Review: Guardians of the Galaxy #11

Will Rosenthal ’16 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer

The Trial of Jean Grey continues in Guardians of the Galaxy #11 or, rather, fills in what the Guardians were doing before they met up with the X-men.

Where the X-men title mostly recapped their adventures, The Guardians issue goes the extra mile. While it does visit each member of the team, it visits the events of Marvel’s recently closed crossover, Infinity, and how those events have influenced the plot of this crossover. This is great if the readers would skip those mega-events. Although, sometimes things were explains more than once, which slowed down the pace of the story.

Artist Sara Pichelli brings some great visuals to this issue as well from a seedy space bazar to a meeting of evil alien leaders in the middle of space. One of Gamora’s old outfits makes a return, which was surprising how out of place it feels in the current series.

To think that this series has changed so much in tone that this costume no longer meshes with the series really speaks to the influence of the creative team driving the series. They’ve established that they’re serious about her space suit becoming her new image, doing away with the T&A that’s lingered on comics since the 90s and moving into the new age of modern comics. Which is ironic seeing as Angela, the embodiment of 90s cliché female characters, has joined the team and in something of a bromance with Gamora.

The meeting of evil alien leaders was also particularly enjoyable.

While this  surreal image is mainly a vehicle for exposition for motivation and the events of Age of Ultron and Infinity, it’s really brought to life by some great dialogue. Some of these characters give off great impressions in very few lines. King J-Son is a sinister but tactful villain, the giant-head alien is constantly pondering, and the Shi’ar Gladiator craves conflict. It’s a clever way of introducing exposition as it’s news to universe as well as the reader who may avoid the large, crossover event.

Overall, while doesn’t go very far, it’s definitely more enjoyable than the first in the crossover.

Emertainment gives this issue 7 out of 10.