The Authority #1
Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Gene Ha
Company: Wildstorm
Yes, there are many things that make the first issue of The Authority an odd one. If you’re expecting the same hit and run, over the top action extravaganza of the first incarnation of The Authority book, be warned: That aspect isn’t here. Neither is there any mention or glimpse of the heroes that we are used to seeing. At least, not yet there isn’t. What is there is the oddness that Grant Morrison (Doom Patrol/WE3) usually brings, his calculated storytelling and Gene Ha’s (Top 10/Global Frequency) elegant artwork. None of which are bad, but they seem so different, so off the mark for an Authority story that it’s easy to see how fans of the original might be thrown by their presence.
Let’s first troll through the issue of the decompression that Morrison uses in this first issue, since that’s such a hot topic with people these days. I am not a fan of decompression, normally. Its use has become too commonplace in books and because of it, fans get issues where nothing happens and we’re left waiting for another two months before the next issue. Which begs the question of why Morrison, a writer that has done self-contained stories so well in All-Star Superman, is using such a device here? Really, it’s beyond me but there is no doubt that he is using it, folks. The Authority, like all of his books at the moment other than Batman, is a bi-monthly title, and in this first issue, we really only learn two things. First is what it’s like to live the fractured life of a special operations soldier. Second is that a submarine looking for a geological anomaly has been sabotaged at the bottom of the Norwegian Sea. I know what you’re saying: that’s it? And while I agree that this is a very drawn out beginning, one can’t help think that Grant Morrison makes even the mundane interesting.
This version of The Authority has a very “widescreen” feel to it, almost as if it was meant for the big screen and this issue is only the first 30 minutes of the story. It even has parallels with Michael Crichton’s Sphere, working the underwater and supernatural angles quite well. The difference though, is that Morrison tethers the bulk of the story to a single, very human character that you can easily identify with instead of a group of super heroes that generally just like to destroy things. It was a clever touch, one that I wasn’t expecting from this book at all.
The movie element is brought out further with Gene Ha’s pencils, both in composition and feel. His splash panels, especially the scenes toward the end of the issue, are just downright gorgeous to look at. With Authority, he has a very different style than he did with Top 10, a painted look that is reminiscent of the style of John Cassaday. Art Lyon’s colors add another depth to Ha’s work and the only complaint I had were the overused shots where everything in a panel except one thing is blurry. It lends credence to the action and the movie tone that the book is going for, but it takes you out of the story for a moment when it happens, and I’d rather that not occur as often as it did.
In the end, the originality of this setup issue, paired with Gene Ha’s surprisingly intricate art, sold the story. It’s not every day that you’re going to get a first issue of a superhero book that has no superheroes in it, and it still be good. But that’s Morrison for you, and whether or not you’re a fan of his, or a fan of Authority, this is a fantastic entry point into a good story.
Loading ...
Well it’s certainly different from what I expected it would be. I bought it to see the action packed comic that we know so at the first read I was kinda disappointed. After rereading it I found it to be more intriguing so I’am looking forward to issue #2. It only is a shame that it’s bimonthly. I think your not really getting into a book this way, especially when it is written so different. This was for example better done with The Boys (a totally different comic book) by releasing 2 issues in one month. This way you’re faster getting more familiar with a book.
28 Oct 2006 at 10:37 am
QuoteOut of the Wildstorm reboots I’ve read this has probably been the best (although I’m looking forward to Midnighter, love Chris Sprouse’s artwork and I’m a fan of Garth Ennis), good set up for what should be a “widescreen” story. Agree about the shaky cam on some of the panels though, got used a couple of times too many but it was nice to see Gene Ha’s art get a space instead of trying to squeeze as many gags into it as he did in Top 10
31 Oct 2006 at 2:30 pm
QuoteI love the Authority, but must admit to being disappointed with this opening issue. This is NOT the way to attract ‘lost’ or ‘classic’ Authority fans ….. or to attract a new audience. Most collectors simply do not have the patience for it.
Having said this…. I whole-heartedly agree that the issue had a ‘”wide-screen” appeal about it…. reminding me a little bit like Millar’s Ultimates….. except of course that the latter actually contains much more story. Sort of like having the best production quality and staff working on a movie….. where most of the movie has breathtakiing cinematography and great musical effects to establish ambience and mood….. but ultimately fails to deliver.
But this is the first issue and it’s fair to say that this is the ‘calm before the storm’. At least I hope so….. because I can’t really say that the plot really captivated me. If not for the fact that I am an established Authority fan, I doubt I would be checking out the second issue.
I suspect that this series will do much better in trade form….. assuming that word of mouth is good on the first story arc as a whole. I rarely collect X-Men, but I really enjoyed his X-Men run at Marvel (I picked up the 3 X’Men Hardcovers). I never had to read that X-Men run issue by issue….. and I’m glad…. because reading it as a whole was a very satisfying experience.
Here’s hoping the pace picks up a bit for Authority. DC squandered an opportunity to capitalize on Authority’s initial hype and popularity when it first came out. It is nice to see DC giving the comic a big name like Morrison. I just wish he started off with a ‘bang’ instead of a whimper.
02 Nov 2006 at 10:22 pm
QuoteI stopped readin the Authority after the original run series ended, only bothering to get 2 issues of that other Morrison and none of Brubaker’s 12-ish romp.
The approach to this #1 was actually unexpected, but ultimately proved to be an welcome one. I fully expected to see the Authority I was familiar with, one-liners and guts a-blazin’. But when I put the issue down I felt 2 things: scope and gravity. I’ve come to expect grandeur from Grant Morrison and I have a feeling that this is indeed just the calm before the storm.
Of course, the art was top-notch, definitely Gene Ha but not quite Top 10…a welcome change (not that his “Top 10 style” was bad IMO). Definitely had a Cassaday vibe without feeling like a style ripoff.
The Authority’s always been about high-octane and over-the-top action that has since been copied by a lot of books in the market. The fact that this issue seems to go against what it’s traditionally known for is actually a plus. A great debut issue IMO!
04 Nov 2006 at 3:03 pm
QuoteIgee the Mighty, I agree with you that the reason this first issue was so good was that the delivery of the story was done in such an unexpected manner. I still have my doubts though since it’s going to be a bi-monthly title, but out of all of the Wildstorm relaunches, this one was the best.
04 Nov 2006 at 3:36 pm
QuoteHi Nick. With just 1 issue to its credit and the bi-monthly sked, it will take some time to see if this new series is a hit or a miss.
Gene Ha’s brought his A+ game to this book while Grant Morrison’s shown that he can deliver on both multiple-issue story arcs and single-issue stories. At this stage I’m banking on Grant to bring the same (if not exceed by light-years) creative spark that The Authority had during Ellis’ and Millar’s runs.
04 Nov 2006 at 3:47 pm
Quote