Guardians of the Galaxy

Guardians Of The Galaxy

Join Star-Lord, Gamora, Rocket, Groot, and Drax as they protect the universe in the action-packed adventures of the Guardians of the Galaxy. Explore articles covering the latest news, movie reviews, character profiles, and comic book stories. From their MCU escapades to their comic origins, discover everything about these misfit heroes as they save the cosmos, one battle at a time.

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Comic Book News Marvel

Review: Guardians of the Galaxy: Best Story Ever

Normally, I’m a Tim Seely admirer.  I’m a huge Hack-Slash fan and think his work on said comic was absolutely brilliant in that it breathed fresh air into a pretty stale concept.

That’s why it so pains me to have to say that “Best Story Ever” is a terrible misnomer for this comic.  It’s certainly not the worst story ever.  Bendis writes those.  But “best story ever” is quite a stretch.  The best stories for this team were written by DnA.  It’s all been downhill since they were fired.

The problem with this story is that it tries too hard to mimic the movie.  And it fails.

I’ll cut the movie some slack because in order to recoup the rather large monetary investment to produce it, it had to be written to appeal to the lowest common denominator of movie goer.  Fine.  I don’t like it that the concepts were watered-down, and it was played too much as a farce for cheap laughs, but I’ll tolerate it for the above given reason.

Comics don’t have the same up-front investment as movies.  They can afford to concentrate on quality and even be written for a niche audience.  So Marvel doesn’t have to try to mimic the movie.  Trying to mimic the movie will always just result in what this comic ultimately is – a juvenile farce played for way too many cheap laughs – most of which are duds.

I mean, come on.  The entire mission is about stealing a toilet because Rocket broke the only toilet on the ship?  Really?  Doesn’t this take bathroom humor to an all new low?  Murdering dozens of sentients at a warehouse just to steal a toilet?  Is the team that amoral?

The art is certainly an improvement over the regular fare on Bendys’ book, but it just can’t make up for the weak story. 

Sorry, Seely, but I hope you direct your talents to something else in the future, because this effort is a fail.  Only a zombie could love this – another episode of Marvel Cosmic gone horribly wrong – again thanks to Brevoort and Alonso.

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Comic Book News

Review: Guardians 3000 #6

Finally, a good cosmic comic book from Marvel!

And, of course, they’ve cancelled it.  They’ll keep NINO on life support and double-down on the bad NINO formula with PC-NINO-ette, but they’ll not keep a good and true cosmic comic like G3K going even though it sells better than NINO.  Go figure.  Typical Brevoort and Alonso “leadership.”

Abnett winds a fantastic tale of cosmic adventure and time travel – in the first good story featuring both the original team and the movie-influenced team.  The pace is rapid, the dialogue is snappy, the humor isn’t forced or overbearing, it’s not played as a farce, the space-time aspects are central to the story.  In other words, we have an actual true cosmic comic aimed at adults on our hands!  Hooray!  It’s about time (no pun intended). 

To top it off, we have better art this time out.  It’s more photo-realistic with cleaner lines and non-exaggerated features – avoiding the jarring out-of-proportion depictions of the team and toothy facial expressions that plagued the first 5 issues.

In short, this is what cosmic fans have been asking for over the past several years.  Brevoort hated it before it ever got out of the gate, and Marvel has given it absolutely no promotion.  Yet is sells better than NINO – who has been given every chance in the world.  Of course, NINO will be back, but G3K will probably not get such a reprieve.  Brilliant leadership, Bonso, absolutely brilliant.

Go out and buy multiple copies of this book.  Let it at least go out on a high note.  That will send Bonso a clear message.  Down with NINO.  Give us more G3K!!!

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Movie News

James Gunn Says Chris Pratt Indiana Jones Rumor Seems Like BS

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James Gunn recently participated in a QnA where he discussed Guardians of the Galaxy 2, Spider-Man, X-Men and more.

Gunn also commented on the rumor that Chris Pratt will be the new Indiana Jones.

According to Variety, Gunn said that Chris Pratt playing Indiana Jones would be cool, but the report mentions Gunn goes on to say that the rumor “seemed like complete bullshit.”

The report goes on to speculate that since James Gunn had been hanging out with Chris Pratt recently, it’s possible Gunn got the information straight from Pratt.

So from that info, we can gather either Pratt never was in the running for the new Indiana Jones or that Pratt didn’t get the job.

Of course, it could also just be Gunn’s opinion on the rumor as well.

The latest rumor stated Steven Spielberg wanted Chris Pratt for Indiana Jones.

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Movie News

James Gunn Updates Guardians of the Galaxy 2

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Update: Gunn held another QnA where he revealed Guardians of the Galaxy 2 will start filming February 2016 at Pinewood Studios in Atlanta, Georgia.

 

James Gunn recently gave the new Periscope App a test drive where he answered questions regarding Guardians of the Galaxy 2, Marvel and other topics.

Gunn has been busy developing the sequel, in which he previously let it be known Marvel thought his latest approach was “risky.”

Screen Rant caught the QnA and jotted down the following:

Gunn has submitted his treatment for Guardians of the Galaxy 2 to Marvel brass.

He has a follow-up meeting this Friday about the treatment and will begin the actual screenplay in about a week, in which he later added he is about 70 pages into it.

Gunn confirmed that Ronan is dead and that “not everything is going to happen in the movies as same as the comics.”

Gunn said fans will get to know the Guardians in the sequel in a “deeper way.”

Guardians of the Galaxy 2 will be in 3D.

Gunn offered they don’t do motion-capture work for Rocket and Groot, they just reference images at times.

They may have figured a way for Karen Gillan not to shave her head for Nebula.

Regarding the writing process of both movies, Gunn said he plots out the whole story, and then writes it after.

Other tidbits mentioned include:

Gunn has seen and liked Avengers 2; “lept for joy” about Spider-Man joining Marvel; current favorite comics are Silver Surfer, Wolverines and Secret Avengers; “really dug” the Fantastic Four trailer; would never direct an X-Men movie, and his favorite villain is Heath Ledger’s Joker.

