisis) now Wildstorm gets a little time. I know some people are trade-waiting this event but apparently the trades won't be out until next summer. Get the issues now for cheap!

http://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=14879611

P.S.- As of my posting this mycomicshop.com no longer has copies of The Authority #1. That's always a good sign.

[jclem]

Of all the Wildstorm relaunches, this is the book I'm enjoying the most. I picked up all the first issues but none has captured me like The Authority. As DnA mentioned, I like the fact that the team has been struck down from the godlike status it achieved in the previous runs. Seeing them this vulnerable is more interesting considering that they have been used to being in power.

The most compelling relationship now is between Apollo and Midnighter. The fact that they cannot be together for extended periods of time makes their relationship all the more heartbreaking.

To the other posters, is there any other relaunch that I should be reading?

[Chris Striker]

Stormwatch: PHD by Ian Edginton has been great

[uthor]

I'm enjoying the Authority, but I think I'm going to drop the monthlies in favor of TPBs after this arc. It's the only title I'm picking up, so the backup stories are just wasted pages. As a result, each month's issue seems really short. If there's a crossover coming, I'm even more inclined to drop it.

[jclem]

Stormwatch: PHD by Ian Edginton has been great

Thanks, Chris! Was thinking the same thing.

[hondobrode]

This article really got me pumped. Will be collecting this later on in tpbk.

[michaeljsmith]

I believe that DC is not putting a lot of effort into getting trades out on the Wildstorm relaunch anytime soon. The Authority and Stormwatch: PHD have been incredible reads.

[MacrossJXS]

This article, posted on Dec 8th states:
<<Throughout December, CBR will be taking a look at the various titles that make up the modern Wildstorm Universe -- or at least what’s left of it.>>

So, today is December 21st... and you guys' have only posted one new WildStorm article -- on Gen13.

After reading that quote, and seeing so little...I have to say I'm disappointed. I was expecting to see CBR have a lot more articles and deeper substance on the WSU... like when you did that intensive focus on Top Cow.

-Josh

[camera23]

So, today is December 21st... and you guys' have only posted one new WildStorm article -- on Gen13.

After reading that quote, and seeing so little...I have to say I'm disappointed.

It's not part of the same 'Mapping the Wildstorm Universe' series - but this article on Dec. 16th was a nice, detailed overview of Stormwatch (though it does stop oddly short of including the World's End incarnation of the series):

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?p...ticle&id=19189

[MacrossJXS]

...sweet!

thanks Camera 23!

[Chris Striker]

Sorry you feel that way, but I've been digging on DnA's Authority

[explicit]

Sorry you feel that way, but I've been digging on DnA's Authority

I'd like very much for you to please show me how I can appreciate crap books.

I dunno... On a serious note, I just miss Ellis and Millar's run on the books. We saw a lot of adult themes and a lot of really cool action whereas now it's just... Doomsday and everyone just running around going "Oh man we're screwed".

[camera23]

I'd like very much for you to please show me how I can appreciate crap books.

I dunno... On a serious note, I just miss Ellis and Millar's run on the books. We saw a lot of adult themes and a lot of really cool action whereas now it's just... Doomsday and everyone just running around going "Oh man we're screwed".

I think we probably all miss Ellis on the title, but that was nearly 10 years ago and neither he nor Millar is coming back. I'd rather see someone try something absolutely different with Authority (as DnA are doing) than try and imitate Ellis, Millar or whoever; we've seen enough of that in the past. I think the team got painted into a corner where their powers and attitude were so kickass that they basically never lost, never examined their own motives, never had to deal with failure (not counting Brubaker's excellent Revolutions, which did do this to an extent). I'm fairly sure this World's End story is going to deal with them getting their power back (we're only a third of the way through a 15-issue arc, after all). But for me, the Authority's powers were never as interesting on their own as the characters using them, and I really enjoy the fact that DnA are putting them in situations where they can't just kill something or wave a hand and have everything fixed their way. It means you see a lot more of them doing grassroots hero stuff (putting themselves at risk to help people on the ground, having to face failure every day) rather than wisecracking in between blowing things up from a distance or intimidating politicians. I liked the widescreen Authority of old, but this is a well-told story that hasn't been written before for this team, so I like it too.