What do you think?
Rate this book
Superman and The Authority #1-4
Superman and The Authority
A new Authority for a new era! Sometimes even Superman needs to enlist help. Sometimes tasks require methods and heroes unfit even for the Justice League. So Clark Kent seeks out Manchester Black, the most dastardly of rogues, to form an all-new Authority tasked with taking care of some business on the sly. But can the Man of Steel hold together and inspire a team of rogues to become the heroes he needs?
136 pages, Hardcover
First published November 30, 2021
182 people are currently reading
369 people want to read
About the author
Grant Morrison
1,791 books4,563 followersGrant Morrison has been working with DC Comics for twenty five years, after beginning their American comics career with acclaimed runs on ANIMAL MAN and DOOM PATROL. Since then they have written such best-selling series as JLA, BATMAN and New X-Men, as well as such creator-owned works as THE INVISIBLES, SEAGUY, THE FILTH, WE3 and JOE THE BARBARIAN. In addition to expanding the DC Universe through titles ranging from the Eisner Award-winning SEVEN SOLDIERS and ALL-STAR SUPERMAN to the reality-shattering epic of FINAL CRISIS, they have also reinvented the worlds of the Dark Knight Detective in BATMAN AND ROBIN and BATMAN, INCORPORATED and the Man of Steel in The New 52 ACTION COMICS.
In their secret identity, Morrison is a "counterculture" spokesperson, a musician, an award-winning playwright and a chaos magician. They are also the author of the New York Times bestseller Supergods, a groundbreaking psycho-historic mapping of the superhero as a cultural organism. They divide their time between their homes in Los Angeles and Scotland.
In their secret identity, Morrison is a "counterculture" spokesperson, a musician, an award-winning playwright and a chaos magician. They are also the author of the New York Times bestseller Supergods, a groundbreaking psycho-historic mapping of the superhero as a cultural organism. They divide their time between their homes in Los Angeles and Scotland.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews
November 2, 2021
In an alternate future where the Justice League aren’t around for some reason, a sexy older dad Superman, whose own powers are nearly gone, must assemble a new team to meet imminent threats: The Authority! Only this time, joining Authority regulars Midnighter and Apollo are some unusual additions: Manchester Black, Enchantress and Steel’s daughter.
Grant Morrison returning to write Superman again, however briefly, is enough to get me to pick up this four-issue miniseries, rather than for its being part of DC’s latest line of nonsense, Infinite Frontier. And, while Morrison remains the definitive Superman writer, this outing overall wasn’t that impressive.
This book is essentially all table-setting. Three of the four issues is Superman assembling his team, which would be frustratingly idiotic if this was all there was of this group, but it’s revealed in the final issue that this is all preamble to a larger storyline that begins in Action Comics #1036 (not written by Morrison but by current Action Comics writers Philip K. Johnson and Sean Lewis).
Superman’s characterisation remains perfect under Morrison, there’s some fun banter between Superman and Manchester Black, particularly given that Black hates Superman, and Black’s intro was ok too, but generally seeing the team come together wasn’t that interesting. Midnighter and Apollo punch baddies, Steels’ daughter Nat punches some manifestations of internet things (trolls, edgelords and conspiracy theorists), June Moone continues to struggle with her Enchantress side, and Lightray is introduced because she’s going to play a role later on down the line.
And then there’s the garbled and unimaginative finale which involves the team punching another version of The Authority for some reason while Superman takes on a couple of his classic rogues. It just feels arbitrary, to give this book, that’s essentially all introductions and setting up of future storylines, a semblance of a story arc that it never really had.
Mikel Janin’s art is great as always - I liked his design for sexy older dad Superman and he gets to draw some cool images like a triceratops! - but he doesn’t draw all of the book unfortunately. Travel Foreman draws some fill-in middle pages and they are noticeably worse. I don’t like Foreman’s work generally but it really looks bad in comparison to an artist as skilled as Janin.
It was nice to read Morrison’s Superman again and there’s some pretty art from Janin, but there’s little here to recommend Superman and The Authority - by no means a must-read for anyone.
Grant Morrison returning to write Superman again, however briefly, is enough to get me to pick up this four-issue miniseries, rather than for its being part of DC’s latest line of nonsense, Infinite Frontier. And, while Morrison remains the definitive Superman writer, this outing overall wasn’t that impressive.
This book is essentially all table-setting. Three of the four issues is Superman assembling his team, which would be frustratingly idiotic if this was all there was of this group, but it’s revealed in the final issue that this is all preamble to a larger storyline that begins in Action Comics #1036 (not written by Morrison but by current Action Comics writers Philip K. Johnson and Sean Lewis).
Superman’s characterisation remains perfect under Morrison, there’s some fun banter between Superman and Manchester Black, particularly given that Black hates Superman, and Black’s intro was ok too, but generally seeing the team come together wasn’t that interesting. Midnighter and Apollo punch baddies, Steels’ daughter Nat punches some manifestations of internet things (trolls, edgelords and conspiracy theorists), June Moone continues to struggle with her Enchantress side, and Lightray is introduced because she’s going to play a role later on down the line.
And then there’s the garbled and unimaginative finale which involves the team punching another version of The Authority for some reason while Superman takes on a couple of his classic rogues. It just feels arbitrary, to give this book, that’s essentially all introductions and setting up of future storylines, a semblance of a story arc that it never really had.
