StormWatch, Volume 1: Force of Nature

StormWatch (Collected Editions) #1

by Warren Ellis (Writer), Tom Raney (Illustrator), Randy Elliott (Inker)

Seminal Warren Ellis-scripted tales of the team that would become the stars of The Authority are collected in StormWatch, Volume 1: Force of Nature. Written by Ellis (Transmetropolitan, Planetary), with art by StormWatch: Change or Die's Tom Raney - who also provides a new cover (inked by Crimson's Sandra Hope) - and Randy Elliott, Force of Nature includes the stories that introduced The Authority's Jenny Sparks and Jack Hawksmoor, as well as WildStorm's most infamous villainess, Rose Tattoo. The companion volume to Stormwatch: A Finer World, the new collection begins with StormWatch Weatherman Henry Bendix planning big changes for the group, beginning with a total reorganization of the team. Gathering new StormWatch operatives - including Jack Hawksmoor and woman of the century Jenny Sparks - the Weatherman positions himself as an international superpower, setting in motion the events that would cause the 'Watch's final demise.

Collecting: StormWatch 37-42

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Graphic Novels Comics, Fiction, Superheroes, Science Fiction, Comic Book

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

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 3 out of 5]

This that time Warren Ellis took over the Stormwatch series and started laying down the foundations of what would become the Authority. Plot wise, Stormwatch leader, Bendix looks to completely revamp the team and establish it as a world superpower, introducing amongst others Jack Hawksmoor and 'woman of the century' Jenny Sparks, he also brought in The Midnighter, Apollo, The Doctor etc.

Making a mockery of the staid Marvel and D.C. superhero universe's Ellis injects some realism into a universe with just a small minority of people having superpowers. His work sees the introduction of most of the Authority back history, making it a much darker book with anti-US political rhetoric and sex and horror themes! 7 out of 12 firm Three Star read. I read the comic books Stormwatch season one, #37-50, Stormwatch season 2 and WILDCats Aliens.

2017 read

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This reviews Stormwatch Volumes #1-5 (the Entirety of Ellis' Run). Everyone gives props to The Authority as the watershed book, yet I feel this book is actually the true shaper of 21st Century Superheroics.

It's about a "UN-Sanctioned" team who are a bit more ambitious with their problems solving. And it's clear, IMO that Millar and Morrison got many of their zanier ideas from this run (i.e. Millar's Fury is clearly based on the Jackson-era Weaterhman).

This was a well-written teambook with a large cast, and I feel it largely worked with group dynamics, plots, issues, etc.

This had the heart, while the authority had the heart explosion.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time I read Stormwatch & Authority, I was blown away. I was fresh to the new graphic novel scene, having been away from comics since the late 80's.

This time around I have most of Ellis' works under my belt and a lot more besides. This book still has the "hit the ground running" pacing, fascinating fresh characters being brought on board and a hint of the "screw em if they can't see through grown-up eyes" attitude. I really like the book, though knowing The Authority is soon to come, I can't help feeling a bit impatient.

All in all still groundbreaking writing, stands above the usual drivel that stocks the shelves at Powells.

And don't miss the final story "Kodo" - poetic and moving.

[Giovanni Gelati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking for something that is drawn a bit darker, something with an edge, plenty of action, multiple characters to follow, a leader of a group that you can both enjoy and dislike almost at the same time? Yes, then this is your graphic novel. Stormwatch by Warren Ellis has plenty of just about everything. I don’t know if he could cram, ram or stuff anymore into this. Here is what is between the covers on this bad boy:
“StormWatch, the United Nations Special Crisis Intervention Team, was formed to act as powerful police force on a global scale. But Weatherman Henry Bendix, the controller of the super hero team, has decided that this course of action is no longer effective. Recruiting the electric Jenny Sparks, the lethal assassin Rose Tattoo, and the city-symbiote Jack Hawksmoor, the Weatherman transforms the once reactive team into a proactive, take-no-prisoners strike team and makes the reader question the way that super hero teams are perceived.”
Interesting concept, good execution, and excellent artwork are consistent throughout the graphic novel. The social commentary is not too heavy handed but it does drive home its point. Weatherman Henry Bendix is one mentally tough old geezer. Henry walks around with his skull wet wired to the computer system issuing orders, sending superheroes into battle, taking no prisoners. It makes for some fun reading and the action is pretty intense and quick. To be honest I was surprised how much I enjoyed it, and I am definitely in for some more because I would like to find out where the storyline goes.
Next week we are doing the doubleheader again with Fist Stick Knife Gun and Mercy Thompson Homecoming by Patricia Briggs. Tomorrow is Digital short Saturday and we are posting on two debut series: The Commissary a geopolitical thriller by CQ Scafidi (author of the award winning Time Couriers) & THE NEXUS CHRONICLES by Skylyr Symkyns. Conception is the first title in this YA/Paranormal digital short story series.
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[Μιχάλης · Rating 3 out of 5]

Αυτό το run είναι ο παππούς των superhero comics των 00's: Γκρίζα ηθική, πολιτική θεματολογία και μία τάση για ενήλικη, κινηματογραφική απόδοση.

