THE AUTHORITY: REVOLUTION #9 REVIEW

[Nick Costanzo]

<img src="http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/dc/0605/AuthorityRevolution9T.jpg" hspace=10 align=left alt="Authority: Revolution #9"> (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/images/previews/dc/0605/AuthorityRevolution9.jpg)Reviewer: Nick Costanzo, ncostanz@vt.edu
Story Title: “The Truth About Henry” or “Life's Illusions”

“I could not care less about the environment. But the amount of money wasted on foreign oil and the military expenditures to secure those fields was simply appalling.”

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

WARNING! MAJOR SPOILERS! If you haven't read the issue, do NOT read this review unless you hate surprises.

A few months ago, Ed Brubaker dropped the bombshell revelation that Henry Bendix, former Weatherman and resident psychopath of Stormwatch, as the lead villain who had been manipulating world events for years, and was the source of the problems that plagued The Authority since Revolution began. And since then, that's really all we've seen from him. He's been watching the team for sure, and the changes that the world has experienced since the demise of The Authority obviously had something to do with Bendix. But until now, the details were a mystery.

We begin with Henry essentially discussing his world philosophy to his friend, who we'll talk about in a moment. For me, a truly fascinating villain is one who's motivations, while decidedly lacking in morals, are difficult to disagree with from any other perspective. A repeating theme in this issue is the similarities between the goals of Bendix and The Authority. They both desire a “finer world”, one which experiences a lasting peace and near abolition of any real war. It is the methodology and motivations that separate them. The Authority are Utopian, Bendix is Capitalist. The Authority wanted to change the world by controlling the government, Bendix wanted to change it by controlling corporations. And most striking (or sobering, depending on your point of view), where The Authority seems to have failed, Bendix has succeeded beyond anyone's wildest expectations.

I find it very interesting that an outside observer would call both teams Fascist. After all, both parties mistrust the general population to make their own decisions, and both see themselves, and the philosophies they champion, as being uniquely qualified to change the world how they see fit. However, there is one massive difference. While a member of The Authority would probably punch you in the face if you called them Fascist, Bendix would probably smile and applaud you on your insight. He not only accepts the fact that he's a Fascist, he embraces it.

Of course, the pressing question on the mind of most people coming into this issue is the fate of the Doctor. Ever since issue six, which marked the one year anniversary of Jeroen's off-panel death, there have been some very real questions as to what happened. It seemed strange that a being as powerful as the Doctor would die of an overdose, even given his drug-addicted history. And even if he did, it still didn't explain why the next reincarnation of the Doctor had failed to appear. Well here, we finally get our answers, and it's not particularly pretty.

It's one thing if a hero dies in the heat of battle, or if he sacrifices himself for the greater good. It is another thing entirely when a hero is outright murdered. It's sad, and it's terrifying. Bendix didn't simply kill the Doctor as a result of some super-battle. He conspired in great length for nothing besides Jeroen's death, and managed to accomplish it in a way that not only got him out of the way, but sullied his name in the public with a truly humiliating end. The woman Bendix speaks to throughout this issue is also his assassin: the newly-reincarnated Rose Tattoo, the living spirit of murder. Sadly, I'm not familiar with this character at all, but she appears to exude death from every pore in her body, and her ability to kill the Doctor seems entirely believable by the end of the issue.

The next Doctor hasn't suffered a much better fate. I love Brubaker's choice of a Palestinian suicide bomber who gains the insight of the Doctor at the moment he would have otherwise blown himself up in the middle of a crowd. His sudden expanded consciousness, and subsequent realization of the self-destructing conflict between his people and the state of Israel, is very emotional. This is all helped in no small part by Nguyen's psychedelic expression of the Doctor's power set against the backdrop of a Middle-Eastern war zone. It's sad then, that Bendix got to him so quickly, and has kept him in stasis for the past year, using Jeroen's own spirit to maintain their captivity.

