Guardians of the Galaxy #1

Writer: Al Ewing Artist: Juan Cabal Publisher: Marvel Comics Release Date: January 22, 2020 Cover Price: $4.99 Critic Reviews: 21 User Reviews: 50
8.4Critic Rating
8.7User Rating

Once, they were a team of misfits. Now they're a family, and they've earned their peace. But the universe is not a peaceful place -- and it's only getting worse. The Great Empires are in turmoil. The rule of law is dead. And amidst the chaos, the Gods of Olympus have returned -- harbingers of a new age of war, reborn to burn their mark on the stars themselves. Someone has to guard the galaxy - but who will accept the mission? And will they survive it? Al Ewing (IMMORTAL HULK) and Juann Cabal (FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN) bring you in on the ground floor of a whole Marvel Universe of action and suspense!
Rated T+

  • 9.5
    AIPT - David Brooke Jan 21, 2020

    This issue packs a lot of entertainment into its pages. From character work, genuine and earned scene-stealing moments, and a cliffhanger that'll have you excited for even more. It's hard to resist the charms of the exciting and adventurous Guardians of the Galaxy. Read Full Review

  • 9.2
    Sequential Planet - Steven Martinez Jan 27, 2020

    For a team that has gone through many hands, Al Ewing gives them a kick start with an exciting story bridging multiple recent Marvel stories. The art from Juan Cabal and colors from Frederico Blee give the book a fantastic look. Read Full Review

  • 9.1
    The Daily Fandom - Alex Smith-Petersen Jan 27, 2020

    Guardians Of The Galaxy runs can be hit or miss, but usually missed for me despite my profound love of cosmic Marvel, based on the chemistry of the team members. Sidelining some of the core team members in favor of fan-favorites like Phyla and Moondragon was an inspired choice that will pay dividends over time, I have no doubt. These are the high times for Marvel #1's and it's only the beginning of the year even. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    IGN - Jesse Schedeen Jan 23, 2020

    Marvel's latest volume of Guardians of the Galaxy is a perfect excuse to jump on board the franchise. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    SciFiPulse - Ian Cullen Feb 1, 2020

    OverallThis is a pretty good first issue, but it seems a bit off somehow sidelining the other Guardians in exchange for another group of characters led by Nova Centurian, who doesn't really have the level of charisma or humor. I loved the banter between Rocket and Quill, but just having them minus the other Guardians isn't really working for me. Hopefully, Gamora and the others will be brought in later. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    The Super Powered Fancast - Deron Generally Jan 22, 2020

    Cabal delivers some great visual moments in this issue. The contrast in style between the standard panels when Peter and friends are relaxing to the big splash pages are gorgeous and brilliantly done. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Nerdly - Dean Fuller Jan 29, 2020

    Lovely to read and to look at, what a fantastic first issue this was. Highly recommended. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comics: The Gathering - Nick Devonald Jan 22, 2020

    An impressive start to a new run from Al Ewing, his obvious knowledge and reverence for everything that’s come before leaves me excited for what’s to come next. Juann Cabal does a great job on art and leaves you no doubt he’ll do excellent whether it’s quieter moments or galaxy sized epic fights. It’s early to say how good this run will be but right now I’m feeling optimistic, and long time fans are sure to love it. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Newsarama - Justin Partridge Jan 24, 2020

    Al Ewing heads to the stars in the funny yet cosmically grim Guardians of the Galaxy #1. Read Full Review

  • 8.9
    Comic Watch - Jimmy Hayes Jan 22, 2020

    A really solid first issue and a great jumping-on point for new readers, It introduces the characters and sets them off on their first great big mission (in this series) into space, while teaming up with some other heroes. You get a pretty good idea of what the series is going to be like going forward. Read Full Review

  • 8.8
    Monkeys Fighting Robots - Matthew Sardo Mar 9, 2023

    Tell your local comic shop to add GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #1 to your pull; you won't regret it. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Beyond The Panel - Jideobi Odunze Jan 23, 2020

    Overall, if you haven't been keeping up with the Guardians? There is no better time than now with the release of Guardians of the Galaxy #1 to jump back into the action. Again, this is the kind of book you can sink your teeth into because it goes that extra mile to add depth to your favorite heroes. They have established themselves as a family, while at the same time drawing that line in the sand between what they will sit out for, and what they will stand tall to protect. You couldn't ask for more than that. I hope this creative team drives this story through. Read Full Review

  • 8.3
    Weird Science Marvel Comics - Dispatchdcu Jan 21, 2020

    If you're looking for a fantastic place to jump back into GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, this is a great time to do just that. Ewing creates just enough excitement to entice new and old readers to hop on board this number one. However, it just didn't seem to grab my attention as a number one should. It may simply be because the story moved too quickly and progressed too fast without any development of the antagonists. Read Full Review

  • 8.3
    Multiversity Comics - Gustavo S Lodi Jan 24, 2020

    Ewing, Cabal, and Blee concoct a new formula for the Guardians, mixing some of the old with a lot of new, be it on characters relationships or broader story arc implications Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    All-Comic - Jeremy Matcho Jan 26, 2020

    It seems like Guardians of the Galaxy is in great hands. Al Ewing has delivered an exciting debut issue that leaves you wanting more. The pencils and colors bring a lot of life to this book, and the space panels rock. Guardians of the Galaxy is a book worth your time. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Newsarama - David Pepose Jan 21, 2020

    There's a reason why Al Ewing headlines one of Marvel's highest-selling books, and it's because Immortal Hulk constantly succeeds based on both execution and high concept - the thoughtfulness that permeates that series constantly reveals new layers for Marvel's Unjolliest Green Giant. But for Guardians of the Galaxy, I'd argue that while the execution feels more than solid, the concepts grounding the series still feels a little underdeveloped - a deficiency which feels even more pronounced given the number of relaunches of the past few years. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    ComicBook.com - Chase Magnett Jan 22, 2020

    Guardians of the Galaxy #1 delivers an excellent mission statement for the series to come and offers a standard to which other new series should aspire. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Geek'd Out - Nico Sprezzatura Jan 22, 2020

    Perhaps just as exciting as Ewing on the title is artist Juann Cabal, who has really emerged as a major name at Marvel over the past few years. I first became familiar with his work in All-New Wolverine some years back, and Im always interested in checking out what he has to offer with his visuals. Cabal proves to be a great fit for the material here, with some solid pages (and one especially impressive, intricately laid-out double splash spread) that should only further his profile as one of the companys best new finds of recent note. Federico Blees colors add a lot of dimension to Cabals linework, contrasting with the various artists of Catess run through vibrant colors opposed to their more muted approach. Read Full Review

  • 7.3
    Major Spoilers - Matthew Peterson Jan 28, 2020

    The return of the Olympian gods creates a whole new set of problems, needing a whole new set of Guardians and it all looks really great. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Razorfine - Alan Rapp Jan 29, 2020

    The Olympians feel like a goofy idea to launch a new comic on, although they do allow for a pleasant surprise at the comic's end which could certainly spice things up in the issues to come. For fans. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Kabooooom - Matt Morrison Jan 24, 2020

    Overall, this book may please fans of the previous Guardians series but its largely inaccessible to new readers. Read Full Review

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