Venom

• Title: Guardians of the Galaxy #1
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
• Artist: Valerio Schiti

Marvel Comics relaunches Guardians of the Galaxy (again). As with each of the preivous incarnations, the first issue shakes up the team a bit with Peter Quill living life away from his pals as the new King of Spartax. With Gamora also missing (and only showing up at the end to bring bad news for the group) the Guardians pick up a couple of new members in The Thing and Kitty Pryde (wearing Star-Lord’s costume).

As first issues go Guardians of the Galaxy #1 is entertaining. The choice to put Ben Grimm on the team is a nice touch, although I’d be happier if Venom wasn’t still part of the group. The loss of both Gamora and Quill (not to mention Cosmo and others) leaves a rather large hole in the group dynamic to be filled. Kitty Pryde in space is fun, but I don’t doubt that Star-Lord will take up his old mantle before long.

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• Title: Guardians of the Galaxy #17
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
• Artist: Nick Bradshaw

After fracturing the team a couple of issues back and imprisoning its members across the galaxy, the series reunites the Guardians of the Galaxy in the latest issue with such relative ease you have to wonder what the point of this arc was. Yes, Peter Quill finally got the better of his father, but surely that small victory (with possible huge ramifications) could have been handled without disrupting the team and removing the core dynamic which makes the series work.

Although Venom hasn’t been found, apparently Carol Danvers is sticking around for the time being. Although I like the character, I have much the same complaints about her addition as I did about Venom where neither really fits on a team that has already been trimmed down of far more interesting characters (Cosmo, the time-displaced Vance Astro and Starhawk just to name three).

Although it still has the feel of a Guardians issue, I think both longtime fans and those inspired by the movie to pick up the issue may feel somewhat disappointed. Hit-and-Miss.

[Marvel, $3.99]

• Title: Guardians of the Galaxy #16
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
• Artist: Nick Bradshaw

After a couple of depressing issues involving the various members of the Guardians of the Galaxy being captured, sold into slavery, tortured, experimented on, and imprisoned, the tide begins to turn in Guardians of the Galaxy #16. Last seen freefalling to his death after jumping out a skyscraper window, Peter Quill is rescued by Carol Danvers (a character I enjoy but not necessarily in a Guardians comic) and makes an impassioned televised speech turning the public perception of his ragtag band around.

Meanwhile Venom frees himself with the Skrulls‘ attempt to bond with his symbiote, Gamora gets a reprieve with the sudden arrival of Angela, and Drax is offered the fate he’s demanded of Gladiator for the past two issues.

Where the last issue felt very much like filler, Guardians of the Galaxy #16 starts to move the story forward again. Hopefully it continues and we won’t have to wait several more issues to put the band back together. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $3.99]