Nguyen and Friend's art this issue is all about shadows. Bendix, and those who work for him, are defined by the shadows in this issue, perfectly mirroring their behind-the-scenes villainy. They embrace the darkness in their lives and in their souls, and become all the more terrifying and powerful because of it. The fact that it took The Authority so long to even realize who they were facing, and that they are sill ignorant of what he's truly planning, is testament to this fact. The darkness of the art in this issue helps to reinforce that this issue is all about the bad guys. Even in the relatively bright setting of the Israeli desert, Bendix's face remains masked in shadow, and Rose is not even revealed until nearly the end of the issue. The colors, courtesy of the talented Wendy Broome, seem out of place the brighter they become. The darker the color, the more Bendix appears to be within his element. My only complaint is that Rose, who is supposed to be a seductress, is not particularly attractive-looking as rendered Nguyen. Still though, she retains a level of sexuality that permeates her character, and I'll be looking forward to seeing more of her character.

By the end of this issue, we get some insight as to the lengths Bendix has gone to ensnare The Authority into his trap. And yet, we remain trapped in painful suspense, as we have little idea still as to what Bendix will truly be capable of once these two parties actually come to blows. Jenny's appearance to the new Doctor at the end of the issue gives a ray of hope, but I'm still worried about what's in store for the team. In particular, I envision Midnighter and Apollo, both created by Bendix's own hands, bearing the brunt of his assault. The final three issues of The Authority: Revolution will no doubt bring a conflict to its head, one that has been building for the past year of reading, and much longer for The Authority itself. Rarely do I find myself on the edge of my seat in reading comics these days, but this series more than delivers. Whether you're a fan of The Authority, or simply looking for quality comics in general, this is the series for you. Pick it up.

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=15767)

[Anthony Devlin]

I'm so annoyed i cant get my little mits on this before thursday!!! I'm so loveing this series at the moment and was slightly taken back to see it do so badly in the stats the other day...104 i think!! come on people what the hell are you reading instead!!

Rose Tattoo is back this should prove interesting... that woman is a total psycho..Although how many spirits of stuff are there :?... New Doctor i'm likeing the sound of..... I'm so wanting the next few month to fly by... I cant say ive ever, ever looked forward to a title being released as i am with this... the next 3 months couldnt come faster..

My only concern is and Jenny Sparks Sister has fueled/if not started my worry.. is that i/we have the feeling.. we'll see another death in the ranks before this is over...

Brilliant review as ever.... i'm sold :D

[Nick Costanzo]

Well, you do gotta love the way that one of the best books on the market today gets one response, but a Giant-Sized piece of mediocre drivel gets dozens of replies and over 1500 views at this point, all in less than 24 hours. I swear to god, most comic book fans are allergic to quality.

[Anand Khatri]

Well, you do gotta love the way that one of the best books on the market today gets one response, but a Giant-Sized piece of mediocre drivel gets dozens of replies and over 1500 views at this point, all in less than 24 hours. I swear to god, most comic book fans are allergic to quality.

"X" sells. I haven't picked this series yet due to lack of funds, but I plan to get the trade.


Excellent Review Nick! :D

[Anthony Devlin]

Well, you do gotta love the way that one of the best books on the market today gets one response, but a Giant-Sized piece of mediocre drivel gets dozens of replies and over 1500 views at this point, all in less than 24 hours. I swear to god, most comic book fans are allergic to quality.


I agree... I was beginning to wonder if anyone else was going to bother....
Good taste it seems is a rarer quality than i first thought!!!

I’ve ditched most of my x-titles after starting to pick this up!!! I just can’t read them after this… totally different league...

[Anand Khatri]

I agree... I was beginning to wonder if anyone else was going to bother....
Good taste it seems is a rarer quality than i first thought!!!

I’ve ditched most of my x-titles after starting to pick this up!!! I just can’t read them after this… totally different league...

I only get two X Titles! Astonishing (I enjoy it) and The End (I collect all the The End books thats why). Oh and Wolverine, but only till the end of this arc because I enjoy the artwork.

In total I collect like 8 Marvel bboks now, eveything else is DC, Image, or Indie books!

[Jenny Spark's Sister]

Originally quoted by Nick Costanzo
Well, you do gotta love the way that one of the best books on the market today gets one response, but a Giant-Sized piece of mediocre drivel gets dozens of replies and over 1500 views at this point, all in less than 24 hours. I swear to god, most comic book fans are allergic to quality.

I don't know whether I have a lot of say over this as the Authority is the first and only comic I have every bothered spending my money on. Everything else I read through trade through the library or borrow off my brother. I've read x-men stuff (I absolutely love the films) and yet I've never really wanted to buy (although New X-Men is tempting me).