“Guardians of the Galaxy 2” has a May 5, 2017 release date.

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Movie News

Guardians of the Galaxy Storyboard Art Reveals Tantalus

We get an early look at the Guardians of the Galaxy movie in the form of storyboard art which reveals a character James Gunn chose not to go with.

Artist Tom Nelson revealed storyboard art for the movie on his website where Tantalus is featured in some of the panels.

Tantalus is a Deviant created by the Dreaming Celestrial, whose offspring includes Blackwulf and Pelops, characters often involved with Thor’s replacement, Thunderstrike.

Gunn did show a Celestial in the movie as well.

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Movie News

Watch: Vin Diesel Asked About Inhumans & Talks Guardians of the Galaxy 2

When Vin Diesel was first rumored to be playing Groot for Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, the actor teased he would be a part of a new franchise that would be the merging of the brands.

Vin Diesel also happened to tease the Inhumans on his popular Facebook page.

Fans of the comics know that the Inhumans are sort of shared between Marvel Cosmic and Marvel Earth, which could be what Vin Diesel was talking about.

The Inhumans recently debuted on Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.and Marvel Studios is launching an Inhumans movie in 2019, with some online speculating Vin Diesel may play Black Bolt.

Now in an interview with MTV about his latest movie, Fast & Furious 7, Vin Diesel is asked about Inhumans.

You can watch the video above where Vin Diesel doesn’t offer much other than good things will come from him being a part of Marvel.

Vin Diesel also comments on Groot in Guardians of the Galaxy 2 stating director James Gunn is working on the script and excited for Groot in the sequel.

Fast & Furious 7 has an April 3, 2015 release; Guardians of the Galaxy 2 hits May 5, 2017.

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Movie Trailers

Watch: Guardians of the Galaxy Rocket Raccoon Reel

Following the Knowhere Reel for Guardians of the Galaxy, now check out Rocket Raccoon above.

Framestore released the video and goes over how they created the space raccoon.

“If you exaggerate his performance and make him too cartoony you’ve lost the audience but if you go too real you’ll end up with something that isn’t entertaining or doesn’t do Bradley’s voice justice,” explains Animation Supervisor Kevin Spruce.

“James Gunn instinctively had a gut feeling of what was right for Rocket. He often wanted to keep him casual and low-key, rather than over-acted,” he continues. “He was very big on the fact that when you shoot live action the actors don’t always look at each other when they’re talking, whereas there’s a tendency for animators to always make characters face who they’re talking to. The animation team worked hard to get all that observational detail into Rocket and became really intuitive to what he would do in any situation.”

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Movie Trailers

Watch: Guardians of the Galaxy Knowhere Reel

Guardians of the Galaxy is about 8 months old and still new material is hitting the net.

Check out the “Knowhere Reel” above, which was put together by Framestore.

“I have a lot of favourite things about this show, but my heart belongs to the interior of Knowhere,” says VFX Supervisor Kyle McCulloch. “We just spent so much time developing it and making it a real place. We designed different neighbourhoods with different colours and different types of houses, there’s so much backstory that went into the design and making it complex enough to be real. In the end I hope it just goes by and provides a great visual backdrop, but for us there was so much that went into making it.” 

We built Knowhere, our most complicated environment to date, for Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy and then staged a dog-fight that explored every inch of it. Here we’ve linked up all our shots in the 4-mile wide and 1.2 billion polygon world.

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Movie News Star Wars

Star Wars: Episode VIII Gets May 2017 Release Date; Edwards Spinoff A Title

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Disney has announced Star Wars: Episode VIII will have a May 2017 release date.

The second of the new Star Wars movies has been given a May 26, 2017 release date, which will be directed and written by Rian Johnson.

Disney/Marvel also has Guardians of the Galaxy 2 slated for a May 5, 2017 release.

Disney also announced the Gareth Edward Star Wars spinoff will be titled Star Wars: Rogue One and will star Felicity Jones, with the story by John Knoll, an Academy Award-winning visual effects supervisor and chief creative officer at Industrial Light & Magic.

According to Disney, the spinoff film will be the “first film in a unique series of big-screen adventures that explores the characters and events beyond the core Star Wars saga,” and has a December 16, 2016 release with filming starting this Summer in London.

Here are the Star Wars release dates:

Star Wars: The Force Awakens: December 18, 2015

Star Wars: Rogue One: December 16, 2016

Star Wars: Episode VIII: May 26, 2017

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Trailer:

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Marvel Movie News

James Gunn Says No San Diego Comic-Con For Marvel

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19559:]]Kevin Feige & James Gunn At SDCC 2013
 

No big Hall H presentation by Marvel Studios this Summer at the San Diego Comic-Con?

If Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn‘s words are to be believed, Marvel Studios will not be attending Comic-Con in July.

A fan asked Gunn about attending the SDCC on Facebook, with Gunn replying, “I’m not sure. Marvel isn’t going so I’m not sure I will either.”

It’s unknown if Gunn’s reply was tongue-in-cheek, but the director is known to be a straight-shooter when it comes to the fans, so Marvel Studios may very well be skipping out on the SDCC.

If it is true, more than likely Marvel will be holding their own press event – possibly at Disney’s D23 Expo a month after Comic-Con on August 14-16 in Anaheim.

Marvel did announce their Avengers Infinity War line-up post-Comic-Con at a solo event; however, that was thought more due to Marvel not signing contracts in time with various actors for their upcoming Phase 3 movies.

It is possible Marvel may want to hold their own press event as it generates more publicity and doesn’t get buried by everything else announced at Comic-Con.

DC and Warner Bros. are thought to be in full force at this year’s SDCC with Batman Vs. Superman and Justice League.   Maybe WB would be better off holding their own press event as well (BvS cast appeared for only a couple minutes at SDCC 2014)?

Marvel may choose to do their own thing – especially seeing they now have Spider-Man – which obviously would be huge.

