About Heroes

Authors: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Penciler: Paul Pelletier
Inker: Rick Magyar
Colors: Nathan Fairbairn

I have mix feelings on how much Marvel has changed in the last few years. Five years ago a book like this wouldn’t even have had a shot of seeing the light of day. But then again five years ago Spider-man would have never made a deal with the devil. Thanks for Annihilation, Nova, and Annihilation Conquest Marvel’s cosmic characters are back and even though these aren’t the Guardians of the Galaxy I remember, these guys can still kick ass in the cosmic realm.

The lineup on this new team of Guardians includes: Quasar, Drax, Gamora, Rocket Raccoon, Warlock, all being led by Starlord. In the first issue the new team is put together by Starlord and Quasar. They are not there to keep peace in the galaxy, but to kick some ass before the shit hits the fan. Drax and Gamora don’t seem to have a purpose so they join with a little persuasion. Warlock is a new man who may or may not be from this timeline and thinks that this new form team is the cause of his resurrection and RR wants to help Starlord feel better about the Phalanx invasion. They go on their first mission and Mantis has a premonition about a betrayal and the death of the team. And damn, I sure hope that is Major Victory (Vance Astro) we see encased in ice at the end

While I thought Annihilation Conquest was a little disappointing it did have its great moments such as the sacrifice of Moondragon and the return of Adam Warlock. I do have faith in Abnett and Lanning to pull off this monthly series and I’m so glad I don’t have to wait till the next cosmic crossover to catch up with Starlord and RR. After all it’s those characters that really make this book work. Everyone has a different personality and once they start clashing it’s hard to put the book down. There is a great moment with Drax mourning Moondragon and Quasar might find herself a new friend in Drax since they did share a love for Moondragon.

Pelletier’s art really carries those flash-forward talking headshots to tell the story. The spaceships and the architecture are flawless. However, his humanoid figures need a little more life in them. I said humanoid creatures because his Rocket Raccoon, Cosmo, and aliens are perfect. Did I mention that we finally see a meeting between Cosmo and RR. This is an excellent way to start off a new series and I anxiously await to see the return of Major Victory, Yondu, or Starhawk show up in these pages. A-