Stormwatch #1

For centuries they've guided the destiny of human kind from the shadows. Now that heroes have gone public will it make their jobs easier or more difficult? Adam One isn't taking any chances on the latter being the case and set's his sights on the solar powered juggernaut Apollo being his ace in the hole.

The Good

I absolutely love how big Cornell's thinking with this series. This book immediately feels like it has an ambitious narrative it wants to tell with action happening in Moscow, on the moon and in the Himalayas. And setting up a cosmic level threat straight from jump street really made me feel that Cornell's pulling out all the stops.

This book immediately roles with it's premise that these characters are the latest iteration of an ancient organization. Cornell said that in the DCnU Stormwatch has always existed and I truly got a sense these characters are the latest fingers on an unseen hand moving within the shadows. The nods to Cornell's Demon Knights and Shadow Cabinet were nice touches which lent the book a sense of true history.

I really like the art on this book. Sepulveda turns in some very solid work and I can only see him improving as he connects with these characters. He especially shines with his depiction of J'onn J'onzz. The color work by Allen Passalaqua really gives the book the appropriate mood.

Speaking of Manhunter I'm a huge, huge fan and the major selling point on this book for me was Cornell writing and J'onn being prominently featured on the cover. I was a bit concerned with how he'd exactly fit into this book though. Gladly J'onn is right at home among the other members of Stormwatch. The reasoning he states for his dual membership in Stormwatch and the Justice League makes total sense and I can't wait to see how he operates within this context.

Cornell and Sepulveda make superb use of J'onn's shape shifting abilities in this issue.

Despite this being the first issue all the characters feel like they've been doing this job with one another for years. Sepulveda's art really does a fine job of presenting the interpersonal relationships between the characters through body language and really compliments Cornell's dialogue.

The idea of these characters facing off against a sentient moon bent on attacking earth was really tantalizing to me. It looks like this new foe will tie into the history of the DCnU and create some very interesting story opportunities in the present. It's absurdly awesome concepts like this that will surely keep me reading this book for years to come. Seriously this is something straight out of Rozum's recent Xombi or Morrison's Doom Patrol.

I like Cornell's decision to mix the old members up with totally new characters like Adam One, Harry Tanner, and The Projectionist. I like his reworking of the older characters and look forward to seeing how he develops these new players. I also very much look forward to him building the relationship of Apollo and Midnighter. Ending the issue with the two was a good move and Midnighter's brief but impactful introduction will be sure to satisfy his longtime fans, impress new comers. Especially if they're already fans of you know who...

The Bad

This cover's pretty bland, that's not good period, but especially not a good look for a first issue.

Midnighter's new costume design is absolutely horrid and represents all the things wrong with Jim Lee's redesigns. It's way to busy with way too many unnecessary details. it truly feels like a case of change for change sake.

Sepulveda's art really needs a dedicated inker because that's the biggest flaw I had with it this issue. There were also a few odd facial expression that hopefully he'll hammer out.

Cornell using the concept of the Century Baby was something I really liked but it raises the question of how will it play out in a universe where the characters do not age in real time? Hopefully he'll find a way to address this problem. I'd hate to see Jenny as an 11 year old girl five years from now.

The Projectionist doing play by play on her powers was a bit tedious and annoying for me. Something about it was just too obvious for me.

The Verdict

Buy This Comic!!!

I've never read a single issue of Stormwatch/The Authority in my life. I know what I know of the old runs/charactes based solely on word of mouth and some wiki perusals. I was able to jump right into this story and really have a great time. This book has a very big feel to it that one with this premise should truly hold. Cornell has some ambitious ideas and I look forward to seeing him attempt to capitalize on them as the series progresses. Also there is Martian Manhunter. Come for the Manhunter stay for the great writing, intriguing concept, and impressive art.