This issue directly continues the last issue in that it exclusively follows the duo of Drax and Phyla picking up where they left off, confronting a Maelstrom armed with quantum bands in the midst of the Dragon in the Moon.
Some part of me wants to say that the last two issues of Guardians of the Galaxy (one of my favorite titles) have been treading water. In my review of the previous issue I expressed that pieces were being moved into place for War of Kings. This was fine for one issue, but through two it feels a bit prolonged. If this and the previous issue were edited down to form one tight issue, I feel like we’d have one hell of a story. Instead, we have two that attempt, and to some degree are rather successful, to make up for it with killer last panels and pages. It’s a bit reliant on the cliffhanger. In comics it is almost unavoidable and even desired, but the problem here is reader awareness. It not only causes the desired anticipation of the next issue, but in some manner almost apologizes for what came before. This feeling is somewhat abated by a bi-weekly release schedule with these two issues, but I just can’t come away from this issue not thinking that this was optimally a one or three issues arc that got stuck in an uneasy middle ground.
It also seems that in every issue, that surrounded by truly terrific dialogue, remains one instance or scene that just throws me off. It takes me a moment to reconcile that the outlook of Concepts in general and/or the (un)naturally dramatic nature of Maelstrom can give some of his dialogue a pass, but there is a moment when Wendell voluntarily and without prompt just informs us that Phyla’s sword will still work without her ownership of the quantum band. It is told to Phyla but only makes sense that it is for our sake, which unfortunately never works unless it’s coming from Wade Wilson. Abnett and Lanning are consistently – across all their titles – on time with their dialogue, and though I feel the use of that bit of melodramatic, operatic, loose presentation that comes with space operas is in it’s place here, there always seems to be that one balloon that every DnA issue has that it could do without. Admittedly, it may very well be too easy for me to find any fault in Wendell! If nothing else, I’m pleased that Wendel – at least for the moment – turned down a role in the Guardians having other things to do at the time. I’m not sure if it is a strength, or weakness; an expression of the synergy and harmony between titles in a looming event, or disappointment that some may not be in or put themselves in the position to get the full value and measure of this issue, but Marvel Cosmic is making moves, and I highly recommend readers of this issue to check out Nova#23 to fully appreciate one initialized here. I really could never quite stand Wendell Vaughn (the previous Quasar), a character I know to have a bit of a following. I never quite understood, or even want to understand why, but take it from me, as much as I find any appearances of him an unfortunate endeavor, the reasoning played out in Nova makes it more than bearable. For me to recommend another comic that has Vaughn in it speaks volumes of the extra, relevant dimension offered in that book. Go get (that issue) of Nova, and that’s coming from somebody who usually doesn’t follow Nova – it’s actually a very nice issue all around.
These last two issues have reestablished Drax as a champion of light, gave us Oblivion’s delivery of a cosmic dragon slaying, new avatar of Death; the passing of (once again) the quantum bands, and with that (again) a new Quasar, and an introduction of and perhaps the realignment of pivotal pieces in the War of Kings. We may have seen pawns promoted to knights. There is a lot going down here – legitimate power moves – but I find myself glad we are past these steps more than I find myself reflecting on the enjoyment of taking them. I never truly felt the moment, or the moment change in an issue that has several emotional strings. A family reunited, a lover found– yet the story never seemed to remove itself from a monotone quality. On one hand, I appreciate the ability to marshal your pieces in place and under the proper banner, but it does feel like a bit of a rush in last minute maneuvering in preparation for War of Kings. This issue is much like the last in that I enjoy the what if given in bullet point fashion, but it feels very workmanlike, a list of must-do’s before going into the event. Very necessary. It looks great as an outline, shines in summary, and previews very well, but something feels detached about the execution for me– a diehard Marvel cosmic fan. All that said, I do love the Phyla badassery that comes out of the issue. I am not so much more wary of War of Kings now. I am, however, relieved to finally be there.
I think somewhere within these last two average issues is a fine one.
- Jay Tomio
Jan-ken-pon is the time traveling, force-walking, multiverse crossing column of Jay Tomio, owner of 1/3 of everything you see currently on screen, and the editor of Heliotrope. He wants Thanos to come back to beat Wendell back to Death. Some call him the Bodhisattva.
