calling security

theyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy're baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!

well, the title at least, and its an all-new crew, albeit one we have not seen before (by "we" i mean those of us who read Annihilation and Annihilation: Conquest - shame on you!!!). after those two multiple-issue, cash register-overloading storylines, there's no other way to go, except forming a new Guardians of the Galaxy. yes, space-spanning sci-fi opera is back in season (R.I.P. Battlestar Galactica).

for those who were born when Kurt Cobain was on top of the world, the original Guardians of the Galaxy had these pioneers, whose cute avatars are shown below:


that's from left to right, Major Vance Astro (alternate timeline counterpart of Justice), Martinex, Charlie-27 and Yondu. for other members who joined later, you can look 'em up here.

you're wondering why Astro has Captain America's shield - well, its a long story so go look it up somewhere. you know how to navigate the internets, right?

anyway, the new team (of sorts) was put together by Peter Quill (The Artist Formerly Known as Star-Lord and Now Known Again as Star-Lord), a fast-talking quick-drawing leader of men.


Peter had this bright idea that they should be prepared for the next cosmic problem, instead of just being thrown together all the time and improvising solutions. hey, Bush marched us into Iraq and created more problems, but that's neither here nor there.

of course, who would he recruit except the mates he fought alongside with in the aforementioned crossovers:

Phyla-Vell/Quasar, Quantum Band owner, lesbian lover (of the currently-deceased Moondragon)


the new, improved Adam Warlock (kind of a '90s throwback - oooooo, menacing, enhanced powers etc.)


Rocket Raccoon (& Groot) - yes, a talking raccoon; you got a problem wit' dat?


throw in a couple of half-surprises, like Gamora - The Artist Known as The Deadliest Woman in the Universe, and Nova's FB (but this state seems to be evolving) ...


... and Drax (the Destroyer), all-around badass. purged of his dumbness, he's killed Thanos and a whole lot of organic and techno-organic alien scum. so, better not get on his bad side.



for support staff, we have Mantis, the self-absorbed telepath/pyro ...



... and Cosmo, the Russian talking dog introduced in the Nova series. don't ask me how he talks. he just does. and he's Russian. da.



too bad Nova isn't part of the team, but it makes sense because he's got his own book, and he's too good of a character to just be part of the ensemble (uh, New Warriors, anyone?). i suspect they'll be crossing over frequently (especially after missions when Gamora needs some ... you know).

between the original team and this new incarnation ... i'd go for the one with the raccoon. and Gamora (hoooo-haaaaahh!).

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Guardians of the Galaxy #1
"Somebody's Got To Do It"
Dan Abnett/Andy Lanning/Paul Pelletier/Rick Magyar/Nathan Fairbairn/Joe Caramagna/cover: Clint Langley