Well, I kind of saw this coming; but, I'm going to wrap up my look at the Guardians. Couple of reasons: one, I'm losing interest in the storylines and two, I'm juggling too many threads. The latter is less of a problem, compared to the first. I ddn't make it much past the first year of Guardians, back in the day and little has changed my mind, rereading things. The stories aren't bad; but, they are getting rather formulaic and I've read enough that the formula stands out more than the story. So, I'll give a quick over view of the second year of things.
Issue 12 see Taserface return, as Overkill, in a decidedly Iron Man-ish armor and weaponry. Another Stark gets onboard the CA 2 and Replica, the young mutant shapeshifter, catches her. Firelord gets whooped on and Starhawk takes him into the heart of a star to revive him. Meanwhile, the Church of Truth seems to be under attack, as there have been 42 murders.
Issue 13 has the 31st century Ghost Rider, who runs into the Guardians and flips out when he see Replica with the ankh necklace. She also refers to him asa blasphemer. In issue 14, the Church's Knights show up and Ghost Rider leaves, but warns that Replica is not what she seems, nor is the church. Replica ends up taken by the Church, after the Guardians are defeated and is brought before the Inquisitor. Ghost Rider reappears and helps save the Guardians. We also see Malevolence, who is teamed with the Force. These issues show that we are dealing with the evolved Universal Church of Truth, from Warlock.
Issue 15 introduces us to the Protege, who is a child of immense power, who is the head of the Church. We learn that Mephisto has manipulated things, causing the split of Stakar and Aleta, prematurely. he is also behind Force and their search for the shield of Captain America. he seeks the soul of Protege. The Guardians battle Force and we learn of Photon's past. Replica runs into 83, who remarks of being Kree and she wigs out, attacking him. She is revealed to be a Skrull. Charlie and Broadside meet in battle and mutually stop fighting. In issue 16, Aleta fights Malevolence to protect the Protege. Force end up teamed with the Guardians; but, Protege exerts his power. In the end, Replica stays with him and Malevolence becomes the new Matriarch, fulfilling Mephisto's plans, while Broadside plants big wet one of Charlie's mug. vance quits and wants to head home.
Valentino works a lot with elements derived from Starlin's Warlock material, while also adding a new Ghost Rider, so they can have the obligatory appearance. he is eventually revealed as Autolycus, from Warlock.
These issues see the guardians return to Earth, which is torn bya war between rival gangs, as we meet the Commandeers and the Punishers. The first seem to be the good guys and the Punishers are, as you would expect, inspired by Frank Castle, thanks to Vance's recordings of past history. He feels responsible and aids the Commandeers. An alien drug has ravaged the populace and the Punishers seem to be the pushers. Turns out they are a fron for the returned Badoon. Vance is hurt and saved by the 31st century Sorcerer Supreme, Krugarr (Stephen Strange is the new Ancient One) and Hollywood, one of the Commandeers, who has ionic blood. We also meet a humanoid cat, called Talon. the Punishers and Badoon are defeated, thanks to Vance, who is now Major Victory, the 31st century Captain America. Hollywood is revealed as Simon Williams, aka Wonder Man, who still lives, thanks to the ionic energy within him. Aleta and Starhawk are reunited and have a mental talk. Rancor goes in search of Logan. Talon joins the Guardians.
The Guardians fight Rancor and her gang, it turns out that the Hawk-God inhabits Starhawk and consumes Aleta and Starhawk is reborn in a new, blue form. Replica plays games, while impersonating Protege, and the Guardians run into the Silver Surfer, who also has Quasar's Quantum Bands. and are teased with Galactus and a later era Thor.
In a foil covered issue, the Guardians team up with the Silver Surfer and Firelord to face Galactus. It is revealed that some of Yondu's people are still alive and he is reunited with them.
Valentino would continue through issue #29, before leaving to help form Image. In his final issues, we get a recap of their origin, with expanded material, a time trip to the 20th Century, where Major Victory meets up with Captain America and the Avengers and Valentino hands the reins over to Michael Gallagher.
The series lasted until issue 62. Subsequent issues saw Dormamu, a Badoon Captain Universe, the Inhumans, Thor and the Celestials. Starhawk was a sort of Dark Starhawk, until Aleta defeats Stakar and returns him to infant form. He is revealed to have been fathered by Quasar and Eon has a cosmic son, Era.
My interest really waned as the series was used more to introduce 31st Century versions of Marvel characters or reveal them there, without doing much to develop the Guardians beyond that. The characters got some individual development; but, not as much as you would hope. or, at least, as much as I hoped. The comics are decent and worth a look, if you are interested. For me, they were less imaginative and my interest waned rather quickly, in the Valentino series. The stories didn't really transcend the Marvel formula and t lost the more Star Trek element that Gerber had (to a point). They were much like other team books of the era. I also grew tired of that 90s styleart, with overly rendered lines and speedlines and debris, and generic backgrounds.
So, I'm tapping out on this one. However, I do plan on launching another review thread, which will lend itself to a bit more variety. Stay tuned elsewhere for that.