I've just become emotionally invested in the Authority characters (especially in this run) and I can't seem to do it with the X-men, even though it's a lot of fun to read.

Originally posted by devant
My only concern is and Jenny Sparks Sister has fueled/if not started my worry.. is that i/we have the feeling.. we'll see another death in the ranks before this is over...

Well I have got an over the top imagination :LOL: and I am hoping I'm very wrong about my speculation :cross: Stuff like this only fuels my anxieties :no: :
Originally posted by Nick Costanzo
In particular, I envision Midnighter and Apollo, both created by Bendix's own hands, bearing the brunt of his assault.


*sigh* like I said, I hope my specualtion is very wrong...but I don't think this run is going to have a very happy ending...Not the ending I want anyhow

Anyway that was a fantastic review Nick! :thumb:

[Anthony Devlin]

I only get two X Titles! Astonishing (I enjoy it) and The End (I collect all the The End books thats why). Oh and Wolverine, but only till the end of this arc because I enjoy the artwork.

Sorry Anand i wasnt having a pop at you :D I still pick up UXM, AXN & XM I just cant read the read the rest of the x-associated rubbish that swamps the market each moth!! And even these three have come close to being binned!!!

I was just backing Nick’s comments on the lack of interest in this title… I had assumed/hoped someone else would have posted a response within the 15 hours that I first posted…. And then, when that did happen, that someone else was the reviewer himself….. Pointing out his disbelief (and mine) in the sheer lack of interest people have for what I would say is easily one of the better titles available each month!! :rant:…..Anyway…… Anand you really must pick up the trades of this when there out... or is part one out already:dunno:..... Not sure to be honest :P But its more than worth it!!!



Well I have got an over the top imagination and I am hoping I'm very wrong about my speculation Stuff like this only fuels my anxieties



Hi hun :wave: was wondering when you'd show up!!! I see you’re still harbouring thoughts of another impending death... I must admit I’ve been thinking about it too and i don’t think its just your imagination anymore I’m getting the same feelings :eek: its building to something... Just not clear yet what that something is

[Anand Khatri]

Sorry Anand i wasnt having a pop at you :D I still pick up UXM, AXN & XM I just cant read the read the rest of the x-associated rubbish that swamps the market each moth!! And even these three have come close to being binned!!!

:LOL: No problem, I know. Just having some fun. ;)

Its true though, lots of garbage books being published now days and the best books always get low sales because companies can cash in on loyal fan bases.

Anyway…… Anand you really must pick up the trades of this when there out... or is part one out already:dunno:..... Not sure to be honest :P But its more than worth it!!!

I think Vol.1 trade for this series came out or was in last month previews, so I have to go order it.

[Kevin Sutton]

I found this to be a very exciting issue despite all the talking. (or more accurately, because of what was said and alluded to) Bendix comes off as having a workable viewpoint which gives him a good motivation, and Jenny's actions make her seem all the more valuable. For all of Bendix's tricks, he still can't deal well with her. I think there's also potential for her and the new Doctor to be close friends, as their ages and heritages set them apart from the others. I didn't know who Rose was before reading this comic, but I think I know enough now.

As for the old Doctor; live the by sword die by the sword. Drugs were his thing, and now they're (or were) his end. The way he was killed though, does make things seem appropriately/disturbingly seedy.

Everything about this issue, even the potential long term implications, looks good. I also found the art to be its usual top quality.

[Anthony Devlin]

Rose Tattoo was/is an ex-member of stormwatch!! i cant recall off hand how she died although im sure someone told me it was Hawksmore that killed her, but again im not sure!! Apparently she is the spirit of murder!! So she's kinda like a Jenny to a certain degree :unsure:.

Not go this issue yet and wont get it till thursday so im looking forward to seeing this new Rose in action!! she is a total freak!!! :P

[Nick Costanzo]

Rose Tattoo was/is an ex-member of stormwatch!! i cant recall off hand how she died although im sure someone told me it was Hawksmore that killed her, but again im not sure!! Apparently she is the spirit of murder!! So she's kinda like a Jenny to a certain degree :unsure:.

