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Guardians of the Galaxy by Jim Valentino
Guardians of the Galaxy by Jim Valentino, Vol. 2
Just in time for the blockbuster film, Marvel offers up a second helping of classic Guardians tales by industry icon Jim Valenti no! The original Guardians of the Galaxyland on the World of Mutants, but soon wind up in the middle of a violent rebellion against Wolverine's descendant Rancor! And to make matters worse, there's a Dark Phoenix on the loose! Hope they survive the experience! Then it's off to the rescue of Firelord; a cosmic clash with the Spirit of Vengeance himself, Ghost Rider; and the debut of the mysterious Protégé; before culminating in an epic battle with the Punisher of the 31st century. Wait, did we say Punisher? More like Punishers - a whole army of them! Plus: a major turning point in the life of Vance Astrovik! Who is Major Victory?
COLLEC TING: GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY (1990) 8-20
COLLEC TING: GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY (1990) 8-20
330 pages, Paperback
First published July 9, 2014
About the author
Jim Valentino
269 books25 followersJim Valentino is an American writer, penciler, editor and publisher of comic books. He is a co-founder of Image Comics and served as the company's publisher from 1999-2004. Jim created such diverse series as normalman, A Touch of Silver, Vignettes and ShadowHawk. He also wrote and drew Guardians of the Galaxy for Marvel Comcs.
He currently heads his own imprint at Image called Shadowline which publishes Rat Queens, Faster Than Light, Jimmie Robinson, Ted McKeever and more.
He currently heads his own imprint at Image called Shadowline which publishes Rat Queens, Faster Than Light, Jimmie Robinson, Ted McKeever and more.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 17, 2018
I enjoyed this possible glimpse of Marvel's universe. The future versions of many of the main characters is handled well and the story and art and very nice. Good different read. Recommended
February 19, 2022
For anyone revisiting the whirlwind world of comic books in the 1990s, the primary story usually centers around the formation of Image Comics by the industry superstars. Rob, Jim, Erik, and Todd get a lot of attention for their Spider-Man and X-family work but Jim Valentino was no less a talented craftsman (and in some cases more talented in terms of his contributions as both a writer and artist).
The middle volume of his time on the 1990 Guardians of the Galaxy series is a prime example of his prowess. Having resolved much of the team’s story obligation in volume one, Valentino uses this time to add new layers to the team and advance the story meaningfully to appeal to readers who aren’t particularly thrilled about the earlier stories.
Of course, these stories are also very well-rooted in the Marvel Comics branding of the time. Being set in the 31st century doesn’t prevent Valentino from leveraging Ghost Rider, Wolverine, and the Punisher for attention. Their usage is clever, though, and the resulting stories fit well in the team’s adventures.
The only dull spot in an otherwise very fun story continues to be the Aleta-Starhawk storyline. Time has not been kind to this dynamic, either, as a domineering man intimidates and gaslights a buxom woman in space-spandex and heels. Valentino doesn’t seem to know exactly what he wants to accomplish here, but simply making Starhawk an anti-hero isn’t enough of an outcome given his contemptible behavior throughout.
In summary I was glad to rediscover stories that I enjoyed as an adolescent and see that on the whole they held up well which is more than can be said for some of its contemporaries.
The middle volume of his time on the 1990 Guardians of the Galaxy series is a prime example of his prowess. Having resolved much of the team’s story obligation in volume one, Valentino uses this time to add new layers to the team and advance the story meaningfully to appeal to readers who aren’t particularly thrilled about the earlier stories.
Of course, these stories are also very well-rooted in the Marvel Comics branding of the time. Being set in the 31st century doesn’t prevent Valentino from leveraging Ghost Rider, Wolverine, and the Punisher for attention. Their usage is clever, though, and the resulting stories fit well in the team’s adventures.
