(Comic) Unlikely friends...a look at Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Avengers Vol. 1

The Guardians of the Galaxy and Iron Man team up?

Oh hell yes. 

As a part of the new Marvel Now relaunch, all of the series have new stories so that the current audience don't have to read through a library's worth of comics to know the lore. 

In this first volume, Peter Quill, better known as Star Lord, has been ordered by his father, the King of Spartax to stay away from Earth with the threat of arrest. 

Quill, whose backstory we see at the beginning, ignores his father's orders after the Badoon attack Earth.

What's strange about this story is that it abruptly switches to moments in which Quill is trying to get the band back together. Frankly, this is kind of jarring for someone who is only establishing themselves in comics.

The dialogue is funny with each of the characters bringing their own kind of humour to the table. Introducing Iron Man into GotG, he learns the Groot can only speak three words and trying to interact with Drax is....tricky, to say the least. 

The art style, though it changes depending on what part of the backstory occurs, is beautifully detailed and if it were animated, the angles in the panels look dynamic and create an action packed scene that blend well with the humour. 

I liked seeing Stark interact with the GotG and he seems to fit in quite well, though I often wonder how he charges his suit in space.

In the end, while the story was interesting, the fact it was as jumbled as it was left me feeling confused. I had no knowledge of the lore prior to reading (except for the movie,) so it was a bit tricky to make heads and tails of it. The art style changing kind of threw me off as well. 

Also, what's with the page breaks saying, "please turn to next page?" what's with this hand holding garbage?!

With this in mind, I've decided to give this comic 4 stars. 

(Movie) Hooked on a Feeling. A look at Guardians of the Galaxy.

Who are these jokers?

This ragtag group who have shown up out of seemingly nowhere, all with their separate goals in mind, end up banding together to defend or 'guard' the galaxy from a fanatic.

This is like....hipster Avengers.

'Oh, these guys are like the Avengers, but you've probably never heard of them. Unless you;'ve played Marvel VS. Capcom or actually read the obscure comics.'

Hipster tone aside, I must analyse this critically. Which I shall do presently.

Story/Dialogue: For the most part, this movie's dialogue made you laugh out loud. Quips from cheerful or cynical characters had excellent comedic timing which showed that this wasn't a superhero movie. This was a comedy in the guise of a superhero movie.
In terms of story, it was simple. This is not bad, however. It feels as though the movie deals with a central theme of equivalent exchange. (In order to gain something, something of equal value must be lost.) Quill dealt with the loss of his mother at a young age and when he was able to deal with it emotionally, gained courage and friends. Each of the heroes in this story has lost something. Their bodies, families, their right to choose. But in being with each other and fighting for a cause, they gain something greater.

Cinematography: Space! Colours! Lights! Oh My! Visually the backdrops in this movie are visual porn. Everything from the intensity of the colour of Kree skin tone, to the dark greens and browns of backdrops created atmosphere that fit the scene.

Audio: A great bunch of tracks from the 60's and 70's. Half remembered songs that toy with the light bulb that dangles in the darker corners of your mind. They fit the feel of the movie. But even as it was a comedy, it knew how to be serious when it called for it, so the tense parts (which were followed closely by thoroughly humorous bits,) were tense when appropriate.

Overall: The comedic timing in this movie is spectacular. This is a movie that knows what it is and simply says, 'Take me as I am.' It's so embarrassingly honest that it's heartwarming. You can't help but get caught up with all these broken misfits and root for them as they blunder their way through 12 percent of a plan.

A brilliant movie.

4 and a half out of 5 stars.