Not go this issue yet and wont get it till thursday so im looking forward to seeing this new Rose in action!! she is a total freak!!! :P
This is true in more ways than one in this issue. The Doctor's death wasn't flattering, but at least he most likely enjoyed his final moments :p

[Anthony Devlin]

This is true in more ways than one in this issue. The Doctor's death wasn't flattering, but at least he most likely enjoyed his final moments :p

Yeah.... i've been told how the doc meets his end!! different to say the least!! :LOL:

[Alkalinesorcery]

Rose Tattoo was/is an ex-member of stormwatch!! i cant recall off hand how she died although im sure someone told me it was Hawksmore that killed her, but again im not sure!! Apparently she is the spirit of murder!! So she's kinda like a Jenny to a certain degree :unsure:.

Not go this issue yet and wont get it till thursday so im looking forward to seeing this new Rose in action!! she is a total freak!!! :P

Jack Hawksmoor did break her neck, back in Change Or Die...which to me was one of the greatest arcs in comic history.

This leaves, like, five members of StormWatch still alive? :p

[Chris Nutall]

Rose Tatto is the spirt of murder, introduced as bendix's personnal killer in 'Force of Nature'. Bendix was apparently in love with her; he was somehow able to control her, although she might have been a 'point and shoot' weapon. It was Rose who killed hundreads of garmorrans to punish Gamorra for a biowarfare attack - and we all know what happened to them, don't we?

Rose was kept apart from the rest of the SW team, only being sent to kill her former collegues the Changers (change or die). She killed two of them, but Jack Hawksmore snapped her neck and ended her...or so we all thought. Bringing her back was a work of genius.

Chris

[Berserk_Seraph]

She killed two of them, but Jack Hawksmore snapped her neck and ended her...or so we all thought. Bringing her back was a work of genius.

I think it's rather explicit that, while similar in appearance, this is a new Rose Tattoo - in the same way that Quantum, while still exhibiting many of Sparks' traits, isn't the same. This Rose talks more (Admittedly, to Bendix - but the previous Rose said two words in her entire 'career'), appears slightly younger, and so on. So 'bringing her back' isn't quite the case.

It makes me wonder if the entire iconic stable from the High's group will return. Rite, as a warrior-priestess who's willing to kill, has her metaphysical 'successor' in Swift, after she abandons pacifism. Smoke and Midnighter are direct, as are Apollo and the High himself. The Doctor and the Engineer...I'll give you one guess each on who succeeded them.

That leaves the Eidolon, Blind, and Wish. Whether peripheral members like Wish and Blind will have 'heirs' is debatable - I don't consider them as much a part of the group. Eidolon and Jack have some crossover - they're both people who had their natures thrust upon them, and whose primary message is that 'the universe sucks much worse than previously believed', but that's tenuous.

[Nick Costanzo]

*Takes notes* Damn I really gotta find me some Stormwatch Trades...

Any suggestions for the poor clueless reviewer, despite the one that's already been mentioned?

[Chris Nutall]

Stormwatch:

Force of nature - Bendix changes the team - first encounter with gamorra

Lightning Strikes - Small set of stories - the last bar - spark's history

Change or die - confrontation between Stormwatch and the Changers/confontation with I.O.

A finer world - Appollo and the Midnighter + the bleeds first apperence

Final orbit - Stormwatch faces the aliens, helped by the wildcats.

Chris

[Remnant]

*Takes notes* Damn I really gotta find me some Stormwatch Trades...

Any suggestions for the poor clueless reviewer, despite the one that's already been mentioned?

I had a look through the thread, but i didnt manage to spot the earlier suggestion, I recently got into the Authority and bought all of the trades for reasonable prices on Amazon. Also if you spend over £19 the delivery is free, which saves a bit of money, hope that helps. I plan on getting the stormwatch trades soon too :)

Remnant

EDIT: Does anyone know if theres anywhere that has bio's on the Stormwatch characters? I'm having trouble finding out who were members, their backgrounds, abilities, who died etc, thanks

[Chris Nutall]

Ask nicely and I'll write a few up. I only know the Bendix/King years.

Chris

[Anthony Devlin]

for more on the Bendix/King years after stormwatch you may want to pick up The Monarchy!!....

[Remnant]

Ask nicely and I'll write a few up. I only know the Bendix/King years.

