COUP D'ETAT: THE AUTHORITY REVIEW

[Nick Costanzo]

<img src="http://filebox.vt.edu/users/ncostanz/coup4small.JPG" align=left alt="Coup D'Etat: Stormwatch"> (http://filebox.vt.edu/users/ncostanz/coup4.jpg)Reviewer: Nick Costanzo
Quick Rating: Excellent!
Story Title: Coup D'Etat, Part Four

Jack... buddy... you got this crazy look in your eye man.

Written by: Robbie Morrison
Pencils and Cover by: Whilce Portacio
Inks by: Trevor Scott
Variant Cover by: Lee Bermejo and David Baron
Colors by: David Baron
Letters by: Phil Balsman
Assistant Editor: Kristy Quinn
Editor: Ben Abernathy
Editorial Director: Jim Lee
Published by: Paul Levitz

Like, omigod! The Authority totally took over the United States! Dude, I totally didn't see that coming... Er, ok yeah, so the outcome of this book was never in question. Anyone who read a word of the press surrounding Coup D'Etat knew how it was going to end before they even started reading. So where's the suspense? Hell, why bother reading this issue when you already know what's going to happen?

Because this issue will make you tremble with shock and change everything you thought you knew about the Authority forever. It is rare in such a hyped up industry that you'll find an issue that can deliver on such a claim, but Robbie Morrison has done just that.

Eight hours have past since the Authority made its coup announcement. And in eight hours, the entire American military machine is grounded, its superhuman training facility decimated, and its leaders unable to even communicate with one another. On orders from Jack Hawksmoor, the six-man team is ruling the country in less than half a day.

Make no mistake, this is Jack's coup. Ever since Mark Millar's run, Jack has provided the voice for what the Authority believes in, and he was always the one most ready to strike despite the protests of the leaders of the world. Except now, something's different. In the past, Jack's actions seemed to spring simply from the fact that it was the right thing to do, and his team had the power to do it. But somewhere along the line, things have become a little twisted. Now, Jack scares me. He is angry, violent, and utterly unapologetic in his actions. And throughout this issue, he LOOKS downright evil. We first see him sitting on an elevated platform, threatening the leaders of the rest of the world with similar action if they don't start shaping up, as his teammates systematically cripple the US. I don't doubt for a moment that Jack is still doing what he thinks is right, but the measure's he's willing to take to obtain them give me chills. His eyes had a gentleness to them back when Warren Ellis and Brian Hitch began the Authority. But in this issue, those eyes cut right through you.

Whilce Portacio takes Dwane Turner's place on the art chores this issue, and the transition is certainly bumpy in a few areas. His faces in particular seem rushed in some areas, and at times inconsistent from panel to panel. Swift especially is the least recognizable as her face, eyes, and even hair style seems to change every time we see her. However, for the most part Portacio's gritty take on this story works very well. His closeups are excellent, and his action scenes are beautiful. As beautiful as giants getting holes punched in them can be, at least. I especially enjoyed his rendering of the final scene as the team finds themselves not quite able to look at each other. The gravity of what they've just done is finally setting in.

Its hard to pinpoint my favorite moment of this issue. I'm fairly sure the moment that will have most people talking is the brutal execution of President Patrick Kent as part of the Authority's efforts to appease the Vigil. For Morrison to have done such a thing (and to such an obvious clone of Bush) took a lot of balls, especially in so violent a manner. But hey, this is the Authority we're talking about here. They did essentially the same thing to the last president of the US, so that scene didn't shock me too much. What DID shock me was the fact that the Authority fabricated the video evidence in order to put the blame squarely on Kent's shoulders. I know that the Authority is willing to go much further than the average superhero team in achieving their goals but still... they've never done something like this before.

Even better is the scene immediately following, as Swift addresses her misgivings over what the Authority has done. Ever since Morrison took over the title, Swift has been the voice of a very disapproving conscience for this team, a voice that has been all but ignored by the other members of the team. Other members of the team are quick to justify their actions as a necessary compromise, but as Swift points out, they never had to do that before.

I also notice something very important about that scene. Any voice of descent is spoken BEFORE Jack steps back into the Carrier. No one seems to dare question what Jack is doing when he's there. Not even Midnighter is able to face Jack after his speech to the world. If that doesn't just scream how scary Jack's become, I don't know what does.

