The Authority Omnibus

by Warren Ellis, Bryan Hitch (Illustrations), Mark Millar

Warren Ellis' New York Times bestseller The Authority is considered one of the most groundbreaking titles in modern comics history. Now collected in it's entirety for the first time in omnibus format!

The Authority are heroes in only the strictest sense of the word. Ruthless and unforgiving, this group of insanely powerful superhumans face down countless menaces to Earth, protecting mankind with their cold version of justice. The team includes:

Jenny Sparks, the team's perpetually young leader.

Midnighter, an unstoppable fighter capable of taking down the toughest opponents.

Apollo, the nearly invulnerable Sun King with astounding control of solar energy.

The Doctor, a man capable of warping reality itself.

The Engineer, a brilliant scientist with complete command of nanotechnology.

Jack Hawksmoor, God of the Cities, who draws his powers from urban surroundings.

Swift, the winged superhuman known as the fastest flyer on the planet.

This tough team must face an invasion from an alternate Earth, an international terrorist who is laying waste to major cities and a hostile alien intelligence who calls himself God--and all fall under their rule. Whether it's terrorists or superhuman villains capable of destruction on an unthinkable scale, the team is ready to take on the foes the rest of the world isn't strong enough to fight.

This is The Authority. Pay allegiance. Or get your head kicked in.

This groundbreaking title is collected here in one comprehensive omnibus. Series creators Warren Ellis (Transmetropolitan) and artist Bryan Hitch (Justice League of America) are joined by a host of comics' greatest talents, including writers Mark Millar (Swamp Thing) and Tom Peyer (Legion of Super-Heroes) and artists Paul Neary (The Ultimates), Frank Quitely (Batman and Robin), and Dustin Nguyen (Detective Comics).

Collects The Authority #1-29, Planetary/The Authority: Ruling the World, Authority Annual 2000, Jenny Sparks: The Secret History of the Authority #1-5, stories from Wildstorm Summer Special and a story from Wildstorm: A Celebration of 25 Years.

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics, Graphic Novels, Collections, Graphic Novels Comics

984 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2002

About the author

Warren Ellis is the award-winning writer of graphic novels like TRANSMETROPOLITAN, FELL, MINISTRY OF SPACE and PLANETARY, and the author of the NYT-bestselling GUN MACHINE and the “underground classic” novel CROOKED LITTLE VEIN, as well as the digital short-story single DEAD PIG COLLECTOR. His newest book is the novella NORMAL, from FSG Originals, listed as one of Amazon’s Best 100 Books Of 2016.

The movie RED is based on his graphic novel of the same name, its sequel having been released in summer 2013. IRON MAN 3 is based on his Marvel Comics graphic novel IRON MAN: EXTREMIS. He is currently developing his graphic novel sequence with Jason Howard, TREES, for television, in concert with HardySonBaker and NBCU, and continues to work as a screenwriter and producer in film and television, represented by Angela Cheng Caplan and Cheng Caplan Company. He is the creator, writer and co-producer of the Netflix series CASTLEVANIA, recently renewed for its third season, and of the recently-announced Netflix series HEAVEN’S FOREST.

He’s written extensively for VICE, WIRED UK and Reuters on technological and cultural matters, and given keynote speeches and lectures at events like dConstruct, ThingsCon, Improving Reality, SxSW, How The Light Gets In, Haunted Machines and Cognitive Cities.

Warren Ellis has recently developed and curated the revival of the Wildstorm creative library for DC Entertainment with the series THE WILD STORM, and is currently working on the serialising of new graphic novel works TREES: THREE FATES and INJECTION at Image Comics, and the serialised graphic novel THE BATMAN’S GRAVE for DC Comics, while working as a Consulting Producer on another television series.

A documentary about his work, CAPTURED GHOSTS, was released in 2012.