Bear in mind, Gunn has been wrong or told a little fib in the past: When an early piece of promo art surfaced for Guardians of the Galaxy revealing an Infinity Stone, Gunn claimed it was fan art, but it wasn’t. However, Gunn really has no reason to stretch the truth here.

With Marvel possibly not being at Comic-Con July 9-12, that would mean no promotion for Ant-Man (opens following weekend on July 17th), nothing for Captain America: Civil War (Spider-Man announcement is/was expected), and nothing for Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange (November  4, 2016).

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Movie News

Chris Evans & Chris Pratt Visit Seattle Children’s Hospital

Chris Evans and Chris Pratt had a Super Bowl bet where the loser would have to visit the winner’s city dressed as their respective superhero.

Pratt made good on the bet earlier last month in Boston, and though Evans came out on top, Captain America went to visit kids at Seattle’s Children’s Hospital as well.

The Seattle Children’s Hospital Facebook released the following photos.

A superhero size THANK YOU to Chris Pratt and Chris Evans for spending time with our patients today. The kids were beyond excited to meet Captain America and Star-Lord. And thanks to Marvel and Disney for helping make this day extra special!

Much like their superhero alter egos, Chris Pratt and Chris Evans saved the day in the eyes of the kids at the Seattle Children’s today.

James Gunn Guardians of the Galaxy Star Wars
Movie News Star Wars

James Gunn Facebook QnA On Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers, Star Wars & More

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Earlier today saw Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn participate in a QnA on Facebook.

Below you can check out some of Gunn’s answers which range from topics including Guardians of the Galaxy, a sequel to Slither and Super, directing Star Wars or Star Trek, directing Avengers 3, favorite comic characters and lots more.

James Gunn is currently busy writing Guardians of the Galaxy 2, which has a May 5, 2017 release.

 

Question: I don’t know if it’s already been asked, but who would be your ideal actress for the role of Captain Marvel? (Dream Casting, I don’t want to intrude on the secrecy of Marvel.)

James Gunn: Paula Poundstone. I don’t know. I don’t think about casting movie characters who aren’t in my movies. Here’s the thing – a character takes on a lot of new attributes in a script, so I don’t think anyone but the filmmakers know who would be the ideal actress or actor for any role. I remember everyone sending me casting ideas for Rocket and I was, like, you guys, he’s a somewhat different in my movie than he’s been in the comics. He has a very particular way of speaking, so you don’t really know who the best casting is.

Without spoling anything what would you say is the prevailing theme of Guardians 2?

SIT IN THE CORNER.

Was the decision to put Howard the Duck in Guardians a personal decision or will we be seeing more Howard across the Marvel cinematic universe?

It was a personal decision.

Mr gunn wud u want al Pacino in GOTG 2..

Only if we had the right role for him.

Hey James… any plans to visit England soon?

Maybe. I might have a reason to go in the near future.

Would you be interested in directing the next Star Trek movie if you were approached and are you a Star Trek fan?

I like Star Trek, but I would definitely not be interested in directing a Star Trek movie.

Do you think movie theaters will continue to evolve and improve or will home theater/streaming take over?

Both. The movie going experience is becoming more centralized around spectacle films and lower-budgeted, more independent films, are being relegated to home theater (and eaten up by quality TV).

Will you PLEASE write & direct the Toxic Avenger movie I’ve always dreamt of? Consider it

Sorry, but no [sad face]

Do you read Hickman’s fantastic four? If so what is your view on it?

Yes. I like almost everything Hickman does.

James, about how many questions per day do you get regarding Guardians of the Galaxy 2 and your favorite hero being involved?

Maybe 50?

Anymore video game stuff lined up??

No, too busy with movies right now

Vin Diesel recorded the “I am Groot” line in five different languages. Which one, besides English, is your favorite out of them?

Mandarin.

What is your favorite tv show right now?

Black Sails, Better Call Saul – cannot wait for Game of Thrones!!!

I heard that Livin’ Thing by ELO was almost a part of the Awesome Mix Vol 1 but got cut. Is it likely to show up in GOTG2? Any other bands/songs you’d (ideally) want for it that you can reveal at this point?

I consider this part of the plot of GotG2.

What Marvel or DC movies are you most excited to see, aside from GOTG? 

Ant-Man

Do you u currently read comics and if so, whats ur favorite ongoing series?

Silver Surfer.

Did marvel choose Howard the duck or did you?

I did.

Hi James. Who were your favourite writers/books as a kid?

Stan Lee!

Are you interested in directing either or both Avengers: Infinity War movies?

b) Can I come live with you?

Nope and nope.

Also, are you able to confirm or deny that Loki’s scepter is an Infinity Stone?

I am

Is there going to be a meet between GotG and the Avengers?

Perhaps someday at some point in time, perhaps not.

Also, I dunno if you’ve answered this one before or even if you’d want to, but what’s with the shot of Gamora with her bare back in the Guardians trailer(s)? Is this a deleted scene or something you shot just for the ads?



I mean no offense, I’m just trying to understand how these things work.

It was a deleted scene. It happened during the Livin Thing montage. Quill caught her getting dressed and gave her a smarmy look and she sneered and closed the door on him.

Do you think Spider-Gwen will get a feature film??

I think that’s extremely unlikely. But so was Groot being one of the most popular comics characters ever, so who knows.

Would you like to direct an horror/fantastic movie and present it to the BIFFF again ? We miss you here in Brussels.

How about Guardians 2?

Do you read comics? What’s your go to series?

Yes, many. Over the years, Daredevil has probably been the most consistently good.

What marvel movie are you most excited for this year?

I think people are going to be really surprised by Ant Man. But I’ve already seen AoU.

Scooby-Doo 3?

Nope.

Any chance of another Slither style horror movie?

Perhaps someday.

So are there any other actors from Tromeo and Juliet you plan to have in any future projects?

Yes

Next non marvel project?

Producing a movie in a couple months. You’ll hear more soon.