Mikel Janin’s art is great as always - I liked his design for sexy older dad Superman and he gets to draw some cool images like a triceratops! - but he doesn’t draw all of the book unfortunately. Travel Foreman draws some fill-in middle pages and they are noticeably worse. I don’t like Foreman’s work generally but it really looks bad in comparison to an artist as skilled as Janin.
It was nice to read Morrison’s Superman again and there’s some pretty art from Janin, but there’s little here to recommend Superman and The Authority - by no means a must-read for anyone.
July 18, 2022
Everyone seems confused by this book. It took reading Grant Morrison's annotations on substack to finally get what was going on. This is not an alternate world Superman. This story is the bastard child of the remnants of 5G. The DC universe was supposed to have been compressed with Superman coming on the scene in 1938 and aging naturally. That's why the first issue is so confusing. But this does take place in normal continuity and this is our normal Superman. In fact, this whole book is just table setting for what Phillip Kennedy Johnson is doing with Superman on Warworld over in Action Comics.
Now with all that out of the way, this is just OK. There's just not enough story. You can tell Morrison was part way out the door when Morrison wrote it. It's all just building this new team of The Authority. It's Manchester Black (who started off at DC as a fake Jenny Sparks back when Wildstorm was a separate universe.), Midnighter, Apollo, Steel's niece Nat, Enchantress and a new Lightray and OMAC from an alternate timeline. What Grant Morrison does exceptionally well is write Superman. His Superman is just brilliant. I love Mikel Janin's new look for Superman too, looking like a buff dad who could crush you.
Now with all that out of the way, this is just OK. There's just not enough story. You can tell Morrison was part way out the door when Morrison wrote it. It's all just building this new team of The Authority. It's Manchester Black (who started off at DC as a fake Jenny Sparks back when Wildstorm was a separate universe.), Midnighter, Apollo, Steel's niece Nat, Enchantress and a new Lightray and OMAC from an alternate timeline. What Grant Morrison does exceptionally well is write Superman. His Superman is just brilliant. I love Mikel Janin's new look for Superman too, looking like a buff dad who could crush you.
April 15, 2022
This is a prelude to the current Warworld saga that’s running in Action Comics, while also mostly hand-waving continuity so Morrison can tell the story they originally had in mind, but it is most definitely not an alternate universe tale like some seem to think. Morrison also confirms this is the case in their annotations of the series, which are included at the bottom of this review for anyone interested. I was going to review this earlier, but Grant Morrison’s been releasing the aforementioned annotations of the story on their newsletter, and I just had to read the book with them.
So backstory: Apparently during DC’s original 5G plans (which was an attempt to unify all of DC’s history and allow characters to age and die in real time, reworking continuity completely) they wanted Superman’s son to graduate to the primary role as Earth’s heroic protector while a disillusioned older Superman became ever more right-wing and authoritarian…eventually assembling a new version of the Authority team to enact his patrician will, going around space and cleaning shit up, before eventually coming to blows back on Earth with the heroes he initially inspired. Supergirl was going to be heading in this same direction too, which is wild to hear after reading Tom King’s recent run. Grant Morrison, hearing this pitch while wrapping his Green Lantern run, was utterly mortified by the idea of Superman of all characters being turned into a right-wing tyrant. He was supposed to leave DC after GL wrapped, but decided to stay around for one last 4 issue mini JUST to make sure those plans didn’t happen.
So yes this review is biased because I am already a Morrison mega-fan, and they are the reason we don’t have a fascist Superman & the Authority, and, the best part is, this book doesn’t take itself seriously at all. It’s fucking amazing. This is everything I love about superheroes books, with Morrison assembling a version of The Authority with DC counterparts as opposed to the Wildstorm originals, sans Midnighter & Apollo, who are the highlight of this book. And yes, they are called “Worlds Gayest” at one point. The rest of the team is rounded out by Manchester Black, who led the knockoff Authority, The Elite, against Superman back in the classic Action Comics #775, as well as Steel, Lightray. O.M.A.C, and Enchantress. I won’t spoil the villains for anyone, but they are both great.
I think I’ll always say this for most Grant Morrison reviews, but if you hate their work, my opinions will not change your mind on any of their work. I completely get why these books don’t work for some people and every complaint I’ve seen leveled towards this is valid, but I still laughed my ass off the whole way through this. Loved every second of this book and would gladly reread it again. Morrison is just like me fr, unable to take most superhero comics seriously anymore, leading to his books reading so wonderfully. Annotations are below for anyone who wants to read the story of how I did.
Annotations Part 1
Annotations Part 2
Annotations Part 3
Annotations Part 4
Annotations Part 5
So backstory: Apparently during DC’s original 5G plans (which was an attempt to unify all of DC’s history and allow characters to age and die in real time, reworking continuity completely) they wanted Superman’s son to graduate to the primary role as Earth’s heroic protector while a disillusioned older Superman became ever more right-wing and authoritarian…eventually assembling a new version of the Authority team to enact his patrician will, going around space and cleaning shit up, before eventually coming to blows back on Earth with the heroes he initially inspired. Supergirl was going to be heading in this same direction too, which is wild to hear after reading Tom King’s recent run. Grant Morrison, hearing this pitch while wrapping his Green Lantern run, was utterly mortified by the idea of Superman of all characters being turned into a right-wing tyrant. He was supposed to leave DC after GL wrapped, but decided to stay around for one last 4 issue mini JUST to make sure those plans didn’t happen.