Τι κρίμα που το artwork είναι μέτριο ενώ οι αυτοτελείς ιστορίες ανά τεύχος σε κάνουν να νιώθεις ότι βλέπεις ένα δεκάλεπτο επεισόδιο σειράς - κάτι που μετέπειτα (στο Authority πχ του Ellis) διορθώθηκε, αφού νιώθεις ότι βλέπεις blockbuster.

[Nate Krenkel · Rating 4 out of 5]

2 Headed Nerd put me on to this

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warren Ellis joins Stormwatch with these issues 37-42 and hits the ground running. City symbiote Jack Hawksmoor, Jenny
Sparks and Rose Tattoo join the reorganized team, Battalion and others get pulled off field work, Swift gets a makeover and
others just get the big fat boot. It's a big shake up but it makes for an entertaining set up. Ellis seems to be on the ball from the start and he's backed up with some striking visuals from the current artists led by Tom Raney. It's not Watchmen but it is fiendishly fun.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

All these years later this first part of the Ellis revamp of Stormwatch that led, eventually, to The Authority doesnt seem quite a revolutionary or brilliant as it was at the time. That is to be expected though as what was then just incredible has had such an effect on comics writing that it has been copied endlessly.
That said it is still a fantastic read especially knowing what it to become and what it led into. The issues covered (comic wise and reality wise) are so different from what was the norm that the writing stands out. The structure of some of the stories, so many of them just starting in the middle of a story, involving often just one member of the team really stands out. Really looking forward to working my way through the issues and eventually onto Thos incredible first 12 issues of The Authority

[Gonzalo Oyanedel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un equipo de superhéroes sin demasiada personalidad - como abundaron en los años noventa - alcanza su etapa más creativa gracias al guionista Warren Ellis, cuyo arribo al título trae un replanteamiento donde la ciencia ficción y el filón de espías refrescan una premisa que va quitándose el lastre "dark and gritty padecido por los justicieros del comic-book estadounidense tras el impacto logrado por Watchmen y The Dark Knight Returns; gráficamente correcta y auspiciosa en lo argumental, su lectura mostró los posibles rumbos en la industria de los superhéroes, incluso fuera de las viñetas.

[Mouse · Rating 2 out of 5]

So I'm new to Stormwatch, but I'm a fan of Warren Ellis so I decided to check it out.
Within the 2nd page we've already got the team trying to be the Justice League by teleporting to a 'Skywatch' tower in space.
What happened, couldn't think of a different type of base?
As I read partially into this book it just became apparent that it was a type of X-Men ripoff, or perhaps an edgier Avengers. There's just not much character development and they all seem like they have a chip on their shoulder.
I didn't much care for it and I couldn't really get into it!

[Jay Rox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This comic is really grounded aldough its a super hero comic. The ussues & situations were very real world problems at the time & are still relevant today. The characters seemed very one note & lacked depth, i never felt my self rooting for or against any of them which was really my only issue & that is the main reason why i stay on a book is to see the characters develop so hope that changes in the following volumes but of to a great start . i give this 8.5/10 for video review click on the link -

[Eblison · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you aren't a regular reader of Warren Ellis already, this book is a good reason to start. It took the polished veneer of a superhero and scuffed it up, making it more acceptable for the real world. Where people like Alan Moore and Grant Morrison have done this before, Ellis goes for the long haul. He carries Stormwatch through the storm and out the other side, damaged and broken, only to take them through another storm.

[George Murray · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best part about this series isn’t that is the precursor to the Authority, it’s that the entire cast is slaughtered by xenomorphs during an ALIENS crossover special NOT EVEN PUBLISHED UNDER THE STORMWATCH TITLE. And then because the crossover contract was just for that one issue they can’t mention the xenomorphs in the final memorial issue so everyones just like ‘so sad that these guys died of being killed.’ They dont make comics like they used to.

[Silvere · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part one of Warren Ellis' Stormwatch run, which redefined the series and brought it to an end.
This run of Stormwatch is an excellent jumping on point. Old characters are further developed and new characters are introduced; streamlining the roster. The series more or less developed into its own uniqueness at this point.

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not clear to me why this AND the Authority both exist. (Or, really, why I should care about most of the characters. The Weatherman is such a tough-guy stereotype that he's pretty unlikeable.)

[Koen Claeys · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the start of Wildstorm getting really good. Warren Ellis is laying the groundworks for future awesomeness.

[Cyril · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.9 stars
A promising beginning, can't wait to read more!