So the inevitable conclusion arrives with the vigil satisfied and the United States under the team's control. In Jack's speech, we learn that elections have been suspended in the US, and that its now up to the American people to allow the Authority to change their lives for the better after being liberated from their corrupt former government. I really want to believe that this is what's gonna happen, but as I've said before, this sounds like the origin of most any totalitarian state I've ever heard of. Midnighter sums it up quite nicely in the end. “Well... that was the easy part. What the f—k are we supposed to do now?”

I have no clue where the Authority is planning to go from here, but I do know that I can't wait to see what happens. Coup D'Etat was an ambitious and beautifully executed crossover, one that has reaffirmed my interest in the Wildstorm universe severalfold. These are some of the best and most unique books on the mainstream market today, and Coup D'Etat marks an excellent opportunity for new readers to catch on. Go out and pick these books up people. You don't know what you're missing.


ART:
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STORY:
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OVERALL:
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By this issue online now from X-World Comics and save! (http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopexd.asp?id=10193)

[Suzene]

...and my comic shop didn't get their copies in last week.

DAMMITDAMMITDAMMITDAMMITDAMMITFRELLFRELLFRELL!

Excuse me, I'm going to go off and kick the walls until Wednesday.

Suzene

[Wolverine]

This was an awesome issue!

[Chris Nutall]

Magnifcent. Check my review and analysis here: http://www.coup.batcave.net

Chris

[Jordan T. Maxwell]

yowza...great stuff. that last midnighter line pretty much summed everything up. while the outcome was never in doubt, the moral compromises the team made in order to produce their desired outcome really highlights the danger of this situation. without the moral high ground, can the authority really claim to be any better than the corrupt and greedy and at least somewhat democratically elected (if kent is really meant to be a bush analogue, than not quite so democratically elected. :p) rulers they just ousted? can't wait to see the ramifications of this.

[Chris Wilson]

The issue would have been perfect if not for Portacio's pencilling. So I loved his stuff in the X-Factor and Uncanny days. But I don't know of any other artists who's actually gotten so much worse over time. Obviously, there were good moments (Apollo versus the giants), but most of the art seemed quite instable. More than just Swift, I don't think any of the characters had the same face from panel to panel. Sigh, I'm just not impressed.

Also, who did the alternate cover? It looks like a Sean Phillips job (overinked).

-Chris

[Nick Costanzo]

Originally posted by Chris Wilson
The issue would have been perfect if not for Portacio's pencilling. So I loved his stuff in the X-Factor and Uncanny days. But I don't know of any other artists who's actually gotten so much worse over time. Obviously, there were good moments (Apollo versus the giants), but most of the art seemed quite instable. More than just Swift, I don't think any of the characters had the same face from panel to panel. Sigh, I'm just not impressed.

Also, who did the alternate cover? It looks like a Sean Phillips job (overinked).

-Chris

Variant Cover by: Lee Bermejo and David Baron

I'm tempted to buy copies of the alternate covers just to see what it all looks like put together. THe Wildcats variant cover was especially good.

[Drax]

Ah, the voice of the minority. I do love being just that, unless the majority is right. So in this case, I'm happy. This final issue of Coup De'Etat almost ruined the whole mini-series for me. I won't talk about the art because that's been covered already, but I honestly dont get how anyone could think this was a great comic, especially compared to the first 3 issues. I thought Morrison had fixed his problems with the very good Godhead arc in Authority, but the dialogue in this issue is pretty much crap. It goes all the way from uninspired and generic to contradictory. Point in case, Jack's speech of world domination at the end. He says he won't spout out any soundbites then proceeds to do nothing but. And the last page. The every other issue with Midnighter saying something witty at the end is cool and all, but only when its witty or funny. I think Brubaker is taking over the Authority this summer, and I can't freakin' wait.

This wasn't a terrible comic I guess, but its pretty bad when compared to the first three excellent issues.