The only dull spot in an otherwise very fun story continues to be the Aleta-Starhawk storyline. Time has not been kind to this dynamic, either, as a domineering man intimidates and gaslights a buxom woman in space-spandex and heels. Valentino doesn’t seem to know exactly what he wants to accomplish here, but simply making Starhawk an anti-hero isn’t enough of an outcome given his contemptible behavior throughout.
In summary I was glad to rediscover stories that I enjoyed as an adolescent and see that on the whole they held up well which is more than can be said for some of its contemporaries.
November 17, 2017
Gary lent me this book. Hey comics! (Don't you wish you picked up the last ish? -Ed.) Can you believe that Valentino both wrote and penciled this book? He must have been shackled in the Marvel salt mines for years on this semi-obscure 80s title. The penciling is pretty damn solid for its time and even features some experimental composition.
The writing not so much. Lots of shifts in tone, not sure whether that's just due to the grind of the work or a futile effort to boost sales numbers. The middle of the book, with all the space intrigue and intergalactic war, is the most fun. The rest is a bit of a jumble, some junior X-Men soap opera and virtually incoherent crossovers. (No really, it's Ghost Rider but *in the future*! It's Punisher but *in the future*!) Women characters are have some agency but look for as much interest in haircuts (lookin' at you, Nikki) as in any character development.
So a basic specimen of the era, diverting but only recommended for diehard comics nerds (umm).
The writing not so much. Lots of shifts in tone, not sure whether that's just due to the grind of the work or a futile effort to boost sales numbers. The middle of the book, with all the space intrigue and intergalactic war, is the most fun. The rest is a bit of a jumble, some junior X-Men soap opera and virtually incoherent crossovers. (No really, it's Ghost Rider but *in the future*! It's Punisher but *in the future*!) Women characters are have some agency but look for as much interest in haircuts (lookin' at you, Nikki) as in any character development.
So a basic specimen of the era, diverting but only recommended for diehard comics nerds (umm).
July 30, 2021
A different line up to that expected, with only Wandoo from the film cast of characters being familiar to me. Saying this, the seven characters comprising the line up are worthy of interest, despite the fact that the three most interesting get sidelined throughout the edition. Lots of Avengers-y asskicking, much love troubles, less than usual concern about the deaths of enemies.
March 5, 2022
It is weird that I know these stories, I must have read them at some point, but I have no copies around and nothing to indicate that I did.
This collection (Vol 2) was interesting, but it seemed to lack focus, unlike the first volume as they search for Captain America's Shield.
Fun, but kind of all over the place in my book.
This collection (Vol 2) was interesting, but it seemed to lack focus, unlike the first volume as they search for Captain America's Shield.
Fun, but kind of all over the place in my book.
May 25, 2018
Awesome
June 22, 2019
3 1/2
July 31, 2022
I'm enjoying this! Even though it's not the Guardians I know from the movies!
February 20, 2015
This volume pretty much picks up where the previous volume finished. The team is continue to deal with the interesting Marvel universe of the future, including a look at the 31st century Phoenix, Punisher, and Ghostrider. They find a colony world of mutants that was founded by Marvel's regular staple of characters after they had to flee earth to escape persecution.
The team definitely segues into the feel Marvel was getting as it moved more firmly into the 1990s. It was another great set of stories, and I am very much hoping I can find volume 3!
The team definitely segues into the feel Marvel was getting as it moved more firmly into the 1990s. It was another great set of stories, and I am very much hoping I can find volume 3!
December 28, 2015
Well, this was pretty bad and long.
The stories are gullible, all over the place, and not that connected, even though there is at least one reference in each issue to the previous one.
The art is just good enough, and at times even bad.
Overall, this is a skippable, long and not intriguing read at all.
The stories are gullible, all over the place, and not that connected, even though there is at least one reference in each issue to the previous one.
The art is just good enough, and at times even bad.
Overall, this is a skippable, long and not intriguing read at all.
October 14, 2016
Wonderful reread of some classic comic books. While some of the relationship stuff gets a little weird with everyone falling in love it seems, the stories, characters and ties to the Marvel Universe are incredible and strong. Can't wait for book three!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews