DC could have titled this comic book Justice League Elite #0... or even The Authority #pi. Joe Kelly brings back the DC Universe incarnation of the Authority that he created for a one-shot story in Action Comics #775 a couple of years ago. That book served as an interesting and thought-provoking comment on traditional super-hero comics versus the new, edgier, "widescreen" approach to the genre. But do we really need another version of the Authority around for stories set in the DC Universe as opposed to Wildstorm's continuity? Honestly, I don't believe so, no. But this self-contained story, despite a cornball ending, does a nice job in telling the story, using an achronological approach that misdirects the reader perfectly.
War, famine, environmental catastrophe... mankind's doing quite the job of messing up the planet, and a group of superhuman "heroes" has decided the time has come for someone else to take charge. The Elite returns, now led by Sister Superior, AKA Vera Lynn Black, sister to the Elite's original leader, the late Manchester Black. Vera's got more than just the future of the human race on her mind, though; she blames Superman for her brother's suicide. Should the Man of Steel and his colleagues in the Justice League of America sustain some bodily harm in the Elite's takeover of Earth, all the better, she thinks.
It's surprising that Doug Mahnke's never been tapped to illustrated The Authority or one of its spinoffs for Wildstorm Productions. He has demonstrated that he brings the edge and intensity to super-hero comics that are such an integral part of that "widescreen" approach to the genre. I love the detailed, fluid, organic quality he brings to the depiction of Vera's powers here as well as the Martian Manhunter's shape-shifting abilities. David Baron, no stranger to The Authority himself, brings vibrant colors to the artwork that are in keeping with the more iconic heroes, but he also employs darker tones when the story calls for it. He brings the power and wonder of the super-hero to life here but doesn't interfere with the darker mood either.
The climax, though effective, still has a corny quality to it that conflicts with the more cynical elements that serve as the story's foundation. There are also a number of problems with the logic of the plotting here, not the least of which is how the majority of the Justice League treats Vera in the concluding scene. And while Kelly offers up an accessible script in terms of Manchester Black's background and Vera's mission, the other members of the Elite get glossed over in this script.
Every day, those we trust to run the show lie to us. There was a time when the lies were carried out to protect us, but today, we see that the lies are designed to line the liars' pockets. This script is about such manipulation as well, but it's about honorable lies, ones that come from an altruistic and necessary place as opposed to a greedy one.
