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And so ends Volume Two of STORMWATCH.  It was good, but, by no means, great.  Volume One was great.  This was good, but it was nothing compared to some of the brilliance Ellis pulled off on V1.  If you've enjoyed SW V2, I heartily recommend that you search out V1, as you wait for THE AUTHORITY, which sounds like it could be tremendous.  

Jackson, Christine, and Flint bury their teammates-Witner, Fahrenheit, Hellstrike, and Fuji, while StormWatch Black deals with an old foe's attempt and his attempt on Malcom King (Jackson's brother)'s life.  

The best thing about this issue was the re-appearance of SW Black (after a seven-issue absence) and the return of one of my all-time favorite villains, Henry Bendix.  Bendix, the Weatherman on SkyWatch during SW V1, was brilliant, complex, and ruthless.  He was just a wonderful, wonderful villain.  

Which made his death that much more sad.  I mean, I found it as distressing as the deaths of Winter, Fuji, Hellstrike, and Fahrenheit in WILDCATS/ALIENS !!  He was just such a great character . . . Oh well, at least he got what was coming to him.  And letting Jenny Sparks deliver the killing blow was a stroke of genius on Ellis' part.  

The rest of the issue was somewhat lackluster, as the UN decides to shut down StormWatch, due to lack of funding.  It's a bit sad, but not wholly unexpected.  Beyond the sadness of Bendix's death, I was also saddened that Ellis seems to be writing Jackson out of the series altogether . . . Which is too bad, since he was such an interesting character in V2.  

Hitch's art is, as usual, gorgeous.  Unfortunately, he only does eight pages.  Ryan does the rest, which is absolutely dreadful.  I don't think he could draw a decent figure or background to save his life.  Terrible, horrible art by Ryan, lovely, lovely art by Hitch, particularly the full page spread of Jenny frying Bendix. . .  

As for THE AUTHORITY, I must say, I'm definitely looking forward to it.  The unofficial prologue at the end of the issue piqued my interest and Ellis's comments only added to the curiousity.  Like Joe Casey, Ellis also went for some rather gaudy advertising, proudly proclaming THE AUTHORITY to be "the largest scale, most beserk idea-sodden hugest goddamn widescreen superhero comic you've ever seen."  The difference between Casey and Ellis ?  Ellis *can* back it up.  

SW V2 ends on a bit of a high point (but disappointing compared to V1), but leaves me salivating for THE AUTHORITY, so . . . 
  

Score:  B  
 
  

*** Special "Second Opinions" Review ***  
By Brett Berliner (WizBrett@aol.com)  
  

Most members of Stormwatch are dead.  The few living ones attend their funerals.  Jenny (yes!) Sparks kills the former Weatherman, Henry Bendix.  Jackson King, the current Weatherman wishes to rebuild Skywatch, however, Stormwatch gets the plug pulled on it.  

Since I didn't do a review of WildCATS/Aliens, you all don't know how much I hated loving that comic.  It was the death of some of my favorite characters, and one of my favorite teams.    This issue touched on base with what happens after everyone is dead.. and I can honestly say this is only the second time I've cried from a comic.  The first one was the first comic I read, an old issue of Uncanny X-Men.. it scared the crap out of me.. I was 5. Before I tell you this, I'm not a crying person.  Movies don't make me cry.  I'm not "sensitive".. so this is a fluke? Maybe. This one didn't make me gush.. but the funerals of four of my favorite characters, Fahrenheit, Winter, Fuji, and Hellstrike, made me tear up a little.  Stormwatch has been a series for a good 6 years, going on 7.  I've been reading since the beginning, andI grew up with these characters.  They've always made me feel good, and were always one of my favorite super teams.  With them now dead, 7 years after I started reading.. it touches a soft spot.  Kind of like if you'd been reading Superman your whole life when he dies.  Only I shouldn't feel so good about reading about my favorite character's deaths, should I?  

Warren Ellis' story was, as always, superb.  The book ended on a sad note, the way it should.  Some last issues of comics end in embraces between lovers that are designed to leave you with a sweet taste in your mouth.  Stormwatch wasn't like that.  Before I read #11, I knew this was the last issue.  However, the last few pages made me think there might be a new one, or they might pop up in other WS books.. Jackson was talking about rebuilding.  And then got shot  
down.  I was amazed at how little possibility Stormwatch has of rebanding after I read this.. in the day of marketing, you've got to always leave a back door, right?  
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Bryan Hitch's artwork is reminiscent of Alan Davis' without being a clone. His characters are smooth, but with a lot of rough lines.  I enjoyed his little run on the book.  The semi-regular guest artist, Michael Ryan is only okay.  His run on Grifter was good, and I love a sketch I got from him.. but Michael just cannot draw the human face 50% of the time.  His art on this issue actually seemed better than usual.. but it may have been due to the writing.  
  

Score:  A    
  

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