[Stanislav R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

По началу совсем махровые девяностые (не лучшая эра для комиксов). Первая пара номеров прям очень со скрипом идет. Дальше истории все еще так себе, но флоу прям на глазах (wink) улучшается.

[Fazun · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Fizzgig76 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reprints Stormwatch (1) #37-42 (July 1996-November 1996). Stormwatch is changing again. Weatherman has created a team shake-up by dividing up new strike teams and introducing new members to the Stormwatch family. With both Jackson and Christine forced into administrative roles, Weatherman has big plans for his new Stormwatch…and Stormwatch’s challenges are also getting bigger!

Written by Warren Ellis with art by Tom Raney, Pete Woods, and Michael Ryan, Stormwatch Volume 1: Force of Nature is the first collection of Warren Ellis’ acclaimed relaunch of the series. The issues collected in this volume were also collected in Stormwatch—Volume 1 (along with the original second volume of Ellis’ collection).

Stormwatch and many of Image Comics were rather generic when they were released in the early ’90s. The series focused on art over content and big breasted women and men wearing bizarre headgear ruled the company’s flagship titles. With runs like Alan Moore on WildC.A.T.s and Warren Ellis on Stormwatch, Image began to grow up.

Stormwatch is rather interesting in this point in that it also doesn’t really follow the current trend of six issue storylines. The collection features mostly stand-alone issues and some over-arcing storylines involving Weatherman and his bigger plans. Stormwatch 1: Force of Nature mostly stands to set the framework for further storylines.

Ellis did an interesting combination of existing and new characters to make the series different than many of Image’s comics. The hardest part for Image writers seems to be giving background to these characters which lacked depth upon their creation. Here, you get more development and even characters like Fuji get to expand their role. New characters Jenny Sparks and Jack Hawksmoor go on to bigger things and Rose Tattoo also plays an important role…Ellis doesn’t show it here, but anything can happen in the Stormwatch universe so getting attached might mean heartbreak.

Stormwatch showed a change in comics. The “heroes” of Stormwatch were much more problematic than Superman or Batman and much more proactive. Ellis continued this theme throughout his run and the ideas developed even more in The Authority by Ellis and Mark Millar. Fans of comics should check out both of these series since they kind of pointed the direction of where comics were going. Stormwatch 1: Force of Nature was followed by Stormwatch 2: Lightning Strikes.

[47Time · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bendix reorganizes Stormwatch into three teams populated with old and new SPBs. The active members somewhat lack motivation while the old members start to doubt his decisions. Each issue is a seperate mission with few things in common and fairly limited character progression. Still it's the best this series has had until now and is a good starting place for fans of superhumans, scifi, horror, even for people new to comics.

The first threat comes from the Father, a mass murdering superhuman obsessed with Nietzsche's superman concept. Stormwatch Prime gets kicked around before they use their teleporter to transport the bad guy's lower half onto the station.

After being fired from Stormwatch, Undertow turns up dead. Hawksmoor is joined by Hellstrike and Fahrenheit to investigate the matter. Their first lead reveals that American-manufactured C4 explosive was used. Weatherman himself threatens the US president with reprisals for this act.

Weatherman decides to use team Black - the covert ops team - to look into the abuses perpetrated by the police department in New York and in Lincoln. There's mention of racism, abuse and superhumans being put in key positions. The situation turns out to be serious - SPBs are terrorizing the folks in Lincoln. They're no match for Stormwatch Black, but are proof of a rogue activator of seedlings.

A plane goes down unexpectedly, killing all its passagers. The death count keeps rising when a mutagen from the plane is released after the crash. It's an adulterated Gen-Factor developed in Gamorra. Team Red are ordered into Gamorra for Weatherman's response - killing exactly 233 people, equal to the victims of the plane crash.

Christine's new job is to identify seedlings and determine if they are worth activating. Her newest target is Sam Fleisig, a young man with a dark secret. He is a serial killer. He gets activated by a mysterious woman with the same ability as Cristine's. Christine captures him for interrogation. He becomes the best lead for finding the rogue activator.

Tokyo is under attack from a cult named Kodo. They are using superhumans artificially designed for destruction. Fuji goes to the Kodo compund and kills its leader. We get to see his patriotic side.

[Cale]

After reading some other Wildstorm titles, coming to a book written by Warren Ellis is a breath of fresh air. The characters are so much more alive and have personalities that show through as more than just gruff. It helps that this volume is the one that introduces Jenny Sparks and Hawksmoor, who are long-time favorites. There isn't an overarcing plot, really; Stormwatch is being reconfigured, which means old characters are out and new characters are in, and some group dynamics are mixed up. The situations they deal with are surprisingly impactful; super-powered police gone corrupt, a gene bomb dropped on an unsuspecting town, and a latent hero who has to be investigated before they decide to activate him. Each of the stories plays out differently than one would expect, and are memorable. The art is serviceable; nothing too fancy and it has the Wildstorm feel, but there's a lot less cheesecake than most Wildstorm titles. Ultimately, it is a clear example of why Warren Ellis got as much freedom in their universe as he did, and justifies it even from the start.

