Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art by Steve McNiven
In 2014 a key piece to Marvel’s Phase 2 Cinematic plan comes out: Guardians of the Galaxy. The task falls to Brian Michael Bendis to re-introduce fans, new and old, to this rag-tag team of “Cosmic Avengers.” This first issue .1 as it were, deals with the origin Of Peter Quill aka Star Lord. The story is being told by Quill to the team’s newest addition Tony Stark aka Iron Man. If that was a spoiler, you’ve been living in the farthest reaches of the galaxy.
His father, an alien Spartaxan crashes his ship in his human mother Meredith’s backyard. Basically boy meets girl, they fall in love, and then the day comes that J’son has to leave. I’m not sure what it is, maybe there’s not what you would call romance in a lot of comics, or the fact that the whole courtship took all of two pages and no dialogue, but I bought it. Bendis is asking a lot to us to believe this relationship, and his artist came through. J’son using just his hands and you can fill in a back-story of some epic dogfight he was in. A simple point to the stars and he’s telling a tale of daring escape. If you can’t tell I’m a big fan Of Steve McNiven, from Civil War to Old Man Logan, The man can do it all.
So before Peter is born J’son must leave. The reason being a vague “There’s a war.” (Safe to say he has some daddy issues) Although it pretty clear J’son didn’t know Meredith was pregnant. As Peter grows up the book takes a tone of Star Wars danger lurking and it works well. Again McNiven’s art delivers. Peter’s ‘c’mon mom’ look as he wants to read comics instead of doing homework, his anger at the mention of a father he says “he doesn’t have” or the expression of concern for the victim of a bully on the schoolyard, before he steps in and shows the heart of a hero. The art, from wonderfully expressive faces to detailed background, had me reliving childhood memories. Colorist Justin Ponsor also deserves credit. He brings a dynamic palette of colors that perfectly compliment the varying tones of the book.
The book ends on a Star Wars note also with Peter’s life forever changed and finding his father’s weapon, in this case a special gun. While basically just an origin story, Guardians 0.1 is still very well done. A brilliant tale chronicling the story of a boy who was forced to grow up too fast, and accept an incredible journey and destiny thrust upon him. Sound familiar?
I ‘m really excited to see where this book goes.
4.5 out of 5 nerds
Irwin Fletcher
I'm an LA journalist who really lives for his profession. I have also published work as Jane Doe in various mags and newspapers across the globe. I normally write articles that can cause trouble but now I write for FTN because Nerds are never angry, so I feel safe.
Nerd Comments