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War of Kings #3.1
Annihilators
Because you - yes, you! - demanded it: Marvel's all-star cosmic team - and cult faves Rocket Raccoon and Groot - in one massive story! The Silver Surfer! Beta Ray Bill! Gladiator! Quasar! Ronan! When the Dire Wraiths strike, Cosmic Masters DnA (THE THANOS IMPERATIVE, THOR, IRON MAN) and Tan Eng Huat (SILVER SURFER, THOR: FIRST THUNDER) assemble the heaviest hitters in all the universe to save the day! And not to be outdone, the demented duo of rocket raccoon and Groot return for their own, reader-friendly adventure! What do you do after you've saved the galaxy? DnA and the fabulous Timothy Green ii (ANNIHILATION: CONQUEST - STAR-LORD) answer that question with madcap sci-fi combat andswashbuckling, space-faring mayhem!
COLLECTING: ANNIHILATORS 1-4
COLLECTING: ANNIHILATORS 1-4
184 pages, Paperback
First published September 14, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
July 25, 2014
The Annihilators sounds like something the old ladies at the retirement home would name their book club, no?. Here, it’s a collection of some of the more powerful beings in the universe brought together to thwart evil doing on a massive scale, smack down Thanos and fix pot holes. The voice of this group is Quasar, an Earthling, who died once and consequently has “performance” issues. Getting kicked in the nuts by a female super-warrior doesn't help.
I’m not one for space operas, massive god-like warrior epics, or anything that has a plot more complicated than The Cat in a Hat, but this is actually something I found to be fast paced and enjoyable.
For me the second part of the book was the highlight. Rocket Racoon and Groot! Yesss! Who doesn’t like a tale of a foul-mouthed gun-toting raccoon? That’s a rhetorical question, folks. Everyone does. Am I right? *
Groot, his tree buddy has a limited vocabulary (“I am Groot” is all he says. Ever. I suppose it's all in the inflection.), but he can pull off a cool trick or two. In the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy movie, I’m sure Vin Diesel, who plays Groot, should feel right at home with Groot’s Hodor-like vocabulary limitations.
With a different writer (Matt Fraction, Jason Aaron at the top his game) this could have been even better (Read: funnier).
* Also, a rhetorical question.
I’m not one for space operas, massive god-like warrior epics, or anything that has a plot more complicated than The Cat in a Hat, but this is actually something I found to be fast paced and enjoyable.
For me the second part of the book was the highlight. Rocket Racoon and Groot! Yesss! Who doesn’t like a tale of a foul-mouthed gun-toting raccoon? That’s a rhetorical question, folks. Everyone does. Am I right? *
Groot, his tree buddy has a limited vocabulary (“I am Groot” is all he says. Ever. I suppose it's all in the inflection.), but he can pull off a cool trick or two. In the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy movie, I’m sure Vin Diesel, who plays Groot, should feel right at home with Groot’s Hodor-like vocabulary limitations.
With a different writer (Matt Fraction, Jason Aaron at the top his game) this could have been even better (Read: funnier).
* Also, a rhetorical question.
August 28, 2023
This slim hardcover with an oversized page trim contains two stories as it was originally presented when it was released as four-issue miniseries. The first half presents a new team of cosmic-powered heavy hitters composed of the Silver Surfer, Gladiator, Ronan the Accuser, Beta Ray Bill and Quasar.
A formidable line-up on paper, but this was not the story I eagerly anticipated. Rather it was the story that comprised the second half of this volume: the further adventures of Rocket Raccoon and Groot.
Annihilators represented an initial attempt to establish an Avengers-type team in cosmic Marvel which emerged from the conclusion of DnA's (Abnett and Lanning) seminal Guardians of the Galaxy run. It's not as fondly remembered though.
The best part of this series was the Rockett Racoon and Groot story. This would have been better off if this story was collected separately because it had a great cover from Mignola. Still, a great addition to my shelf.
A formidable line-up on paper, but this was not the story I eagerly anticipated. Rather it was the story that comprised the second half of this volume: the further adventures of Rocket Raccoon and Groot.
Annihilators represented an initial attempt to establish an Avengers-type team in cosmic Marvel which emerged from the conclusion of DnA's (Abnett and Lanning) seminal Guardians of the Galaxy run. It's not as fondly remembered though.
The best part of this series was the Rockett Racoon and Groot story. This would have been better off if this story was collected separately because it had a great cover from Mignola. Still, a great addition to my shelf.
