Review: ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy’ #2 Shows The Horrible Cost Of War
by Tony Thornley
The Guardians of the Galaxy is a ragtag bunch of aliens from all over the Marvel Universe. However, they’ve become so popular by transforming from that batch of strangers to a family, and making them perhaps the most human superteam in the universe. And that’s what makes Guardians of the Galaxy #2 hit so hard…
Al Ewing, Juann Cabal, Federico Blee, and Cory Petit chronicle the fall of a Guardian…
The Olympians have split up the newest Guardians and pinned them down. Their only hope is Hercules, the former Avenger and one of the galaxy’s greatest heroes. However, even with his help, one of the Guardians will fall…
In only two issues, Ewing has established a state of war that feels like it’s been going on for a while. That might seem like a negative, but it’s a testament to his strengths as a writer. He’s able to deftly weave together the different plot threads to make the story feel larger than it actually is, and establish emotional stakes. It all culminates in a gut punch of an ending that I didn’t see coming.
Cabal and Blee turn in some fantastic pages. Cabal uses wide panels through most of the issue which makes it feel very cinematic and high stakes. He also paces the action throughout with unusual layouts, adding to the compressed nature of Ewing’s script. He even makes the personal moments shine, such as the unique depiction of the psychic connection between Moondragon and Phyla Vell, or Hercules’ anger at what his family has become.
The Guardians are facing their darkest hour, and it’s making for a great read, perhaps the best the Guardians has seen ever.
Guardians of the Galaxy #2 is available now from Marvel Comics.