Chris

Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeease! I have a general idea who Bendix and Rose Tattoo are, but after that i am clueless! :crazy:

for more on the Bendix/King years after stormwatch you may want to pick up The Monarchy!!....

One thing at a time! Your a bad influnece you are! :LOL:

Remnant

[Anand Khatri]

One thing at a time! Your a bad influnece you are! :LOL:


:LOL: He's not a bad influence...just really hyper is what he is. :LOL:

[Remnant]

:LOL: He's not a bad influence...just really hyper is what he is. :LOL:

I only meant bad influnence because he recently got me into the Authority i've bought most of the trades, i'm planning on getting the Stormwatch ones because they are linked to the Authority, and now he has suggested i get the Monarchy if i like that! I can feel my money draining away already :LOL:

Remnant :P

[Anthony Devlin]

One thing at a time! Your a bad influnece you are! :LOL:

Remnant

:mwahaha: ive not even started yet littleman!!! i still need to get you hooked to Planetry and Wildcats :P

:LOL: He's not a bad influence...just really hyper is what he is. :LOL:

:LOL: Thanks Anand.....i am a bit :insane: at times :LOL:

[Remnant]

:mwahaha: ive not even started yet littleman!!! i still need to get you hooked to Planetry and Wildcats :P

See what i mean Anand! We will see, it depends if i like what those series are about, and how far i can make my money stretch :rolleyes:

Remnant

[Anand Khatri]

See what i mean Anand! We will see, it depends if i like what those series are about, and how far i can make my money stretch :rolleyes:

Remnant

:LOL: I understand. Same thing here too with the money stretch. I have to hold off getting my trades, 'cuz I havent started working yet. :~(

[Chris Nutall]

Seeing you ask so nicly and missing out the Authority members:

Battion/Jackson King: Telekenetic

Winter: Energy absorber/redirecter

Farenhit: Fire/flight powers

Synergy/Chris Trelene: SPB activator

Fuji: Gasous energy being, super-streanth

Hellstrike: Gasous energy being, flight, energy blasts

Thats about it for the Ellis years.

Chris

[Remnant]

Seeing you ask so nicly and missing out the Authority members:

Battion/Jackson King: Telekenetic

Winter: Energy absorber/redirecter

Farenhit: Fire/flight powers

Synergy/Chris Trelene: SPB activator

Fuji: Gasous energy being, super-streanth

Hellstrike: Gasous energy being, flight, energy blasts

Thats about it for the Ellis years.

Chris

Thankyou :)

I cant help myself, i'm going to have to go and buy the first stormwatch trade now :P

Remnant

[Nick Costanzo]

Winter appeared in The Authority: Scorched Earth, as a being who had been trapped in the sun for years, able to feel nothing but complete agony as he can still feel the heat of the sun, even though his powers keep him alive, causing him to absorb so much energy that he became the spirit of the sun. Driven mad, he tried to kill himself and extinguish the sun and destroy Earth in the process (and had seen enough of humanity's sin to feel righteous in the act). However, the Engineer managed to trap him in a device that would force him to remain in the sun for all eternity, though sadly his consciousness remains in tact, trapped in a hellish pain for all time. Jack was pretty shaken up.

[Anthony Devlin]

Seeing you ask so nicly and missing out the Authority members:

Battion/Jackson King: Telekenetic

Winter: Energy absorber/redirecter

Farenhit: Fire/flight powers

Synergy/Chris Trelene: SPB activator

Fuji: Gasous energy being, super-streanth

Hellstrike: Gasous energy being, flight, energy blasts

Thats about it for the Ellis years.

Chris

Shame on you chris you forgot one:

Flint: Rock hard skin

[Archangol]

MAJOR SPOILERS
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Henry Bendix was a government operative who had been working on special projects since the 60's. He has no demonstrated powers, but his specialty is interfacing with electronic machinery. His first experience with a "super" team was shown in Stormwatch: Team 1, where he was known as "Think Tank" for piloting a cybernetically controlled tank (this team also included Marc Slayton (Backlash), Majestic and Marlowe (Lord Emp from WildC.A.T.S.)). He also demonstrated this skill during his temporary demotion from Weatherman, when he assisted Winter in defeating a rogue Russian powered armor unit known as MAD1.