So yes this review is biased because I am already a Morrison mega-fan, and they are the reason we don’t have a fascist Superman & the Authority, and, the best part is, this book doesn’t take itself seriously at all. It’s fucking amazing. This is everything I love about superheroes books, with Morrison assembling a version of The Authority with DC counterparts as opposed to the Wildstorm originals, sans Midnighter & Apollo, who are the highlight of this book. And yes, they are called “Worlds Gayest” at one point. The rest of the team is rounded out by Manchester Black, who led the knockoff Authority, The Elite, against Superman back in the classic Action Comics #775, as well as Steel, Lightray. O.M.A.C, and Enchantress. I won’t spoil the villains for anyone, but they are both great.
I think I’ll always say this for most Grant Morrison reviews, but if you hate their work, my opinions will not change your mind on any of their work. I completely get why these books don’t work for some people and every complaint I’ve seen leveled towards this is valid, but I still laughed my ass off the whole way through this. Loved every second of this book and would gladly reread it again. Morrison is just like me fr, unable to take most superhero comics seriously anymore, leading to his books reading so wonderfully. Annotations are below for anyone who wants to read the story of how I did.
Annotations Part 1
Annotations Part 2
Annotations Part 3
Annotations Part 4
Annotations Part 5
October 18, 2021
As Grant Morrison's last DC comic and their final word on this universe and possibly superheroes in general... why on earth was this only four issues long? They were four excellent issues, don't get me wrong, full of great characterisation and fun interactions — Morrison is still the greatest living Superman writer who knows the character in and out like he's their own creation, so of course this was a very good read. And the book features some of the hottest art out there courtesy of Mikel Janín (this is officially the sexiest Superman you'll ever see), but otherwise this story was just so painfully short, it barely got going before it was all over. I'd easily read 12 or 20 issues of Superman & The Authority. Unfortunately, it feels more like one of those short event tie-in series that are meant to hold you over between the main issues of the event itself, and this is not how the final Grant Morrison DC book should read.
January 4, 2022
Years in the future, Superman is losing his powers and a great menace lurks on the horizon. Superman turns to individuals who don't play as nicely as the Justice League. He assembles... The Authority.
Grant Morrison is hit or miss for me but All-Star Superman was great so I gave this a shot.
This falls between good and meh for me. I enjoyed what was going on and nods to various parts of Superman's history, like Kandor, the Supermobile, and White Kryptonite. I also enjoyed his brief interactions with Apollo and Midnighter. The group he assembles has a lot of potential.
However, not a whole lot happens. Hell, this contains Superman and the Authority 1-4 and the team isn't together until some time in the fourth issue. The big bad is revealed and... that's it. It felt like two issues stretched into four and, moreover, felt like all setup. I understand Supers is on Warworld in Action Comics these days so I guess this is where all that started.
I guess this book could be read as an examination of who Superman is, even without his powers, valuable as much as a symbol as one of the most powerful beings on the planet. I think that might be reading too much into it, though. At least the art by Mikel Janin and Jordie Bellaire is good, though. I liked more about this than I disliked but I think this one is going on the trade-in pile, barring a minor miracle. Three out of five stars but it really had to work for it.
Grant Morrison is hit or miss for me but All-Star Superman was great so I gave this a shot.
This falls between good and meh for me. I enjoyed what was going on and nods to various parts of Superman's history, like Kandor, the Supermobile, and White Kryptonite. I also enjoyed his brief interactions with Apollo and Midnighter. The group he assembles has a lot of potential.
However, not a whole lot happens. Hell, this contains Superman and the Authority 1-4 and the team isn't together until some time in the fourth issue. The big bad is revealed and... that's it. It felt like two issues stretched into four and, moreover, felt like all setup. I understand Supers is on Warworld in Action Comics these days so I guess this is where all that started.
I guess this book could be read as an examination of who Superman is, even without his powers, valuable as much as a symbol as one of the most powerful beings on the planet. I think that might be reading too much into it, though. At least the art by Mikel Janin and Jordie Bellaire is good, though. I liked more about this than I disliked but I think this one is going on the trade-in pile, barring a minor miracle. Three out of five stars but it really had to work for it.
August 3, 2022
To be honest I am not sure what to make of thus book. I left me with more questions than answers. In essence Superman seems to be depowered and mistrusted. So he is putting together a crew that are more villains than heroes.
I am not quite sure what the plan for the book was in how it links into the Warworld storyline in Action Comics, but this seems to be between the prelude and the main story. Hence my confusion.
I know Grant Morrison loves linking things together, so in the epilogue it shows this is connected to one of the biggest stories of a 2019.
I like the artwork I am not sure about the characters yet, but they do show promise. It is interesting to see Superman take a more cerebral role then being front and centre of the action. The book finishes with a cover gallery with full page varient covers and character design sketches.
I am not quite sure what the plan for the book was in how it links into the Warworld storyline in Action Comics, but this seems to be between the prelude and the main story. Hence my confusion.
I know Grant Morrison loves linking things together, so in the epilogue it shows this is connected to one of the biggest stories of a 2019.
