The Absolute Authority

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Amazing
Review: This 1999 collection consists of issues #1-#12 of the Authority made up of the three initial storylines, The Circle, Shiftships, Outer Dark that introduces this unique and innovative superhero concept to readers.

"The Circle" is the introduction to the team of superheroes up against an old foe in the Wildstorm universe who sets his country of Gamorra against the rest of the world. "Shiftships" bring the team up against an invading alternate dimension. And "Outer Dark" is the climax of the first three stories that changes the team and sets up the next half in Volume 2.

The Authority is made up of characters that are an homage to your traditional comic superheroes. There's Apollo, "The Sun God" with Superman-like powers. The Midnighter, "Night's Bringer of War", a fighter who has had enhancement made on his body to make him like the ultimate Batman warrior. The Engineer, "The Maker" whose liquid metal technology lets her make her body into anything. The Doctor, "The Shaman" in touch with the world who can bend reality to his liking. Jack Hawksmoor, "The God of Cities" controls and communicates with cities. Swift, "The Winged Huntress" an angel-like bird of prey. And enigmatic Jenny Sparks, "The Spirit of the 20th Century".

The stories are written by Warren Ellis of Transmetropolitan, Planetary, Global Frequency, and currently Ultimate Fantastic Four fame. His stories are amazing from their grand opening to issues and eye-popping cliffhangers and the unique spin he takes on superheroes as those who do not fight a weekly badguy, but those that try to make a difference and change the world.

Penciller Bryan Hitch first caught my eye in the Ultimates and through his run on the Justice League. What he brings to the work is beautifully portrayed art that makes his pencilling almost paintlike. The movements and expressions of his characters are near life-like and his action scenes seem like something plucked out of a blockbuster movie.

The "special features" that come at the end of this edition is a set of script pages from the first storyarc.

This is definitely a comic that is a must have on any collector's bookshelf. It's hard to find a copy, but if you do get your hands on one, don't hesitate to take it home.