May 26, 2017
This is a book of two halves, the first half being the main title story featuring brand-new cosmic superteam the Annihilators and the second half being a Rocket Raccoon and Groot backup strip.
I'm afraid I didn't think much of the Annihilators story. This team consists of (Asgardian-powered cyborg) Beta Ray Bill, Gladiator (of the Shi'Ar Imperial Guard), (Earthman and official Protector of the Universe) Quasar, Ronan the Accuser (of the Kree), (ex-Herald of Galactus) the Silver Surfer and highly annoying newbie Ikon (of the Galadorian SpaceKnights). This line-up is pretty awesome but the story is less than stellar. It was all over the place, to be honest, dragging in elements from the Secret Invasion event and the old ROM comic from the 1980s. A bit of a mess which sadly only warrants two stars.
The Rocket Raccoon and Groot backup story, on the other hand, I really enjoyed. It addresses the gap between Rocket's early appearances in the '80s and his turning up again, with an almost entirely different personality, in Marvel's cosmic books in the early 21st century. As a big fan of both,
I really enjoyed seeing the modern Rocket back in his old stomping grounds in the Keystone Quadrant and Halfworld. I had a lot of fun with this tale and would give it four stars.
Overall, this collection averages out to a three star book.
I'm afraid I didn't think much of the Annihilators story. This team consists of (Asgardian-powered cyborg) Beta Ray Bill, Gladiator (of the Shi'Ar Imperial Guard), (Earthman and official Protector of the Universe) Quasar, Ronan the Accuser (of the Kree), (ex-Herald of Galactus) the Silver Surfer and highly annoying newbie Ikon (of the Galadorian SpaceKnights). This line-up is pretty awesome but the story is less than stellar. It was all over the place, to be honest, dragging in elements from the Secret Invasion event and the old ROM comic from the 1980s. A bit of a mess which sadly only warrants two stars.
The Rocket Raccoon and Groot backup story, on the other hand, I really enjoyed. It addresses the gap between Rocket's early appearances in the '80s and his turning up again, with an almost entirely different personality, in Marvel's cosmic books in the early 21st century. As a big fan of both,
I really enjoyed seeing the modern Rocket back in his old stomping grounds in the Keystone Quadrant and Halfworld. I had a lot of fun with this tale and would give it four stars.
Overall, this collection averages out to a three star book.
July 2, 2014
Anybody else find it odd that a team of heroes dedicated to saving the universe would be called Annihilators?
Following the events of The Thanos Imperative, Cosmo the telepathic dog (Just go with it.) recruits some serious muscle to stand watch over space-time. The Silver Surfer, Quasar, Beta-Ray Bill, Gladiator and Ronan are brought together just in time to deal with the threat of the Dire Wraiths. There’s also a second story featuring Rocket Raccoon and Groot having their own adventure.
Reading this immediately after Abnett and Lanning’s epic storylines like War of Kings and The Thanos Imperative was probably a bad idea because it seems distinctly small in comparison to those. It definitely feels limited for a story that features several heavy-weight heroes like this, and I found the sub-plot of Quasar’s lack of self-confidence more annoying than anything. Yeah, yeah. You died. Who hasn’t in this universe? Get over it and go punch somebody.
The bonus story with Rocket and Groot was a lot more fun, but it did seem a little too cartoonish. I know it’s a talking raccoon and a walking tree and this is actually touches on several points from the original run of Rocket's mini-series from the mid '80s, but Guardians of the Galaxy always gave these characters some genuine weight. While there are good moments like seeing that Rocket was so badly stunned by the events of Thanos Imperative that he has given up galaxy saving for a job as a mail room clerk, the art style and several goofy elements undercut both him and Groot as serious superheroes who have helped save the universe.
Following the events of The Thanos Imperative, Cosmo the telepathic dog (Just go with it.) recruits some serious muscle to stand watch over space-time. The Silver Surfer, Quasar, Beta-Ray Bill, Gladiator and Ronan are brought together just in time to deal with the threat of the Dire Wraiths. There’s also a second story featuring Rocket Raccoon and Groot having their own adventure.
Reading this immediately after Abnett and Lanning’s epic storylines like War of Kings and The Thanos Imperative was probably a bad idea because it seems distinctly small in comparison to those. It definitely feels limited for a story that features several heavy-weight heroes like this, and I found the sub-plot of Quasar’s lack of self-confidence more annoying than anything. Yeah, yeah. You died. Who hasn’t in this universe? Get over it and go punch somebody.
