Guardians 3000 #1 Review
Publisher: Marvel
Story: Dan Abnett
Pencils: Gerardo Sandoval
Colours: Edgar Delgado
Letters: Clayton Cowles
Review by Patrick McAleer
The first thing I’ll say about Guardians 3000 #1 is that it’s an assault on the senses, and that isn’t just down to Gerardo Sandoval’s gorgeous pencils or Edgar Delgado’s sublime colours. It’s also in large part to Dan Abnett’s time twisting tale.
Set in the year 3014 AD, this first issue opens right in the heart of a battle between our assorted heroes and the Badoon, who have managed to infiltrate the Hideaway Parliament. For longtime fans of the Guardians, this title sees a welcome return for the inaugural line-up of Vance Astro, Yondu, Martinex and Charlie-27, who first appeared way back in 1969’s Marvel Superheroes #18 (which included some neat Golden-Age reprints on Submariner, Miss America, Human Torch and Cap) that had some lessons about the futility of racism. This original team is complimented by the presence of Starhawk, who older fans will know had a hand in the original Guardians formation.
With another character named as an homage to the creators of the Guardians and original bad guys, the Badoon front and center, Guardians 3000 #1 should be a delight for those well versed in Marvel lore. New readers however might feel a little overwhelmed, but they shouldn’t let that put them off, as this first issue is action heavy and the visuals on display are worth the price of admission alone.
Sandoval’s visceral artwork exudes a superb kinetic energy and with our heroes often looking as mean and evil as the bad guys, the fisticuffs in here are better in here than you’ll see in most other comics. When you throw in Edgar Delgado’s palette, eerie green hues punctuated by brilliant neon’s during the fight scenes, what you get is a creative team on the top of their game. Special mention also for the often ignored letterist, in this case, Clayton Cowles, who produces some truly wondrous sound effects.
With a storyline that has a WTF!!! moment halfway through, time contortions and superb set pieces, Guardians 3000 #1 rewards more than one reading, so do yourself a favour and fast-forward to the Marvel Universe of the 31st century.
Story 4:5/5
Pencils 5/5
Colours 5/5
Overall 5/5
Patrick is a contributing writer for Drunk On Comics. You can follow him on Twitter at @RepStones.