I read that your brother Sean did the stood-in for Thanos during Guardians with Josh Brolin doing the voice/motion capture… was it too much makeup/wardrobe for a single human being or Brolin couldn’t make it into the set?

Sean just read the lines of Thanos when we shot it, that’s all. We didn’t motion reference him like we did with Rocket. I don’t think Josh was even hired yet.

If you could adapt any video game into a movie, which would you do, and why?

It would have been Hitman.

Have you read Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe and how do you think the guardians would do againts Deadpool?

He’d be dead in four seconds.

Have you ever considered doing a sequel to Slither or Super?

Slither, yes, Super, not really.

What do you think of the character Squirrel Girl and do you think she could get her own show/cartoon/movie?

I love her so much. I’d love to do a Squirrel Girl movie.

Do you and Sean work together a lot ? In a dream world what would your next project with your brother be? I love you both!

We’ve made at least three movies and video game and a web series together. My next project with him will be GotG2.

If you could do ANY other comic book movie, what would you choose?

We3

How long does it take for Groot to grow back? Lol

You’ll find out.

How much of the soundtrack for Guardians did you choose and do you wanna give us a song from part 2?

I chose every single song solely, with no input from anyone else, and no.

What future Marvel movie are you most looking forward to?

I’m dying to see Ant-Man.

Will we see more of Nebula in GOTG 2?

WHAT DID I SAY UP TOP? Go sit in the corner.

Dream project or something you’ve always wanted to do, but aren’t able to cause of rights or feasibility, ect?

Maybe We3.

How is it directing your brother? Does he try to get away with more?

Hell no, he’s the easiest of all my actors to work with, the most professional and the most prepared. He earned the act of the other actors on Guardians and they all love him – just read all the great things Zoe and Dave has said about him.

whats your thoughts on Spider-man now in the MCU?

would you helm Avengers 3 if Joss didnt want to/couldn’t?

It doesn’t really interest me, no, and I think Joss has already publicly said that’s not what he wants to do, yes?

What other projects would you like to work on other than GOTG? Could you see yourself doing something along the lines of a biopic?
 
I usually hate biopics unless they just take a small section – a single story – from a person’s life. I have another big movie I want to do outside Marvel, but it might be a while.
 
What’s up Gunn! What was your first reaction when you found out you would direct GotG and how did you feel when the fans ended up loving it even though it was a “risky” movie?
 
I felt like a girl winning American Idol with confetti coming down around me when I found out I got the gig. I was very happy that people loved the movie as much as I did.
 
Massive fan of your film Super….. Love it! My question is do you think we will see a sequel?
 
Nope.
 
What’s your favourite track off of the awesome mix Vol. 1?
 
Right now, Come and Get Your Love.
 
Will you be coming back to DragonCon?
 
Maybe. I’m gonna try. Because we’re filming in Atlanta, I hope it works out for my schedule.
 
If there was one superhero in the entire universe you could make a movie franchise for whom would you want it to be?
 
Rocket. Done.
 
Are you excited to see age of ultron?
 
Already have seen it. (smiles)
 
Did Marvel Comics gave you creative freedom for GOG?
 
Yes. And even more on GotG2. We have a really great relationship where they let me go and do my thing, and I truly listen to their notes and ideas. I’ve never been told to put in any character or plot element at all. I can’t tell you the amount of times I’ve read stuff on the Internet from people who think they understand how Marvel works, when they don’t at all. When they trust you – and I think I’ve earned their trust over the past few years – they give you a wide berth. I truly love them and love working with them. Like a good marriage, we just fit.
 
how would you rate vin diesel’s abilities as an actor?
 
He’s amazing.
 
Do you think guardians would have worked as a film 30 years ago using star wars style cg and henson puppets?
 
No, for certain not. The only time the tone of Guardians would work was now. I don’t think it would have worked even five years ago, even if the VFX were the same.
 
Are you a WWE fan? Just curious if you were familiar with Dave’s work there before he was cast in Guardians.
 
I had no idea who Dave was when he auditioned – I only knew he was amazing.
 
How would you compare making Slither and Super to Guardians of The Galaxy? I’m pretty intrigued by your transition from diy indie films to a massive block buster space opera. 

Plus, how do you script? Like do you make it up as you go along? shuffle Index cards with plot details?
 
I find the process pretty much the same. You envision it all and make it. Most of it is drawing boxes and composing shots so that they work well as an overall story. I usually write out a very, very intricate treatment first – I get the story exactly as I want it every step of the way and try to fix all the plot problems (which are the hardest for me) at that stage. That will be like a sixty page treatment and will include every beat in the movie. Then I script. I’m always open to changes if they come along, and they will.
 
DId GotG start with I’m Not in Love because there’s the part in the song that says “Big boys don’t cry” and that’s why Peter was listening to that song in the beginning of the movie?
 
I’m Not in Love is a song about a person who clearly loves but is trying to deny it. That’s what Peter is doing in that moment.
 
Who would you like to see play Spider-man?
 
No idea.
 
I want to go out but I’m wasted an it’s nearly 9pm. Any advice? What would Star Lord do?
 
He probably wouldn’t be wasted. He’s not a big drinker.
 
Was the scene at the casino for rocket Racoon hard to get right? Because it’s so well balanced
 
It was hard to get right because the scenes around it were so hard. It itself came together fairly easily.
 
who of the five core guardians did you NOT personally cast?
 
 I cast every single role in the movie personally.
 
favourite marvel movie apart from GOTG
 
Iron Man.
 
Futur projects that you are working on (not Marvels) that you plan to reveal this year
 
I’m producing a movie I’ve written, which we just hired a director on. Look forward to news soon. Other than that, all GotG2 all the time.
 
If you could’ve directed any other of the superhero movies, which would you have chosen?
 
Well I tried to direct Hit Monkey before Gotg2. Does that count.
 
What was your favorite part about the film
 
Drax petting Rocket
 
I know you’ve said that Howard the Duck was just a joke you put into the end credits, but given the response, if Marvel was interested would you do a new Howard the Duck movie?
 
