ROGER’S COMIC RAMBLINGS: COSMIC, MAN!

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Roger Ash

by Roger Ash

My tastes have always been a bit odd (some would say much more than a bit). They tend to be at the fringes of mainstream rather than smack in the middle. For example, I love modern music and get very thrilled for new releases from Camper Van Beethoven, Bob Mould, Dave Alvin, and They might Be Giants but know next to nothing about Katy Perry, Beyonce, Pitbull, and Lorde. I’m the same way with comics. I do like characters like Spider-Man, wonderful Four, the X-Men, and Batman, but I’m much much more thrilled by characters like Howard the Duck, doctor Strange, Man-Thing, and Harley Quinn. That’s one of the reasons why I was thrilled when marvel announced a Guardians of the Galaxy movie.

Guardians of the Galaxy by Abnett & Lanning: The complete Collection

Yes, I know these aren’t the original Guardians; Starhawk, Vance Astro, Charlie-27, Yondu, Martinex, and  Nikki. However, I loved what writers Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning did with this new group of characters (including discussing how they relate to the classic Guardians). If you’ve never read their run on the book, I highly recommend it. marvel is collecting it in a new series of books, Guardians of the Galaxy by Abnett & Lanning: The complete Collection, with the first being provided this month featuring art by Paul Pelletier and others. one of the things I love about the book is they took such an odd group of characters – not just those from the film but also Bug, Adam Warlock, Moondragon, Mantis, Captain Marvel, and others – and made them into a team that actually worked. and not just any team; one filled with characters on the fringe of the marvel universe – star Lord, Earthman Peter Quill, whose dad is an alien; Gamora, the most harmful woman in the galaxy, trained to kill by Thanos; Drax the Destroyer, who wants to destroy Thanos as Thanos killed his family; Rocket Raccoon, an alien weapons expert who just happens to look like a raccoon; and Groot, an old Kirby monster. At least that’s who they are in comics; I have no idea how or if their back stories will change in the film. between Guardians, Nova, and a handful of miniseries, Abnett & Lanning – along with a talented group of artists – produced my favorite marvel storyline in recent memory.

Guardians of the Galaxy

While I still love the characters, the current Guardians book, after a strong start, seems to be meandering a bit. On the plus side, the art – primarily by Sara Pichelli – has been wonderful. However, Brian Michael Bendis is a good writer, so I think he can turn this around. part of the difference between the two series is that with the upcoming movie, the Guardians are now much more integrated into the mainstream marvel Universe. That implies they’re a part of a number of events whereas Abnett & Lanning’s run on the book was pretty much left to its own devices. how much that affects storytelling I’m not sure, but I think it would have some impact.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Rocket Raccoon and Groot – steal the Galaxy

The film is also bringing back Abnett & Lanning, at least for a bit. They are co-writing a miniseries prelude to the movie, the first issue of which came out recently and is a well-written origin story of sorts for Gamora and Nebula and features beautiful art by Wellington Alves. On top of that, Abnett is writing a novel featuring what looks to be the breakout characters from the movie, Guardians of the Galaxy: Rocket Raccoon and Groot – steal the Galaxy. The fact that the novel includes a broken Recorder android, the Kree, and the Nova Corps only makes me want to read it more.

Avengers vs. Thanos

A character who played a large part in Abnett & Lanning’s cosmic saga who also has renewed interest due to Marvel’s Cinematic universe is the villainous Thanos. created by Jim Starlin in the 1970s, Thanos is a villain of epic proportions. If you’ve never read the original appearances of Thanos, primarily in Starlin’s runs on Captain marvel and Warlock, do yourself a favor and read them best away. marvel has even collected it into a useful trade paperback, Avengers vs. Thanos. They are, in my humble opinion, some of the finest comics ever. And, happily, Starlin is returning with two new tales of the mad Titan.

Thanos: The Infinity Revelation

First, we have the Thanos annual written by Starlin with art by Ron Lim. This adventure is a prelude to Thanos: The Infinity Revelation, an original graphic novel written and drawn by Starlin. Embarking on a new quest, Thanos runs up against the Annihilators – the Silver Surfer, Beta Ray Bill, Ronan, Gladiator, Quasar, and the Spaceknight Ikon – a group of cosmic heroes Abnett & Lanning brought together in the wake of their work on Guardians. interesting how that all works out, isn’t it? To say that I’m thrilled for a new Thanos story written and drawn by Starlin is a enormous understatement. The solicitation for the book says he teams up with “a once-sworn enemy.” I have no idea who that is, but if it turns out to be someone from Starlin’s run on Warlock, especially if it’s Adam Warlock himself, my delight would be uncontainable.

Marvel is taking a risk with a film featuring characters the general public doesn’t know. However, because I’m familiar with the characters and the stories that inspired the movie, I think it’s a risk worth taking. They’re terrific characters. The general public, and numerous comic readers, just doesn’t know that. Yet. If you’ve never read any of the comics I’ve discussed in this column, give them a try – I think you’ll like them.

Now, go read a comic!