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View Full Version : THE AUTHORITY: REVOLUTION #7 REVIEW

Nick Costanzo
May 2, 2005, 03:03 pm
<img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/dc/0405/AuthorityRevolutionCv7T.jpg" hspace=10 align=left alt="The Authority: Revolution #7"> (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/dc/0405/AuthorityRevolutionCv7.jpg)Reviewer: Nick Costanzo, ncostanz@vt.edu
Story Title: To Infinity

Jenny's got a stalker

Written by: Ed Brubaker
Pencils by: Dustin Nguyen
Inks by: Richard Friend
Colors by: Wendy Broome
Letters by: Jared H. Fletcher
Assistant Editor: Kristy Quinn
Editor: Ben Abernathy
Published by: Paul Levitz
The Authority Created By: Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch

Intended for Mature Readers

Ever since her conception, Jenny Quantum has been something of a mystery. She seemed aware of herself almost at birth, and her first super-powered act suggested that she was much, MUCH more powerful than her predecessor. And yet, she was a baby, so it took a little while before we actually got to see much of her.

This issue sheds light on the fact that Ed Brubaker has some extremely ambitious plans for the Authority, and Jenny will be at the heart of it all. Originally, I had figured this series would deal with the ramifications of the Authority's acts of aggression back in Coup D'Etat. And while that has been partially true, it has really been more about a deconstruction of the team itself. And while it has been, for the most part, a painful process to watch, there was a need for it. The team was becoming too powerful, too aggressive, to blind to the hypocrisy of their own actions. Indeed, the world has actually become a better place since they left, and the only thing that seems damaged is the pride of the former team members.

However, with things like the Doctor's disappearance and Bendix's spying on Jenny, you get the idea that something isn't right, and that the seemingly blissful events of the past few years may simply be a diversion from a much more sinister plan on the horizon. And so, it would appear as though Jenny, the youngest and most powerful member, may be the only one able to notice what's about to happen.

Undoubtedly, there will be much discussion about the role that the “Jennys” have played throughout the centuries. It's quite fun to see the past Jennys in this issue, from the Stone Age to the present, all interacting in one place. I find it particularly interesting that past Jennys seemed to live longer than the late Jenny Sparks, but were probably less powerful on top of that. It makes you wonder, considering Jenny Quantum's massive abilities, whether or not she'll be long for this world. It's certainly hinted loudly enough that she may be the last of them, whether through humanity's actions or her own. After all, Jenny managed to recreate all of the old Jennys simply through an after-thought, and accidentally ended up aging herself another six years in the process.

Dustin Nguyen's art seems to have cleaned up a bit this issue. The dynamic layout of his art remains the same without the unnecessarily wrinkled up faces that he seems to be known for. My only question has less to do with his art and more of a question I have for everyone who's drawn the Authority since Jenny was born. Why isn't she Asian? She was born in Singapore after all, and there was no indication that her birth mother wasn't native to the island. And yet, she's always drawn as a little white girl. I just don't get it. At least, though, Dustin does manage to create a nice look for Jenny, and I really like teen-Jenny's hair.

This issue was quite a bit more light-hearted than previous issues, as the Authority's plight is basically seen through the eyes of a child. I'm interested to see where this will develop, and still waiting to see just what Henry Bendix has been planning this whole time. After this last two issues of set-up, I'm hoping for some action next issue. And maybe some word about what happened to the poor Doctor...

ART:
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STORY:
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OVERALL:
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Buy The Authority: Revolution online now from X-World Comics and save! (http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopexd.asp?id=15122)
Cory Williams
May 2, 2005, 05:42 pm
Is this a title that I could easily jump into, even if I've never read previous Authority titles?

Looking to branch out, and see that this title is still relatively early in the series...just wondering if I'd be way in over my head.
Anthony Devlin
May 2, 2005, 05:59 pm
Is this a title that I could easily jump into, even if I've never read previous Authority titles?

Looking to branch out, and see that this title is still relatively early in the series...just wondering if I'd be way in over my head.

Erm.. I would defo recomend you pick it up athough, you may get a little lost as to whats going on without knowing a bit of history regarding the characters. But you can get all the back issued in tpb, between me and you forget vol2 it wasnt that good!! but the early Ellis, Hitch stuff is brilliant :D

Cool review by the way :D , not picked this up yet but its high on my list of things to do after the bank holiday, I cant wait to see Ms Sparks again even if she sounds to be only in the issue as reference to past Jenny's. Ive noticed the Jenny thing to she seems to have been drawn as though she is a junior version of J Sparks, which i have no problems with, Love J Sparks. :D

Does anyone know what Wildstorm's plans for the title are after revolution??
gambitX
May 2, 2005, 06:03 pm
I think the reason why all other Jenny's seemed to live longer wasbecause of what was stated... that in some cases a Jenny would not pop up every year... but depending on what was happening with the world...so one could last centuries instead of just one. that is what I thought.
Anthony Devlin
May 2, 2005, 06:10 pm
I think the reason why all other Jenny's seemed to live longer wasbecause of what was stated... that in some cases a Jenny would not pop up every year... but depending on what was happening with the world...so one could last centuries instead of just one. that is what I thought.



