Comic Book Review: Guardians of the Galaxy #2

The Revolution was highly impressed with Guardians of the Galaxy #1. DnA hit a monster home run with the debut issue. The first issue had everything that a writer is supposed to deliver in a debut issue in order to hook the reader. We got action, adventure, numerous plotlines, and good dialogue all wrapped up in a story that moved at an enjoyable pace. There is no doubt in my mind that Guardians of the Galaxy #2 is going to be another fantastic read. Let’s go ahead and do this review for Guardians of the Galaxy #2.

Creative Team
Writer: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Pencils: Paul Pelletier
Inks: Rick Magyar

Art Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
Story Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10

Synopsis: We begin with our team of heroes teleporting onto the asteroid of ice that came out of the fissure in space. Adam Warlock states that if they do not fix this fissure then this area of space will collapse in on itself. Warlock says that the asteroid that they are currently on is not from their reality. Warlock says that the asteroid is covered in old frozen time. That this is limbo ice that forms when this asteroid passed through the deepest and coldest extra-dimensional voids.

Quasar then begins to melt some of the ice. Quasar then hurriedly calls the team over to look at what she uncovered. We see the front gate of the Avengers Mansion in the ice. While the teammates are stunned by this discover, suddenly a bunch of strange alien creatures break free from the ice and attack them. Our heroes begin brawling with the alien creatures.

Warlock says that these creatures were entombed in the ice as this rock passed through the void and now they are waking up. Warlock says that these extra-dimensional vermin should even exist in their universe. Suddenly, we see Captain America’s shield come flying at some of the aliens. Our stunned heroes then see Vance Astro standing in front of them.

Vance says “Please, can somebody please tell me when I am?” Vance then passes out. Drax grabs Vance and Warlock tells everyone to teleport off the asteroid and let him deal with the fissure. Everyone teleports off the asteroid except for Quasar. Warlock tells her to get out of here as well. Quasar answers that she is not leaving without Warlock. Warlock responds that Quasar is both sweet and loyal.

Warlock then summons up an obliterating charm. Warlock then yells for Quasar to active her passport now. We then see a massive explosion enveloping the asteroid and the fissure.

We then cut to the Homeworld of the Universal Church of Truth. The Matriarch is meeting Cardinal Raker. The Matriarch informs Raker that one of their templeships was attacked. The Matriarch states that at first she wanted the Cardinals to mete out retribution and penance. But, then the Matriarch got a chance to study the visual logs from the templeship and was surprised at the identity of one of the attackers. (Must be talking about Adam Warlock.) The Matriarch tells Raker to go and find these individuals and to test them and to bring back to her confirmation.

We slide back over to Nowhere. We see Quasar bumping into Drax at the Marketplace. Quasar has purchased food and is about to cook some dinner. Quasar invites Drax to come have dinner with her. Quasar says that she is cooking macaroni and cheese which Moondragon said was her father’s favorite. Drax agrees to come have dinner with Quasar.

Quasar then asks Drax if he is intrigued by what they found today. Drax says no and why should he be. Quasar responds that Moondragon was an Avenger once. Drax turns around and spits “Fat lot of good that did her.”

We cut to Team Control Center where Rocket, Warlock, Star-Lord and Gamora are all inspecting Captain America’s shield. Tests have shown that the shield is the real deal. Star-Lord says that this is some powerful imagery. That the discovery of Captain America frozen in ice is what truly bonded the Avengers into a team.

Star-Lord says that this all seems too convenient that here they are trying to start a team and they come across a frozen Vance Astro wielding Captain America’s shield. Warlock says that history does not repeat itself, but sometimes it does rhyme. Rocket then says that Guardians of the Galaxy is a pretty cool team name.

Suddenly, Mantis telepathically informs Star-Lord that Vance is now awake and that she is going to talk to him. Star-Lord, Warlock and Rocket then enter the med-lab where Mantis has been monitoring Vance. Rocket keeps mentioning that Guardians of the Galaxy is a keeper name. That they should use it.

Mantis tells Star-Lord that Vance’s suit is the only thing keeping him alive in their continuum. Mantis states that Vance is temporally dislocated. Vance wakes up and Mantis asks him why he is so concerned with what date it is. Mantis asks Vance if he remembers why he came here.

Vance answers that he cannot remember anything other than the fact that the date is very important. Mantis tells Vance that according to the Earth calendar that it is 2008. Vance is relieved that he is in the right place at last. Vance then says that he knows that he traveled to them through time and dimensions outside of time because of something really important, but he has no idea what it is.

Suddenly, Gamora interrupts the heroes at the med-lab and informs them that there is a fissure detected at Binary Stasis Twelve. Warlock grabs Rocket and says let’s go. Rocket spouts out that the team is going to use the name Guardians of the Galaxy, right? Star-Lord says that they will if it will shut Rocket up. Mantis states that she is going to spend some more time talking with Vance.

