So I have a big problem. Admittedly, it is 100% a trivial First World Problem, but it vexes me all the same. I just finished watching (and, of course, loving) Guardians of the Galaxy for the umpteenth time. The re-watch before the sequel is part of my process you know. I have my tickets for the 7:00pm showing of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 this Thursday too. It’s the first showing in town baby! Woo! But, as a comic lover who also loves comic book movies, I just can’t get into a comic version of the Guardians of the Galaxy in the same way I love the film. This is obviously a big problem because I want more Guardians of the Galaxy people!!!! So I’m at an impasse.
Photo Credit – Guardians of the Galaxy
When I walked into the movie theatre in August of 2014 I knew nothing of the Guardians of the Galaxy. When I walked out of the movie theatre, I was in LOVE with Guardians of the Galaxy! It’s one of those films I never tire of watching. No matter how many times I see it, I always laugh. It’s a great film to put on when I’m in a bit of a funk as it’s always sure to bring a better mood with it. And, of course, it’s a movie that just makes me want to dance. Is there any better feeling in the world?? Everything works so perfectly in the film. I’ve always enjoyed the trope of a lovable band of losers coming together to become something more. We meet these awkward misfits who don’t fit in anywhere else…except with each other. Then we watch this group of a-holes (who aren’t 100% dicks) rise to make the increasingly altruistic choices again and again, becoming a family along the way. Yes, it’s a common storyline but James Gunn’s vision – presented with such a perfect cast – makes it all feel special and new.
Photo Credit – Marvel Comics
It was also fun to go to a Marvel Cinematic Universe movie where I had no experience with the characters too. When I was a kid, the Guardians of the Galaxy weren’t really a thing. Consulting my 1992 Marvel trading cards, I see the team was around and it consisted of Major Victory, Starhawk, Charlie-27, Martinex, Nikki, and Talon. Uh…huh? As a kid this card always kinda bothered me because I loved comic books but I had NO IDEA who these people were. All I knew was it looked mike Major Victory was a future rip-off of Captain America. So I got to meet Peter Quill, Gamora, Rocket Raccoon, Groot, and Drax for the first time with most of America! I feel in love with these characters and this movie so much that, when I returned to comic collecting in 2015, the Guardians of the Galaxy were high on my list of comics to consider for my pull list (despite the large number of solo titles connected to the team book which threatened the potential for regular, needless crossovers). However…nothing ever felt right.
Photo Credit – Marvel Comics
When I returned to comic collecting the team featured Kitty Pryde as their Star Lord and leader. Apparently she had a relationship with Peter Quill and, even after their marriage ended, she stayed on to lead the team. What?!? Rocket, Groot, and Drax where there and the team also had Venom (and by “Venom” I mean Flash Thompson (who had served in Iraq and lost his legs (and also got the symbiote at some point?!? (and took to the stars to be a good guy (and had joined up with the Guardians of the Galaxy along the way (and SO MANY THINGS HAPPENED after I stopped reading comics)))))) and Ben Grimm (who, joined up since the Fantastic Four had dissolved to spite Fox Studios since they held the film rights for…some solid story reason). Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m sure there were some exciting stories to be had there! But, as someone returning to the world of comics after a seventeen year hiatus, there seemed like an inordinate amount of back story to catch-up on there so, a little intimidated, I steered clear.
Poor Guardians of the Galaxy…stuck on earth. / Photo Credit – Marvel Comics
Looking forward from that point came Civil War II and the team being split up and “Grounded.” Again, I’m sure these stories were exciting but I wasn’t looking for the Guardians of the Galaxy…on earth. So I continued to steer clear of those titles. Looking backward from that point I saw a lot of crossing over with the X-Men and what appeared to be a semi-convoluted story in “The Black Vortex.” I wasn’t read nor willing to jump back into the wild mess that seemed to characterize the X-Men in the latter part of my non-comic collecting years. In what appeared to be another move by Marvel to marginalize a title that Marvel Studios didn’t own the film rights too, it seemed that the X-Men were facing one extinction event after another and much of the core social justice message (not to mention family nature) of the team I remembered had been lost. So, while I know Brian Michael Bendis has been writing the Guardians of the Galaxy comics for around five years and I know those stories come with their fair share of critical and fan acclaim, none of them seemed to fit what I was looking for.