I like the artwork I am not sure about the characters yet, but they do show promise. It is interesting to see Superman take a more cerebral role then being front and centre of the action. The book finishes with a cover gallery with full page varient covers and character design sketches.
January 21, 2022
A decent enough superhero comic gets rounded down from three stars for 1) taking four issues to assemble a relatively bland super team, 2) resurrecting an old-timey villain but doing nothing to make him modern, relevant, or interesting, 3) revealing that this is all just a prelude to a story by another creative team that starts in Action Comics #1036, and 4) being an Authority book in name only, declawed and sanitized for our protection
June 3, 2024
Superman builds an authority team to do something big. That big something is not in this volume, but the team building is. The team members are interesting, so I enjoyed that. Also, it was nice to see the respect that Superman got from the other members of the team.
October 12, 2021
This was quite a good one!
It starts with Superman recruiting Manchester Black as he is trying to form a new team and to solve the problems of the world and its an interesting issue seeing thing from the villains perspective and you can see Clark has changed and become more "agent of the grey-line" plus its so well done as we see him recruiting different members from Steel to Midnighter and Apollo. I love the way they showed Apollo as a Superman fanboy and that twist with Enchantress is so well done lol, it is kind of a metaphor but then again really well done with the team fighting the demon and all.
Then its Superman and his team fighting this new Injustice gang whatever led by ultra-Humanite and the return of Brainiac (in a suit?) and the coming of Lightray and OMAC and I love the way it ends with the big battle and smart tactics and the formation of this Dark-Ops team as they head to Warworld next for their big fight with Mongul and I love it! Plus that ending with Lightray being teased..a sequel maybe and ECLIPSO is involved?!
This was a really good volume and like one of those stories which is the birth of another team in the DCU but really well done and the villains were well written too, references to other DC things was well done but the references to culture and news things of 2021 makes it dated sort of but then again its not the biggest thing in the world and Morrison also hints at Superman being more "Dark and brooding" and hints at big things to come with this team he is operating with. Overall great story and a must read for sure!
It starts with Superman recruiting Manchester Black as he is trying to form a new team and to solve the problems of the world and its an interesting issue seeing thing from the villains perspective and you can see Clark has changed and become more "agent of the grey-line" plus its so well done as we see him recruiting different members from Steel to Midnighter and Apollo. I love the way they showed Apollo as a Superman fanboy and that twist with Enchantress is so well done lol, it is kind of a metaphor but then again really well done with the team fighting the demon and all.
Then its Superman and his team fighting this new Injustice gang whatever led by ultra-Humanite and the return of Brainiac (in a suit?) and the coming of Lightray and OMAC and I love the way it ends with the big battle and smart tactics and the formation of this Dark-Ops team as they head to Warworld next for their big fight with Mongul and I love it! Plus that ending with Lightray being teased..a sequel maybe and ECLIPSO is involved?!
This was a really good volume and like one of those stories which is the birth of another team in the DCU but really well done and the villains were well written too, references to other DC things was well done but the references to culture and news things of 2021 makes it dated sort of but then again its not the biggest thing in the world and Morrison also hints at Superman being more "Dark and brooding" and hints at big things to come with this team he is operating with. Overall great story and a must read for sure!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 20, 2023
This was fun! Definitely a "Superman in the 20X0s" story that clearly will delight some and trigger others, for my part I enjoyed the clean art and fun chess-game aspect of Supes using his brains more so than brawn to thwart villains.
February 7, 2023
If you're a fan of Grant Morrison's The Authority, you might enjoy this "getting the band back together" volume. Superman has decided that he needs these D-list heroes (sometimes villains!) as his superteam. They're incoherently introduced and then thrown into a big battle against some obscure Superman villain.
This is all leading up to the Warworld arc in Action Comics, but you wouldn't know that until the last page. Honestly, my favorite part of this volume was the weird (and probably soon to be forgotten) last page reveal that Lia (Lightray) has been called out by the Source Wall - yes, a throwback to all that Metal madness. Always a good sign!
This is all leading up to the Warworld arc in Action Comics, but you wouldn't know that until the last page. Honestly, my favorite part of this volume was the weird (and probably soon to be forgotten) last page reveal that Lia (Lightray) has been called out by the Source Wall - yes, a throwback to all that Metal madness. Always a good sign!
December 9, 2021
All-Star Superman by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely is one of my favourite comics of all time as it began my love for the Man of Steel. If there was any future project, in which Morrison got to write Superman, I am there for it, even if he will never repeat himself by doing another All-Star, as evident in his Action Comics run for the New 52. What is considered his final DC project for now, Morrison presents yet another different spin on the Man of Steel with Superman and the Authority.
One day before the assassination of JFK, Superman promised the president that he will achieve a finer world instead of future generations doing so. Cut to the present day, this dream of a better tomorrow has not come to fruition, but instead of giving up, the aging Clark Kent – slowly losing his powers –seeks a new team of metahumans, starting with the roguish Manchester Black, who will help him to form an all-new Authority.
I want to start by saying that I have never read the earlier comics of The Authority, which was a huge influence towards superhero team-based comics. Though there is a good chance that I won’t read at least the original run of The Authority – being written and co-created by the controversial Warren Ellis – I was curious to see how the Scotsman was going to tackle this particular team.
