Blockbuster science fiction and superhero

They are 7 superhero Jenny Sparks, Apollo, Midnighter, The Doctor (Jeroen Thorndike), Engineer (Angela Spica), Jack Hawksmoor and Swift (Shen Li-Min). They form a team of superheroes who answers only to itself, even though Jennifer Sparks is careful to attract the good graces of the United Nations. They are based in a vessel equipped with conscience that navigates between dimensions. In the first story, they face an old enemy of Stormwatch who decided to conquer the world. Unlike traditional junk wicked, he has the means to do so. It has already started and the states in the world are unable to respond to its surgical strikes in Moscow and London.

In the second story, they are faced with an invasion of the occupants of land from another dimension. Again, the Authority The team must devise a response and a solution to the problem dimension. The danger is global and it is not enough to beat 2 or 3 gugusses to end the conflict and restore a lasting peace.

When the first episode seems in May 1999, he wakes up in the world of comics (yes, downright). Warren Ellis does not go with the back of spoon, threats are on the scale of the planet, The Authority does not take the glove and they are there to win. To understand the impact of this story, you must know that The Authority does not come out of nowhere. Shortly after the creation of Image Comics (in 1992) by Jim Lee, Rob Liefeld, Jim Valentino, Erik Larsen, Tod McFarlane and Marc Silvestri, this young publisher must diversify and increase the number of its securities. Jim Lee and Brandon Choi create a new team to oversee world peace: Stormwatch (drawings by Scott Clark, first edition in March 1993). Warren Ellis took over the reins of the series with number 37 in July 1996. It closed the series by killing all the team members, except those he had created. And it is on the ashes of Stormwatch born as The Authority. For the record the stories of Stormwatch written by Warren Ellis are grouped in 5 volumes starting with Stormwatch: Force of Nature. The Authority has been written together Planetary: All over the World and Other Stories, which also began in 1999.

Now that the context is clarified, let's take a curious look on what makes the specificity of The Authority. In reading it is clear that the Authority and Planetary 2 series were designed simultaneously. In particular, the concept of Bleed is much clearer in this volume than it is in Planetary. The two series will even have a form of a crossover episodes of Planetary: Crossing Worlds. (1) The use of the concept of the multiverse is not new, but Warren Ellis is certainly one of its most inventive and intelligent users.

(2) This series has launched or improved subgenus comic book extravaganza. Said like that, it looks like both a challenge and the least thing. The comic is a medium in which the special effects do not cost anything except time cartoonist. Everything is allowed, everything is possible, there is no too crazy vision it is impossible to finance. On the other hand, paper pages seem completely unable to fight against floods and sound pyrotechnic special effects in theaters. And that's all the merit of having been able to imagine Ellis spectacular sequences adapted to comics. And that is all the talent of Bryan Hitch to have been able to give life to these sequences, through a very down to earth and devilishly effective style. Invasions are carried out by a multitude of supermen, or countless fleets of vessels. The reader is immersed in these armadas and he likes to have time to contemplate and browse.

(3) In contrast to Planetary, the dangers are on the scale of the planet. The Authority must develop solutions that save the human race from destruction, or at least modern society of annihilation. Again, this is all the knowledge of Ellis and Hitch allowing to believe. Jenny Sparks proves an outstanding tactician and illustrations Hitch show the reader the extent of the massive destruction and the strength of the solutions implemented.

As in any story like this, the equity risk premium on the psychology of the characters. Yet Ellis and Hitch portray individuals who can not be reduced to stereotypes. The reckless nature of Jenny Sparks is tempered by doubts, the camaraderie of Midnighter and Apollo has grown by deeper feelings, Doctor and Engineer can not be reduced to good and loyal soldiers, they also question the powers they have received an inheritance.

This first volume of The Authority includes episodes 1-8 of the series. It reads in one through bluffing action sequences. It eats through these antagonisms panting (despite the appearance of the first criminal telephoned reminiscent of Sax Rohmer's Fu Manchu). It is captivating from beginning to end. Warren Ellis wrote the following 4 episodes (grouped in The Authority: Under New Management), also with 4 episodes written by Mark Millar.