The bonus story with Rocket and Groot was a lot more fun, but it did seem a little too cartoonish. I know it’s a talking raccoon and a walking tree and this is actually touches on several points from the original run of Rocket's mini-series from the mid '80s, but Guardians of the Galaxy always gave these characters some genuine weight. While there are good moments like seeing that Rocket was so badly stunned by the events of Thanos Imperative that he has given up galaxy saving for a job as a mail room clerk, the art style and several goofy elements undercut both him and Groot as serious superheroes who have helped save the universe.
November 4, 2015
The Annihilator guys get a new member, Space Knight Ikon.
Then they beat some people up...
...by beating these people up they save some planets. Honestly it's all incredibly forgettable. This one is just for people who want to see some fighting.
2.5 out of 5 stars
Then they beat some people up...
...by beating these people up they save some planets. Honestly it's all incredibly forgettable. This one is just for people who want to see some fighting.
2.5 out of 5 stars
September 24, 2020
The Annihilators were set up at the end of Thanos Imperative. Here they actually get to work together. The story wasn’t that strong. Just OK. Seemed kind of thrown together. Plus some of the characters that form the Annihilators seemed out of character. I liked how they were written throughout Annihilation, War of Kings and Realm of Kings. Here they were written differently, mainly Gladiator, Ronan and Quasar.
The back half of the book was a Rocket and Groot story. Although at was cool to see Bucky O’hare, Lylla and Wal-Rus again, this story was also just ok.
The back half of the book was a Rocket and Groot story. Although at was cool to see Bucky O’hare, Lylla and Wal-Rus again, this story was also just ok.
October 2, 2012
Although I admit I was an X-Men baby from the 80's, my second love has always been Marvel's cosmic comics. I consider Mark Gruenwald's entire Quasar run to be one of the most genius and underrated in all of comics history. I collected books like Darkhawk and the original Guardians of the Galaxy, and loved every single issue of Warlock and the Infinity Watch. Unfortunately, Marvel's great cosmic books all started coming to an end once they tried pitting their books against the new Image regime.
Fast forward fifteen or so years and we get DnA resurrectiing damn near everything I once loved. Out of all the books they tried to get going again, though, Annihilators is by far the weakest.
On paper this looks like a great idea. The Surfer, Ronan the Accuser, Beta Ray Bill, Quasar, Guardian. I mean, come on. All you're missing is Adam Warlock. It's a who's who of cosmic heavy-hitters and I wanted it to work so, so badly. But it didn't. And if it didn't in Dna's capable hands, it never will. A team as bigi as this really should just be reserved for the next Infinity Gauntlet crossover. Or another Annihilation Wave. It's just too much for one book, too many great characters who deserve their own titles and not enough time to devote to each individual. Because of that, the focus has to be on the threat, the villain, instead of the heroes and that's the problem here.
It's definitely worth the read, don't get me wrong. If you're a fan of the Marvel cosmic bunch, get on this. It's fun for what it is, even with all the flaws.
I do wish the artwork was crisper, tighter, and had a better sense of composition. The framing just always felt off to me. But, it's by no means incompetent.
Writing: C
Art: C
Fast forward fifteen or so years and we get DnA resurrectiing damn near everything I once loved. Out of all the books they tried to get going again, though, Annihilators is by far the weakest.
On paper this looks like a great idea. The Surfer, Ronan the Accuser, Beta Ray Bill, Quasar, Guardian. I mean, come on. All you're missing is Adam Warlock. It's a who's who of cosmic heavy-hitters and I wanted it to work so, so badly. But it didn't. And if it didn't in Dna's capable hands, it never will. A team as bigi as this really should just be reserved for the next Infinity Gauntlet crossover. Or another Annihilation Wave. It's just too much for one book, too many great characters who deserve their own titles and not enough time to devote to each individual. Because of that, the focus has to be on the threat, the villain, instead of the heroes and that's the problem here.
It's definitely worth the read, don't get me wrong. If you're a fan of the Marvel cosmic bunch, get on this. It's fun for what it is, even with all the flaws.
I do wish the artwork was crisper, tighter, and had a better sense of composition. The framing just always felt off to me. But, it's by no means incompetent.
Writing: C
Art: C
January 8, 2015
What should be the galaxy's A team feels like the B team. Quasar had never been this wishy-washy, and Ronin has never been that much of a team player. And by the way, when has Galacticus ever been so complacent about his Herald's off-time?
