All-New Guardians of the Galaxy
Writer: Gerry Dugan
Artist: Aaron Kuder
Colorist: Ive Svorcina
Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Price: FREE!
Release Date: March 6, 2017
Plot: The Guardians must break out of a Nova prison.
Story: The free comic book day of Guardians of the Galaxy is an intro to a new story with the classic team diving into the next cosmic madness. I love the definition these characters are given. Each of them add a unique dynamic to the team and a new status quo for some of these characters, but they are going to have more quirky solutions to the same giant problems coming up in the future.
First of all, you have to love baby Groot. He’s strategically been reduced to his tiny form at the same time that the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 movie was released (just a few days ago) to help multiply the epic adorable-ness! Being that he’s tiny, his one job is to play cute, while unexpectedly ravaging his enemies. For example, taking out eyeballs. Meanwhile, due to some past events, Drax the Destroyer has reverted from his blood spilling ways and turned pacifist. Something about this breeds comedy in concept alone. I have a feeling that we are looking at some hilarious adventures going forward.
This of course leaves Star-Lord to play sly talking leader. As always he’ll be the guy that somehow slips his team out of (and oft times into) trouble. Rocket is the gun. The small guy with the very big gun. Like in this issue, he’ll also be the technical guru capable of getting the team into or out of anywhere. Gamora? She’s the muscle. Let’s face it, without her, the galaxy would be in dire need of some new, more effective guardians. That’s not to say that she is the team, though. They wouldn’t work nearly as well separately.
Art: The art in this issue… it takes some growing for me. I’m used to the Guardians looking a certain way and at first glance I didn’t love it. However, as I read on, I found it quickly growing on me. I enjoy the beard and shaggy hair look on Rocket, as well as baby Groot with his big eyes and scraggly arms. Color-wise, I think the scheme works well for the line-art itself. Not my favorite art, but I can learn to appreciate it.
Verdict: It’s a free comic book day book, so I don’t expect a story of the most epic proportions, but it did the basics of establishing the team and getting us interested in what’s to come. With the Nova Corp back together and a created threat of the raptors, it looks like it can be an interesting run. However, right now it’s difficult to tell. Still, it was fun to see the status quo set and what the heroes have ahead of them.
Star Rating: 3.5 out of 5