Recognitions include the NUIG Literary and Debating Society’s President’s Medal for service to freedom of speech, the EAGLE AWARDS Roll Of Honour for lifetime achievement in the field of comics & graphic novels, the Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire 2010, the Sidewise Award for Alternate History and the International Horror Guild Award for illustrated narrative. He is a Patron of Humanists UK. He holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Essex.

Warren Ellis lives outside London, on the south-east coast of England, in case he needs to make a quick getaway.

Reviews

[Baba · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dream team of Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch produces the much lauded, cult series, The Authority, with its mature content and more realistic and diverse (casting, plotting and artwork) approach to how super-beings and nation states, especially the USA would seek, if possible, to coexist. Warren Ellis's tongue-in-cheek 'Kev' series is a great companion for this series with its semi-comedic satire on the (UK) military, and daring to look at Northern Ireland and the Troubles. 7 out of 12 for the Ellis run. I read the comic books The Authority season one #1-12, Kev, More Kev #1-4 and the Amazing Kev #1-6.

Mark Millar & Frank Quitely come a knocking, and blow up The Authority to the next level. The interventionist and almost authoritarian The Authority results in the world nation states, led by America seeking ways to curtail their power! Astounding! These stories were created, developed, drawn and then shared... with sublime authority! 9 out of 12 for the Millar run. I read the comic books The Authority season one #13-29.

That's an 8 out of 12 overall... for this must-read series. The only way to truly grasp just how different this series is to very other superpowered-being comic book franchise, is to read it!

2017 read, 2011 read

[Matthew Ward · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75 stars.

Ellis begins the story of this team in the first four issue arc in this omnibus, and really works to establish the team and give a little insight to characters that we’re not yet familiar with. Hitch is, as always, phenomenal with his artwork here. In the first arc, there’s a typical world-domination-hungry leader threatening major cities. We’ve seen this all before, which gives way for the characters to take the lead in the story more so than the story itself, but I don’t know if that was necessarily executed as best as it could have been. Each of the members has a fairly obvious major superhero counterpart, which was to be expected. Interested to see where these characters really differ and develop as this story goes on.
The second arc in this omnibus jumps away from any kind of character development and just jumps straight into action and shock. While the individuals aren’t looked at in any meaningful way, aside from Jenny Sparks, the whole idea of what this team is and what they’re setting out to do really shows up here. I didn’t care too much for the storyline itself, but I can understand the message it was intended to tell.
The third arc in this omnibus shows a little bit more about who Jenny Sparks is, and I’ve been enjoying seeing what she’s about, especially given where she knows she is headed in this arc. Outside of that though, there is only just more action and non-stop threats to the Earth that get addressed the same way each time. Hitch’s art definitely keeps me reading this one. Hoping this omnibus gets better soon. Excited to read the mini series on Jenny Sparks!
The Jenny Sparks diary storyline was interesting and done in quite a unique fashion. I think I was expecting a bit more than I got from this one though. This was the first book in this omnibus that I believe Millar worked on by himself. Curious to see what he will do on the main run and if I’ll continue to read and finish this omnibus. If it wasn’t for Millar’s run coming up, I think I may have given up by this point.
I don’t know if it’s because I’m familiar with Millar’s work or what it is, but Millar’s first arc on this title was probably my favorite so far. There is a good amount of character development through action, which is always what I’m looking for. And the story was more than just a massive threat that gets extinguished over four issues. This was the first arc that I felt the mission of the Authority was done right, being a super team with no allegiances to anyone but the people of the world, doing whatever necessary to help ensure a good world and future for that people. I’m also really enjoying the new “Jenny” arc that has started with this run.
Once Millar takes over, the stories typically feel a bit more like what I’m used to with him, but I really don’t know that they’re anything great. I think that’s if I hadn’t already bought this omnibus, there are various points where I would’ve given up on this series. Alas, I am pushing through just for the sake of reading what was bought and what was started.
The deal with the new Authority team was a little gimmicky and interesting, but mostly fell flat for me. I did enjoy seeing the earlier art of Dustin Nguyen though, which I enjoy quite a bit on this series. Once Art Adams takes over on the art and Millar finishes this story, the new team sort of makes sense only in the sense that you’re glad to see them exist only to root against them. I finished this omnibus, but I would say I didn’t enjoy it for the most part. I wouldn’t say these were bad comics, but I just didn’t care for them personally.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

