Still such a readable and iconic series, this graphic novel collection of the first three storylines of the Authority
On the surface it's Warren Ellis'Still such a readable and iconic series, this graphic novel collection of the first three storylines of the Authority
On the surface it's Warren Ellis' continuation of Stormwatch, but most people will never read those issues and that's ok. It stands on its own as the first great 'widescreen' comic of the 21st century
Best to just enjoy for what it is, don't worry about too much backstory, and if you need a greater context just note how much this influenced later comics of the 2000s (including quite a few by no other than Bryan Hitch)...more
Although Warren Ellis has had recent controversies, he is regarded as one of the great modern comic book writers for good reason. Among his early workAlthough Warren Ellis has had recent controversies, he is regarded as one of the great modern comic book writers for good reason. Among his early work at Marvel was Excalibur, and he definitely improved things at the time.
Excalibur had just not been very good since Alan Davis departed, and was the weakest of all the spinoffs. The only issues worth reading were part of crossovers, frankly. Immediately after the Phalanx came and Douglock joined, Ellis came and added a dark tone.
It was also appropriate to have a British writer in charge of the U.K.-based team. Really, mutants should be more international and not just focused on America.
The current status quo was that they were living on Muir Island. There was the Soul Sword trilogy, an update on Kitty Pryde’s old friendship with the now deceased sorceress Illyana. It wasn’t the strongest start, but magical-themed stories do tend to work better for Excalibur.
One can tell Ellis put his spin on it when government agent Pete Wisdom showed up. This kind of character was something of a cliché, the grim curmudgeon in a trenchcoat chain smoking and complaining ala Alan Moore’s Constantine, but it’s a cliché for a reason. And so very British. What a bold move for him to become Kitty’s new love interest.
The stories got progressively darker, with an update on miserable Genosha and some creepy aliens. Eventually, Ellis also improved on Captain Britain and brought the iconic hero more back to his roots (that role as ‘Britannic’ was not working). Bringing Colossus back later was also a good idea.
Warren Ellis would grow considerably as an author, however flawed, but he wasn’t quite there yet at this point. Still worth reading, and it was a positive that this particular X-title got a new chance....more
Peak Warren Ellis, taking an established mainstream property and just riffing in dialogue about transhumanism and psychedelic-drug themes that he findPeak Warren Ellis, taking an established mainstream property and just riffing in dialogue about transhumanism and psychedelic-drug themes that he finds interesting. Honestly, this is what works.
The storytelling structure is fairly straightforward in the Iron Man classic of Extremis, beautiful realistic art with high concept scifi and simple occasional fight scenes. Although not quite as pithy and trying to be funny as the film version, it is always interesting to see how these iconic 21st century graphic novels ended up influencing the MCU...
Well, canon or not, the perfect succinct story to introduce the character to hardcore geeks and casual novices alike. ...more
I could listen to Warren Ellis riff about End-of-the-World/apocalypsism scenarios all day... and I'll take any narrative excuse at all to explore thesI could listen to Warren Ellis riff about End-of-the-World/apocalypsism scenarios all day... and I'll take any narrative excuse at all to explore these Big Ideas. In true Ellis fashion, it's mind-boggingly smart and at once too short. Much to ponder. Also, often funny in that charming yet fucked up way. Here's to hyperintellegencia paranoia!...more
Damn you Warren Ellis for being such a phenomenal writer.
This isn't the most perfectly-structured story of all time, and it does get repetitive and exDamn you Warren Ellis for being such a phenomenal writer.
This isn't the most perfectly-structured story of all time, and it does get repetitive and explainy, and "neo noir" may not be your particular thing. You may not even appreciate New York being portrayed as such a desolate wasteland. But damn, the words.
Incredible prose. The violence, the details, the grit of the whole detective thing taken to the Nth degree. And a uniquely American mystery unfolding...
As a fan of the graphic novelist, I'm humbled to see the prose of Mr. Ellis improving as compared to his initial Crooked Little Vein. Damn, damn humbled.
It probably went on for too long, but it was quite a ride. It turned out to mostA somewhat worthy end
Warren Ellis's cyberpunk Hunter S. Thompson ends.
It probably went on for too long, but it was quite a ride. It turned out to mostly be a political thriller about taking down a president (who seemed like to kill people, which was irresponsible of the protagonists to push him in retrospect).
There were probably more interesting directions Transmetro could have taken, but ultimately it was inevitable that top-level politics would be the core of the series. These parts just seemed a lot less fresh and relevant than the earlier chapters, which went all over the place with its social satire.
Whether or not themes of corrupt politicians and the power of fearless journalism have aged badly by now, it can't be denied that Ellis was ahead of his time. It was such a forerunner to the offensive sense of humor so prevalent to the aughts, actually.
Worth rereading, of course, and it got to a happy ending by the end. Still, there's other tighter Warren Ellis scifi I'd have to recommend more...more
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