As of right now, this book is basically Marvel's go-to source for popcorn entertainment. The art team is doing a stellar job, and while there is apparently a lot of gloom and doom lurking in this series' future, Bendis is bringing fantastic pacing which never fails to enthrall. The story is widely by the numbers so far, but it's being done so well that you likely won't care if you can guess what the next scene has in store for you. Read Full Review

So, lots going on, a pack of dynamic characters, great art, lots of fun - let's face it, if you like team comics, this one gives you more than you'd expect. Read Full Review

With a team like this, who needs friends? The Guardians are now your friends. Bendis is writing the most entertaining and fun team book in comics. Who knew a team with a talking raccoon could be so riveting? Read Full Review

There's so much political stuff going on to keep people intrigued along with the action and sci-fi it's a really good mash up of genres. Read Full Review

Then where there was fear of the story moving slow, this issue starts to set things into motion as you know something big is going to happen. Although Bendis has made sure that remains a mystery, you see all the pieces slowly moving into place as things don't seem so linear. The only thing that takes away from this issue being any better is that the Guardians weren't present throughout a majority of it. Read Full Review

Steve McNiven and Sara Pichelli split the penciling duties in this issue, but it manages to keep a consistent flow throughout. Anytime you see two pencilers and three inkers, there is some cause for concern, but here it proves to be unwarranted. Guardians of the Galaxy #3 looks good and avoids any jarring shifts in tone when one artist steps out and another steps in. The characters look great even when the action feels a little stiff and staged. The big shootout we get could be a bit more dynamic and exciting, but it ain't bad overall. Read Full Review

The only downside to the issue is the typical Bendis "decompression" problems one might have. The past three issues have been nothing more than a giant fight scene between the Guardians and the Spartax. While the pacing is slow, I think readers can really admire the excellent storytelling driven by Marvel's top creators. Read Full Review

Other than that, the narrative is exciting and fast-paced without feeling rushed. Bendis is at his best writing teams. His work on the Avengers franchise is more than enough evidence to this fact. Guardians of the Galaxy #3 really conveys just how legendary this team of heroes is, though many consider them menaces and pirates. Basically, this series allows for Bendis to use all his favorite tropes in one place: pomp and grandeur, deriving conflict and character development from emotional resonance, the proverbial "David vs. Goliath", divisive interpretations of consequential happenings. All of this stuff can be seen in Guardians of the Galaxy #3. Bendis graduated from the Earth's Mightiest Heroes to the defenders of the entire galaxy. Read Full Review

Groot and Rocket Racoon both get great moments here, and the teams smallest member racks up another impressive body count before Peter Quill basically decides to declare war on his father. Best of the week. Read Full Review

I cannot express enough how fun it is to see how well Brian Michael Bendis plays this group of characters off of each other. These interactions alone are worth the price of this book. That you get a fun, action-packed space drama on top of that is just icing on the cake. Read Full Review

I think I say this a lot about Marvel Now! But I have to reiterate that if a writer can bring in a new reader like me into a series that they have no prior knowledge about then the book is a success. Unlike Iron Man, Guardians of the Galaxy is a perfect book for anyone new to the Marvel Universe! Read Full Review

Brian Bendis is not afraid to go all out with the big summer blockbuster vibe he has going for Guardians of the Galaxy. It helps that this series features excellent artwork from Steve McNiven and Sara Pichelli that really capture the cosmic setting of this series. Guardians of the Galaxy #3 does a great job continuing to build an intriguing story with Bendis finding his comfort zone with his writing of these characters. While the brief bursts of comedy still need refinement I am finding myself enjoying the new guy vibe Bendis has given Iron Man and the chemistry he has built for the team. The political drama surrounding this series has also been fun to watch with Star-Lord's father doing his best to keep himself composed while dealing with extremely powerful leaders. If Bendis, McNiven and Pichelli can continue this momentum than Guardians of the Galaxy may find itself among Marvel's best titles by year's end. Read Full Review

Generally speaking this is how big dumb action comics should be done. It's not too complicated and it delivers everything you'd want. It's true previous Guardians comics, I'm thinking of the Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning 2008 run, were more robust on the science fiction and story, but that's not what this comic is trying to be. You can't fault a thing for what it isn't, and it's good action comics. Read Full Review

Every issue so far feels like a small victory in a bigger battle that the Guardians will have to face, but it’s impossible to not fall in love with the team and cheer for them every step of the way. The fact that this all takes place in space is a very awesome bonus. Read Full Review

Groot is having an existential crisis.They storm the bridge of the battleship and Peter sends a message to the entire Spartax fleet that his father's pretty much just a crooked politician. Naturally, his father is pretty steamed.McNiven's art is just amazing, as always. Rocket Raccoon's catchphrase is funny and all, but I hope Bendis doesn't overdue it. While the plot may be somewhat predictable, this series still delivers. It's the comic book equivalent of a big dumb action movie. Totally enjoyable and fun, but not overly complicated. Read Full Review

It is by no mean subtle or wholly original and while there are some problems with the characterization of certain characters, it cannot be said that it is not an entertaining comic. It makes up for its faults with good action and some beautiful art from Pichelli and McNiven and with some fun scenes from Bendis. Read Full Review

"Guardians of the Galaxy" needed to come out with a strong showing. This closing installment of the first chapter buttons up a decent enough story, but doesn't do enough to reel in very many readers, especially with the delay this issue experienced. That said, this issue is strong enough to not chase any readers away, but the title needs to step up a bit to strengthen readership before the inevitable film release in 2014. Read Full Review

This issue may have looked great"especially the beautiful space shots" but if it doesn't maintain the action or give all characters enough panel-time than it's going lose the interest of many readers. At only issue 3, it's dangerous territory to have readers walk away feeling bored by what they just read. Many of which are new to this series. Marvel is clearly putting a lot of resources into making this a success so maybe this issue was a small misstep. Readers should give the next issue a shot before looking elsewhere to satisfy their interests in the "defenders of the galaxy" genre. Read Full Review

Great artwork from Steve McNiven isn't enough to justify Guardians of the Galaxy #3, which suffers from repetitiveness after only three issues Read Full Review