HERO WORSHIP: THE GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

Team of Heroes: The Guardians of the Galaxy

Roster: Major Victory, Charlie 27, Martinex, Yondu, Starhawk, Aleta, Nikki, Firelord, Hollywood (20th Century Avenger Wonder Man), Talon, Ghost Rider (31st Century Spirit of Vengeance), Yellowjacket, Replica, Giraud (possessor of the Phoenix force in the 31st century), Mainframe (20th Century Avenger Vision), Star-Lord, Groot, Rocket Raccoon, Gamora, Drax, Adam Warlock, Phyla-Vell, Mantis, Moondragon, Bug, Quasar, Nova (Richard Rider), Jack Flag, Captain Universe, and Cosmo the telepathic space dog.

Overall Ranking: 9 out of 10

Breakdown: During the 1980's an astronaut named Vance Astro embarked on a thousand year solo voyage through space to the closest solar system to our own, the Alpha Centuri system. He travels in suspended animation but yet awake. When he arrives on Alpha Centuri in the year 3007 he discovers that an alien race called the Badoon have taken over the Milky Way Galaxy. He is rounded up with the last survivors of the colonists on Jupiter, Pluto, and Centuri IV. Charlie 27, a genetically enhanced human being of increased density and strength. Martinex, a genetically enhanced crystalline human being from Pluto with the powers of fire and ice. And Yondu, the last native survivor of Centuri IV. Together the four of them breakout of the Badoon throneworld and form a band of freedom fighters dedicated to liberating the universe of Badoon tyranny. They call themselves the Guardians of the Galaxy!

There ranks grow adding the enigmatic and cosmically powered Starhawk. The last surviving Mercurian, a woman named Nikki. And Aleta, wife of Starhawk with mastery over light. The seven of them liberate the Milky Way Galaxy ending the Badoon threat and set their sights further out into the universe, protecting and saving those in need.

Rewind to the 21st century to the Kree Empire in deep space. The alien race known as the Kree have just survived the Annihilation War thanks largely to Nova Prime Richard Rider, Peter Quill, the Star-Lord, Drax the Destroyer, Phyla Vell, daughter of Captain Marvel, and Gamora, deadliest woman in the galaxy. The phalanx virus attacks the Kree throneworld of Hala thrusting the Kree once again into a state of war. Star-Lord and the heroes above once again step up to defend the universe but this time there are a few more heroes to the list: Rocket, a genetically created one of a kind raccoon resembling creature, Groot, a walking talking tree, and the immensely powerful Adam Warlock. Together they succeed in saving the universe yet again.

After having barely survived two universal wars Star-Lord decides to create a team of heroes dedicated to saving the galaxy from future threats. Gamora, Drax, Rocket, Groot, Phyla, and Warlock join his cause. By chance the group encounters a block of ice floating space, Major Vance Astro frozen within. He thaws and comes to not knowing how he traveled back in time nor where he is. He tells them he's a part of the Guardians of the Galaxy. Rocket likes the name and picks it for their group's name. The Major joins them and they become the NEW Guardians of the Galaxy. The group grows bigger too and saves the entire galaxy time and time again.

The Review: I love the Guardians of the Galaxy! I was introduced to them briefly in the early 1990's with the original team but where I really got to know them was between 2006 and 2010, first with the story ANNIHILATION, then the sequel story ANNIHILATION CONQUEST, and finally in the their second volume GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY.

I have since gone back and read every single book and appearance of the original team and the new team. If it's a story with the original team it's going to be good no matter what you read. The same can kind of be said about the new team but there is a clear line where the books are REALLY GOOD and then mediocre. Hint, any Guardians of the Galaxy book written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning are pure gold! Those two writers are primarily responsible for Guardians of the Galaxy getting their own movie and the teams new found glory and greatness. It is because of DnA (Dan n' Andy), and many great artists and writers of the past that the Guardians of the Galaxy get a 9 out of 10 from me. That's hard to do.

If you don't know them yet you definitely need to see the movie. If you do know them already you should definitely see the movie!

 Essential Reading for the Guardians of the Galaxy:

Guardians of the Galaxy: Tomorrow's Avengers Vol. 1
Guardians of the Galaxy: Tomorrow's Avengers Vol. 2
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Thanos: Redemption
Annihilation
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1
War of Kings
Thanos Imperative

This stuff is awesome. Unfortunately it is incomplete. Eventually they'll have the rest of the graphic novels out but right now this is all we have available, unless you track down all the individual issues that is. That's what I did! So worth it!