CBR: When Words Collide - Nov 2, 2009

**CBR News** · 11-02-2009, 02:27 PM

As promised last week, Tim takes on the comics of Warren Ellis, ranking the likes of "Stormwatch/The Authority," "Astonishing X-Men," "Global Frequency," and "Desolation Jones," in the Warren Ellis Top 10.

Full article here.

**bebopeva88** · 11-02-2009, 02:39 PM

No Transmet or Fell? I get that you didn't read all of Transmet, but still, one would've hoped that it had made a better impression from what you did get to read.

Interesting list. Nice to see Global Frequency get some deserved love.

As far as Ellis' Avatar work, his frequent collaborator, Juan Jose Ryp (Wolfskin, Black Summer, No Hero), does art that is in no way amateur-ish. He's basically a Geof Darrow clone, and his work is usually quite impressive.

**noh-varr** · 11-02-2009, 02:51 PM

If Astonishing XMen can be included when it's still being ran, then Transmet should have been on there even if you're not finished with it.

Ellis' Avatar work has some of his best work in years. Ignition City which just finished is the best mini series he's done ever, and Ellis is very strong while doing short work. If you can't enjoy a story of space heroes doing Deadwood then you have no soul. Doktor Sleepless is pretty much the direct follow up in Transmet spiritually.

But top ten lists are alway arguable so *shrugs*.

**Bevbos** · 11-02-2009, 02:53 PM

I would hasten to add his revamp of the "New Universe," which unfortunately seems to have petered out, but was very very engaging.

**Deathpool** · 11-02-2009, 03:31 PM

Stormwatch was stupid good (so good you feel stupid for not reading it earlier). I'm glad that it gets the love it deserves now.

I gotta admit surprise at not including Transmet as well, but what do you leave off? Ellis has so much good work, someone else could make a top ten that doesn't include any of the books you mentioned and still make a valid arguement.

**spidervenom** · 11-02-2009, 03:32 PM

Good lord. Who thought so many people would throw a tantrum over a top ten list. Chill, people! Take off your diapers and put some pants on.

**Jamal** · 11-02-2009, 03:32 PM

No Gravel? The last two mini's alone should have put it in the the top ten.

**rerun** · 11-02-2009, 03:42 PM

Interesting to note how much of Ellis' work in the Top 10 is created by him as opposed to John's Top 10.

Ellis' Top 10 should not include Ast X-Men- Transmet, Fell, or any number of other projects should have been included instead.

**noh-varr** · 11-02-2009, 04:15 PM

Originally Posted by spidervenom

Good lord. Who thought so many people would throw a tantrum over a top ten list. Chill, people! Take off your diapers and put some pants on.

I think you should reread the responses before yours, there doesn't seem to be any tantrums thrown.

**noh-varr** · 11-02-2009, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by Bevbos

I would hasten to add his revamp of the "New Universe," which unfortunately seems to have petered out, but was very very engaging.

The new Universe revamp stories got lost when Ellis' hard drive crashed and took the back up with it. According to his work FAQ there are a few issues completely done including art but they are waiting for a few more completed before soliciting the next book in case something bad happens again.

**noh-varr** · 11-02-2009, 04:20 PM

Originally Posted by rerun

Interesting to note how much of Ellis' work in the Top 10 is created by him as opposed to John's Top 10.

Ellis' Top 10 should not include Ast X-Men- Transmet, Fell, or any number of other projects should have been included instead.

Well Ellis is very much a writer who pushes that you should spend more time creating new things and owning them instead of doing work for hire. In the end it will earn you more money, you can tell whatever stories you want, and you don't have to answer to big editors that you can't have Superman say that.

I'd like to see what Johns would do with a creator owned book though.

**RedGhost25** · 11-02-2009, 04:27 PM

Those are all cool titles for sure. But there is something lacking, something that Ellis has done before Stormwatch/Autority. And it was ignored by comicdom, but everybody should go back to it, read it (again or for the first time) and it was Ellis' run of Doom 2099.

You know, Doom finaly realising he is the real thing ofter doubts and deceit, and finaly doing what he couldn't do in the past (ie: standard Marvel Universe): conquer the United States, ending the "democratic experience" and fix the country and the World.

This run is the creative root of the Authority we all love.

**Brother Justin Crowe** · 11-02-2009, 04:38 PM

The lack of Doktor Sleepless, X-Man, Transmet and Black Summer makes me sad, but hey, to each their own.

My take, in no order...
1.) AXM
2.) Transmet
3.) Dok Sleepless
4.) Black Summer
5.) Global Frequency
6.) Nextwave
7.) Thunderbolts
8.) X-Man
9.) Planetary
10.) Bad World

**Warewolf** · 11-02-2009, 05:02 PM

My Ellis top 10:

1) Stormwatch/Authority
2) Planetary
3) Transmet
4) Black Summer
5) Orbiter
6) Global Frequency
7) Scars
8) Ministry of Space
9) Doktor Sleepless
10) Fell