GUARDIANS 3000 VOL. 01: TIME AFTER TIME SC (MARVEL COMICS)

PUBLISHER Marvel Comics
WRITER Dan Abnett
ARTIST Gerardo Sandoval
COVER ARTIST Alex Ross
PAGES 128 pages
COLOR Full Color
FORMAT Graphic Novel

The original, classic Guardians of the Galaxy return! Vance Astro, Yondu, Martinex, Starhawk and Charlie-27 fight to save the 31st century from the Badoon. But they soon discover an even worse threat! Time is collapsing, the very future is in danger, and the only possibility of salvation relies on the Guardians' shoulders. But as the team finds themselves caught in a deathtrap, and Vance encounters a Guardian that has been wiped from all memory, they must find a doorway into the past to save the future - and that means striking a deal with the most dangerous being in the galaxy! Even with allies like Star-Lord and the last Nova, can the Guardians meet their greatest challenge: not just guarding the galaxy, but saving the universe? Collecting Guardians 3000 #1-5 and material from Guardians of The Galaxy (2013) #14.

Includes nine pages of variant covers and sketch galleries.

Collects Guardians 1-5 and material from Guardians of the Galaxy (2013) #14. We also get variant covers for #1 by Skottie Young, Stephane Roux, Dale Keown/Frank Armata, Deadpool variant 75th by Jorge Molina, cover variants for all issues by Sandoval, character sketches and cover process. Of course, we also get the Alex Ross covers for 1-5 that were published.

This is (was) one of the best series on the market before Secret Wars abruptly halted the line. After being 50%25 of the writing team that resurrected the Guardians lineup that was used as the basis for the surprise blockbuster movie, Dan Abnett goes back to the original future story and lineup. Modernizing the original while updating and melding in concepts from the Jim Valentino series, Abnett creates a fresh new world that still pays strong tribute to what came before.

The lineup showcased in this first arc is Vance Astro, Charlie-27, Martinex, Yondu, and Spacehawk/Aleta. Added is the mysterious woman who might hold the fate of all time in her hands: Geena Drake (tribute to original series co-creators Gene Colan and Arnold Drake.)

Present are Vance Astro and Cap's shield, surviving 900 years into the future, the last Nova, Rael Rider, the Stark Unity (very borg-like), and the Hideaway Parliment, The Kree Worldmind, Gladiator, Starlord, Sadistain of the Night-Vowed, Herald Stormfront of the Old Hunger, and Annihilata, Mistress of the Negative Zone.

We also get a surprise appearance by a character from the original series and a surprise big bad (or not so much a surprise, depending on how well you interpreted the clues.)

Gerardo Sandoval's art is uniquely excellent. His style is a bit unorthodox, seeming to combine styles from Korea, Japan and Mexico. His figures are oversized and burst out of the panel, which reminds me a little bit of Romita or Kirby, except his are more angular. I think the closest connection I can make to his art style is Francisco Ruis Velasco in Battle Gods: Warriors of the Chaak, and the comparison is only slight.

Sandoval is now my new favorite Charlie-27 artist.

I really hope that this title can relaunch after Secret Wars wraps up. I'm really enjoying this title and would like to see where Dan Abnett wanted to take these characters.  Highly Recommended!

All items shipped in rigid cardboard! Please be sure to check my other listings- only $2 more in shipping per extra item!  !