It is presumably this skill, combined with his experience as an operative, that earned him the role of Weatherman, as one of the primary duties is to be linked to all the workstations on Skywatch (although this was stated several times, all the workstation operators still updated the Weatherman verbally despite the information presumably being fed straight into the cybernetic headset).

Bendix was stripped of Weatherman status twice:

First, when he took the fall for an incursion into Gamorra to rescue the original 3 members of Stormwatch Prime. Christine Trelane (Synergy) took over his duties during his absence.

Second (and permanently), after the High affair (see below). Jackson King (Batallion) took over after his presumed death.

During the early years, Bendix was shown as being a competent commander of Stormwatch, protecting his teams where he deemed appropriate but with no special flair for strategy. This changed when Warren Ellis took over Stormwatch in issue #37.

In addition to radically changing the tone of the book, Ellis restructured Stormwatch itself. The Stormwatch roster was becoming bloated as characters were being sidelined through injuries and other characters brought on to fill out the ranks - this was voiced by Christine Trelane who commented to Swift that she was brought on because "...we were desperate for warm bodies, quite frankly". The worst instance of this was in #29 where a photographer was exposed to a mutating agent and inducted onto the team at the end of the issue.

Bendix addressed this by radically restructuring Stormwatch into 3 teams of 3 members:

Stormwatch Prime - for countering threats. (Winter, Hellstrike, Fuji)
Stormwatch Red - for deterrent displays and retaliation (Flint, Fahrenheit, Rose Tattoo).
Stormwatch Black - for covert operation (Jenny Sparks, Jack Hawksmoor, Swift).

Jackson King was transferred to training, Christine Trelane put on finding un-activated seedlings (people with the unrealized potential for super powers), and the remaining two members of the original Stormwatch Prime (Nautika and Flashpoint) given analyst roles. Everyone else was given a pension and shown the door.

This new, harsher, Bendix demonstrated early on his hidden agendas and information by effortlessly tracking down and recruiting Jenny Sparks, Jack Hawksmoor and Rose Tattoo. Rose was inducted onto Stormwatch Red with the condition that no-one attempt to communicate with her (and in an aside Bendix revealed that they would kill him if he revealed the truth about her).

Rose's first major demonstration came after Kaizen Gamorra tested a mutagenic gas on a civilian airliner. In retaliation Bendix ordered Rose to kill 233 Gamorran citizens, the exact number killed by the airline bombing. To the rest of the team's horror, Rose proceeded to effortlessly carry out the order.

Bendix continued to become more ruthless and Rose demonstrated her ability to kill anything she came up against - including a powerful telekinetic that she destroyed with thermonuclear ammunition of her own design. Although usually confined to her room on Skywatch, Rose "seduced" a guard positioned outside her door. He was later found in critical condition and the only coherent sentence he could make was "She spoke to me".

About this time, a being known as The High showed up. Obviously based on Superman as seen through comic history (as opposed to the shifting in-book continuity), The High had assembled a team to create a New World Order, which included the original Doctor and Engineer. Although altruistic in intention, his efforts were being distorted by two of his team members - Blind and Wish.

Bendix revealed that Rose was a one-time confederate of The High's team and consulted with her, where she spoke for the first time - "Kill them all". Bendix ordered Stormwatch to counter The High, stating that his group threatened society.

However, not everything went according to Bendix's plan, and members of Stormwatch parleyed with some members of The High's team. They revealed that Rose Tattoo was indeed a previous associate and that she had the power to kill anyone. This included a member of The High's team called The Eidolon, whose powers stemmed from the fact that Death had rejected him (which she proceeded to do, although off panel).

Meanwhile, up on Skywatch, Bendix displayed his sociopathic tendencies to Jenny Sparks - stating that he intended to bring about a stable society through stamping out freedoms and dissention. He also revealed that he had fallen in love with Rose when they first met the late 60's, and he had been talking with her since. As his own plans, which had been decades in the execution, were being threatened by The High's idealism, Bendix ordered Wish to be transported into Deep Space (killing her) and ordered a biological strike against The High's base. Jenny responded by electrocuting him as he was fleeing.

