The Authority: The Lost Year #9

“Punch Drunk”
I am truly shocked but I actually thought this issue was okay. Last issue really frustrated me to no end and I dreaded picking this one up. But there were several factors that were different about this issue that I think slightly improved it from the last one.
First off, we get J.J. Kirby as the artist this time. I didn’t think David Williams and Kelsey Shannon’s art from last issue was horrible at all. In fact I stated in my review for that issue that I thought it was perfect especially with some of the facial expression they did. But I think Kirby’s art suited the story just that much more. I remember first seeing J.J. Kirby’s work in the Backlash series.

Sparta U.S.A. #3

“Various Cancers” (No Spoilers)
The novelty of wondering what is really going on in this story is staring to run out for me. We do have some interesting moments but I don’t find myself attaching to any of the characters. I’m not sure I like the main character, Godfrey McLaine, because even though he’s trying to help these people, it’s hard for me to root for a guy who’s got a harem of women following him AND a wife and three kids. Of course, the morals in Sparta are definitely different than most people’s so who am I to judge?

Gen 13 #35

“Pocatello: Part 1 – Pathcutter” (No Spoilers)
Finally, we get a good jumping on point with the Gen 13 kids. Originally, issue 33 was supposed to be writer Phil Hester’s first but the story running through Wildcats and The Authority required writer Adam Beechen to take Gen 13 for issues 33 & 34 before we could get here. I can see why this was done but it has been hard to sell Gen 13 with a good jumping on point because of this. Thankfully, they finally accomplish that here.

Sparta U.S.A. #2

“Fear the Future” (No Spoilers)
Sparta U.S.A. is one of the oddest stories I’ve read in a long while. It’s one-part Twilight Zone, one-part Twin Peaks, with just a dash of Doctor Who thrown in. It’s the kind of story that you spend a lot of time trying to wrap your brain around. So far, I couldn’t tell you if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.
It’s not that the concepts are completely out there. Rising up against an oppressive force seems to be the basis for the story so far. It’s the odd setting and the details of this world that leave you in a constant state of uncertainty.