On the other hand, the psychotic adventures of Rocket and Groot was just fine. Let the weirdness commence.
On the other hand, the psychotic adventures of Rocket and Groot was just fine. Let the weirdness commence.
March 31, 2012
I have been following the "Cosmic Marvel" for a long time. Long before Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning started their excellent run of series and mini series re-establishing it. I have a lot of respect for what they did for Marvel with Nova, Guardians of the Galaxy and everything else that has occurred in the last few years. Sadly with Annihilators, the story takes a great departure from everything that came before it. I'm not speaking in regards to the change in the characters that it featured...Silver Surfer, Beta Ray Bill, Ronan, Quasar, Gladiator all on one team is fantastic and the tales that could have come from such a pair, unimaginable...especially since they took the route that the creative team decided to go with. While sparkling with some interesting ideas, the stereotype dialog, uncharacteristic dialog with Silver Surfer, with a cast of all Aliens with exception of Quasar, everything is soaked in human like attributes, emotions, and ideologies. Incredible and great threats were tackled in previous books and done so by far weaker characters while the threat the Annihilators took on was grave, it was handled in a rushed, overview like, manner. Obviously, rushed, as the previous storylines had far greater space to handle the plot than Annihilators did. Tan Eng Huat is a good artist but a better choice could have been made for the overall tone and feel of the story. With approximately 80 pages of a story, it felt like Quasars perspective of a much bigger idea...as if there were more books about the story and this was Quasars chapter. Annihilators also introduces Ikon, a Space Knight with sideways references to Rom and brings back Roms main villain race, the Dire Wraiths, Immortus and his Army of Ages, and Skrulls - all very cool...except they appear in the last handful of pages where a recap of events that leads to their appearance in the story is longer than their actual appearance - as mentioned, rushed. Doctor Dredd, a villain with potential that seems to be a throw away character that is taken out by the amazingly strong tendril of the Wraith Queen that also somehow took down Silver Surfer. Oh, also the Rigellian race appeared at the start...adding a little bit more to their make up, which is cool and realistically, I think most of my critical viewpoint is sadly easily hammered out as: a creative team on a book that has a lot of great ideas, but were not given the room to properly explore them. Not knowing the behind the scenes aspect, it seems that the ideas could have and perhaps were intended to have a lot more room devoted to them, but in the end, did not.
Meanwhile:
Now, Rocket Raccoon and Groot also are featured in what was going to be a mini series, and was thrown into the original Annihilators mini series as a back up. Same writers, different artist, this time around. The characters kept in character. More patronage to what happened in the past was made, the story was well paced and had a story and an artist that fit together. This storyline was always intended to be a mini series. And its pacing and plot shows it.
Thus why I feel the Annihilators storyline was rushed. The creative team on the book are quality professionals. I think the let down in the Annihilators was more on part of the company directive than anything else.
Lasting comment would be, with its faughts, its still worth adding to ones collection of the Cosmic Marvel. There are plenty of ideas worth revisiting and hopefully will. And if they are, hopefully it won't be so rushed.
Meanwhile:
Now, Rocket Raccoon and Groot also are featured in what was going to be a mini series, and was thrown into the original Annihilators mini series as a back up. Same writers, different artist, this time around. The characters kept in character. More patronage to what happened in the past was made, the story was well paced and had a story and an artist that fit together. This storyline was always intended to be a mini series. And its pacing and plot shows it.
Thus why I feel the Annihilators storyline was rushed. The creative team on the book are quality professionals. I think the let down in the Annihilators was more on part of the company directive than anything else.
Lasting comment would be, with its faughts, its still worth adding to ones collection of the Cosmic Marvel. There are plenty of ideas worth revisiting and hopefully will. And if they are, hopefully it won't be so rushed.
August 26, 2015
This story starts out kind of clunky then gets a bit better, then it just kind of sits there spinning its wheels. There are twists along the way, but they aren't that impressive. And the kicker is, you really only need to read the fourth chapter, because it recaps everything for you, explaining what's happened.
I don't know about you, but there's holding the reader's hand and then there's tying them to a chair and spoon-feeding them. This is an example of the latter.
A bunch of super-duper-powered cosmic-level characters who can't shake off the C-list status get together to save the universe... bit for some reason they're called "The Annihilators." That's the one thing this book never explains. I suppose if they were to annihilate bad guys it might mean something, but they don't do that.
