“Adrift” (No Spoilers)
Writers: Marc Bernardin & Adam Freeman
Pencils: Al Barrionuevo
Colors: Eltaeb & Mayor
Letters: Wes Abbott
Assistant Editor: Kristy Quinn
Editor: Jim Chadwick
Cover: Walt Simonson & Wes Hartman
The creative team consisting of writers Marc Bernardin & Adam Freeman along with artist Al Barrionuevo bow out of their Authority run with this issue. No official reason has been given but regardless of the reason, I am saddened by their departure. Their run has been really strong and after four solid issues, I hate to see them go. But the good news is they leave us with a really good issue.
Someone asked me to give a summary of what I thought of both this title and the current Wildcats title. I told them Wildcats right now was very much like a Michael Bay movie while The Authority is reminding me a lot of the new Battlestar Galactica series. And I’m enjoying each title based on that comparison. Bernardin & Freeman gave us an explosive first issue with their run and have balanced action and story in the following issues quite well. But here, they give us a chance to catch our breath and although the issue opens up with some action, it quickly gives way to a series of quieter moments for the characters.
This is a highly appropriate progression of events because the characters have literally not had a chance to think since The Carrier took off into space 3 issues ago. Here, they finally get to settle into their situation. Plus, we get some questions answered about some missing characters. We also get to see how this whole situation is really getting to some of the characters and it reminds us for a moment that despite their superpowers, they’re still very much human.
I’ve mentioned before that I really appreciate the smaller cast here (which has grown a little in the last two issues). I would hope that people who have not been long-time readers will finally get a good sense of some of these characters. Each of them is being faithfully represented and we’re getting some interactions between characters that I don’t think have interacted much (or at all) in the past. Add to that at least one more mystery to solve and a great cliffhanger and you’ve got an incredible final issue from this creative team. Thanks for giving us a wild ride guys and I look forward to the new creative team picking up where you guys left off.
Overall Rating: 8 out of 10 (On Its Way to Greatness)