Tag: Al Barrionuevo

The Authority #27

“Slaughter Moon” (No Spoilers)

The Authority really got back on track with this issue story-wise. Where I felt the last issue went by way too fast, I liked the pattern this one laid out. It did a good job of juggling the two groups of the heroes and kept the story moving along nicely.

I won’t spoil it but I will say we finally get the origin of The Carrier this issue. It’s an interesting concept but ultimately I wasn’t blow away by the revelation like I was hoping I was. I think it was mainly because the explanation surrounding the alien race was something I’ve heard in other stories. If it weren’t for that, I think I would’ve appreciated the origin story more. Don’t misunderstand me, it’s not a bad origin at all. It’s just something I’ve seen before countless times in science fiction.

The Authority #26

“Genociety” (No Spoilers)

The Authority continues their space odyssey which turns into a space nightmare in this issue. Tom Taylor has taken us through some great science fiction during his run and he throws in a little science horror now.

I can tell artist Al Barrionuevo had a lot of fun designing some of the alien creatures we see in this issue. I especially like the fact that none of them are humanoid. The team has traveled so far out in space now these things should not even know what a human is (or should they?). That’s another great thing about the story that’s unfolding here is Taylor keeps piling on the mysteries (including a very interesting one with Swift) even as we get some answers.

Wildcats #25

“The Protectorate 3 of 3: Knock Down, Drag Out” (No Spoilers)

Here it is! The battle of the century! Midnighter vs. Zealot! Did the fight deliver? I say, yes!

Adam Beechen relies on two of his many strengths during this issue. First, he uses a character that is normally in the background to narrate the events (similar to Runt narrating Gen 13 #34, which was also written by Beechen). This time it’s Petrified Girl, originally of the superhero team The Paladins (introduced in Number of the Beast). I had wondered what Beechen’s reasoning was in bringing Petrified Girl to Earth with Zealot, Cybernary, and Maul. It becomes clearer as she narrates the fight.

The Authority #24

“Mondregon-Part 2” (No Spoilers)
I’m glad this was labeled as a “Part 2” because you really have to read the previous issue to understand what’s going on here. I think the old “every issue could be someone’s first” thing can be fudged a little when you outright number the parts of your story.

The issue heralds the return of artist Al Barrionuevo who had been off the title for two issues. We originally thought he’d left with the previous writing team but it seems they just brought in artist Mike S. Miller for the past two issues to give Barrionuveo a chance to get some issues in the can (especially since the solicits for the next two issues list him as the artist). It is bittersweet because I love both Barrionuevo’s and Miller’s artwork. Their style is way too different to pick one over the other. But Barrionuevo returns in full force with some amazing work.