Between Books - Guardians of the Galaxy: Rocket Raccoon & Groot Steal the Galaxy

My Welcome to Level Seven co-host picked up Marvel's first original prose novel and immediately devoured it.  As much as I like to give him a hard time, he does have pretty good taste and if he likes something I probably will like it too.  So I immediately began to seek this out since there was a strong chance that I would like it and the fact that it was a first offering from one of Disney's main lines.  And I was really excited about Guardians of the Galaxy too!

Guardians of the Galaxy: Rocket Raccoon and Groot Steal the Galaxy by Dan Abett follows Rocket and Groot during a Guardians' hiatus.  Left on their own, the two adventuring heroes get mixed up in galactic intrigue when they provide protection to Recorder 127 of the Rigellian Intergalactic Survey, an android which is also the ultimate recording device.  Recorder 127 has seen something, something shockingly enough that he actually does not remember.  And every major galactic empire is trying to capture him and either use him for their own purposes or keep others from acquiring him.  Those they must run from include the Kree and the Nova Corps.  And one of those hunting their new companion is their fellow Guardian Gamora.  The secret of what Recorder 127 knows and cannot remember brings them to the offices of Timely Inc., a corporation with far reaching economic power in the galaxy. 

One of the things my distinguished co-host said was, "If you liked The Hitcherhiker's Guide to the Galaxy you will enjoy this book."  And he sent me updates as he read the book letting me know how much fun he was having.  And there were characters I know and like, personally I was a Rocket man.  But I really failed to find myself getting into the text.  This did really frustrate me.  I want to love this book.  I want prose novels to become a success for Marvel.  I could see how Abnett was wanting us to have fun with him.  But the detailed discussion of cups and the state of hot drinks never really worked for me and failed to provide me the expected payoff.  And Rocket repeats the meaning of nearly every Groot speaking moment, when I wish we as readers would have been asked to figure it out ourselves more often.  So while I wanted to be in the moment, I completely failed to be.  It was like some bit of mind was blocking my enjoyment.  Maybe this is how the Between Wife felt when she expressed doubt about seeing a movie with a gun totting vermin.  Maybe I could not make it real for me without the images of a comic.  And I found this really disappointing since I loved Dan Abnett's run on Guardians of the Galaxy.

For Marvel fans this is an universe you are familiar with.  There are discussions of Kree-Skrull roles, Adam Warlock's former companion Pip makes an appearance and we even go to the Negative Zone.   But Star-Lord and Drax are absent, so is Cosmo but I may be the only one who cares.  

We get to see and read about these through the eyes of Recorder 127, who despite being artificial is a really liable character who cares for his companions.   And he attempts to provide context to you the Earthbound reader with numerous pop-culture references.  So as a reader I did really want him to find his freedom and I think you will too. 

In the end the book was fun, but it is something I would not recommend buying at full price if asked.  I borrowed a copy and I am quite satisfied.  If anything I would criticize Marvel for not realizing a discounted electronic version in a timely manner.  It is a fun summer read.  And it is full of adventure, Rocket and Groot interactions.  If you liked the movie, there is a good shot you will enjoy this.  And really I did liked Guardians of the Galaxy: Rocket Raccoon and Groot Steal the Galaxy but I wanted to love it.  And while I do believe Rocket and Groot are a good pair to offer up in the first novel, I really wanted this to be a home run book.  Perhaps my expectations were just too high, this happens to me a lot!  And I hope my expectations still run high the next time Marvel releases a prose novel. 

Goofy Gadgets - Disney Infinity 2.0 featuring Marvel Superheroes

My family is a big fan of Disney Infinity.  And I am clearly a big fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (shameless plug for podcast here).  So when earlier it was previewed that Marvel would be included in the next wave of Disney Infinity, well I was pretty excited.

This week, Disney showed us more than a shield and let us all that will be coming with the next iteration of this game.

Okay, this is pretty exciting.  And here is why I will be lining up in Fall to buy 2.0.