With the inclusion of Manchester Black – originally introduced as the leader of The Elite in the Action Comics issue, "What's So Funny About Truth, Justice & the American Way?" – Morrison is once again looking back on certain aspects in comics history. That particular Action Comics issue was evoking a real-life debate among the comics community in light of the success of comics like The Authority which featured more explicit sex and violence.
The all-new Authority forms in this four-issue is a mixture of old and new, such as fan-favourites Apollo and Midnighter, but also newbies like Natasha Irons/Steel and Enchantress. Despite Superman’s belief that anybody from all walks of life can be a hero, we never get much of a dynamic towards the team players and any form of mischief that could serve as a problem, given some of the characters’ backstory. As for Superman himself, he might as well as be Professor X as he spends a lot of the book in his personal quarters and eventually has a battle of minds with a couple from his rogues gallery.
Perhaps the book’s only redeeming feature is Mikel Janín’s stunning art, in which his characters are hyper-detailed, whilst delivering on the crazy sci-fi spectacle that usually happens when Morrison is writing a superhero team comic. However, there is a frequent change in artists, with Travel Foreman, Evan Cable and Fico Ossio stepping in to do a number of pages that serve as introductions to some of the team members. Whilst their work is not bad, though the transition from one style to the other can be jarring, they all pale in comparison to Janin’s art.
With only four issues, Morrison feels like he hasn’t reached his full potential, given this alternate DC reality, with its own ideas and array of characters he’s presenting here, and that includes a group of villains that really pose a threat. In the end, it’s ultimately a set-up for what Philip Kennedy Johnson is currently doing with his Action Comics run, which is apparently doing exciting things. As a DC swan song for Morrison, Superman and the Authority leaves a lot to be desired.
One day before the assassination of JFK, Superman promised the president that he will achieve a finer world instead of future generations doing so. Cut to the present day, this dream of a better tomorrow has not come to fruition, but instead of giving up, the aging Clark Kent – slowly losing his powers –seeks a new team of metahumans, starting with the roguish Manchester Black, who will help him to form an all-new Authority.
I want to start by saying that I have never read the earlier comics of The Authority, which was a huge influence towards superhero team-based comics. Though there is a good chance that I won’t read at least the original run of The Authority – being written and co-created by the controversial Warren Ellis – I was curious to see how the Scotsman was going to tackle this particular team.
With the inclusion of Manchester Black – originally introduced as the leader of The Elite in the Action Comics issue, "What's So Funny About Truth, Justice & the American Way?" – Morrison is once again looking back on certain aspects in comics history. That particular Action Comics issue was evoking a real-life debate among the comics community in light of the success of comics like The Authority which featured more explicit sex and violence.
The all-new Authority forms in this four-issue is a mixture of old and new, such as fan-favourites Apollo and Midnighter, but also newbies like Natasha Irons/Steel and Enchantress. Despite Superman’s belief that anybody from all walks of life can be a hero, we never get much of a dynamic towards the team players and any form of mischief that could serve as a problem, given some of the characters’ backstory. As for Superman himself, he might as well as be Professor X as he spends a lot of the book in his personal quarters and eventually has a battle of minds with a couple from his rogues gallery.
Perhaps the book’s only redeeming feature is Mikel Janín’s stunning art, in which his characters are hyper-detailed, whilst delivering on the crazy sci-fi spectacle that usually happens when Morrison is writing a superhero team comic. However, there is a frequent change in artists, with Travel Foreman, Evan Cable and Fico Ossio stepping in to do a number of pages that serve as introductions to some of the team members. Whilst their work is not bad, though the transition from one style to the other can be jarring, they all pale in comparison to Janin’s art.
With only four issues, Morrison feels like he hasn’t reached his full potential, given this alternate DC reality, with its own ideas and array of characters he’s presenting here, and that includes a group of villains that really pose a threat. In the end, it’s ultimately a set-up for what Philip Kennedy Johnson is currently doing with his Action Comics run, which is apparently doing exciting things. As a DC swan song for Morrison, Superman and the Authority leaves a lot to be desired.
November 8, 2025
Didn’t love this one. The premise — an older, depowered Superman assembling a black-ops team to save the world — sounded promising, but it never quite found its heart. Morrison’s writing leans more conceptual than emotional here, and the tone swings from cosmic philosophy to sardonic humor without much cohesion. There are interesting ideas about legacy and idealism, but I never connected to the team or the story. 2.5⭐️
October 14, 2021
I really enjoyed this, a nice start to the team. I like how Superman went around recruiting a bunch of the characters. My only issue is this feels more like it should be an ongoing than a 4 issue mini. It takes its time fleshing out the characters, which is a great thing because characters who really aren’t given much attention (enchantress a personal favorite of mine has a great arc in here) finally get some time to shine. It feels like it’s building up to something with the team members all being developed then bam it’s over. Hoping we get a sequel by Morrison because this was great.
February 22, 2023
If your reading Action Comics you might know that Superman brought The Authority to Warworld to help him fight against Mongul. If your at all curious on how the team got together, this is where it happens. Basically this whole book is just getting the band back together. Which is fun for the first issues or so, but then gets old when you realize that's all this book is.
A lot of the members of The Authority I'm not familiar with. I know Apollo and Midnighter but that's it. A character that I now like quite a bit is Manchester Black. He was the only character here (besides Superman) that I enjoyed reading. He has an interesting set of powers and is quite likeable as well. Even though he's kind of a idiot.
