Superman and the Authority #1
- WRITER
- Grant Morrison
- Artist
- Mikel Janín
- Letterer
- Steve Wands
- Cover Artist
- Jordie Bellaire, Alex Sinclair, Bryan Hitch, Mikel Janín
- Publisher
- DC Comics
- Price
- 4.99
- Release Date
- 2021-07-20
- Colorist
- Jordie Bellaire
As Jon Kent takes over the mantle of Superman in the main DC Universe, a version of his father has surfaced in the Wildstorm Universe in the new DC miniseries, Superman and the Authority. Co-Created by Grant Morrison and Mikel Janín, the miniseries' opening issue showcases a hardened iteration of the Man of Tomorrow seeking to accomplish his promised quest in a grounded, cynical world. Ultimately, Morrison and Janín stay true to the core of Superman, while providing their own commentary on the recent trend of authoritarian Superman figures appearing throughout contemporary multimedia in an effective debut.
The issue opens with a prologue exploring a promise that Superman made to President John F. Kennedy in the 1960s. The issue then catapults forward to the relative present as the Man of Steel turns to his longtime foe Manchester Black for help. With age starting to catch up to the Last Son of Krypton, Superman decides to create a new superhero team to save the world from itself and show humanity a better way. Superman decides to firmly take matters into his own hands as his ambitious recruitment drive to form a new Authority earnestly begins.
If there's one thing abundantly clear about Morrison's work on Superman, it's that they completely understand DC's flagship character. That remains true here, even in the harsher setting and with a more grizzled Superman. Morrison leans into their champion of the people approach that they took in their previous Action Comics run, but with the twist that this Superman is well aware of his superhero career soon coming to an end -- even seeking to achieve his goals through some morally ambiguous methodology. The social commentary is there, but not particularly heavy-handed. This issue serves as more of an introduction to this new mission statement and its stakes than an action-packed opener.
Janín, working with longtime colorist collaborator Jordie Bellaire, delivers a more understated look at Superman. This feel is appropriate to the issue's grounded premise that has long defined the Wildstorm Universe. For an issue that largely amounts to a mission briefing from Superman to Manchester Black, the art team keeps the readers' attention on its riveting pages. The artwork offers some thrilling set-pieces when the action does kick into full gear. Janín's designs for this world's Superman are effective and impressive, communicating that this is a world-weary Superman that's holding on tightly to his ideals and goals.
From its gorgeous reimagining of Superman to the bold direction Morrison has taken the Man of Tomorrow, Superman and the Authority debuts with all the hallmarks of what is quickly shaping up to be a particularly special Superman story. The creative team is delivering a story that certainly reflects its time as even Superman appears to be struggling harder than ever before to stay relevant, making morally compromising decisions to save the day.
With the main cast of this miniseries poised to grow significantly larger as the full scope of the story comes into focus, Superman and the Authority is quietly positioning itself as DC's most important read of the summer.