PUBLISHER Marvel Comics
WRITER Brian Michael Bendis
ARTIST Steve McNiven Sara Pichelli Francesco Francavilla
COVER ARTIST Steve McNiven
PAGES 312 pages.
COLOR Full Color.
SIZE oversized
FORMAT Graphic Novel

Why has Earth suddenly become the most important planet in the galaxy? The Guardians of the Galaxy plan to find out! Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket Raccoon, Groot - and the invincible Iron Man - embark on an explosive adventure! The secrets they discover will rattle readers for years to come! But while Earth deals with a brutal Badoon invasion, the Guardians' fate has been decided millions of miles away! Then, Heaven's most fearsome angel comes for the Guardians! And when Gamora battles the mysterious Angela, the universe hangs in the balance! The Guardians find themselves at a crossroads when Thanos' master plan takes shape. Can Angela's power help combat INFINITY? And will Star-Lord betray the entire universe? The cosmic blockbuster hit begins here! Collecting Guardians of The Galaxy (2013) #0.1 and #1-10, and Guardians of The Galaxy: Tomorrow's Avengers #1.

Review for Guardians 0.5, 1-3 and Tomorrow's Avengers # 1:

There's a new rule in the galaxy. No one touches Earth! No one! But why has Earth suddenly become the most important planet in the galaxy? That's what the Guardians of the Galaxy are going to find out! Join Star-Lord, Gamora, Rocket Raccoon, Groot and the invincible Iron Man as they embark on an explosive and eye-opening adventure.

Peter Quill’s father, King of the Spartax system, proclaims earth off limits to any and all alien races, and tells Peter not to return there or he’ll be arrested. With the number of alien races who seem to be constantly vying for control of the planet, King J’Son has put the planet under his protection. Star Lord and the Guardians aren’t going to be told where to go, however, and they meet up with their newest member, Iron Man, before stopping yet another alien invasion over London.

The team saves the earth, yet again, but is arrested by the Spartax before staging a breakout and Peter broadcasting to all of the Spartax within range, “Ask yourself: if he’s willing to arrest me, his own flesh and blood, for doing the right thing…what exactly would he do to you grunts if you did anything to stand in his way? So chew on that puppy, my fellow Spartax warriors. Think about that when you take your next order. Think about the man giving them. Think about what’s in it for you.”

Art was split up among the main four books between Steve McNiven and Sara Pichelli, who both did some really excellent work. The scope is big and the set pieces are grand, with some pretty vibrant and exciting action scenes. Their character work is excellent without being overly flashy, and everything here just works perfectly to serve the story and make for one beautiful book.

The “Tomorrow’s Avengers” sequences were illustrated by Michael Avon Oeming, Rain Beredo, Ming Doyle, Javier Rodriguez, and Michael Del Mundo. This issue is a collection of 7-9 page stories highlighting the other members of the team, Drax, Groot, Rocket Raccoon, and Gamora.

Review for Guardians 4-10:

Spinning out of the dramatic conclusion of Age of Ultron, dimensions collide and Heaven's most fearsome Angel arrives - and comes straight for the Guardians! Gamora, one of the galaxy's greatest warriors, holds a deadly secret that could bring down the entire team. And when Gamora battles Angela, the entire universe hangs in the balance! Then, the galaxy's most mismatched heroes find themselves at a crossroads when the effects of Infinity begin to rise. Can even the mysterious Angela's power help combat the fallout from Thanos' master plan? And what will it take for Star-Lord to betray the entire Marvel Universe? The biggest blockbuster hit of the year conti nues as critically acclaimed artists Sara Pichelli and Francesco Francavilla climb aboard, and comics legend Neil Gaiman joins the team in this one-of-a-kind comic book event!

Angela arrives with a bang......Or, a rip in the space time continuum. Either way, this is what Valkyrie should be and still isn't. She's a kick-butt warrior who doesn't take crap from anyone. And as soon as she and Gamora finish throwing down, they're sure to be good friends.

Angela is a shot in the arm the GOTG needed after the opening volume; and her Arrival upsets the Watcher, Uatu. "She cannot be here." She's from Heven, and all she knows of Earth are childhood stories - much like Earth knows of Heaven. Peter Quill was close to one of the ruptures when the event that brought Angela from her universe occurred; an event Tony Stark knows something about. And Thanos says will doom the Earth. Just another apocalypse!

After Angela is introduced, the second half of the book is connected to the Infinity crossover, but isn't bogged down by it. Quill intercepts a distress call from Abigail Brand from the SWORD orbital station. The GOTG head to Earth to discover Thanos is trying to take it over! When their rescue mission goes awry, Angela arrives to assist and facilitate the Avengers arrival. That battle takes place "off screen" as part of the event. A lot happens in this volume but it avoids being a confusing mess by focusing on the characters. The volume closes with Angela and Gamora freeing slaves from the Badoon and Angela learning that the Badoon may know something of her people.

Overall, Angela is sure to be a lot fun for the Marvel Universe, especially in light of what is coming in the crossover Original Sin. I can't wait to see what happens! Highly recommended.

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