Down on the ground, The High's team realised their benevolent intentions were being corrupted by Wish and Blind and one of their members, Smoke, executed Blind. Although a truce had been established between the two teams, Rose appeared and killed Smoke (whose vulnerability to physical weapons was still unclear) in front of Jack Hawksmoor. Jack then snapped Rose's neck.

However, by that point it was too late. The Engineer was killed by the impact of Bendix's biological strike and the remaining two members of The High's team, Rite and The Doctor, quickly succumbed to the bioagent against which the Stormwatch members had been immunised (although The Doctor was never shown being affected it was stated that he died and as his powers passed to Jeroen we assume this to be true). The High himself tried to attack Skywatch and splattered like a bug on the force shield.

This was probably the seed of The Authority, combining the members of Stormwatch Black with the inheritors of The High's team, using the Stormwatch-level resources and The High's Utopian vision.

Jackson King took over the role of Stormwatch and, with the help of Christine Trelane, started going over Bendix's secret files. They discovered that they had only seen the tip of the iceberg, and there were enough plans to keep them occupied for years.

The most immediate of these was the discovery of an additional Stormwatch team, whose members had been specifically created by Bendix. This team had been trained and kept secret from the rest of Stormwatch and had been tasked with obtaining The Engineer's Garden, a nanotech assisted facility that could create anything organic or inorganic within minutes. Although most of the team had been killed in an earlier incursion, two members were still at large - Apollo and The Midnighter (some other members of the original team made an appearance in Authority: Devil's Night, albeit in an undead form). Unsure whether these two rogues would be hostile, Jackson King dispatched Stormwatch to counter their efforts. Fortunately, after years of hiding under deep cover, Apollo and The Midnighter had become disillusioned with Bendix and embraced the chance to come back to a semblance of "real" life (although they never officially joined Stormwatch).

Unfortunately Stormwatch was annihilated soon after in an Alien attack (yes, those Aliens from the movie - Ripley is never around when you need her). Fuji, Hellstrike and Fahrenheit were killed during their initial attack. Flint was horribly scarred by the acid blood (which was commented on when she joined Stormwatch: Team Achilles) and Winter piloted the infested Skywatch satellite into the sun (although he briefly returned in Authority: Scorched Earth). Stormwatch Black went into hiding, while Jackson King and Christine Trelane were relieved of their commissions and given administrative jobs (at least until Monarchy).

However, Bendix himself wasn't dead, having managed to activate a transfer bay as Jenny Sparks was electrocuting him. He was still running around carrying out his plans, which included retributive strikes against the now-defunct Stormwatch. Jenny tracked him down and (presumably) finished the job permantly by grabbing his head and frying his brains. Although Stormwatch Black countered the assassination strikes, Jenny commented that Bendix's notes indicated that his plans had already been executed...

I think that's it. Any questions?

[Kevin Sutton]

MAJOR SPOILERS
I think that's it. Any questions?

Thanks. I may go hunt down some of the Stormwatch trades now. (Which ironically contradicts my very recent post-Ocean decision not read anymore Warren Ellis....)

[Nick Costanzo]

Awesome. Thanks for the information.

[Anthony Devlin]

Thanks. I may go hunt down some of the Stormwatch trades now. (Which ironically contradicts my very recent post-Ocean decision not read anymore Warren Ellis....)

Awesome. Thanks for the information.

I'm shocked you two havent picked stormwatch up before now... although thanks too Archangol i dare say you need not bother :LOL:

[Archangol]

There's also some great stuff during the Ellis run that I skipped over because it wasn't terribly relevant to the Grand Scheme of Continuity (tm).

Most of this revolves around Stormwatch Black and there's some wonderful interaction and character work between the various team members (especially between Jack Hawksmoor and Hellstrike, who was a cop before he entered Stormwatch). I also liked the minutae of Jack's more subtle powers, as opposed to the city-shattering stuff that he displays in Authority, and also some of the details of Swift's abilities (including Jenny's account of when she tried to get Shen to shed her wings when their apartment was about to be investigated).

SPOILERS Re: Bendix Reappearance
*
*
*
I've just gone over some of the back issues and found that Bendix first resurfaced in Stormwatch: Strange Weather (v2, #1-3), although he was still in a hospital bed and was being treated by... you guessed it... I/O.