Well yes but then why did Sparks die, to be replaced so quickly, i mean if they only appear if there is a need for them, then surely Sparks would have just lived on for longer until she was no longer need/used up her power?? :?

I had just assumed they died at the turn of the century to be reborn.. Well that was my take on it :dunno: :D
Athanasius
May 2, 2005, 07:09 pm
Personaly, esp after this issue, is that a Jenny dies at the end of an age and a new one is born at the start of an age, or era, or whatever you want to call it.

The only reason Jenny Sparks died at the stroke of midnight 31/Dec/1999 is that most of humanity veiwed it as the end of an age and the begining of a new era for humanity, and there fore the old Jenny needed to die and a new one to come along. It was sad, but humanities subconscience needed a new leader for a new era.
Veritas
May 2, 2005, 10:16 pm
I dropped Authority...Sorry Devant...a long time ago, but this Maxi-series is FINALLY supplying the engaging storylines I thought long gone since all the horrid editorial problems and the Disney-fication of the Authority years ago...
Kevin Sutton
May 3, 2005, 02:14 am
Revolution is definately rebuilding the Authority of old; in quality if not in style.

This issue was surprising and cool; very imaginative and thought provoking. Possibly the best of the last few issues.
Anthony Devlin
May 3, 2005, 05:13 am
I dropped Authority...Sorry Devant...a long time ago, but this Maxi-series is FINALLY supplying the engaging storylines I thought long gone since all the horrid editorial problems and the Disney-fication of the Authority years ago...

Its okay i'll let you off :LOL: I can close to dropping Authority myself, well, i mean vol2 was crap. Thankfully i cant say that for revolution. Now if we could just get another Sparks Mini, i'd be a very happy boy :D
Kevin Williams
May 3, 2005, 08:05 am
At last, someome has finally realised what this series has been missing for a while now : Jenny Sparks. Or at least the latest version of her. Loved her line about how nobody else stays dead apart from her (not just Bendix but also a nice wry dig at the recent spate of X-resurrections I feel).
Can't wait to see how she goes about sorting out Bendix and finding out exactly what has happened to the Doctor. This title is starting to feel like the Authotiry of the good old days again :)
Crazy-A
May 5, 2005, 01:52 am
My only question has less to do with his art and more of a question I have for everyone who's drawn the Authority since Jenny was born. Why isn't she Asian?

Heh. Finally, someone else who's thinking this too. Since I came to this series, I've been wondering why a Singaporean girl would be white and brunette :LOL:

Man, you miss two issues and everything changes eh? For some reason, my store didn't save my copy of #6; I'm still waiting for them to re-order. And I have no idea when #7 is coming out here. But all this sounds way cool. Jenny Quantum is all grown up? Neat. Or is she Jenny Sparks now? And the Doctor is gone? Is Midnighter still around? I hope so. I take it a few years have passed since #5?

It does seem like the time for the Authority has passed. I'm thinking back to Midnighter's little speech before he left and it does ring true. Maybe the Revolution is the wrap-up. Unless Brubaker shakes things up even more before he leaves: new members, new status quo, etc. I'd like that :yes:
Nick Costanzo
May 5, 2005, 11:42 am
Heh. Finally, someone else who's thinking this too. Since I came to this series, I've been wondering why a Singaporean girl would be white and brunette :LOL:

Man, you miss two issues and everything changes eh? For some reason, my store didn't save my copy of #6; I'm still waiting for them to re-order. And I have no idea when #7 is coming out here. But all this sounds way cool. Jenny Quantum is all grown up? Neat. Or is she Jenny Sparks now? And the Doctor is gone? Is Midnighter still around? I hope so. I take it a few years have passed since #5?

It does seem like the time for the Authority has passed. I'm thinking back to Midnighter's little speech before he left and it does ring true. Maybe the Revolution is the wrap-up. Unless Brubaker shakes things up even more before he leaves: new members, new status quo, etc. I'd like that :yes:Well I do believe there will be a new member sometime soon, considering the solicitations. And yes, several years have passed since #5, and the Authority is now broken up, as are Apollow and Midnighter (who doesn't show up in this issue).
Anthony Devlin
May 5, 2005, 12:47 pm
It does seem like the time for the Authority has passed. I'm thinking back to Midnighter's little speech before he left and it does ring true. Maybe the Revolution is the wrap-up. Unless Brubaker shakes things up even more before he leaves: new members, new status quo, etc. I'd like that :yes:

Or maybe with the return of Bendix it will make them realsie what the Authority was there to stop in the first place.

I really would be sad if this title came to an end, but i supose if they feel they have gone as far with it as they can, the i supose its the right thing to do.
Nick Costanzo
May 5, 2005, 07:47 pm
Or maybe with the return of Bendix it will make them realsie what the Authority was there to stop in the first place.

I really would be sad if this title came to an end, but i supose if they feel they have gone as far with it as they can, the i supose its the right thing to do.I wouldn't mind this series being the end of the Authority as we know it. And while my inner fanboy would hate to see the series end outright, if they do it well, then I don't mind a full-fledged ending to the Authority.

I DON'T think they've gone as far as they can with the title though. There's certainly more reason to continue it than, say, most titles starting with the letter "X", in my opinion.