Basic story: well, before we go there you need some back story. Prior to where this series kicks in, a group of super beings called the Authority get fed up with the piecemeal, reactionary process of the superhero biz. Things happen, they have to stop doing what they are doing and save a kitten in the tree, prevent a rape or stop some other universe from taking over this one. In an effort to be more proactive, they decide to take over the government of the united states and kick out the corrupt politicians as well as capitalistic interests running the society from the background. This is where the current mini-series kicks in.
Things are not all rosy. Well, as any good revolutionary would tell you, it turns out that governing is very different from plugging dams. Governing is very slow, tedious and rife with ineptitude, processes, protocols and side deals. It also turns out that the skill set necessary to beat up a super villain is a bit difference than the one used to negotiate with congress - well, that is until you decide to punch one in the face and break their nose for making a remark (something that happens toward the beginning of the mini-series).
Literally grabbing the biographically available (i.e., those free to engage in social struggle) by grabbing some people out of an old folks home and making them young again (kind of a Cocoon goes Revolutionary storyline), the challengers mount an ever-increasing assault agains the Authority employing weapons like "super charisma" (no, I kid you not). There are some highly amusing battles but after a particularly violent battle and official defection of Midnighter, America is returned to the Americans. This is after all of the challenging group are basically killed off and hundreds of Americans lie dying after an especially violent explosion, which was set by a super villain who wanted the world to go back the way it was when super beings reacted to criminal behavior. So, although the challenging aspiration wins, none of the challengers are able to enjoy it, America is returned to the political manipulations of an economic elite and the Authority retires to get drunk and beat criminals up in back alleys. The latter is reminiscent of the problem found within societies where soldiers are decommissioned (insert random Jason Statham movie here).
Comic: American in origin (2004-2005). Comic information.