When it comes to the timeline this was very odd. It starts with a series of flashbacks starting all the way back in the 1960s. Superman talks with JFK about good old the good old American way... You get the idea.
But then we go back to present day. Superman is old now and slowly losing his powers. This as you may expect causes a whole bunch of continuity errors. I wish authors wouldn't use dates because it just messes up the already messed up timeline of comics.
I'll end with this. I actually really enjoyed how this tied into Action Comics. Honestly it's the only reason you should read this. It flowed nicely, and felt like Johnson and Morrison talked and planned things out. Which is something I feel is missing from comics today. Anyways, I really don't recommend this, but if you want some backstory then it's readable I guess.
A lot of the members of The Authority I'm not familiar with. I know Apollo and Midnighter but that's it. A character that I now like quite a bit is Manchester Black. He was the only character here (besides Superman) that I enjoyed reading. He has an interesting set of powers and is quite likeable as well. Even though he's kind of a idiot.
When it comes to the timeline this was very odd. It starts with a series of flashbacks starting all the way back in the 1960s. Superman talks with JFK about good old the good old American way... You get the idea.
But then we go back to present day. Superman is old now and slowly losing his powers. This as you may expect causes a whole bunch of continuity errors. I wish authors wouldn't use dates because it just messes up the already messed up timeline of comics.
I'll end with this. I actually really enjoyed how this tied into Action Comics. Honestly it's the only reason you should read this. It flowed nicely, and felt like Johnson and Morrison talked and planned things out. Which is something I feel is missing from comics today. Anyways, I really don't recommend this, but if you want some backstory then it's readable I guess.
December 5, 2025
Superman gathers people to form a new team - one that will need to be trained to take on one of the toughest opponents that Superman has ever faced.
I love Grant Morrison's work and I was looking forward to seeing him take on Superman again. Morrison has this amazing understanding of the heart of the character - and the reason why he is so important not only in the DC universe, but as a fiction character overall. Morrison's Superman has this air of authority that is fatherlike, yet stern when he needs to be. So seeing him interact with characters that are more "modern" and pessimistic - was something I needed to read.
And the book looks amazing - outside of a few flashback sequences, the rest of the book is penciled by the great Mikel Janin. If you read DC titles around this time, you probably saw his work. It's damn good and a treat for the eyes. When I saw this was a Morrison penned book and that Janin was drawing it - I couldn't wait to read it.
I will say the story is.... a bit confusing. Like Morrison's work in general, there's usually more context that needs to be read about or known in order to fully put the pieces all together. But the "gist" of the book comes through and ultimately, Supes assembled this group of people to head off into Warworld with and face Mongul.
Definitely looking forward to see how the story picks up from here in Action Comics.
I love Grant Morrison's work and I was looking forward to seeing him take on Superman again. Morrison has this amazing understanding of the heart of the character - and the reason why he is so important not only in the DC universe, but as a fiction character overall. Morrison's Superman has this air of authority that is fatherlike, yet stern when he needs to be. So seeing him interact with characters that are more "modern" and pessimistic - was something I needed to read.
And the book looks amazing - outside of a few flashback sequences, the rest of the book is penciled by the great Mikel Janin. If you read DC titles around this time, you probably saw his work. It's damn good and a treat for the eyes. When I saw this was a Morrison penned book and that Janin was drawing it - I couldn't wait to read it.
I will say the story is.... a bit confusing. Like Morrison's work in general, there's usually more context that needs to be read about or known in order to fully put the pieces all together. But the "gist" of the book comes through and ultimately, Supes assembled this group of people to head off into Warworld with and face Mongul.
Definitely looking forward to see how the story picks up from here in Action Comics.
August 21, 2023
You know, they could've given this series three or four more issues, spread it out a little.
I enjoyed the good parts; Superman, Apollo & the Midnighter together again, rounding up a team.
I cringed at the wokeness that got ham-fisted in between the action scenes. Just a little too much, too often, too on the nose. It'll make all the sides of the political spectrum cringe in unison. I like my comics inclusive and aware, but this was a lil too much.
I enjoyed the good parts; Superman, Apollo & the Midnighter together again, rounding up a team.
I cringed at the wokeness that got ham-fisted in between the action scenes. Just a little too much, too often, too on the nose. It'll make all the sides of the political spectrum cringe in unison. I like my comics inclusive and aware, but this was a lil too much.
January 1, 2022
Grant Morrison returns to Superman as he begins recruiting a brand new Authority for a mission that even the Justice League have turned down.
Some of this is very good. When Superman's busy being Superman, it's fun, and there are some sections of the story that are typical Morrison zanyness without being so crazy that it's undecipherable. And then Manchester Black opens his mouth and argues with Superman for pages at a time and I just want to bang my head on the desk. It's a delicate balancing act, and Morrison doesn't always manage it as well as they should. Add in the fact that the whole point of this mini-series is mostly to act as set-up for the next arc of Action Comics, and this book's not going to be for everyone.
The majority of the art is by Mikel Janin, so the book's gorgeous. There are also some fill-in sections by some other guest artists, but Janin's the main culprit - it's a shame he doesn't manage to draw it all, though.
Probably not Morrison enough for some and too Morrison for others, but it looks pretty, and when it works, it really works.