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice blend of super heroes and politics.
After a big mission, Stormwatch is in rough shape goes through a major overhaul, losing some members and gaining some.
There is then a series of smaller stories as we get to meet the new guys and get used to the new set up.
There's a crazy, naked super man rampaging through Germany, a murder mystery, lots of political intrigue and a fight with super powered clones in the middle of Tokyo.

Grim and gritty, yet there are still bits of humor and genuine human emotions.
A lot of the politics and bad guys leave you not feeling too good about being an American, but I read enough news to realize we spent almost a decade being seen by the rest of the world as crazed bullies.

It does start to feel lazy and almost as stereotypical as all Asians knowing kung-fu and all black bad guys sounding like gangsta rappers.

That gripe aside, there's some good super hero stories happening here.

[Dean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a fan of Warren Ellis in general, and his work on Planetary in particular, I picked up this to see the beginning of Planetary. Ellis started his move to that by gutting the generic Image boobs and guns Stormwatch team, dropping characters and adding some of his own to the mix. Although still mainstream, it had a little indie edge with the obvious political points he was making, and he worked in some good stuff.
It does feel a little forced at times, with characters being made to do certain things to fit Ellis's narrative, but on the whole it reads well. It's not on a par with the later stuff he was to write but is a very good starting point.
I found the art a bit too bland, very much of the 90's school of stock exaggerated figures, though not bad as such. A top artist would have elevated this even more though.
well worth a read.

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is where it all begins... the comics that, twenty years ago (holy shit... 20 years!) made me sit up and say, "YES! This is the superhero comic I've wanted to read since I was a kid!" Warren Ellis proved he was "the man" with his ability to take a terrible, derivative and poorly written series of comics and turn it into a sea-change in how super-universes were to be considered. Those who followed (Millar, mostly) would turn it into a wanker power-fantasy, but Ellis was the best at actually challenging the sacred cows of superhero-dom, taking on an s-f concept of world building/world changing that other publishers, with their "characters as products" approach would never do.

Warren Ellis took a god awful comic called StormWatch and turned it into solid s-f reading. I'm enjoying the hell out of rereading these after so many years.

[Dallas Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every so often, as a reader, you get lucky enough to see someone take over a property with such a vision! Ellis' vision is so surprising all these years later!

A superhero team that attacks the cause, not the symptoms! Actual consequences being set up with a wild cast of characters! Going against world governments for the betterment of the people, I see why Grant Morrison praised this series so!

I can't speak to fans of the original Stormwatch and how they must have felt with all this change. With that, I must warn that this book does jump in expecting you to know a lot of the world already at first, but then sets up it's distinct new members and makes sure to rope you in on what this world is about!

Jack Hawksmore, as someone who has dedicatedly read comics for a decade, stands out as one of the most unique and fascinating characters I've seen!

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is what I needed after my Grant Morrison streak; some Warren Ellis to remind me of what I love in my subversive takes on common stories.

I've wanted to read the Authority for a while and have ever started it a few times, but I've never been able to get my hands on Ellis' StormWatch run so that I could see where it all really started. I was excited when I saw all these come in.

The art is pretty generic WildStorm/Image, but that's okay. It serves the story well. I love that Ellis starts his run by killing off a character he didn't create so that he can introduce his own members. It's the best way to pass the torch.

[arjuna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having started on The Authority I was very eager to see where it all began, as it were; the artwork here isn't perhaps quite as much fun as but the characters, setup and pace certainly are.
A little disjointed at times, although that might simply be because I haven't the knowledge of issues 1-36 - even knowing that they're not strictly relevant to Ellis' run, I'd still like to chase them up, just on principle. Absolutely adore Jenny Sparks and Hawksmoor and will definitely be seeking out subsequent collections. More please! :)

[Daniel Parks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite up to what Ellis is capable of. The Authority is more well written and personally I'm not a fan of this Image style of art with huge characters bursting out of jagged, diagonal panels. If you're relatively new to Ellis I would recommend the spin-off series The Authority as well as Global Frequency. Of course, Transmetropolitan and Planetary are superb. Haven't read Supergod yet but very much looking forward to it.

[Thomas Mcmillen · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading "Gun Machine" by Ellis, I was set on his graphic novel background. Have to admit I have never been a huge fan of the format but the story is well told - especially the idea of striking at the true power behind action and not just the lowly foot soldier. Jenny Sparks and Rose Tattoo are the 2 characters that stand out. I did hear that "The Authority" is Ellis's masterpiece. That I'm looking forward to reading.