Guardians of the Galaxy #20 Review

Was this worth the wait? Read on to find out.

The official description from Marvel:

• The FINAL CHAPTER of what really happened in the Cancerverse!

• Remember when Star-Lord and Nova were going to sacrifice their lives to take out Thanos?

• And remember how Drax was supposed to have died?

• Well, Nova seems to be the only one missing now. Time to get some answers here!

Let’s face facts, no matter how this arc turned out there would be many fanboys and fangirls that would be disappointed with the final outcome. The big question facing our motley crew is whether or not Richard Rider is alive. And to the creative team’s credit they give a pretty solid answer by defining what Peter Quill knew from his perspective on the situation.

Brian Michael Bendis pens the script and let me just say that in this current run the author has honestly found his footing with the cast but this entire narrative contradicts his tempo and cadence. Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning resurrected and redefined the intergalactic side of the House of Ideas while the company as a whole went through some changes. The way the dialogue was written then was different, especially as the characterizations of our heroes were locked in a cycle of struggle, conflict and war. Because of that the final moments found within this piece fail to resonate. And when the dust settles the ending seemed unavoidable.

I will be an ardent supporter for Ed McGuinness as long as I review books, for the fact that this talent has a way to take on a mammoth cast and give them enough personality to stand out from each other. And even as the words fall short the pictured moments and conclusive heroics give Nova, and this era, the sendoff they deserve. Add in the colors by Jason Keith and the entire comic enjoys a pleasing series of visuals that allow everyone, from Thanos to Rocket Raccoon to pop off the page.

Guardians of the Galaxy #20 is an outing with a story that honestly needed to be told, but it could have been done in one issue instead of three. And to be frank the wrong author is writing this epilogue and for that reason it feels downright disjointed at best. There are a few good elements but not enough to save this literary tangent. Not recommended.