Some of this is very good. When Superman's busy being Superman, it's fun, and there are some sections of the story that are typical Morrison zanyness without being so crazy that it's undecipherable. And then Manchester Black opens his mouth and argues with Superman for pages at a time and I just want to bang my head on the desk. It's a delicate balancing act, and Morrison doesn't always manage it as well as they should. Add in the fact that the whole point of this mini-series is mostly to act as set-up for the next arc of Action Comics, and this book's not going to be for everyone.
The majority of the art is by Mikel Janin, so the book's gorgeous. There are also some fill-in sections by some other guest artists, but Janin's the main culprit - it's a shame he doesn't manage to draw it all, though.
Probably not Morrison enough for some and too Morrison for others, but it looks pretty, and when it works, it really works.
December 7, 2021
Superman and The Authority collects issues 1-4 of the DC Comics series written by Grant Morrison with art by Mike Janin, Travel Foreman, Evan Cagle, and Fico Ossio.
And ageing Superman is losing his powers and decides to put together an unconventional team to save the world.
I was so confused by this book. It's set-up like it's set in an alternate universe but by the end of the book, I couldn't tell if it was main continuity or not as the story continues in Action Comics. Which was another thing, this book is really only the prelude to the ongoing series and is the set-up of Superman's new team. The story isn't bad, it just contains the bare minimum of its own standalone story and seems like a waste of Grant Morrison's talent. The art is pretty good throughout showcasing an older Superman. Come for Grant Morriosn, stay for sexy Daddy Superman.
And ageing Superman is losing his powers and decides to put together an unconventional team to save the world.
I was so confused by this book. It's set-up like it's set in an alternate universe but by the end of the book, I couldn't tell if it was main continuity or not as the story continues in Action Comics. Which was another thing, this book is really only the prelude to the ongoing series and is the set-up of Superman's new team. The story isn't bad, it just contains the bare minimum of its own standalone story and seems like a waste of Grant Morrison's talent. The art is pretty good throughout showcasing an older Superman. Come for Grant Morriosn, stay for sexy Daddy Superman.
October 12, 2021
This started out really strong, but the longer it went on the more it lost its heart and was bogged down by plot, something I usually find as a problem in Morrison books. The art here was STELLAR, and I've never been more attracted to Superman. I think maybe this arc needed more issues to breathe and have more character moments and team bonding. I wanted to love the team dynamic, but I mostly found it nonexistent. 3/5 stars.
November 18, 2021
This is a bizarre book. Whilst it is mostly set-up for the new role Superman plays in the DCU, as well as the introduction of the Authority, it is set-up as only Grant Morrison can do it - explosive, political, queer, drowning in ideas, has about ten plots for four issues and throws around so many beautiful ideas. It's not perfect, and I can see some people not liking it at all (some becuase of the style and other genuine reasons, some because SUPERMAN GOT WOKE!), but I had an absolute blast with this book.
March 25, 2022
I fell asleep reading this. Twice.
February 27, 2022
Ultra-Humanite\ a team together by hope,\ the good in people.
#HAIKUPRAJNA - Review: Superman and the Authority
Superman and the Authority was a fun, but short-lived, four-issue limited series by Grant Morrison and Mikael Jannín, which was supposed to lead through the 5G DC comics event, according to Morrison's Substack, but instead fed into Future State and Action Comics.
Each issue followed mini stories about the members of Superman's Authority, starting with an aging Super-dad dealing with stresses like Phantom Zone incursions and the guilt of JFK’s assassination, and who has started losing his powers and thus has begun assembling a team to replace them, which is a topic symbolized and explored through enemies like Ultra-Humanite in Solomon Grundy’s body.
"You miss a lot when you only look for the good in people."
Filled with concepts that fans will love, like a Supes versus Brainiac chess shadowboxing of sorts with opposing Authority teams, workouts powering electric treadmill generators, Lois Lane supporting Superman, a sentient datacosmos with wifi consciousness that was "scared" of the people they used as bridges to make trolls and edgelords out of the structural order of matter itself, and a fragment of the source-wall from the bleed; may be almost too self referential with callbacks and allusions to Kandor, Clark and Lois's son, and Kryptonite secrets that are probably all (or were) set ups for other stories.
"We all make mistakes. Every moment's a fresh opportunity to do something you can be proud of! We're still here for you, June!"
This series uses meta humour about forming teams, as well as its entire four issue run, to compose the Authority with Manchester Black, Nat Steel, the Enchantress, Apollo, Midnighter, Lightray and a new OMAC. This was all setup for a story in Action Comics, where this story's merit lies in villains being turned into heroes dealing with their mental issues, in the heroes and their relationships and in trying to make unfortunate situations better.
Thank you for reading. These Goodreads poems will be collected in a future edition of the HaikuPrajna Collection. Add me as a friend, read my collection of reviews, join my mailing list or Substack and see more over here:
https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/2022...
Until next time, Allen W. McLean
#HAIKUPRAJNA - Review: Superman and the Authority
Superman and the Authority was a fun, but short-lived, four-issue limited series by Grant Morrison and Mikael Jannín, which was supposed to lead through the 5G DC comics event, according to Morrison's Substack, but instead fed into Future State and Action Comics.