No, probably not. A movie is two years of my life or more. I would like to make a Howard movie – enough to take up that much of my life? I have to have it in every fiber of my being to do it.
 
Would you ever direct a horror movie, a musical or a Star Wars movie?
 
Horror movie maybe, musical for sure, Star Wars film probably not
 
After watching GoTG Behind the Scenes, I can see you like video games a lot, which ones are your personal favorite?
 
Knighs of the Old Republic!
 
Are there going to be any major crew changes to Guardians 2 or are you sticking with the same team?
 
Major crew changes
 
Will you ever plan working with Nathan Fillion in a lead role again?
 
 Yep.
 
Who was your favorite character in GotG to write for?
 
Rocket and Groot
 
Will Von Spears rock another cameo in GOTG2?
 
 Maybe
 
Favorite childhood superhero?
 
Spider-Man and Batman probably.
 
Favorite female superhero?
 
Tricky.
 
 If you could make an R rated film set in the Marvel Universe, which characters would it be about…?
 
Maybe. Maybe Moon Knight. I don’t know how much it appeals to me to make an R rated Marvel film right now. So many people who wanted to see it wouldn’t be able, and that would make me sad.
 
Hi james, searching for the answer to which got you started. Star trek or star wars?
 
Wars.
 
Favorite DC character?
 
Batman
 
After a couple cult hits (and faves of mine) how has your life changed after directing a film that made 3/4 of a billion dollars?
 
Not really. I do the same stuff. People treat me slightly differently, but I’m surrounded by all the same friends and family I was beforehand.
 
Any info on the film you want to make after GOTG2?
 
I have two choices – not sure which one I’ll choose yet.
 
How did you chose the soundtrack for GOTG?
 
Instinct, what I personally liked, and what best told the story I was trying to tell.
 
How was it having Lloyd Kaufman in Guardians? Also how big of a response did that get?
 
People recognize him all the time. He’s the closest thing I have to a father outside of a father, so I always love hanging out with him. It was fun having him on set.
 
Which upcoming film are you most looking forward to?
 
STAR WARS by 1000. Mostly because I’ve already seen Age of Ultron.
 
If you could direct a movie about a DC character, who would be and why?
 
Shazam. I like the “Big” aspect of it.
 
Describe Joss in one sentence??
 
He always looks like he just finished a marathon seconds ago, and I’ve known the man for fifteen years.
 
What’s the plot and who will be in Guardians of the Galaxy 3?
 
Spider-Ham, Popeye, and Skeletor will by the guardians.
 
Where can fan mail be sent? When does GOTG filming plan to start?
 
I don’t have a public mailing address because the Internet
 
Okay, thanks for all the questions, guys. Sorry if I didn’t get to yours. This was the break my brain needed. Now back to writing. Have a great day.
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Marvel Movie News

No Ms. Marvel In Guardians of the Galaxy 2

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19550:]]See how awful the above really is (Bendys GOTG)?

 

With Marvel launching a Carol Danvers Ms. Captain Marvel (there’s only one Mar-vell, guys) in 2018, some fans may have thought Ms. Marvel would first be appearing in Guardians of the Galaxy 2.

The good news (or bad news, depending how you look at it), is that there will be no Captain Ms. Marvel in Guadians of the Galaxy 2.

Gunn tweeted out: “Getting this a lot this morning. As I said months ago, no, sorry.”

The fan speculation may be attributed to the current Marvel Comics Guardians of the Galaxy comic book, written by Brian Michael Bendys, which featured the character. Bendiss also included Iron Man in his less than stellar run, and no Iron Man was featured in the Guardians of the Galaxy movie as well (contrary to fan rumors).

We get futher good news in that Bendy’s symbiote world (i.e. Venom) won’t be in Guardians of the Galaxy 2 from Gunn.

“There are no rumors. Just guesses, which are fun,” Gunn also tweeted. “Only 6 of us know who’s in GotG2.”

Regarding why no Ms. Marvel, Gunn previously said he wants to keep Star-Lord as the only human in space, which we actually don’t agree with either as: 1) Star-Lord isn’t human (he’s half alien) and 2) Star-Lord was taken away to space at such a young age, he isn’t a relatabe human character anymore.

Of course our choice to pair with Star-Lord is – as seen in the comics – Richard Rider Nova.

“Guardians of the Galaxy 2” has a May 5, 2017 release.

[[wysiwyg_imageupload:19551:]]Much better, thank you.

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Movie News

Guardians of the Galaxy Nominated For 2015 MTV Movie Awards & More

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MTV has released their list of nominations for their 2015 Movie Awards.

Guardians of the Galaxy, Captain America: Winter Soldier, X-Men, Scarlett Johansson’s Lucy and more are all nominated.

Check out the full list below.

The MTV Movie Awards airs Sunday, April 12th at 8pm ET on MTV.

Fans can vote on their favorites at: mtv.com/ontv/movieawards.

 

Movie of the Year
“American Sniper”
“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1″
“Guardians of the Galaxy”
“Gone Girl”
“The Fault In Our Stars”
“Boyhood”
“Whiplash”
“Selma”

Best Female Performance
Jennifer Lawrence, “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1″
Emma Stone, “Birdman”
Shailene Woodley, “The Fault In Our Stars”
Reese Witherspoon, “Wild”
Scarlett Johansson, “Lucy”

Best Male Performance
Bradley Cooper, “American Sniper”
Chris Pratt, “Guardians of the Galaxy”
Ansel Elgort, “The Fault In Our Stars”
Miles Teller, “Whiplash”
Channing Tatum, “Foxcatcher”

Best Scared-As-S**t Performance
Rosamund Pike, “Gone Girl”
Annabelle Wallis, “Annabelle”
Jennifer Lopez, “The Boy Next Door”
Dylan O’Brien, “The Maze Runner”
Zach Gilford, “The Purge: Anarchy”

Breakthrough Performance
Ansel Elgort, “The Fault In Our Stars”
Rosamund Pike, “Gone Girl”
David Oyelowo, “Selma”
Dylan O’Brien, “The Maze Runner”
Ellar Coltrane, “Boyhood”

