Comic Review: Guardians of the Galaxy (2020-) #1

Guardians of the Galaxy (2020-) #1

Marvel Comics

Writer: Al Ewing

Artists: Juan Cabal

I’ll be 100% honest here. I didn’t think this would be a good comic book. Or at least not one that I personally would like. Holy s*** do I love it when I’m wrong about something like this. There’s no need for an introduction or anything here. Everyone and their mom know who the Guardians of the Galaxy are.

Picking up from the end of the Donny Cates series, the Guardians are together again, living the easy life. Rocket’s back to full health and Drax isn’t dead anymore (again). Interrupting their family dinner, Richard Rider, the last of the Nova Corps (again) comes asking for help. There are old and new threats to the galaxy, and he needs allies. But the most urgent of them all is the reborn Olympic Gods who are tearing their way across space, destroying any and all in their path.

I like Immortal Hulk, and I’m with everyone else in saying it’s one of the best comics being put out in a long time. But oh my (Olympic space) god, I think this is my favorite comic from Al Ewing. If only because the story is building off of a few different Marvel stories, and I’m a big fan of continuity.  Plus on top of that, the team isn’t just the movie version of the Guardians. As much as I like the movie, it’s maybe the worst thing to happen to the comics team. Instead, we get Star-Lord, Rocket, Nova, Moon Dragon, Phyla Vell and new (to the team) Marvel Boy.

 Juan Cabal’s art speaks for itself, really. It’s fantastic as it always is. There are some panels that get a bit… iffy… every now and then, mostly Star Lord’s incredibly slicked-back hair. But as a whole, there’s nothing to complain about here. Federico Blee’s colors are a great fit for Cabal’s art and bring the menacing presence the space Olympians need. Speaking of which, the designs for the Olympians are great. They look like totally new gods (but not those ones). Rocket Raccoon in a suit is something I didn’t think I would like, but it’s growing on me. 

I really enjoy this issue. It brings a team that’s had a lot of different personalities back to, what I consider, their best version. Al Ewing is bringing a few different stories together and giving us an exciting start to this new series. The art is fantastic and the new designs for old characters work really well. It’s a great start to the series, and something fans of any version of the team should be reading.