Review: Guardians of Infinity #7

Mitch Nissen Mitch Nissen
Contributor
June 19th, 2016

Grew up reading comic books in the 90's. Marvel fan at heart. Hulk, the Midnight Sons, and Marvel's cosmic universe are my favorites.

Review: Guardians of Infinity #7
Comics
0
Price:
Incredible

Reviewed by:
Rating:
5
On June 19, 2016
Last modified:June 19, 2016

Summary:

The Guardians of Infinity prepare for all out war across all time and space in this wonderfully written and beautifully drawn story.

Price:
Incredible

Reviewed by:
Rating:

5
On June 19, 2016
Last modified:June 19, 2016

Summary:

The Guardians of Infinity prepare for all out war across all time and space in this wonderfully written and beautifully drawn story.

Three teams of Guardians of the Galaxy from three different eras must unite if they are to save all of infinity from total annihilation. ComiConverse contributor Mitch Nissen continues chronicling this cosmic epic from Marvel Comics.

Guardians of Infinity #7 has landed in comic shops everywhere and with it we take one more step closer to the end of the first story arc and the end of one of the wildest and original stories from Marvel Comics in years. Simply put, the feature story of this book has been nothing short of spectacular in every issue.

The Synopsis

Issue seven picks up at the precise moment where issue six left off flowing seamlessly from one to another. Nikki narrowly avoids losing her head, fighting her way through a room full of Highbreed Warriors to free Astrolabe of the Guardians 1000. Astrolabe ranks among the most powerful members of the Guardians among them. If Nikki can free him they just might have a chance.

guardians-of-infinity-seven2

Credit: Marvel Comics

Meanwhile Stella Nega faces down the leader of the Highbreed and architect of the Structure, the self-professed God Hermetikus. She knows she cannot defeat him herself. She knows he'll see through her every ruse. She knows he could kill her at any moment. But if she can distract Hermetikus for even a brief moment it may be all her teammates need to triumph.

In the second feature the origin of the Space Knights is revealed.

The Breakdown

Dan Abnett and Carlo Barberi set the stage for finale chapter in the Hermetikus story arc. Abnett weaves action and humor into a tight exciting story unlike any others in comics. The story is quite cinematic in flow, beginning with an intense action sequence the director of The Raid would approve of and moving into a scene with Stella Nega and Rocket calmly riding in an elevator commenting on the muzak. The sequence would translate perfectly to film and it is another example in a long list of reasons why this comic book stands out from the rest.

Abnett injects humor throughout the book. The humor is borne out of the situation or cleverly staged rather than at the expense of the characters or the reader. The humor isn't forced or making light of the situation. This balance of humor and dire intensity is a staple of Abnett's storytelling and was one of the shining qualities of Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning's 2008 Guardians of the Galaxy saga.

Nikki and Stella Nega are the standout characters once more and command the focus of the issue. Each character attacks the problem in entirely different ways. Nikki drives the action in some seriously cool scenes while Stella employs guile and subterfuge, using intelligence rather than force to defeat the enemy. This dynamic adds another layer of balance to the story and depth to the characters.

guardians-of-infinity-seven3

Credit: Marvel Comics

One aspect of Abnett's writing that has always stood out is the attention to character. Each character is consistent with their Marvel history meaning they feel like the characters you've been reading all these years. Abnett's thorough knowledge and love for the characters comes across from the page to the reader. Nikki has existed in comic books since the 1970's and as of the last two issues is one of the most enjoyable characters in current comic books. And the more revealed about Stella Nega and the Guardians 1000 the more likable and intriguing they become.

The beautiful art is another reason why these characters and this story soars. Carlo Barberi's pencils leap off the page. Every panel is loaded with depth and detail. Barberi provides the reader's eyes with more than enough to see and explore. Upon second and third reexaminations one still finds new details. The inks and colors of Walden Wong and Israel Silva are sharp and vibrant bringing the book to life. The inks are well defined adding a wonderful layer of dimension to the panels. The colors are bright and lively giving the book a flashy appearance.

You know the story is good when it pains you to get to the end and you find yourself chomping at the bit for the next issue.

The second feature by Robbie Thompson explores the origin and mission of the Space Knights. The story is simple and straightforward. Thompson essentially takes the mission statement of the original Guardians of the Galaxy (the Guardians 3000) and applies it to his own narrative. Composed of individuals from several different alien races, all wielding invincible weaponry, the Space Knights travel the galaxy liberating the oppressed and dethroning tyrants.

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Credit: Marvel Comics

If you are familiar at all with the Space Knights of Galador, Bill Mantlo's classic Rom: Space Knight, or even the relatively recent Annihilators and Jonathan Hickman's Infinity saga be forewarned. These Space Knights are related in name only. Even with Thompson writing Venom: Space Knight there seems to be little connectivity between the stories. However this story does connect with a previous backup feature in Guardians of Infinity issue two.

As with every second feature in Guardians of Infinity, this story has absolutely nothing to do with main feature story. With no indication as to what these second stories are about on the cover of the book, these second features are essentially blind box adventures to take or leave at your discretion.

Veteran Guardians 3000 artist Gerardo Sandoval contributes the art for the second feature in his signature bulky angular style. Dono Sanchez Almara along with Photobunker provide the color bringing Sandoval's art to life like never before. The quality of the art for the second feature far outshines the story.

Abnett sets the stage for the final battle in next month's issue and Thompson's second story along with every of the second features in the previous issues have yet to pay off. Guardians of Infinity was absent from Marvel's August solicitations. Issue eight has been confirmed as the end of the Hermetikus arc and could very well be the end of the Guardians of Infinity. Be sure to come back next month for the climax of this wonderful and exciting book.

For more on the Guardians of Infinity be sure to check out the reviews of Guardians of Infinity #1, Guardians of Infinity #4, Guardians of Infinity #5, and Guardians of Infinity #6 all by yours truly.

For more cosmic Marvel goodness check out The Infinity Entity.

Be sure to return next month, as I continue to review the following issues of Guardians of Infinity!

 

Mitch Nissen is a Contributor to ComiConverse. Follow him on Twitter: @NinjaMitche.

Guardians of Infinity #7

  • 5

Incredible

The Guardians of Infinity prepare for all out war across all time and space in this wonderfully written and beautifully drawn story.

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