Best Shirtless Performance
Zac Efron, “Neighbors”
Chris Pratt, “Guardians of the Galaxy”
Channing Tatum, “Foxcatcher”
Ansel Elgort, “The Fault In Our Stars”
Kate Upton, “The Other Woman”

Best Duo
Channing Tatum & Jonah Hill, “22 Jump Street”
Zac Efron & Dave Franco, “Neighbors”
Shailene Woodley & Ansel Elgort, “The Fault In Our Stars”
Bradley Cooper & Vin Diesel, “Guardians of the Galaxy”
James Franco & Seth Rogen, “The Interview”

Best Fight
Jonah Hill vs. Jillian Bell, “22 Jump Street”
Chris Evans vs. Sebastian Stan, “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”
Dylan O’Brien vs. Will Poulter, “The Maze Runner”
Seth Rogen vs. Zac Efron, “Neighbors”
Edward Norton vs. Michael Keaton, “Birdman”

Best Kiss
Ansel Elgort & Shailene Woodley, “The Fault In Our Stars”
James Franco & Seth Rogen, “The Interview”
Andrew Garfield & Emma Stone, “The Amazing Spider-Man 2″
Scarlett Johansson & Chris Evans, “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”
Rose Byrne & Halston Sage, “Neighbors”

Best WTF Moment
Seth Rogen & Rose Byrne, “Neighbors”
Jonah Hill, “22 Jump Street”
Jason Sudeikis & Charlie Day, “Horrible Bosses 2″
Miles Teller, “Whiplash”
Rosario Dawson & Anders Holm, “Top Five”

Best Villain
Rosamund Pike, “Gone Girl”
J.K. Simmons, “Whiplash”
Jillian Bell, “22 Jump Street,”
Meryl Streep, “Into the Woods”
Peter Dinklage, “X-Men: Days of Future Past”

Best Musical Moment
Jennifer Lawrence, “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1″
Chris Pratt, “Guardians of the Galaxy”
Seth Rogen & Zac Efron, “Neighbors”
Bill Hader & Kristen Wiig, “The Skeleton Twins”
Miles Teller, “Whiplash”

Best Comedic Performance
Channing Tatum, “22 Jump Street”
Chris Pratt, “Guardians of the Galaxy”
Rose Byrne, “Neighbors”
Chris Rock, “Top Five”
Kevin Hart, “The Wedding Ringer”

Best On-Screen Transformation
Eddie Redmayne, “The Theory of Everything”
Elizabeth Banks, “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1″
Zoe Saldana, “Guardians of the Galaxy”
Steve Carell, “Foxcatcher”
Ellar Coltrane, “Boyhood”

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Movie News

Guardians of the Galaxy Cassette Now Available

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The soundtrack to the Guardians of the Galaxy movie is available again as a cassette.

A limited edition cassette was released around the holidays, but now director James Gunn lets it be known the Guardians of the Galaxy Awesome Mix Vol. 1 soundtrack on cassette can be purchased through Disney (note: at this time there seems to be a glitch with the website where the “add to cart” button is not working).

The website has it listed for $14.98; it’s going for around $35-40 on eBay.

I’m really not trying to shill here – I make no money off album sales – but I know many of you have written me telling me you missed the first, sold out release of Awesome Mix Vol. 1 on cassette (and were even buying it on eBay for as much as a hundred bucks). Well, you can get it again here for $14.98. 

Guardians of the Galaxy Awesome Mix trailer:

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Comic Book News Marvel

Secret Wars Korvac Saga Announced By Dan Abnett

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Marvel has announced this Summer will see Dan Abnett pen a new version of the Korvac Saga for Secret Wars with art by Otto Schmidt.

According to Newsarama, the all-new Korvac Saga will see Abnett’s Guardians 3000 in service of Korvac, who is lord of the Battleworld domain known as Forest Hills (a version of New York, and where Korvac originally fought the Guardians and Avengers).

The team is set to go up against a neighboring domain (Holy Wood) led by Wonder Man who also has his own team of heroes – Avengers – consisting of Captain Marvel, Jocasta, Black Panther, Hercules, the Vision, Moondragon, Yellowjacket and Black Widow.

Abnett describes his Korvac as the one who brought back both the Avengers and Guardians after killing them and then regretting it: “noble, determined, high-minded and essentially trying to rule fairly and justly, and look after this people. He’s not a bad guy. The Guardians are his police, his bodyguards, his retainers. They are loyal to him because they believe in him. But there’s a dark, dark menace arising in his kingdom that threatens his rule, his people, a lot more besides…”

Abnett also describes the book as: “a shocking story, very unusual. A villain who isn’t a full-on villain, and foe that even Earth’s Mightiest Heroes can’t stop. It’s, I think, the original Guardians’ most epic, classic story, and it makes Korvac their number one foe, their classic adversary, their arch-nemesis.”

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Movie News

James Gunn Says He Wants To Work With Al Pacino & More

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Al Pacino previously stated he absolutely loved the Guardians of the Galaxy movie and would consider doing Guardians of the Galaxy 2 or any other movie.

Then it was revealed Pacino participated in talks with Marvel.

Cosmic Book News also exclusively revealed that Al Pacino may play the Grandmaster in Guardians of the Galaxy 2.

Now while participating in a Twitter QnA, director James Gunn drops Pacino’s name as he answers the question, “Which actor would you like to work with?” by responding, “Al Pacino.”

Gunn also answers a range of other questions including he would like to use Rom the Spaceknight if Marvel owned the rights and also said that he will be using a favorite superhero in the Guardians of the Galaxy sequel.

Check out the series of tweets below.

Guardians of the Galaxy 2 has a May 5, 2017 release.

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TV News

Star-Lord Easter Egg In Parks & Recreation Finale

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Last night saw the finale episode of Parks and Recreation air.

The series stars Chris Pratt who plays Star-Lord for Marvel in Guardians of the Galaxy.

