Comic Review: Guardians of the Galaxy (2019-) #5

Guardians of the Galaxy #5

Marvel Comics

Writer: Donny Cates

Artist: Geoff Shaw

With the movie’s explosive popularity, I never expected to enjoy Guardians of the Galaxy comics like I used to. Not because I don’t like the movie, but because I just thought we’d never get away from it. I thought we would always be tied down by its roster and tone, and never really get back to the Abnett/Lanning days that I remember so fondly. I’m happy that Cates and Shaw have so swiftly put my fears to rest.

This book feels entirely original. Respect is paid to the movies and runs that came before it, but it’s doing its own thing. The tone is fairly serious and grim without ever losing sight of its whacky cosmic roots. It doesn’t hand-wave away it’s more ridiculous features; it just plays them straight. This puts a much more unique spin on the series. It creates an attitude that is so unique to Donny Cates’ work, and allows the book feel as high stakes as this story calls for.

With all that’s said there, this is probably my least favorite issue so far. Not because it’s bad, it certainly isn’t, but it’s not as exciting as those that came before. Not to mention it commits the obnoxious comic book trope in which it dismisses the previous issue’s cliffhanger with a flick of its wrist. It’s not a huge deal, but after seeing it so many times I have to question it’s validity as a storytelling tactic. I don’t know what it added, and it doesn’t seem to have any lasting consequences so it felt like a waste of time. Throw in more exposition than I tend to care for and this issue comes off as a bit underwhelming. Underwhelming in comparison to a series that is consistently fantastic, that is.

Where the plot and dialogue may waver a bit, Geoff Shaw does not. Shaw hasn’t missed a step, and every good word I’ve put in for him in the past still applies. His action is clear and satisfying, but his real talent is in conversation. He manages to say so much through character positioning and camera framing that you don’t need any words to make portions of this issue work. The man has talent, and the longer he’s drawing this book, the better it will be.

While this issue may not quite exceed expectations, it manages to set itself up to do so next time. Whatever grievances I may have with the plot I can easily dismiss due to the high quality of the craftsmanship. The character banter never fails to be a high point, and the book’s unique identity always keeps me engaged.