We cut to the Guardians of the Galaxy arriving at Binary Stasis Twelve. They then notice that the place is entirely empty. Drax says that something bad happened here. Suddenly, we see Cardinal Raker and his fellow Cardinals appear on the scene. Raker orders the Guardians to prostrate themselves and submit to the Cardinals.

Warlock grits his teeth and spits that he has no intention of debasing himself before the false idols that the Cardinals represent. Raker replies “Let the pain begin.”

Comments
The Good: Guardians of the Galaxy #2 was a fantastic read. DnA have come out the gate like a ball of fire. I am totally stunned by how good Guardians of the Galaxy has been. I thought this would be a solid action title and nothing more. Instead, DnA have delivered a title that is one of Marvel’s more entertaining comic books. I have to admit that Guardians of the Galaxy is rapidly becoming one of my favorite Marvel titles. This title has definitely exceeded my initial expectations.

DnA turn in a perfectly paced issue. Guardians of the Galaxy #2 possess that perfect balance as it is not too slow, and it is not too fast. DnA have created such a great sense of urgency and excitement without it being rushed. This issue has a pleasant flow and hooks the reader from the start and does not let go until the end. DnA dial up a fine blend of action and dialogue.

Guardians of the Galaxy #2 is a wonderfully plotted issue as DnA have deftly managed all the different plotlines. DnA have impressed me with their incredible vision on this title. DnA are weaving several major plotlines dealing with the space fissures, the Universal Church of Truth and now Vance Astro’s mysterious mission. What is so remarkable about the major plotlines is that DnA has made sure that some are short term plotlines while the others are long term plotlines.

DnA also have several subplots simmering between the various teammates. We have the budding lustful feelings that Gamora is displaying for Warlock. And we have the interesting relationship between Quasar and Drax.

DnA keeps Guardians of the Galaxy #2 moving with a clear purpose. DnA are flashing nice focus as they know exactly where they are going and how they want to get there. It is a real joy to read a title that has a detailed blueprint that the writers are following.

DnA craft some enjoyable dialogue. Each member of the team has their own external voice. The dialogue has a pleasant natural flow to it. DnA also sprinkle plenty of well timed humor in Guardians of the Galaxy. At no point do DnA take themselves too seriously on this title.

DnA continue to pull off far more character work that I initially expected that we would get on this title. I figured that DnA would focus mainly on action and adventure with this title. However, the fact is that DnA have made a concerted effort to flesh out each of the Guardians in order to make them nice three dimensional characters. DnA have been able to generate fantastic chemistry between the teammates in a remarkable short amount of time.

Each teammate has their specific role on the team and they all complement each other nicely. Star-Lord fills the role of the natural born leader and fighter. Warlock satisfied the role of the magic based teammate. Rocket Raccoon supplies the role of comic relief. Gamora is the resident martial arts expert and ass-kicker. Drax is the team’s powerhouse. Quasar is the team’s energy blaster. Mantis fills the role as the brain of the team. This is a well rounded roster that DnA have assembled.

What is truly surprising about Guardians of the Galaxy is that this is one of the rare team titles where I can honestly say that I really dig each and every member of the team. That practically never happens to me. More often than not there are at least a few members of a super team that bore me or actually grind on my nerves.

DnA know that the Guardians of the Galaxy is still an action adventure title and they makes sure to crank out plenty of good action. DnA definitely know how to craft a quality fight scene.

I loved the stunning appearance of Vance Astro. DnA immediately hooked me into this plotline with the startling discovery that the frozen asteroid has a chunk of the Avengers’ mansion on it. That was a cool twist that I was not expecting. I am curious to learn more about how a part of the Avengers’ mansion ended up in this space sector.

There are so many questions swirling around Vance’s surprising appearance. DnA piqued my interest concerning Vance’s mysterious mission that caused him to travel through time and dimensions outside of time to get to this particular moment. This plotline definitely has legs and tons of potential. I am very interested to see what DnA has in store with us with this plotline.

I dig Vance’s character and it is great to have him appear in this comic. I actually enjoyed the original Guardians of the Galaxy and it is cool to have a link to the original Guardians of the Galaxy on this new incarnation of the team. I also enjoyed the obvious homage to how the Avengers were formed with the appearance of a frozen Captain America. DnA did a neat job using the appearance of Vance Astro to spur Rocket Raccoon to suggest and successfully argue for the team to be named the Guardians of the Galaxy.

DnA end Guardians of the Galaxy #2 with a strong hook ending. We should be in store for plenty of kick-ass action in the next issue. DnA certainly succeeds in getting the reader totally hooked on this story and craving for more with the end of each issue.

We get plenty of nice artwork in this issue. I have always been a fan of Paul Pelletier. However, I would prefer another inker than Rick Magyar on this title. I do not think that Magyar does Pelletier’s pencils justice.

The Bad: I have no complaints about this issue.

Overall: Guardians of the Galaxy #2 was another excellent read. DnA are doing a hell of a job on this title. I strenuously urge you to give this title a chance. DnA are cranking out a title that is a balanced read and one seriously entertaining ride. Guardians of the Galaxy is absolutely worth your hard earned money.