The excitement for Star Wars: Blood Ties still hasn’t died down, with even more great reviews appearing. But it’s time for something else to get excited about, The Authority #26 is in stores tomorrow!
The Carrier has reached its destination. A mystery begins surrounding Swift. There is more blood and terror and gore than you can poke a fibula at. And Wildstorm have posted a bunch of previews. What are you waiting for? Click the pic! Check the pages!
They like us. They really like us.
Authority #23 is getting some high praise on internet forums and I’ve also had a number of emails and facebook messages from people singing the praises of the issue.
A couple of good reviews have surfaced already. And the first one, from Comic Vine, really put a smile on my face. See an extract below.
“OMG! Ok stand back just a little, I’ve got to get this out of my system.
You didn’t experience what happened in the two minutes between the previous line and this one, but trust me, I needed it. I liked this issue. A lot. I’ve liked what’s been going on with The Authority since they’ve taken off, but this issue was great.”
“That scene with Grifter at the beginning was not only very funny, but also really worked to add an element of continuity by connecting it to the last issue in a fun way. It’s not just random stuff happening on the Carrier. The Grifter/Flint…encounter also shows that a network of relationships (not just sexual) is building and by the end Taylor has used this joke to add a strong element of community. There are natural friendships, but the lives of the people on the ship are going to be crisscrossing more and more.”
“This issue really shows that these characters have character, and I’m glad to see it. And even better is that the character development doesn’t get in the way of telling a story that draws you in and is exciting. I’m so pumped for the next issue.” 
– Comic Vine.
And from Comic Addiction…
“One thing I appreciate about Taylor’s writing is his insertion of humor. There’s a great moment at the beginning between Grifter, Flint, The Engineer, and Swift. Even though he can do good humor, Taylor is also good at giving the story scope. The Carrier as a ship is massive in its own right. But there are two times in this issue that we see that out here in space, The Carrier seems real small real quick. Add that to the fact that Taylor introduces TWO threats for the heroes in this issue and you’ve got a great set-up for conflict.”
“If you like your superheroes with a dash of sci-fi, this book is the place to be right now. Rating: 8 out of 10 (On Its Way to Greatness!)“ – Comic Addiction.
Issue #23 sadly marks the end of Mike S. Miller’s short run as the artist. Mike captured these guys fantastically and, as well as showing some incredible action and scope, he really helped inject the humour that I was after at this stage of my run.
Issue #24 sees the return of regular series artist, Al Barrionuevo. I’m a lucky guy to get to work with two incredible artists on this book. An exclusive preview page of Al’s pencils from The Authority #24 can be seen right here at the official Wildstorm Blog.
My first issue of The Authority hit the stands yesterday and, so far, I’ve only read good things about the issue… which is nice.
The first review is up at Comic Addiction
“As much as I hated to see the previous creative team go, I can tell already that the title is in good hands. 8 out of 10 (On its way to greatness!)” – Comic Addiction
My first Authority interview has also appeared over at the Higher Authority – Tom Taylor: The Theater of Comics
“You know that feeling when you’re endangering your own love-life by juggling knives over your wife for total strangers and a hat-full of coins? No? Well, just like that, writing comics feels a little bit risky but absolutely right.”
Huh? Serious?
Getting my first ongoing professional comics gig writing Star Wars was like being put on a ‘big-boy’ bike for the first time, and having the training wheels ripped off just before the really steep hill. It has been an incredible experience and, so far, I haven’t gone over the handlebars and left half my face on the pavement.
But then being asked to follow that up by writing the Authority… well, that’s like thinking you’re getting your first car and, instead, being handed the keys to a flying battleship that runs on the fury and the sex drive of one hundred caged dragons. I haven’t thought of an analogy for ‘going over the handlebars’ in this but I imagine it would end with a large explosion, a lot of death and a bunch of people suddenly discovering that ‘RAAAAAGHHH’ is dragon-speak for ‘do you come here often?’
The Authority has been written by three of my top ten favourite writers. Being asked to add to their creation is about as mind-blowing as it gets. If I was able to go back in time and tell a young me discovering Warren Ellis’ Stormwatch for the first time that I would one day be writing those characters… actually, young me would probably be more impressed that I had a time machine… and would want to think of ways we could use it to see boobs… young me was a bit of a caged dragon.
Anyway, a huge thank you to Ben Abernathy at Wildstorm for letting me in the door, to Jim Chadwick and to Shannon Eric Denton.
THE AUTHORITY #22
On sale MAY 5
32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by TOM TAYLOR
Art by MIKE MILLER
Cover by PETE WOODS
Acclaimed writer Tom Taylor (Star Wars: Invasion) takes the helm for a 4-issue arc. The Authority’s journey through space on The Carrier’s unknown mission continues. Their mysterious voyage takes an even more terrifying twist than anything they’ve experienced so far when they discover stowaways of the worst possible kind. Facing a hideous mutiny by overwhelming odds, only one person can possibly save them. But will this reluctant hero break his own vow and return to action?
