Post by goldenfist on Aug 21, 2008 7:51:09 GMT -5
Here's a a review of Guardians of the Galaxy #4 from Ign.com
Technically speaking, I guess you could say that Guardians of the Galaxy #4 is a Secret Invasion tie-in, though you'd never know it by Abnett and Lanning's crafty plotting. Using the corporate-mandated themes to their full advantage, the duo present the Skrull invasion as an interesting excursion into the laboriousness of trust within a newly constructed company of heroes.
Admittedly, I approached this issue with a small degree of apprehension. The idea of shoehorning the Skrulls into the mix didn't sit well with me. Abnett and Lanning have done such a masterful job at casting their book into its own segment of the Marvel Universe, I was afraid that this little dalliance would become a forced enterprise- the type of story you have to suffer through until the authors regain complete creative control over a title.
The end result proves something of a revelation. After a tragedy strikes Knowhere, the Guardians of the Galaxy are presented with evidence that Skrulls may have infiltrated their base of operation. What follows is a period of dissent and disparity that dredges up a few underlying issues the Guardians have yet to vocalize. Considering the hodge-podge nature of the title's crew and the ironic twist of duplicity that brought them all together, the Skrull fiasco serves as a perfect launching pad for a few long over due discussions.
Using the issue as a transition of sorts between story arcs, Abnett and Lanning take the opportunity to bring into question the future of the group, while also laying the seeds for a few ongoing squabbles, thereby adding a layer of depth to the group's overall dynamic. The idea of keeping the group's existence on shaky ground is a masterful stroke from the authors, as it provides a sort of inherent tension that should keep the book interesting for the prolonged future.
Not lost in all the suspense, is yet another solid outing from Paul Pelletier. His character work on Guardians is downright refreshing. He's able to create a cohesive look for the title despite its drastically diverse cast and crew, molding a group of people sporting all different shapes and sizes into one, taut aesthetic that's fittingly unique. The idea of drawing Adam Warlock on the same page as a talking dog and a cantankerous raccoon sounds somewhat peculiar, but Pelletier's pencils make the cast look as natural as any the Avenger's have ever boasted.
This issue stands as proof that with a little time and effort, it's possible to present tie-ins that don't distract from an individual title's creative flow. By issue's end Abnett and Lanning leave the reader with a strong implication the upcoming story arc will center itself on trust and substantiation, both necessary steps towards establishing the group as vital and enduring. We've been singing this book's praises since its inception, but it bears repeating; Guardians of the Galaxy is right on par with Marvel's very best titles. Abnett and Lanning have a formula for the extraordinary here and you should be paying attention.
Review Score: 8.4 Impressive
Technically speaking, I guess you could say that Guardians of the Galaxy #4 is a Secret Invasion tie-in, though you'd never know it by Abnett and Lanning's crafty plotting. Using the corporate-mandated themes to their full advantage, the duo present the Skrull invasion as an interesting excursion into the laboriousness of trust within a newly constructed company of heroes.
Admittedly, I approached this issue with a small degree of apprehension. The idea of shoehorning the Skrulls into the mix didn't sit well with me. Abnett and Lanning have done such a masterful job at casting their book into its own segment of the Marvel Universe, I was afraid that this little dalliance would become a forced enterprise- the type of story you have to suffer through until the authors regain complete creative control over a title.
The end result proves something of a revelation. After a tragedy strikes Knowhere, the Guardians of the Galaxy are presented with evidence that Skrulls may have infiltrated their base of operation. What follows is a period of dissent and disparity that dredges up a few underlying issues the Guardians have yet to vocalize. Considering the hodge-podge nature of the title's crew and the ironic twist of duplicity that brought them all together, the Skrull fiasco serves as a perfect launching pad for a few long over due discussions.
Using the issue as a transition of sorts between story arcs, Abnett and Lanning take the opportunity to bring into question the future of the group, while also laying the seeds for a few ongoing squabbles, thereby adding a layer of depth to the group's overall dynamic. The idea of keeping the group's existence on shaky ground is a masterful stroke from the authors, as it provides a sort of inherent tension that should keep the book interesting for the prolonged future.
Not lost in all the suspense, is yet another solid outing from Paul Pelletier. His character work on Guardians is downright refreshing. He's able to create a cohesive look for the title despite its drastically diverse cast and crew, molding a group of people sporting all different shapes and sizes into one, taut aesthetic that's fittingly unique. The idea of drawing Adam Warlock on the same page as a talking dog and a cantankerous raccoon sounds somewhat peculiar, but Pelletier's pencils make the cast look as natural as any the Avenger's have ever boasted.
This issue stands as proof that with a little time and effort, it's possible to present tie-ins that don't distract from an individual title's creative flow. By issue's end Abnett and Lanning leave the reader with a strong implication the upcoming story arc will center itself on trust and substantiation, both necessary steps towards establishing the group as vital and enduring. We've been singing this book's praises since its inception, but it bears repeating; Guardians of the Galaxy is right on par with Marvel's very best titles. Abnett and Lanning have a formula for the extraordinary here and you should be paying attention.
Review Score: 8.4 Impressive