A widescreen summer blockbuster in omnibus form! Heavy as hell literally and figuratively! The book starts with a bang as we are introduced to the Jennie Sparks and her teammates who are essentially gods overlooking the planet and keeping it safe from intrusions from outer space as well as the megalomaniacs on our planet seeing to do it harm. Ellis delivers the writing and Hitch presents the violence, destruction and global carnage in mostly 4 issue arcs along with some other writers and artists. I felt exhausted by the end of this tome with a new major global threat each story arc, but overall it was an enjoyable read and parts of it did make me laugh.

[ダンカン · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Authority is probably one of the most awesome superhero team ever written when it first began in 1999 and how it broke all rules when it comes to comic books. What made me like the Authority is this is probably the 4th time I have read it in different formats... and now, the omnibus edition is here that completes the first run of the comic book series

There is much to like about The Authority - written by Warren Ellis and Mark Millar that creates epic world story proportion instead of a city. Where enemies targeted the world population in a world scale level and these heroes stop atrocities that kills humanity. On Warren Ellis arch of 12 issues, its a read I enjoy most of it all. For Mark Millar, its an after taste but delves deep into the characters and the position they were given to and the challenges awaits them. On the art side, I love Bryan Hitch, Arthur Adams and Frank Quitely. The binding is great and the pages hold very well.

This omnibus not only collects the first run of 29 issues but also includes the mini-series Jenny Sparks: The Secret History of The Authority, The Authority/The Planetary crossover and The Authority Annual 2000 makes this a complete edition for fans. Overall - The Authority to me is a keeper and if you haven't read it, pick this up because this superhero team makes Avengers look weak.

[Sirbriang2 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This omnibus collects all of The Authority volume 1 (#1-29), plus an annual and Jenny Sparks: the Secret History of the Authority (#1-4). It’s a bit unwieldy, but the hardcover packaging is of a high quality, so you don’t worry about the spine cracking under the weight of this volume and pages getting loose.

Story-wise, these stories are the first example of “widescreen” storytelling in comics. What does that mean? Think summer blockbuster disaster movies, and that gives you an idea.

The Warren Ellis/Bryan Hitch issues (the 1st 12 issues) are pretty great. Superheroes save the world on a grand scale, over and over, with some massive scenes of destruction. Great stuff. If this is all that was included in this omnibus, I would give it 4-5 stars easily.

Unfortunately, the rest of this collection is written primarily by Mark Millar. The art is very good —- it alternates between the great Frank Quitely, the legendary Art Adams, and the still up-and-coming Dustin Nguyen —- but that doesn’t save the stories from the truly gross plots. Millar is a writer whose output has aged horribly, as it relied on South Park-esque shock tactics (but with less cleverness) and simple cruelty. The sheer body count in Millar’s stories is astounding, but the shocking part is how little the reader cares about this wanton destruction. Millar means to awe his audience with the scope of the damage in his stories, but you never care about any of his characters, much less the faceless victims that make up his massive body counts.

Is this worth a read? Absolutely. This is one of the most important comics published at the turn of the century. It is hugely influential, both on comics and what eventually became the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But if we’re going to be honest with ourselves, only the Ellis/Hitch stuff is actually worth re-reading and enjoying.

[Brendan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic, genre-redefining collection. The Authority, under the guidance of Ellis and Millar, take the concept of the superhero in a bold, new direction. Highly recommended.

[Cyborg]

Brutal, insane, cynical, and also somehow really hopeful at the same time. Shifts between writers and pencillers but all of the art feels of one piece. Really great book and series.

