The Good
Free Comic Book Day issues are a mixed bag. This issue is as well, but in a good way. Who are the Guardians of the Galaxy? This is an obvious question to comic book readers familiar with the series. Being that this is an issue many that don’t normally read the series might pick up, it’s the perfect time and place to recap who the members of the team are. This is done in a way where it doesn’t quite feel like we’re simply getting a rehash of information. With a certain person giving us the information, there’s a slightly different take as you see their personal opinion on everyone. With the movie coming out in a few months, this might be the first time many really get a taste of who they all are.
For those that have been reading the series by Brian Michael Bendis, it still is an important chapter in the series. We’ve know for a bit that Flash Thompson would be joining the team for some reason in his Agent Venom guise. When this was first announced, it didn’t make a lot of sense. The way it’s laid out here, it’s a believable reason. There is one comment that sets up an interesting plot line and the last couple panels also make you wonder if there are other reasons as well for Venom to join the team.
Nick Bradshaw’s art is fun to see. As a fan of his work, it’s great to see a well known artist on a FCBD rather than a random unknown artist. We’re all digging Sara Pichelli on the series but Bradshaw shows he has a good grasp on the characters.
There are also previews for Jim Starlin’s THANOS: THE INFINITY REVELATION graphic novel and some preview pages for SPIDER-VERSE. Both are pretty cool and give you an idea whether or not you should pick them up.
The Bad
The main Guardians story was good and important to the series but it was short. Most of it was simply a short description of who everyone was. Again, this is great for new readers but not crucial for those already familiar with them.
The THANOS and SPIDER-VERSE previews were good but getting previews in a FCBD is a bit of a let down.
The Verdict
If you’re reading Brian Michael Bendis’ GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, you’re going to want to pick up this issue. If you’re new to the series or are looking forward to the movie, this will give you a great idea what you need to know about everyone. Venom is joining the team and Nick Bradshaw does a great job illustrating him and the other members of the team. This lets us know why and how he comes on board and sets things up for the regular series. The story did feel short but we also get previews for Jim Starlin’s THANOS graphic novel and the upcoming SPIDER-VERSE. This is a pretty cool FREE comic.