It’s Guardians of the Galaxy week and you know how I know that? Marvel is publishing three Guardians books. Oh, and there’s the big movie sequel too. After our press call with Marvel on this very book we learned this series is all about being weird and fun. Sounds good to me!
Writer: Gerry Duggan
Artist: Aaron Kuder
Publisher: Marvel Comics
So what’s it about? Read our preview.
Why does this book matter?
Gerry Duggan has been writing one of the most fun Avengers books in ages with Uncanny Avengers, which also proved he has the chops to write a team book. If you want a weird book, Aaron Kuder is probably your best bet, as his style is capable of capturing strange life forms and impossible environments.
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
This issue opens with an incredible alien city with all sorts of creatures flying about that we’ve never seen before. Then Galactus shows up and ruins everyone’s day. Duggan uses this to defy your expectations and kick off an incredible heist by our faithful team which allows the story to come in at a breakneck speed. Even if you don’t know these characters you’ll quickly gather their personalities via their interactions and if you do know them you’ll notice the slight changes. Time has passed since we last saw them, which creates a sense of mystery as we’re dropped into their new lives attempting to figure out what has changed.
That is ALL kinds of cosmic!
Character wise this is the same old team, a family really, but like any family they have their differences. Drax for instance, is smug and less himself than ever. Gamora clearly has issues with Star-Lord, and poor Groot is stuck as a baby. There’s a lot to unwrap and this issue will make you want to figure out what is going on. Luckily for Groot fans, the cliffhanger reveals what may be going on with him so there are some answers too. Maybe it’s the anticipation for the new film talking, but Duggan captures the voice of each character incredibly well. The dialogue of Rocket in particular seems straight out of the movie — infused with the attitude you’ve come to expect from the character.
The issue definitely delivers on the fun–a few laugh out loud moments occur–and the weird. The Grandmaster is introduced in the most surprising of ways and you’ll have to think hard about what sort of spaceships there are in the universe .
Kuder draws a great issue, with a good deal of personality infused into Rocket and Star-Lord in particular. Baby Groot is rendered well–you gotta love his one leaf haircut–and there’s an energy in the pages that’s undeniable. A highlight in the issue is Galactus, who has an interesting function that’s believable.
Fun!.
It can’t be perfect can it?
Gamora fans are going to need to be patient as very little is done with her or revealed about her here. It’s still early yet, but it was a bit of a surprise she gets little to do or say beyond being a badass.
Is It Good?
More than most series as of late, this series captures the fun of the movie series, but now in comic book form. The attitude and adventure is right up there with the cinematic take on these characters and it’s hard to deny this’ll be a series to keep your eye on.
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