[Rick Ray · Rating 2 out of 5]

This omnibus collects the entirety of the first Authority run that started under the team of Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch, along with the annual and the Jenny Sparks: The Secret History of the Authority five issue miniseries. What it does not collect are Ellis' Wildstorm issues that lead into this series, which are somewhat critical for understanding the status quo at the start of the Ellis/Hitch run. You can get by without it with some context clues, but I would generally recommend reading that before The Authority so you're not as lost as I felt as I first started reading this.

I get the appeal to The Authority. It's blockbuster storytelling with tons of death, destruction and deconstructionism. For those raised on superhero postmodernism, this is really the culmination of those kinds of stories. The Authority team are composed of edgier superheroes, some of whom border on being straight up antiheroes. Warren Ellis, who heavily leans on trope deconstruction and satire, is a great fit for this kind of storytelling, and it shows with the initial issues of the series being really great stuff. However, I found the overall characterization of the individual team members outside of Jenny Sparks to be pretty weak. Most of them are pastiche Justice League members with a bit of a twist, but outside of the tweaks to their archetypes there isn't much else going on. Ellis does implement some subtlety to the storytelling that does make the first twelve issue quite interesting conceptually, but ultimately I didn't find myself really attached to many of the team members.

And then Mark Millar (AKA Warren Ellis with a sledgehammer) comes on to take over the bulk of the remaining issues, and this is really where the series is dragged down another rung. What was an interesting concept with some cool little bits of worldbuilding devolves into one mindless action romp after another. Again, there's definitely an audience for this kind of comic - I'm just not part of it.

Bryan Hitch's artwork is pretty nice, but it's also clear how much this series is tailored towards storyboarding a film like aesthetic. I've never been a fan of "widescreen" layouts in comics, especially one that looks clearly like a film camera in action. It works when used sparingly, but The Authority is brimming with excess of all kinds. Frank Quietly does some decent follow up work as well, though I didn't find this as distinctly interesting as Quietly's other major works. Overall, I found myself kind of disappointed by this collection and even less interested in reading any other stuff featuring Wildstorm/Authority characters.

[OmniBen · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Zero spoiler review)
Well, if you told me that I was going to strongly dislike the Warren Ellis stories, yet enjoy the Mark Millar stories much more, I wouldn't have believed you. Then again, Mr. Millar's writing has been growing on me quite a bit of late. That and Transmetropolitan was a very, very long time ago now, wasn't it, Warren? It has been quite some time since he put out anything of considerable note. This really was a rather middling book, I'm sad to say. Another one of my preferred hold outs that didn't end up being worth the wait. The eclectic nature of the stories and the considerable number of contributors collected here didn't exactly help matters. You'll just get into the swing with one writer and artist, before it all gets thrown on its head, and you start again with a different writer and a different set of ideas.
About half of this was pretty disappointing, with the lesser writers not quite knowing what to do with such a strange and diverse cast as The Authority. Despite the better material doing a decent job, I never really quite gelled with the team, nor got the greatest sense of who they were as characters. Their ridiculously OP nature didn't always work for them either, especially during the disappointing Ellis material. And I found myself just going through the motions, reading story after story until I ran out of stories to read, and I could put it back on my shelf and I could pick something that I'll hopefully enjoy a little more.
This book is OOP and probably a bit of a whale for some people. I'm glad I own it, but I can't imagine there will ever be a reread in the future. There are way too many better stories to revisit before feeling the need to crack open this average effort again. Should have been so much better. 3/5


OmniBen.

[boofykins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warren Ellis took StormWatch and slowly began steering the narrative of the series towards satire. With The Authority, we find the story full satirized and the stakes are gigantic throughout. If you were to read Stormwatch (1993-1997) #37 and then read The Authority, Vol. 1 #1 directly afterwards, you wouldn't find much in common and I'm not just talking about the completely different cast of characters. The latter is a little less serious and heavy-handed than the former. Ellis did a remarkable job with this IP.