• All of my favorite MCU heroes are here.
• Everything I already own is compatible with the new disc, which includes enhanced game play.
• Marvel themed play sets and toy box items will exist.  The Between Kids have loved wandering through New York in LEGO Marvel Superheroes, but now they can create that world. 
• Rocket Racoon and Groot!  Seriously they have the potential to be huge for Marvel!
  
  
• Lola flies! 

All that is left is for them to add Agent Coulson and I would be set for a good long time!  Are you happy with this marvelous addition?

 

Comic Corner - Guardians of the Galaxy #1

Disney and Marvel announced an unexpected choice for an August 2014 theatrical release for the second phase of the Avengers Initiative. The Guardians of the Galaxy is a hero team that most Disney fans are probably not aware of. And I will admit, even though I feel prepared by a childhood of nerdy for anything Marvel could throw at us, I actually confused this group with another, Corsair and the Starjammers, when I first heard the news. And I have a feeling I am not the only one who knows little to nothing about these space warriors that includes a space raccoon!

Marvel and Disney likely recognize this low public visibility for a property that they are preparing a tent pole movie around. I think the Guardians have less public visibility than John Carter! So I would argue some audience education is needed. This orientation has formally begun with the release of Guardians of the Galaxy issue #1 written by Brian Michael Bendis and illustrated by Steve McNiven. While the general public will probably not pick up this title, it should help to mobilize the comic book core audience. And with the inclusion of Iron Man in the story, they may attract some casual comic book fans also.

The book opens with Peter Quill, Star-Lord, attempting to win over a young lady of non-Earth origin on a space station. Peter is confronted by his father, the King of the Spartax planetary system, who warns Peter that Earth is off limits due to an agreement by a shadowy council of galactic rulers. Peter does not feel obligated to follow this edict due to his half human origin, his spiteful feelings towards his father and a fear that this pronouncement will actually but Earth at peril. Peter gathers his team Gamora (the most dangerous woman in the galaxy), Groot (a plant like creature), Drax, and Rocket Racoon (yes, he looks like a raccoon). The Guardians of the Galaxy arrive in Earth space just in time to join Iron Man in defending the planet against an alien attack. Can these heroes protect the planet?

I have a hard time recommending this issue. Honestly, it is the start of a bigger story and it is difficult to evaluate as a standalone issue. I assume that the whole will be better than its parts, but this piece is a lot of setup for the future. I fully intend to read the whole story arc when it is collected together in one volume, but I will not be picking up issue #2.

One problem I have with the story is the inclusion of Iron Man. The reason that the Guardians bump into Iron Man, who is joy riding, is based on a statement that Peter made to Tony Stark either in another title at an earlier date or off screen. But the comments that leads to Stark’s joy ride are thin and it comes off as forced. I would have been happier if the reason that Stark intersected with the Guardians would have been pure coincidence and had no links to Star-Lord and his team. I understand the need for Disney to make their number one superhero cross paths to bolster the 2014 movie. But in this story it failed for me. I feel really sad saying that since I generally enjoy Bendis’ writing.

This issue really focuses on Peter Quill and not the members of the team. One friend, and Between Disney reader, noted that Bendis frames Star-Lord as a Han Solo type character. He is a touch of rogue with a sprinkling of hero. Honestly, placing Quill into the Solo mold may be a good choice for Disney/Marvel as this is a formula that has proven to work. The rest of the characters, even the raccoon, are not given much space to develop their characters. Marvel has introduced a set of free online comics that focus on the non-human members of the team and help put flesh on Drax, Gamora, Rocket and soon Groot. I personally think this is a good marketing choice. The Gamora issue helps establish a tie to Thanos, a character we know will be a major focus in Phase 2 of the movies. The Marvel name will help Disney sell this film, but the audience needs to be introduced to these characters if they really do want box office success.

Honestly, I am hopeful for the cinematic Guardians of the Galaxy. It has superheroes and sci-fi so I want it to be a hit. I want to know more about the Guardians, because my personality desires more and more information. But instead of following this title on a monthly basis, I am going to look forward to a collected trade edition of this story arc.