[Jordan T. Maxwell]

Originally posted by Drax
Ah, the voice of the minority. I do love being just that, unless the majority is right. So in this case, I'm happy. This final issue of Coup De'Etat almost ruined the whole mini-series for me. I won't talk about the art because that's been covered already, but I honestly dont get how anyone could think this was a great comic, especially compared to the first 3 issues. I thought Morrison had fixed his problems with the very good Godhead arc in Authority, but the dialogue in this issue is pretty much crap. It goes all the way from uninspired and generic to contradictory. Point in case, Jack's speech of world domination at the end. He says he won't spout out any soundbites then proceeds to do nothing but. And the last page. The every other issue with Midnighter saying something witty at the end is cool and all, but only when its witty or funny. I think Brubaker is taking over the Authority this summer, and I can't freakin' wait.

This wasn't a terrible comic I guess, but its pretty bad when compared to the first three excellent issues.

well, considering the Stormwatch issue was incredibly lacking...and i found the Godhead arc to be "meh" at best...i'd say this is the best Authority showing from Morrison since Scorched Earth (which i loved). makes me sad because i think he has something of a handle on these characters, but has trouble coming up with comparable threats for them or dealing with them in an extended arc structure. and hey, no gratuitous mentionings of Apollo and Midnighter's sexualities here...which is one of my big problems with Morrison's work on the book.

as for Jack and his soundbites...um, that was kind of the point. or did you miss that?

[Suzene]

Originally posted by Jordan T. Maxwell


well, considering the Stormwatch issue was incredibly lacking...and i found the Godhead arc to be &quot;meh&quot; at best...i'd say this is the best Authority showing from Morrison since Scorched Earth (which i loved). makes me sad because i think he has something of a handle on these characters, but has trouble coming up with comparable threats for them or dealing with them in an extended arc structure. and hey, no gratuitous mentionings of Apollo and Midnighter's sexualities here...which is one of my big problems with Morrison's work on the book.

To be fair, I have yet to see a writer on Authority who didn't harp on Apollo and Mid's sexualities. I just appreciate that Morrison put some genuinely sweet moments showing the two of them as devoted lovers and parents in his run to balance it out, rather than reducing it to the villains making comments about the two team fags.

All in all, I'm enjoying Morrison's run more than what I've read of Millar's, though his writing does tend towards the formulaic. I'm hoping we'll see less of that now that the Authority is finally going to have to put up or shut up about making a better world.

Suzene

[raikage]

I wasn't a big fan of the 'Godhead' storyline, either. Authority seems to have become the 'X-' for WildStorm; the 'sales are low, just add Authority and mix.'

To be fair, though Morrison seems to have some big ideas in his head; I just feel that when it makes the transition to paper, it loses something.

[Nick Costanzo]

Originally posted by Suzene


To be fair, I have yet to see a writer on Authority who didn't harp on Apollo and Mid's sexualities. I just appreciate that Morrison put some genuinely sweet moments showing the two of them as devoted lovers and parents in his run to balance it out, rather than reducing it to the villains making comments about the two team fags.

All in all, I'm enjoying Morrison's run more than what I've read of Millar's, though his writing does tend towards the formulaic. I'm hoping we'll see less of that now that the Authority is finally going to have to put up or shut up about making a better world.

Suzene

Actually, Ellis did a great job, and I think Millar did too, he just wasn't shy about showing these two making out. And considering when we saw this happen (nearly off-panel during a party, and at their wedding), both times were fairly appropriate. Morrison, on the other hand, tended to be a bit too focused on them at times, which is actually surprising because I heard rumors that Midnighter and Apollo's relationship had actually been planned to be scaled back at first, in favor of highlighting Jack and Annie's budding romance.

[Jordan T. Maxwell]

yeah, Ellis and Millar's moments actually made sense in the context of the story. hell, Ellis didn't even have to SAY they were gay. he just showed the affection between them and let the picture (namely of Apollo kissing Midnighter on the cheek) speak for itself.

Morrison's approach has been a little more ham fisted, and kind of beating you over the head with it. "We're gay and hardcore! woo hoo!" kind of up there with Austen's treatment of Northstar, in my opinion. Just let them BE gay...you don't have to say it every other page or so.

[Suzene]

Originally posted by Nick Costanzo

Actually, Ellis did a great job, and I think Millar did too, he just wasn't shy about showing these two making out. And considering when we saw this happen (nearly off-panel during a party, and at their wedding), both times were fairly appropriate. Morrison, on the other hand, tended to be a bit too focused on them at times, which is actually surprising because I heard rumors that Midnighter and Apollo's relationship had actually been planned to be scaled back at first, in favor of highlighting Jack and Annie's budding romance.