The second half-plus of the book is written by Mark Millar. His writing is a little more lower-brow and shocky-schlocky than Ellis' but I still had a good time reading it. I kind of wonder if the Mark Millar of 2023 would find the writing of Mark Millar of 2002 a little to "woke" for his tastes. Some say his writing hasn't aged well. I won't take a stance on that, but I will say that Mark Millar himself hasn't aged well.

You'll often find this series described as "widescreen" or "blockbuster," and you'll get little argument from me. This is a very summer popcorn flick kind comic. It's a really fun read that suffers just a little bit because of a sloppy and hastened wrap-up.

[Johan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a fan of Ellis work and this has been on my to read list for a while. To say that I had high expectations is an understatement.

Every time I started reading a story I became totally engrossed by it. Every time I finished a story I had this “this was fantastic but ...” feeling. But what?

The stories are too fast. I already had this feeling with the Wildstorm series, namely that there was so much more to be told, but the Authority series makes the Wildstorm series look slow. Another thing is that the Authority and the threats to earth are too powerful. Every time life on earth or at least human civilisation is threatened. What’s wrong with organised crime? It lacks finesse. Where is the suspense?

Despite these misgivings I would still have given it 4 stars, but I gave it 3,5 stars, because the stories in the last third of the aren’t as good as the previous ones.

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably the best way to read this. The first 29 issues are interspersed with various crossovers and one-offs that are (hopefully) placed in chronological order. Ellis is easily the strongest writer, with Mark Millar coming in a close second. I think Frank Quitely's artwork is the standout, even though Bryan Hitch started out and put in the most issues. Toward the end of the run, the quality of the storytelling sometimes suffers and things don't seem to be quite as well-plotted or thought out as they were in the early going. This is a big, big book and quite expensive, too, but I'd have to say both are worth it for what you're getting.

[Philip Berghan-Whyman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly really good. Starts really well and pretty good throughout, only really losing its way at the end. Enjoyed the big ideas and brashness of it all.

I kind of wish I'd stopped just before Brave New World, as it and Transfer of Power were The weakest stories. Just they had run out of ideas and just gone for shock value.

[Nahian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A genre defining collection of brutal misfits coming together in the unlikeliest way to save the day in almost cinematic fashion.

However, as incredible as the book is, going from story to story can leave you feeling somewhat discombobulated.

Having said that, with incredible artwork and raw action it makes for an excellent read.

[Will Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first arc all the way until the Authority is removed from their positions are perfect (though sometimes homophobic). The Secret History section is good. The end of the omnibus is fine. But the good stuff makes it all worth it! (except the homophobia)

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picked up at the end for me. Felt the undercurrent of questioning superheroes. Artist changes on the run gave lesser quality to the art in some places.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rereading this all at once is an experience. A really strong first half completely disintegrates in the back half with disjointed plots, art, and directionless storytelling.

[Emily Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes two stars, sometimes five stars; I rounded up.

[palvoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

como odio mark miller.

[Mikhail Farhath-Kupriyanov · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent writing by Ellis, pretty solid by Millar and everything else completely forgettable.

[Silvere · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my top five omnibus, I have re-read The Authority several times.
I totally missed this comic series when it launched back in 1999, thank goodness I was able to find this out of print tome.
This omnibus collects volume one which is considered the strongest and defining arc of The Authority. I tried reading later volumes and they just came across as average at best. The action and storytelling is over the top, but characterization is never neglected in the down time. It's really hard to put down, like modern mythology.
The main writer/penciller teams are hard to beat; Warren Ellis/Bryan Hitch and Mark Millar/Frank Quitley.
The first half is the closest to traditional superhero fare, while the second half deals The Authority mission statement to change the world and the repercussions. The crossover with The Planetary also serves as a good taste of that series.

[Davide Pappalardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Together with Millar's Ultimates, this is where modern widescreen-comics took a hold of the mainstream. This is not the only revolutionary concept here, and if some of the tropes presented are more mundane and typical today, it doesn't change the fact that they really pushed the idea of superheroes and their role beyond previous boundaries, at the time.