[tormented_spawn]

Thanks. I may go hunt down some of the Stormwatch trades now. (Which ironically contradicts my very recent post-Ocean decision not read anymore Warren Ellis....)
That's too bad, Desolation Jones is a good read, well the first issue anyway. Hope, it'll turn out to be a good series and this month's Planetary was entertaining. I agree on you on the Ocean mini, made a mistake in getting into that mini-series, I want my money back...

[Nick Costanzo]

Can someone, probably Jordan, explain why Monarchy fans are weary about how Brubaker is representing Bendix in this title?

[Archangol]

Okies, it's a while ago that I read Monarchy and I don't have any issues around for reference (like I did with the Stormwatch summary) so take this with a grain of salt...

The first problem, I think, is that it wasn't the "real" Bendix - basically with all the various supergroups invading the Bleed after its discovery in Stormwatch: A Finer World there were all sorts of weird interactions going on, creating ripples, echoes, and manifestations in the Bleed. I definitely recall, towards the end of Monarchy, Jackson King fighting some Bleed manifestations of The Authority (I believe something similar also happened in the Planetary/Authority crossover).

So I think the same thing happened to Bendix - it's not really him, but an echo of him. A poorman's alternative dimension version, if you will.

The second problem, again I think, is that due to this not being the "real" Bendix there was an indication that he'd picked up some delicious flavour of super powers, which kinda goes against everything he does - he's a manipulator, on the level of Tao or Lynch, but he does it purely through being an Evil Bastard (tm), whereas Tao and Lynch use their powers to assist them. His lack of powers is what distinguished him from the throng of Evil Masterminds, and giving him this background kinda just makes him generic.

Again, I'd like to emphasise that I don't remember this series very well - it really didn't grab me and so I didn't pay much attention to it. As such, the above information is very likely to be wrong, but it's the impression that the series left me with.

I'll try to lay my hands on some issues and go through them again to clarify...

[Nick Costanzo]

Hmm... confusing. I must get the information though. If only to get an Authority review thread up to three pages, which I dont think ever happened before :p

[Anthony Devlin]

Hmm... confusing. I must get the information though. If only to get an Authority review thread up to three pages, which I dont think ever happened before :p

Well i warn you Nick when i picked up The Monarchy! it took me a few reads to understand what the hell was going on.. And at times i still need to give them a quick flick through just to clarify things in my mind...
:crazy:+

And hey, look :look:, you have hit page three with your wonderful review :clap:

[Nick Costanzo]

I'm honestly not sure whether to cheer or just feel depressed that so few people are reading this brilliant book. Once again: Comic book fans are allergic to quality.

[Anthony Devlin]

I'm honestly not sure whether to cheer or just feel depressed that so few people are reading this brilliant book. Once again: Comic book fans are allergic to quality.

Well dont go near the Authority thread then, theres only three regular posters :yes: and i'm one of them and the other two have posted in your reveiw too :yes:

[sketchball999]

three words:
su.
freakin'.
perb.

this is why I read comix.

this is why I love superhero comix.

I can honestly say this is the best work done on The Authority since Ellis took off.

As though my opinion counts for anything other than the 2.99 I lay down at the local shop every month or so....

[Emil Latson]

I'm new to The Authority with Brubaker's run...The Authority and Supreme Power are right now two of my most anticipated books each month. Brubaker made my like the Authority so much I started reading the back issue's in trade, starting with Mark Millar's run, I even started reading Captain America because of Brubaker's writing(Great book by the way)


BTW can someone exsplain to me Jackson King, and his role with the Authority...

[Anthony Devlin]

BTW can someone exsplain to me Jackson King, and his role with the Authority...

Well to keep it short, Jackson King was the last weatherman of Stormwatch, most of the members of Authority where members in some shape of stormwatch..(The Authority formed when stormwatch was closed down, long story) That's how he is conected with them... :)

[selina]

Hi. I'm just so glad to have encountered some other Authority fans. Enjoyed Revolutions but really concerned about the future of Midnighter's and Apollo's relationship. As the longest relationship in the team, it always seems to be put under the strain of separation and violence in various storylines. Think that its survival should have been assured at the end of this one. All in all, found Revolutionaries inconclusive. Liked your reviews though - nice to read intelligent comic reviews for a change.

[selina]

Please all Authority fans feel free to email me direct at midnighter@webmail.co.za