The Guardians of the Galaxy and the X-Men and…um…other people I guess? / Photo Credit – Marvel Comics
Now, with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 about to be released (excuse me for a brief moment of squealing glee…AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOO HOOOOOOO!!!!! I CANNOT WAIT FOR THURSDAY NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!), Marvel is obviously looking to move the Guardians to the center spotlight. Brian Michael Bendis concluded his run on the title with Guardians of the Galaxy #19 and, this week, Gerry Duggan and Aaron Kuder are taking over the title with Guardians of the Galaxy #1. (…of course. Can someone explain why Marvel likes to number so many of their comics 001 when they NEVER let any title come close to triple digits anymore? Hopefully the rumors are true and their legacy numbers return in the fall.) Now, in theory, this is a good place to jump on and seems to offer what I’m looking for.
Photo Credit – Marvel Comics
The new Guardians title features the cast of characters I know from the film and it’s taking them back into deep space to do their thing. Talking of the new series, Duggan made it clear that, “Readers should expect an outer space that makes no sense to us Earth dwellers.” I dig that! If I’m reading a space title, I want the Guardians of the Galaxy bouncing around the cosmos and encountering the weird, wild, and wonderful. So everything sounds good right? BUT (given the popularity of these characters) Marvel’s decided to make their new Guardians of the Galaxy title BI-MONTHLY. Uuuuuugggghhhh. That means I’m paying $8 a month for ONE story. Grrr. DC had to make the bi-monthly thing trendy with Rebirth but at least they had the decency to pretend it was cheaper (because, you know, a monthly title is $3.99 but their bi-monthly ones are $2.99 so you think you’re saving money when really you’re spending $6 a month for that one title). I have a limited comic budget and X-Men: Gold is trying to take that bi-monthly spot. I don’t have the money to accommodate two bi-monthly series. So what do I do?
Do I buy them both for a while and see what grabs me more? Or, and this may be the more wild idea, do I just not even attempt to read Guardians of the Galaxy. Okay, stay with me for a second. For me, meeting and falling in love with the Guardians of the Galaxy as I did, they are and will forever be James Gunn’s vision. That’s the definitive version for me. With that being the case, can any comic story give me what I’m looking for? I WANT to enjoy the Guardians of the Galaxy every month! I’d like to fill some comic box space with many more adventures of this team I’ve come to know and love. But am I chasing something I can’t find? Do I just have to be patient? Should I just accept the Guardians of the Galaxy will be a (hopefully…most-likely) amazing trilogy of films that I have to wait for in between and then relive on DVD? Should I just say “Enough is enough” and appreciate what James Gunn and co. has given (and will continue to give) me?
I’m hooked on THIS feeling…specifically. I LOVE IT. / Photo Credit – Guardians of the Galaxy
I’m sure this rational has to be the exact opposite of what Marvel is hoping for. But…maybe it’s what’s best for me. I don’t know. I want to like the Guardians of the Galaxy comic book! I want to enjoy new adventures with Peter Quill, Gamora, Rocket, Groot, and Drax every month (or…ugh…twice a month). But I also don’t want to waste money on something I feel I should read when it’s not what I’m looking for. I feel a long, tangential ramble starting so I think I’m going to cut this off here. I’ll ponder this pressing concern (while saying a few extra prayers of thanksgiving that I can devote mental energy to a First World Problem such as this) as I let my excitement mount for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Regardless of what I decide to do at the comic shop tomorrow, I know where I’ll be Thursday night baby!!! (And, hopefully, a time or two more this weekend!) I also know what I’ll be wearing. After the fun I had with Logan and the fact that Kalie sweetly surprised me with the t-shirt Peter Quill wears in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 the other day, I’ve assembled a Star Lord outfit for the movie. I also spent a lot of time trimming the beard to match his. It’s all about the little details you know? Also…I guess I’m a guy who dresses up for movies now?! When did this happen?? At least that gives me something else to think about other than comic buying uncertainty!
Kalie ALSO surprised me with another great t-shirt that looks like this. Woo! Let’s bring on the sequel baby!!! I can’t wait!!! / Photo Credit – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
My Comic Relief 
I think the comment about outerspace in the comic books being nothing like we’d expect it to be is intriguing. It almost makes me want to read it, and you know how often I read comic books. The extra money for the bi-monthly release is a downfall, but if you really find you enjoy the comic, well….
Okay, so when it comes to things like these, I can be a bad influence.
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You ARE a terrible influence when it comes to this sort of stuff! I mean, I love you for that and may be thinking about putting it in my file now before I even read it…but you are a terrible influence :).
Also, we can always read it together. That could be fun…
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I just like to push you toward things I think you’ll enjoy :). I’m intrigued by the series, but my budget is fairly evenly divided between clothes and chipotle. If you end up reading the first one and giving it rave reviews, however, maybe I’ll cave.
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It seems like you’re now subliminally nudging me to buy it now, like if I REALLY like it, you may want to read it too. Well played Love, well played. I guess it IS Friday…a bonus trip to the comic shop may be in the cards. Hmm.
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One thing you could try is the Abnett and Lanning’s Guardians run from 2008, it was somewhat closer in tone to the movie than anything that Brian Michael Bendis did.
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…annnnd I’ve just come back from Amazon where I’ve read reviews and couldn’t be more excited to check this out. This does look like it could be an excellent bridge between film and comic. Thank you so much for sharing this!!!
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I myself recently read issue one of the Kitty Pryde-lead Guardians of the Galaxy and thought it was fantastic. I don’t know much about the back story myself but there was something ever so refreshing about it all, The new additions really shining alongside fan favourites in my opinion. I think my adoration did stem from my distinct lack of cosmic antics in my pull list and this issue delivered just that.
With your first world problem, you could pick up the free comic book day special and see how you find that. Noted, it won’t give you the full scope but it’s free so what is there to lose?
Great Post!
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Aaahh!!! You’re right!! The Free Comic Book Day preview is a brilliant way to get the flavor of the series! Thank you very much for the suggestion! I wasn’t on top of what’s even coming out for Free Comic Book Day (I know…I know…I’m slacking!) so this is extra exciting for me.
I appreciate your thoughts on the Kitty Pryde led version of the team too. I’ve always liked Kitty as a character and her leading the X-Men is one of the things that has me trying ‘X-Men: Gold.’ So maybe I’ll eventually try that run after all.
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I got 1 ish of Black Vortex (from th bargain bin of course) but it failed to interest/excite me.
Modern comics seem to be too complex and/or convoluted – u know me: I’m sticking w th Bronze Age!
Watched Vol 2 yesterday – trust me: u r going to have a whoppin great time!
Be prepared: U WILL laugh – and cry – more @ th cinema on Thursday than u have since, well, Vol 1!
OH… YEAH!
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I’m simultaneously jealous you got to see this before me and crazy excited that you loved it. In less that twenty-four hours I’ll be watching it myself!
On the cosmic note, I do think the Bronze Age presented that whole scene with a vividness and wild creativity that we don’t see as much anymore. (You’ve showcased that really well with your posts on the subject!) The cosmic side of comics is always exciting and the Bronze Age embraced the wild “What ifs…” of space adventures in a fun, unique way.
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ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC that these Guardians movies are bringing cosmic capers to th big screen.
Yes, u’re spot on: gotta really dig that BA wild creativity!
Fortunately, it’s really encouraging that Thor: Ragnarok will b adding to th awe later this yr as well!
Cheers!
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Although I am a fan of Star Wars, it is the Star Trek series I have circled for years, but am unwilling to spend the money or get caught up in non-canon storylines. During college when I went into comic book stores to buy the latest issue of ElfQuest, I would spend time looking at the Star Trek comics, but never buy. I was tempted again recently with the Green Lantern/ Kelvin timeline Star Trek crew crossover, but resisted once more. I decided to keep my enjoyment of the tv series and movies pure without reading an endless array of books, so I understand why picking up GOTG comics (maybe) isn’t right for you.
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I really appreciate this Nancy. Honestly, I’m just not sure. I’d LOVE to find a comic I love but I like that you get where I’m coming from. I may just stick to the films. I may try random stories from random authors to see what fits. I still don’t know. But I’m glad my struggle is shared!
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You can take the poor man’s route, in which you wait for the first trade paperback to come out and then borrow it from the library.
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I have no idea why, but (with apologies to Nancy and Kathleen) I never think of the library for comic books. But I should! That would absolutely be the best way to test whether or not I’m enjoying an author. This saves me money too! So thank you, thank you, thank you, for being a sound voice of reason for me in my struggle :).
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I feel the same way about the first guardians movie. I put that on every night before bed and I could never get tired of it
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You have literally just inspired me to watch it more. Also, if you’re watching it (or at least parts of it) on a near-nightly basis you are also now my new hero.
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Hi Michal,
Yep, I am with you. Really different kind of story. They did get away with s lot of crazy ideas. If you think about it Ego is as opposite of Ego God is in every way. Enjoy the movie.
Gary
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I think the name “Ego” really carries a lot of symbolic weight too! I think the name/conversation/implications were all handled very intentionally. That’s one of the reasons I’ve loved the film as much as I have! There’s so many great layers to it.
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