While Pratt took time off to film Guardians, his character Andy Dwyer worked in London for six month as an explanation why he wasn’t around.

Now in the finale we see a Star-Lord Easter Egg.

Andy hands out candy to the trick-or-treaters where one happens to be wearing a Star-Lord costume (or as close to it as you can get).

Check it out:

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james-gunn-super-hero-criticisms
Movie News

James Gunn Responds To Superhero Movie Criticisms

Apparently the latest "in thing" amongst the Hollywood crowd is to knock superhero movies. Dan Gilroy, who happens to be married to Thor and Thor 2's Rene Russo, recently compared superhero movies to a tsunami. And last night on the Oscars saw also Jack Black (of all people) throw jabs at superhero movies during his

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Marvel Movie News

Watch: Best Of Marvel’s Toy Fair 2015

Check out a recap video above featuring Marvel’s reveals at the recent Toy Fair.

Included is mention of products for Avengers 2, Guardians of the Galaxy, LEGO and Ant-Man.

Info:

Titan Hero Tech from Hasbro
Feel like a hero as you sound off your favorite Avengers as they interact with each other. Simply push the button on the chest and hold them in distance to the Iron Man Hulkbuster to hear important Avenger intel from Marvel’s Avengers Age of Ultron!

Dorbz from Vinyl Sugar by Funko
You can see where these little guys get there names! Complete with contented smiles, Dorbz give all your favorite Marvel heroes a reason to be happy.

The S.H.I.E.L.D. Hellicarrier from Lego Super Heroes Marvel
This epic LEGO creation contains nearly 3000 pieces and includes not only to scale figures to go aboard your Hellicarrier, but your favorite Avengers in classic mini-figure size for maximum play time! 

Variant Play Arts Kai Spider-Man from Square Enix
Thwip out with this fine art action figure of Spider-Man containing 22 points of articulation and additional hands and webs! Whether you use Spidey to battle backyard crime or keep him safely on the shelf, he will look good doing it!

Marvel Select MCU Ant-Man from Diamond Select
These 1/10th scale figures would make Hank Pym and Scott Lang both proud! Get a piece of the action before Marvel’s Ant-Man hits theaters later this year, with both Ant-Man and an addition ant-sized Ant-Man. This one’s gonna be big… er… you get the point.

MCU Hulk & Hulkbuster Iron Man from Kotobukiya
These two fine art statues fit together seamlessly to recreate this thrilling scene from the upcoming film, Marvel’s Avengers Age of Ultron. The original digital scans from the film were used by the artist for maximum Marvel Cinematic Universe authenticity! 

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TV Trailers

Watch: Guardians of the Galaxy Avengers Assemble Clip

With the cast for the Guardians of the Galaxy animated series announced this week, check out a clip above for the next episode of Avengers Assemble featuring the Guardians.

Black Widow and Thor are on a mission to destroy the Infinity Stones when they run into other interested parties in a clip from this week’s “Marvel’s Avengers Assemble,” airing this Sunday at 8:30 a.m. ET on Disney XD!

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TV News

James Arnold Taylor Cast As Yondu & Cosmo In Guardians of the Galaxy Animated Series

The next announcement video up for the Guardians of the Galaxy animated series is by James Arnold Taylor who will be voicing both Yondu and Cosmo.

Taylor is known for Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H., Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League vs. Bizarro League and Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

Other Guardians of the Galaxy casting news for the animated series includes:

Kevin Michael Richardson To Voice Groot In Guardians of the Galaxy Animated Series

Trevor Devall To Voice Rocket Raccoon For Guardians of the Galaxy Animated Series

Star-Lord & Drax Announced For Guardians of the Galaxy Animated Series

Vanessa Marshall Cast As Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy Animated Series

The series will air on Disney XD.

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Watch the Guardians of the Galaxy animated test footage:

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TV News

Vanessa Marshall Cast As Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy Animated Series

The latest announcement video for the Guardians of the Galaxy animated series is for Gamora as Vanessa Marshall will be voicing the character.

Marshall is known for Star Wars Rebels, Avengers Assemble, for voicing Wonder Woman in Infinite Crisis and Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox and for Black Canary in Young Justice.

The Guardians of the Galaxy animated series will air on Disney XD.

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TV News

Star-Lord & Drax Announced For Guardians of the Galaxy Animated Series

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Voice actors for Star-Lord and Drax have been announced for the Disney XD Guardians of the Galaxy animated series.

Will Friedle will voice Star-Lord, and David Sobolov will voice Drax.

Friedle was the voice of Lion-O in Thundercats; Sobolov is known for Mighty Med, Skylanders and voices Drax for the Disney Infinity video game.

Trevor Devall will be voicing Rocket Raccoon, and Kevin Michael Richardson has been announced as Groot.

Watch the announcement videos:

Watch the Guardians of the Galaxy animated test footage:

Andy Lanning & Andy Schmidt On Guardians Team-Up In May
Comic Book News Marvel

Andy Lanning & Andy Schmidt On Guardians Team-Up In May

Andy Lanning returns to writing Rocket Raccoon this May in Guardians Team-Up #5.

We also see the issue will be co-written by Andy Schmidt, who was the editor behind the fan-favorite Marvel Cosmic relaunch back in 2005/6 with Annihilation.

Hopefully we’ll get to see more from these two.

Lanning co-wrote the Annihilation: Nova series for Schmidt as well.

Check out the solicit and cover:

GUARDIANS TEAM-UP #5
ANDY LANNING & ANDY SCHMIDT (w)
GUSTAVO DUARTE (A)
Cover by HUMBERTO RAMOS
• The universe’s most powerful cabal of villainy has formed right under the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes’ noses–and they never noticed! This group of fowl (get it!) villains, is the Pets of Evil Masters!
• And they’re after world domination! Rocket must team-up with The Pet Avengers (much to his dismay) to face down the foes that no one else can (or will bother with) in this Earth-Shattering adventure that can only be told in the Mighty Marvel Manner!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

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TV News

Kevin Michael Richardson To Voice Groot In Guardians of the Galaxy Animated Series

Disney has announced that Kevin Michael Richardson will be the voice of Groot in the Guardians of the Galaxy animated series.

You can watch video above of Richardson making the announcement.

Kevin Michael Richardson is known for voicing characters in Family Guy, The Simpsons, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Teen Titans Go!, Ben 10 and lots more.

It probably should be noted that contrary to attempts made by the series’ executives, both James Gunn and the Guardians of the Galaxy movie have nothing to do with the series.

Watch the Guardians of the Galaxy animated test footage:

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Comic Book News Marvel

Review: Guardians of the Galaxy #24 (Bendys)

Yeah, I know this is a crossover book in an event – but to me it’s just more of Bendis focusing on the characters he really wants to write, Avengers and X-Men, and continuing to write the Guardians as guest-stars in their own book.

Poor DraxBendis just can’t get his characterization right.  In this issue, he’s raves about the vortex being a “tool of the devil” as if he’s one of the psychotic people you see living on the streets of any large city.  Does that sound like Starlin’s Drax?  Or Giffen’s/DnA’s Drax?  Or even the imitation of Gunn’s Drax that Bendys is apparently shooting for, but like a bad marksman, just keeps missing?  Nope.  This is definitely Bendys’ Drax – no defined personality and just around to make random stupid comments and to occasionally punch something.

Did anyone else find the “lover’s quarrel” between Starlord and Kitty just flat out annoying?  Again, something out of a bad sitcom where the guy wants to do something stupid and the oh-so-much-wiser girl tries to talk him out of it but he does it anyway and, of course, he’s wrong.  Seen that anywhere before?  How many times?  And Bendis zombies criticize me for calling Bendis’ writing hackneyed.

I will say that I liked Gamora’s upgrade – but only because it restored her to the bad-girl/bad-ass characterization of Giffen/Dna along with a version of her sexy Annihilation-era costume.  The rest of the upgrades were real yawners.  And horror-of-horrors, NINO makes an appearance at the end and gets upgraded into – you guessed it – and even more manga-ish uniform!  Seriously, let’s just make the little idiot the Power Ranger that he is and sweep him into the dustbin of comicdom where he belongs.

It’s fitting that G3K and GotGINO were released in the same week so we could perform a direct compare-and-contrast between the two books bearing the Guardians name.   G3K remains an awesome read that treats the Cosmic concepts, characters, and fans with seriousness and respectGotGINO continues to be a parody of Cosmic.  To make a cinematic comparison, G3K is to GotGINO, as 2001: A Space Odyssey is to Spaceballs.  Sorry, Mel Brooks fans, I don’t mean that as a compliment.

I’m not a big fan of Schiti’s art in general, but I will say it was a fine grade of average this time out.  Keith’s colors were quite well done.

In sum, with Bendys at the helm, GotGINO remains a waste of color glossy paper.  If you’re a true Cosmic fan, the best thing you could do is leave this on the shelf along with NINO, LSLINO, and RRINO –  and instead buy multiple copies of G3K.   In other words, use your money to support true Cosmic – and leave the parodies of cosmic to die deaths of cash starvation.

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Comic Book News

Review: Guardians 3000 #5

Now THIS is Marvel Cosmic!

While Bendis, Humphries, Duggan, and Young have been busy turning Cosmic into a bad situation comedy, Abnett, in five fantastic issues of G3K, has single-handedly taught a master class as to how Cosmic should be done.

Abnett’s G3K is the superior antithesis to rest of what Marvel is calling Cosmic these days.  In contrast to Bendis, Humphries, Duggan, and Young, Abnett respects the subject matter and the characters – using the situation and the special abilities of each character as a source of drama in approaching the problems to be addressed rather than an excuse for buffoonery aimed at getting some cheap laughs.  That alone places G3K light years above the paltry efforts of Bendis, Humphires, Duggan, and Young – but there’s more.

Abnett weaves a complex, exciting, and fast-paced tale with high-stakes consequences not only for each of the protagonists, but also for the entire known universe.  The pressure is on for this small group of heroes as their actions will have consequences for everyone and everything.

Abnett has nailed the portrayal of the Starlord of the future.  While everyone else is busy vainly trying to imitate Gunn’s portrayal of Starlord from the GotG movie, Abnett gets Starlord back to his roots – both in terms of uniform and characterization.  It is a refreshing change for the better.

In another refreshing change for the better, in the scant few pages given Rael Rider, she outshines the entire run of Loeb’s/Duggan’s deplorable NINO.  It is very satisfying to see a bright, tough, mature, effective Nova for a change.  We haven’t seen that since Marvel dumped Rich Rider and replaced him with the idiotic NINO.  At least we know there’s a better future for Xandar that doesn’t include NINO but does include some descendants of Earth’s true Nova, Rich Rider.

Each of the original Guardians team has their own voice and their own unique part to play in the grand scheme of the story.   Contrast that with Bendis’ lazy storytelling on his Garbage of the Galaxy book where the characterization is so bad that nearly any character could easily be replaced by any other character.

The art has been the weakest link on this book from the start with very mixed feelings being expressed by many of the fans of this series.  Some find it tolerable while others are really turned off.  I have to say that the artist’s style has grown on me, and I find it much more tolerable than I found it in issue #1.  That being said, I would like to see another artist’s take on Abnett’s concepts.  Delgado’s colors once again serve to soften the extremes of Sandoval’s artistic portrayals of our iconic Guardians.  Ross’ cover art is simply outstanding.

In sum, Abnett in five issue has managed to outshine the entirety of the efforts of Bendis, Duggan, Humphries, and Young.  Sadly, the zombies prefer pablum over true quality – so this book is probably doomed.  I urge all true Cosmic fans to get behind this book and do all you can to promote it to your friends, since Marvel is pretty much ignoring it and pouring all their marketing efforts into the pablum.  This book is Marvel’s only true Cosmic book.  Enjoy it while you can.

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