The Guardians of the Galaxy are getting their own live action movie tying into The Avengers and Marvel’s other movie franchises, so it only makes sense that they have an ongoing comic book, right?
This issue lays the groundwork, depicting the origin of the team’s leader Star-Lord, who, like many characters, is the son of an Earthling and an alien, in this case alien royalty, J’Son of Spartax. We get to see the courtship of J’Son and Meredith Quill and the subsequent growing pains of the pair’s son Peter, who grows up without a father after J’Son must return to the stars. We don’t exactly get the details of how he became an intergalactic super hero, but what we do get is heartfelt and touching.
This is a nice bonus. It doesn’t exactly work as a first issue, which is why it isn’t one. But considering the fact that this is kind of a common origin, at least it felt real and sweet and the dialogue was fresh and realistic. Steve McNiven’s art is always fantastic, and that remains true here.
This is one of those books that you can just pick up, read, enjoy and be satisfied with. Yes, it leads into a new Guardians series, but even if you don’t read any further, this single issue is completely satisfying. The plot isn’t 100% original, but the way it is delivered is refreshing at least. Good dialogue, excellent artwork, okay plot… it’s worth picking up!
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #0.1
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Pencils and Cover by Steve McNiven