D'oh! Yeah, I meant to put in a disclaimer about Ellis being the exception, but it slipped my mind.

I'm such a bad fangirl... :shame:

Agreed, though...Ellis' run was ambrosia. Very bloody, violent, profane ambrosia. ;)

Suzene

[Drax]

Originally posted by Jordan T. Maxwell

as for Jack and his soundbites...um, that was kind of the point. or did you miss that?

The point was(as best I can tell) to make him look like a dictator. Morrison did that, I mean all he didn't do was have someone nickname him Stalin. I didn't see it as the point to make him sound like an idiot. Jack has usually been intelligent. That speech contradicted the character, IMO.

But that's just a minute point. I didn't enjoy the issue much at all. And I did enjoy the Stormwatch issue. It had its weaker spots, but their were redeaming qualities that I didnt find in this book. Basically, this issue could have been worse, but it should have been better. To me, a dissapointing end to a really good series.

And what is better in this issue than in Godhead? It wasn't fabulous, but at least interesting.

[Jordan T. Maxwell]

Originally posted by Drax


The point was(as best I can tell) to make him look like a dictator. Morrison did that, I mean all he didn't do was have someone nickname him Stalin. I didn't see it as the point to make him sound like an idiot. Jack has usually been intelligent. That speech contradicted the character, IMO.

But that's just a minute point. I didn't enjoy the issue much at all. And I did enjoy the Stormwatch issue. It had its weaker spots, but their were redeaming qualities that I didnt find in this book. Basically, this issue could have been worse, but it should have been better. To me, a dissapointing end to a really good series.

And what is better in this issue than in Godhead? It wasn't fabulous, but at least interesting.

Godhead didn't do much for me. It was fun, but nothing extraordinary. i thought this issue was much more engaging and insightful as far as the characters and their motives are concerned.

and no, the point was not to make Jack look like an idiot...the point was that by replacing what he and the others have hated for so long, they have started to tip toe that line where they BECOME what they've hated. They lie to expedite a situation. They make speeches to appease and assuage the public's fears rather than being frank and honest with them. They compromise their ethics where before they drew a hard line. i think Nietzsche said something about fighting monsters and gazing into abysses that's rather applicable here. ;)

[Drax]

Originally posted by Jordan T. Maxwell


Godhead didn't do much for me. It was fun, but nothing extraordinary. i thought this issue was much more engaging and insightful as far as the characters and their motives are concerned.

and no, the point was not to make Jack look like an idiot...the point was that by replacing what he and the others have hated for so long, they have started to tip toe that line where they BECOME what they've hated. They lie to expedite a situation. They make speeches to appease and assuage the public's fears rather than being frank and honest with them. They compromise their ethics where before they drew a hard line. i think Nietzsche said something about fighting monsters and gazing into abysses that's rather applicable here. ;)

I'll agree with you that that was the point trying to be made. I just think Morrison made Jack look stupid. The more I think about, the more I think the reason I disliked this issue so much was because I read all 4 issues in one sitting. After Jack's(Spartan) speach in the Joe Casey penned issue, I was already thinking the Authority looked like a bunch of wankers. Then I read this, which, to me, made them sound mostly like idiotic wankers. But thats just me. Anyway, what about that last page? Uninspired is the nicest thing I can say about it.

[Jordan T. Maxwell]

Originally posted by Drax


I'll agree with you that that was the point trying to be made. I just think Morrison made Jack look stupid. The more I think about, the more I think the reason I disliked this issue so much was because I read all 4 issues in one sitting. After Jack's(Spartan) speach in the Joe Casey penned issue, I was already thinking the Authority looked like a bunch of wankers. Then I read this, which, to me, made them sound mostly like idiotic wankers. But thats just me. Anyway, what about that last page? Uninspired is the nicest thing I can say about it.

what are you talking about? the last page was a great button to close out the issue. total subversion of expectations...the whole storyline had been building along the lines of this huge event, this group of unstoppable superheroes taking over the world, and the final moment before the curtain goes down is this moment of total detachment. i thought it was great.

and the Authority have been wankers for some time...naive is one word i'd use for them. Fascist is another. i don't read these books because i agree with what the characters do, but because it's so damn entertaining to watch them do it.