Each issue followed mini stories about the members of Superman's Authority, starting with an aging Super-dad dealing with stresses like Phantom Zone incursions and the guilt of JFK’s assassination, and who has started losing his powers and thus has begun assembling a team to replace them, which is a topic symbolized and explored through enemies like Ultra-Humanite in Solomon Grundy’s body.
"You miss a lot when you only look for the good in people."
Filled with concepts that fans will love, like a Supes versus Brainiac chess shadowboxing of sorts with opposing Authority teams, workouts powering electric treadmill generators, Lois Lane supporting Superman, a sentient datacosmos with wifi consciousness that was "scared" of the people they used as bridges to make trolls and edgelords out of the structural order of matter itself, and a fragment of the source-wall from the bleed; may be almost too self referential with callbacks and allusions to Kandor, Clark and Lois's son, and Kryptonite secrets that are probably all (or were) set ups for other stories.
"We all make mistakes. Every moment's a fresh opportunity to do something you can be proud of! We're still here for you, June!"
This series uses meta humour about forming teams, as well as its entire four issue run, to compose the Authority with Manchester Black, Nat Steel, the Enchantress, Apollo, Midnighter, Lightray and a new OMAC. This was all setup for a story in Action Comics, where this story's merit lies in villains being turned into heroes dealing with their mental issues, in the heroes and their relationships and in trying to make unfortunate situations better.
Thank you for reading. These Goodreads poems will be collected in a future edition of the HaikuPrajna Collection. Add me as a friend, read my collection of reviews, join my mailing list or Substack and see more over here:
https://haikuprajna.blogspot.com/2022...
Until next time, Allen W. McLean
May 21, 2022
At his worst, Grant Morrison is prone to wallow in edgy counterculture progressivism. It’s kind of what always gets in his way. Superman and the Authority is what he’s called his farewell to superhero comics, and you can see where he’s attempted to evoke some of his previous work, but the results are so needlessly desperate it’s hard to consider it a proper swan song. So hopefully in a few years he’ll get the itch again, find his zen, and get it right.
November 17, 2022
Gracias, DiDio, por lograr que Morrison escribiera esta ¿despedida?
August 12, 2024
Ugh. That hurt my brain. First, let us speak of the good things: the artwork. It's pretty good. Ok now that the pros are covered let's talk about the rest of this shit.
A while back, Grant Morrison wrote a story about an aging Superman running into a new superhero team known as the Elite. It was a pretty decent story comparing Superman's style as opposed to the more violent and more ruthless Elite.
Now GM is back with this turd based on that idea. Again Superman is old and again he tries to get a group together called the Authority. A hodgepodge mix of shitty characters and stupid woke writing is, as per usual, is just shit. I know the lefties and SJW types will be confused but the rest of humanity dislikes preachy, virtue-signalling, leftist shit crammed down people's throats.
I knew the story would be bad when at the start some knock-ff version of Steel, some niece of his named Nat, says "ADHD is my superpower"..oh for fucks sake you imbecile..it is NOT a superpower. It's not any kind of power at all. It's a hinderance that must be overcome with either discipline and training or chemical concoctions..hence the last "D" is ADHD stands for DISORDER. Idiot.
The rest of it is a crappy story with a lot of virtue signalling and box checking. Yay. Hope Grant Morrison chased a good check for this since it's frankly embarrassing. Not for me.
A while back, Grant Morrison wrote a story about an aging Superman running into a new superhero team known as the Elite. It was a pretty decent story comparing Superman's style as opposed to the more violent and more ruthless Elite.
Now GM is back with this turd based on that idea. Again Superman is old and again he tries to get a group together called the Authority. A hodgepodge mix of shitty characters and stupid woke writing is, as per usual, is just shit. I know the lefties and SJW types will be confused but the rest of humanity dislikes preachy, virtue-signalling, leftist shit crammed down people's throats.
I knew the story would be bad when at the start some knock-ff version of Steel, some niece of his named Nat, says "ADHD is my superpower"..oh for fucks sake you imbecile..it is NOT a superpower. It's not any kind of power at all. It's a hinderance that must be overcome with either discipline and training or chemical concoctions..hence the last "D" is ADHD stands for DISORDER. Idiot.
The rest of it is a crappy story with a lot of virtue signalling and box checking. Yay. Hope Grant Morrison chased a good check for this since it's frankly embarrassing. Not for me.
September 13, 2022
This takes place between Phillip Kennedy Johnson’s Action Comics vol 1 and vol 2. Superman has been seeing diminished power ever since the events of Death Metal so he forms his version of The Authority to help him take the fight off Earth. I enjoyed the Authority’s characters but I think this will read better when read with PKJ’s Action which I have not yet read.
November 26, 2025
Man what is this…
Political correctness? Meandering to the minorities? Virtue signaling? SJW? Inclusiveness fest? LGBT representation?
Oh boy does this book have it all, cramped into 140 pages.
Regardless, the comic had some great moments.
Political correctness? Meandering to the minorities? Virtue signaling? SJW? Inclusiveness fest? LGBT representation?
Oh boy does this book have it all, cramped into 140 pages.
Regardless, the comic had some great moments.
January 13, 2022
Daddy Kent looks naked without his cape. That is all.
December 23, 2023
This was kinda disappointing considering this is Morrison. Really meh...
https://youtu.be/2dXrQ2XHX_I
https://youtu.be/2dXrQ2XHX_I
Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews