Originally written 3-27-13
This is such a tough week to pick which comic to review. I only got two this week though, so I will review them both: Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy #1 and Image’s East of West #1.
On one hand, Guardians was as good as expected. I felt the #0.1 issue was much stronger, but this comic did a good job of setting up a story. (I think #0.1 would fit chronologically as issue #1.1.) Numbering gripes aside, this comic is adequate… and that’s just about it. This first issue feel a little like a throwback to older #1 issues. The team is introduced, we see the dynamic between a few of the characters, and the team’s first problem is set before them. We don’t have 4 or 5 issues of characters getting to know each other, deciding on who makes the team’s final roster, or figure out each character’s personal reasons for wanting to join together. This is short, sweet, to the point, and Steve McNiven’s art wraps it up in a beautiful package.
Biggest complaint: I think making up alien words to substitute in for swearing is cheap. Put “#@$%!” or do the squiggly lines that Marvel has been using lately to show an untranslated language. Doing this makes the dialogue instantly childish. Also, I would like to know how Star Lord was able to come back from the incident that seemingly killed him and Nova back in the War of Kings event.
I think I am really going to love this series, especially with its characters being intertwined in the new Nova series. There’s also a rumor going around that Neil Gaimen will be writing for this book alongside Brian Bendis before too long… so that’s something to look forward to.
East of West #1 couldn’t be more different. The first half of this book is spent rewriting American history to bring us up to speed about the America this story is set in. I really like that concept. They even included a new map of the United States, showing where new state lines and terretories are located. This world is set up to be a very fascinating place.
The four main characters, so far, are the four horsemen of the apocalypse: Death, War, Famine, and Conquest. (I thought that Pestilence was a horseman; not Conquest. After some research I discovered that around the 1950s pop culture began to replace the original horseman Conquest with Pestilence. Through writings and translations Pestilence became the popular name of the fourth horseman, as opposed to Conquest. Major kudos to writer Jonathan Hickman for doing his research and using the original names of the horsemen.)
The art, by Nick Dragotta, is good, but is at its best when using extreme contrast as in the characters Bear and Wolf. Dragotta expertly displays this sci-fi/wild west landscape through its technology and architecture. Again, this world is set up to be a very fascinating place.
The story is either purposely being vague to generate interest, or trying way too hard to be deep and insightful. Either way, this issue end without answering any of the questions it raised. I just don’t know if those questions are strong enough to validate keeping up with this series.
Both books have great artwork. The concept of Guardians of the Galaxy is entirely predictable, but executed well. Think of it as a great peanut butter and jelly sandwich. East of West has lofty ambitions and there is a grand story to be told, however the finished product leaves something to be desired, Think of it as a fine cut of steak… but definitely overcooked.
Would you rather have the peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or the overcooked steak?
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