The fans were surprised when James Gunn announced The Authority as an upcoming project in the new DCU. In the classic James Gunn fashion, the filmmaker did not confine himself to the obvious choices and opted for a unique take as DCU’s new co-head. This new team can be a game-changing move for the studio, which is desperate to rise back.
From the modern superhero media, it can be observed that many of the new projects are trying to explore uncharted territory and not be generic. The popularity of shows like The Boys, Gen V, and Invincible proves that the fans want something new. The Authority can be the perfect addition to the DCU and steer it in an exciting direction over time.
How did The Authority originate?
The Authority is a superhero team, very different from the Avengers or Justice League we have seen over the years. It is a brutal and unconventional take on a superhero squad that does not shy away from implementing anything they can to save the day. Unlike the other superhero teams we have seen, they do not answer to any higher body or organization and work according to their methods.
The team’s journey is very thrilling as it took a long time for the team to appear in the DC comics. When Jim Lee found an imprint named Wildstorm Comics, a gritty and brutal superhero team named Stormwatch was formed. However, when the interest in the comics started to fade, much of the team was killed off.
Sometime later, when Wildstorm Comics was acquired by DC in 1999, those remaining Stormwatch members, along with some new faces, formed The Authority. The events of 2011’s Flashpoint played a primary role in letting The Authority and the Wildstorm universe connect to the main DC continuity. Now, they are all set to get their movie in James Gunn‘s DCU.
Who are the members of The Authority?
The ardent superhero fans know that the iconic teams always maintain a dynamic roster. The members never stay the same for a prolonged period. It is also prevalent in the case of The Authority. However, the original line-up led by Jenny Sparks comprised Apollo, Midnighter, The Engineer, Doctor, Swift, and Jake Hawksmoor.
It can be easily observed that the team members are loosely based on the famous heroes from DC and Marvel. Jenny Sparks is a Captain Britain-esque superhero with the powers of electricity. Labeled “The Spirit of the 20th Century”, she was born in the 1900s and stopped aging when she was 19. She was involved with some of the most significant events of the century.
The next in line are Apollo and Midnighter, the Authority counterparts of Superman and Batman. Apollo closely resembles Superman with massive strength, flight, and even solar beam from his eyes. He is married to another prominent member, Midnighter, who can be considered a more brutal version of Batman.
One of the primary differences between Midnighter and Batman is that the former got his powers from an experiment, unlike the latter. Along with super strength, super speed, and healing factor, he can predict the possibilities of any fight. Then, the team also has its upgraded version of Doctor Strange, named The Doctor. He is one of the greatest wizards on the planet.
Then we have The Engineer, who is slated to be introduced in Superman: Legacy. Actress María Gabriela De Faría will play Angela Spica, whose body transformed into liquid metal after being infused with nanomachines. She can interface with any machine, shapeshift into, and create any object of her choice.
Swift’s power mimics DC’s Hawkgirl. However, the prominent difference between Hawkgirl and Swift is the latter’s wings are natural. She is also known for her speed, which can even overshadow some of the most renowned speedsters we have seen.
Last but not least, Jack Hawksmoor got his powers after being abducted and experimented on by aliens. The superhero can form connections with cities, and his strange psychic abilities enable him to glide through concrete. It will be exciting to see if the live-action version of the squad implements some significant changes in the team.
How does The Authority play a very crucial role in the DCU?
It cannot be denied that The Authority flick can break several conventions of superhero movies. A brutal superhero team that does not care about anybody and can go to any length to exterminate evil makes an intriguing premise for the fans. Additionally, with the representation of queer superheroes and other unconventional themes, it can play out a vital role in shaping the DCU.
Presently, the DCU needs to do something unique and more fascinating than its rival the MCU. With shows like The Boys getting insanely hyped, it must be acknowledged that the audiences are interested in more mature stuff. The Authority can be the hidden trump card for James Gunn to make a place for the new DCU in the hearts of superhero lovers.
