The Authority Book 2: Under New Management [Paperback]

Warren Ellis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2000

Are we ready for yet another take on superhero morality?Let's hope so, because The Authority: Relentless retools old ideas for a new century. Warren Ellis has his heroes think globally as they kick butt locally, stopping or slowing down to consider how they can use their powers to "make the world a better place."How he can pull this off in our oh-so-ironic age is an artistic mystery, but the results are clear: superheroes with believable personalities and community spirit. Two story arcs, each encompassing terror and evil on a global scale, pit the group of seven against armies of superhumans dispatched in scenes reminiscent of the best action movies. Many of the characters from the older Stormwatch series reappear here, and fans will be pleased to learn that Ellis has, if anything, improved his depth and storytelling prowess.Bryan Hitch's penciling, Paul Neary's inking, and Laura Depuy's coloring are all equally responsible for the gloriously lovely artwork--from interdimensional spaceships to dismembered spinal cords, they make saving the world beautiful. --Rob Lightner

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: WildStorm (November 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563897563
• ISBN-13: 978-1563897566
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 0.5 x 10.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #105,976 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #45 in Books > Science & Math > Experiments, Instruments & Measurement > Experiments & Projects

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dramatic Endings, New Directions,..., May 2, 2001

By 

W.Kim - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Authority Book 2: Under New Management (Paperback)

This volume is made up of two stories, "the Outer Dark" representing the end of the Warren Ellis/Bryan Hitch first year run of the book, and "the Nativity" the start of the controversial Mark Millar/Frank Quitely run on the title.

While it isn't quite the breathless trip that the first two Authority story arcs were (collected in the see "the Authority: Relentless" trade paperback), it represents a fine ending to the Ellis/Hitch run and features the last bow of a memorable character, one after my own ex-leftie heart. (By the way, they take on God, but not the diety you're thinking of,...)

"The Nativity" starts off with the Authority lashing out against the government of Indonesia, which had hired "irregulars" to brutalize East Timorese into sanctioning their abusive regime in an upcoming election, and sending a message to the governments of the world: "we will not tolerate the human rights abuses by anyone, be they invaders from other worlds, "supervillains" or even, soveriegn states",... and this triggers the first of a series of counter strikes, this one launched by the ultimate cold warrior, a creative genius with his own plans for humanity. Both a satire of the conventions of the comic book superhero genre; the culture of celebrity in the this country; and an indirect indictment of abusive governments everywhere; "The Nativity" made both Mark Millar and Frank Quitely's careers in the US, and both rapidly moved onward and upward to far more lucrative assignments; but to date this remains some of thier finest work for American publishers, and its well worth a read.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Transfer of creative power.....successful, March 29, 2002

By 

Matt Sun (Anchorage, AK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Authority Book 2: Under New Management (Paperback)

When the creator and writer of a comic leaves the book, the product is usually not as good. This book is an exception to the rule. There is enough difference between Warren Ellis and Mark Millar's style to know right off after a few pages of reading, but both are superb in their wit and ambition of storytelling. Combined with crisp and concise art from Hitch and Quitely, this commentary/parody of the classic superhero team is entertaining and funny. Oh, and it is full of dirty jokes, inuendos, blood and decapitation....BONUS!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good stuff, but pretty thin, January 3, 2001

By 

Mixmaster Mago "Rev. Brent" (Bloomington, IN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Authority Book 2: Under New Management (Paperback)

When I first read AUTHORITY, I was blown away but just......how darn cool everything in it seemed. Its a masterpiece of style and force. And Frank Quietly is a suberp artist.

I dunno, its not for everybody. It really could be, this book is so close to be a masterpiece it hurts. But it really doesn't seem to want to dig beneath the surface. Its just about action and truly incredible violence. But thats really about it. We dont get much of an idea of the characters, or really that the Authority does much else than wreack havoc on anyone that steps out of line.

But jeez, if the story would just slow down, add some more details, really let us into its world, you'd be hard pressed to do better. Seriously, this book is ready to explode, there is so much there. It just feels like its content to burn out quickly.