The Authority: The Lost Year is a 12 issue maxi-series that came out between 2006 to 2010. Story by Grant Morrison and Keith Giffen and written by Keith with art by various artists.
The series begins with The Authority slipping through the bleed into an alternate earth where they some how end up losing the 'baby universe' that powers the Carrier. And so they are stuck until they can find a way to get back home. But they realise that a parasite like creature is using the people of this alternate earth as what can only be described as the humans caught in the Matrix. Well you can accept that explanation or that its a Cthulhu like creature feeding on the emotions of the people, who have no idea that its feeding off them. I think the Matrix is less gross.
There other great stories in this series. The series reminds me of Sliders TV Series. Which is a cool series which follows a group of students and their professor as they try to find their way back to their home after a device they created opens a portal that leads them to alternate earths. So, yeah the premise is similar but we are talking here about The Authority and superhero comics so expect some solid tales.
There a couple issues that stood out for me and these are issues #8-10. Two different tales altogether and at different ends of the rainbow.
Issue #8 & 9 has to be one of the funniest The Authority issues I have ever read. The humor is relentlss. Its the classic case of 'jumping the gun'. On arrival they are mistaken for evil doubles of this new alternate earth's Authority. And so within minutes a full-on confrontation is under way.
But this is as I mentioned a fun story and we soon learn that this earth's Apollo and Midnighter haven't come out of the closet, nor do they think they are gay. Apollo has sex 12 times a week to show he is all heterosexual. Midnighter has no problems with having long baths together with Apollo and has no idea why the media keeps saying they are gay. Not only do they have these issues, but they are actually quite stupid. I will leave the rest for you to check and enjoy.
Issues #10-11 has some amazing mouth watering artwork. The coloring and pencils are gobsmacking awesomeness. Some of the background characters in these 3 issues are worth continuing in the normal series now that, StormWatch is being released as part of DC New 52. I haven't read the series yet but it is on my 'to do list'.
The story 'Seventh Day' which runs across 2 issues is a powerful warning to the 7 heroes of what their affect can have on earth and its people if they don't keep themselves in 'check'. The doubles in this alternate world are the most extreme end of the spectrum compared to the other alternate earths and their The Authority.
After having visited and seeing their counterparts affect on humanity, Jenny decides to not resist when they are approached by the aggressive Rose Tattoo squad. This causes Midnighter to question Jenny's decision to allow themselves to be taken into custody and he is proven write when a fellow prisoner tells him they should have resisted.
The Jenny Sparks (Jenny Quark, I guess thats what they are calling the new kid), in this reality is a very powerful ruler with the governments of the world bowing to their authority. Here everyone is watched. Much like George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four. Anyone who could oppose this totalitarian earth is impressed in a guard-less prison purpose for each superhero or super-villain.
And policing this world run by the Engineer's science and the Doctor's magic is the powerful and skilled police force of the Rose Tattoo. I am a tattoo fan and have 2 already and am waiting to get a full body phoenix done in the future, so I was keen to check out the awesome effort taken to design the tattoos that marked each of these super soldiers.
All in all this is a good series and if you aren't able to get the whole series or the graphic novel, do try to get a read of the 4 issues I mentioned.
The series begins with The Authority slipping through the bleed into an alternate earth where they some how end up losing the 'baby universe' that powers the Carrier. And so they are stuck until they can find a way to get back home. But they realise that a parasite like creature is using the people of this alternate earth as what can only be described as the humans caught in the Matrix. Well you can accept that explanation or that its a Cthulhu like creature feeding on the emotions of the people, who have no idea that its feeding off them. I think the Matrix is less gross. 
There other great stories in this series. The series reminds me of Sliders TV Series. Which is a cool series which follows a group of students and their professor as they try to find their way back to their home after a device they created opens a portal that leads them to alternate earths. So, yeah the premise is similar but we are talking here about The Authority and superhero comics so expect some solid tales.
There a couple issues that stood out for me and these are issues #8-10. Two different tales altogether and at different ends of the rainbow.
Issue #8 & 9 has to be one of the funniest The Authority issues I have ever read. The humor is relentlss. Its the classic case of 'jumping the gun'. On arrival they are mistaken for evil doubles of this new alternate earth's Authority. And so within minutes a full-on confrontation is under way.
Issues #10-11 has some amazing mouth watering artwork. The coloring and pencils are gobsmacking awesomeness. Some of the background characters in these 3 issues are worth continuing in the normal series now that, StormWatch is being released as part of DC New 52. I haven't read the series yet but it is on my 'to do list'.
The story 'Seventh Day' which runs across 2 issues is a powerful warning to the 7 heroes of what their affect can have on earth and its people if they don't keep themselves in 'check'. The doubles in this alternate world are the most extreme end of the spectrum compared to the other alternate earths and their The Authority. After having visited and seeing their counterparts affect on humanity, Jenny decides to not resist when they are approached by the aggressive Rose Tattoo squad. This causes Midnighter to question Jenny's decision to allow themselves to be taken into custody and he is proven write when a fellow prisoner tells him they should have resisted.
All in all this is a good series and if you aren't able to get the whole series or the graphic novel, do try to get a read of the 4 issues I mentioned.
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