Review: The Authority (1999-2002): Book Two

The Authority (1999-2002): Book Two by Mark Millar
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A great follow-up to the first volume. The stories here are arguably more shocking, with some distinctly Millaresque moments that add a spicy flavour to the book.

Personally, I thought Volume 1 was stronger in terms of both story and art, as Ellis’s arc felt like a more cohesive unit. While I do love the art in Volume 2, none of it quite reaches the heights of Hitch (which is no slight on the artists here at all). That said, the artwork in both volumes complemented the narratives perfectly; in Volume 2, the spicier content suited Quitely brilliantly and was wonderfully reminiscent of his run on New X-Men with Grant Morrison.

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Review: The Authority (1999-2002): Book Two

The Authority (1999-2002): Book Two by Mark Millar
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: Eyes Open, Hands Empty

Eyes Open, Hands Empty by John Walker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

At the time of writing this, I am already nearing the end of the third book, so I will keep this brief!

The story continues, deepening the bond between Ethan, Vesper, and Kal. They are now partnered with a group of fellow "gift ship" owners and survivors of the mysterious forces hunting them.

The crew makes great strides throughout this adventure, but they also make some costly mistakes. We get to know a little more about the mysterious creators of the ships, along with some great teasers about the people hunting them.

If you liked the first book, this sequel perfectly carries on and expands the story. If you haven't read the first one yet, definitely do so!

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Review: Eyes Open, Hands Empty

Eyes Open, Hands Empty by John Walker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: Unwanted Starship

Unwanted Starship by John Walker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Let me start by saying that I am already listening to book two of this series, which should give you a pretty clear indication of how much I enjoyed this title!

It is a fun, engaging story that outlines the beginning of a unique relationship—not one of romance, but of a deep, mutual bond.

Ethan is a run-of-the-mill machine repair engineer at a factory. While his work might seem mundane, his connection to it runs much deeper; he has a unique ability to understand the machinery he maintains, making him a bit of a "machine whisperer." This talent sets the perfect stage for the unexpected partnership he stumbles into.

Enter a "gift ship"—a mysterious vessel sent out when a species reaches a certain level of technological criteria. Built by unknown architects, the ship is designed to form an unbreakable bond with the very first entity that makes contact with it.

And so, the adventure begins. What starts as a reluctant bond for Ethan quickly threatens his safe, predictable life, exposing him to dangers both terrestrial and extra-terrestrial.

How will this bond develop? Well, grab a copy and find out!

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Review: Unwanted Starship

Unwanted Starship by John Walker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: The Authority (1999-2002): Book One

The Authority (1999-2002): Book One by Warren Ellis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I regret not coming to this story sooner; it was a title I’d long been aware of, but had never actually read. Ultimately, this graphic novel represents a fantastic marriage of story and art—it is a prime example of exactly what the medium can achieve.

As a fan of Bryan Hitch’s work since his Marvel UK days, I can see that this was the turning point that elevated him from an artist to a true storyteller. While Warren Ellis is a fantastic writer, it’s Hitch who gives this title its massive impact. A special shout-out must also go to the brilliant inks by the late Paul Neary (another deeply familiar name from the Marvel UK era).

Did anyone else spot the Dez Skinn reference? A lovely little nod to those classic roots.

Give this a try—especially if you're a fan of The Ultimates. Now, it's time for me to do a bit of exploration into Stormwatch.

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