Guardians of the Galaxy #2
Writer: Al Ewing
Artist: Juann Cabal
Colors: Federico Blee
Letters: VC’s Cory Petit
The last issue of Guardians was a real whirlwind of events. Their plan went horribly wrong in true Guardians fashion, all hope was lost, then the final page we had the reveal of Hercules, stepping in to save the day.
Al Ewing’s writing continues to surprise, and with one notable exception near the end of this issue (and while most readers will see it coming doesn’t detract from the impact) I found myself taken by surprise more than I wasn’t.
The last issue had some flashbacks to one of Star-Lords earliest appearances, with the Master of the Sun (It’s a bit more complicated than that but I’ll skim over the details so the review isn’t bogged down. Want to know more? Go get Marvel Unlimited and look at Quills origins.). I assumed the flashback was designed just to get us to understand some of Pete’s motivations but this issue shows there was a little more to it than that. It’s a clever narrative device which is difficult to talk about without spoilers, but just know it’s well done. A nice touch which once again reinforces Al Ewing knows his Guardians and their history.
There are some great moments in this issue. I particularly enjoyed a quiet moment between Phyla-Vell and Moon Dragon, two characters who have spent most of their time on the peripheral since they arrived in our universe. It’s surprisingly sweet and touching, and shows the depth of their love for each other.
One thing that took me by surprise with this issue was how it seemed to resolve most of this storyline with the new Olympian Gods. I expected this arc to carry on a lot longer than it has. Although we have a “to be continued” at the end of the issue. But this isn’t a criticism, quite the opposite in fact. It’s refreshing to find a storyline that lasts only as longer as the writer needs to tell it. Sometimes, with the need for 5/6 issues to fill a trade, it can feel like some of the middle issues are more filler than anything substantial.
There was a lot of excitement when Al Ewing was announced to be taking over from Donny Cates and it’s well deserved, he’s doing an excellent job here. As is customary whenever a new writer takes over he looks like he’s shaking things up a little here. I have no idea what kind of shape or line-up the team will have after the next couple of issues but that’s one of the things I’m most excited to see.
Juanna Cabal showed us last issue he was the right man for art duties on this book. In case there were any doubters he proves once again what a brilliant choice he is. There are two pages in particular that focus on Athena, then Moondragon, where you are going to just stop and stare at the art. It’s incredible. These panels will remain in your mind long after you’ve put the issue down, they're inspired and cleverly done.
But the art is only half the picture. Federico Blee’s colors are the rest, and he doesn’t disappoint either. The two pages I mentioned before would be nothing without his colors, which take the art from amazing to astounding. And the colors throughout are used as a great storytelling tool, with a telepathic conversation using muted colors, and a flashback in monochrome. This is a excellent example of a creative team collaborating to produce an incredible comic.
It’s early days in Ewings run but it already looks set to be an incredible run. Clever storytelling techniques from not just Ewing but Cabal and Blee set this above other runs on Guardians. The best comics have a creative team firing on all cylinders, this one has them collaborating so closely the final product is nothing short of genius. The galaxy is sure to remain safe, it’s our heroes I’m more worried about.
Artist: Juann Cabal
Colors: Federico Blee
Letters: VC’s Cory Petit
The last issue of Guardians was a real whirlwind of events. Their plan went horribly wrong in true Guardians fashion, all hope was lost, then the final page we had the reveal of Hercules, stepping in to save the day.
Al Ewing’s writing continues to surprise, and with one notable exception near the end of this issue (and while most readers will see it coming doesn’t detract from the impact) I found myself taken by surprise more than I wasn’t.
The last issue had some flashbacks to one of Star-Lords earliest appearances, with the Master of the Sun (It’s a bit more complicated than that but I’ll skim over the details so the review isn’t bogged down. Want to know more? Go get Marvel Unlimited and look at Quills origins.). I assumed the flashback was designed just to get us to understand some of Pete’s motivations but this issue shows there was a little more to it than that. It’s a clever narrative device which is difficult to talk about without spoilers, but just know it’s well done. A nice touch which once again reinforces Al Ewing knows his Guardians and their history.
There are some great moments in this issue. I particularly enjoyed a quiet moment between Phyla-Vell and Moon Dragon, two characters who have spent most of their time on the peripheral since they arrived in our universe. It’s surprisingly sweet and touching, and shows the depth of their love for each other.
One thing that took me by surprise with this issue was how it seemed to resolve most of this storyline with the new Olympian Gods. I expected this arc to carry on a lot longer than it has. Although we have a “to be continued” at the end of the issue. But this isn’t a criticism, quite the opposite in fact. It’s refreshing to find a storyline that lasts only as longer as the writer needs to tell it. Sometimes, with the need for 5/6 issues to fill a trade, it can feel like some of the middle issues are more filler than anything substantial.
There was a lot of excitement when Al Ewing was announced to be taking over from Donny Cates and it’s well deserved, he’s doing an excellent job here. As is customary whenever a new writer takes over he looks like he’s shaking things up a little here. I have no idea what kind of shape or line-up the team will have after the next couple of issues but that’s one of the things I’m most excited to see.
Juanna Cabal showed us last issue he was the right man for art duties on this book. In case there were any doubters he proves once again what a brilliant choice he is. There are two pages in particular that focus on Athena, then Moondragon, where you are going to just stop and stare at the art. It’s incredible. These panels will remain in your mind long after you’ve put the issue down, they're inspired and cleverly done.
But the art is only half the picture. Federico Blee’s colors are the rest, and he doesn’t disappoint either. The two pages I mentioned before would be nothing without his colors, which take the art from amazing to astounding. And the colors throughout are used as a great storytelling tool, with a telepathic conversation using muted colors, and a flashback in monochrome. This is a excellent example of a creative team collaborating to produce an incredible comic.
It’s early days in Ewings run but it already looks set to be an incredible run. Clever storytelling techniques from not just Ewing but Cabal and Blee set this above other runs on Guardians. The best comics have a creative team firing on all cylinders, this one has them collaborating so closely the final product is nothing short of genius. The galaxy is sure to remain safe, it’s our heroes I’m more worried about.
A Look Inside
