A single moon orbits Battleworld. But no, that’s no moon. It’s a space station. It’s Knowhere. The head of a dead Celestial, somehow saved in the universal collapse, a colony brimming with convicts and criminals. The Galaxy may be gone, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t places that still need heroes. Places that need champions. That need GUARDIANS.

Writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Mike Deodato bring us one of the stranger tales to come out of Secret Wars. There’s a lot of familiar territory here, with Gamora, Drax, and Rocket making up the core of the Guardians team. In pursuit is Angela and what looks like a new character Yotat (seriously couldn’t figure out who this one was).

But, the focus that’s interesting is Gamora, who keeps up a theme with a few of Marvel’s comics this week of characters knowing something isn’t quite right in Doom’s world. It’s a cool idea that’s slowly being seeded throughout the various series for this event that of course will eventually lead to things being righted eventually.

Most of the issue is fighting and running, there’s not much there as far as story, but all that action is brought to us courtesy of Mike Deodato’s art, which is absolutely beautiful to look at. Seriously, that’s really the main reason to check out the issue. It’s that solid.

The first issue is interesting, but only enough for me to say folks should read it. It also brings up inconsistencies in the Secret Wars world, where other stories have referenced there being nothing in the sky, but clearly there is… so yeah.

Overall, if you love these characters check this out. The art is fantastic. The story is interesting, but just not enough of it, the issue is mostly fight.

Story: Brian Michael Bendis Art: Mike Deodato
Story: 7.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 7.6 Recommendation: Read