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Evacuation,
Masturbation, and Other Problems:
The Authority: Earth Infero and other stories
A trade paperback review
By
Troy Brownfield
Writers:
Mark Millar (Earth Inferno), Joe Casey (zombies),
Warren Ellis (Hawksmoor), Paul Jenkins (Engineer)
Pencils: Frank Quitely, Chris Weston, Cully Hammer,
Georges Jeanty
More
Info: www.dccomics.com,
www.wildstorm.com
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I've
been a big booster of The Authority from Day One. I still
am. Therefore, you should know going in that I won't be giving
this a bad review. However, it's just not my favorite of the
story arcs. This is probably the closest that I will come
to writing an "average" Authority review (for a
"negative" review, see what I have to say about
the fill-in arc that comes in the next volume, "Transfer
of Power").
The
first story contained herein, "Earth Inferno", is
a collection of four issues from the regular series, written
by Mark Millar. The art chores are divided between Chris Weston
and The Bane of Deadlines, Frank Quitely. The art is good
throughout, even if the change in tone between the two pencillers
is a bit jarring.
Still,
the story is wickedly clever, involving one pissed-off planet
Earth, one murderous former Doctor, and a couple of female
dominated counter-Earths. Millar has a lot of great ideas,
and they're coming at from everywhere in this story. The final
showdown between the team and the true enemy is a Swiss-watch
of plotting and sharp dialogue.
The
first of the stand-alone stories was drawn from an Authority
annual that tied into Wildstorm's "Devil's Night"
crossover event. Essentially, its a zombie story by Joe Casey
and Cully Hammer, and that's fine with me. What's unique is
that the zombies attacking the carrier are actually Midnighter
and Apollo's original Stormwatch teammates. This is a nice
little bone thrown to zombie fans, and it exists on its own
without demanding that you read the rest of the "Devil's
Night" thing.
The
other two shorts are drawn from Wildstorm's Summer Special,
a one-shot that only contained one other non-Authority story.
Authority creator Warren Ellis's piece about Jack Hawksmoor
running for the fun of it is a nice look at his character,
and the Engineer spotlight regarding the Engineer's sexual
frustration is quite funny. That one is also boosted by great
babe art by Georges Jeanty.
While
this isn't a bad trade by any stretch, it's just not as powerful
as the first two Authority collections. It's a must-have for
fans. Still, if you're going to introduce someone to the book,
give them "Relentless".
Troy
Brownfield is the Editor-in-Chief of ShotgunReviews.com. Another
point this trade makes? Heroin BAD. Email Troy at: psikotyk@aol.com
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