In fact, the reason I gave this two stars instead of one is because their solution to the problem facing them isn't merely to punch it in the face (although there's a lot of that) but rather to figure out a compromise and to show compassion to characters who are doing bad things because of mental illness and misguided desires for justice. That's very atypical of these sorts of comics.
Unfortunately, it's so heavy-handed that it doesn't work. Nice try, though.
One of my main issues with the writing is that all the characters pretty much sound the same. Same tone, same inflection, identical verbiage. If you started a drinking game for every time someone said "cut loose" or "alpha-level" you'd be genuinely tipsy by the end of the book. I just can't imagine Ronan the Accuser and the Silver Surfer using "cut loose" in any context.
That's the heart of the problem here: the idea is interesting but the execution is lazy.
The second part of the book has to do with Rocket Raccoon and Groot having their own adventures. They're silly and the whole Lassie-and-Timmy-like exchanges get old after a while. "I am Groot!" "What's that? Star-Thief has mesmerized everyone and stuck them in a holodeck?" "I am Groot." "And you say we need to hatch a plan to save everyone?" Oy.
I don't know about you, but there's holding the reader's hand and then there's tying them to a chair and spoon-feeding them. This is an example of the latter.
A bunch of super-duper-powered cosmic-level characters who can't shake off the C-list status get together to save the universe... bit for some reason they're called "The Annihilators." That's the one thing this book never explains. I suppose if they were to annihilate bad guys it might mean something, but they don't do that.
In fact, the reason I gave this two stars instead of one is because their solution to the problem facing them isn't merely to punch it in the face (although there's a lot of that) but rather to figure out a compromise and to show compassion to characters who are doing bad things because of mental illness and misguided desires for justice. That's very atypical of these sorts of comics.
Unfortunately, it's so heavy-handed that it doesn't work. Nice try, though.
One of my main issues with the writing is that all the characters pretty much sound the same. Same tone, same inflection, identical verbiage. If you started a drinking game for every time someone said "cut loose" or "alpha-level" you'd be genuinely tipsy by the end of the book. I just can't imagine Ronan the Accuser and the Silver Surfer using "cut loose" in any context.
That's the heart of the problem here: the idea is interesting but the execution is lazy.
The second part of the book has to do with Rocket Raccoon and Groot having their own adventures. They're silly and the whole Lassie-and-Timmy-like exchanges get old after a while. "I am Groot!" "What's that? Star-Thief has mesmerized everyone and stuck them in a holodeck?" "I am Groot." "And you say we need to hatch a plan to save everyone?" Oy.
August 5, 2013
Annihilators. I've long waited on reading this comic because I wasn't convinced the Annihilators would be able to equal the Guardians of the Galaxy … and sadly in this first appearance that was true. The Spaceknight Ikon is great, and Quasar is OK, but the rest of the characters are pretty flat.
Beyond that I was thrilled to see more on the modern spaceknights and on the dire wraith, since I have a soft spot in my heart for Rom, one of my first comics. There was too much recapping at the start of each issue, but otherwise the story itself was fine [6/10].
Rocket Raccoon & Groot. The early part of this story is quite funny, and it's nice to see the origins of Rocket and Groot, but the story gets dull when it moves into a rather perfunctory action-adventure [6/10].
Overall, I think my original assessment was right. This barely feels like a necessary read, even for fans of Cosmic Marvel.
Beyond that I was thrilled to see more on the modern spaceknights and on the dire wraith, since I have a soft spot in my heart for Rom, one of my first comics. There was too much recapping at the start of each issue, but otherwise the story itself was fine [6/10].
Rocket Raccoon & Groot. The early part of this story is quite funny, and it's nice to see the origins of Rocket and Groot, but the story gets dull when it moves into a rather perfunctory action-adventure [6/10].
Overall, I think my original assessment was right. This barely feels like a necessary read, even for fans of Cosmic Marvel.
September 3, 2022
El planteo es simple: Juntemos a los héroes cósmicos más fuertes en un grupo. Básicamente lo mismo que la Liga de la Justicia o los Avengers, pero a nivel galaxia. Y, por supuesto, funciona. Si bien hay un escaso desarrollo de algunos personajes (caso Gladiador o Beta Ray Bill), al ser héroes que ya conocemos de otras historias esto no es necesariamente problemático.
Personalmente no habría centrado la historia en Quasar dado que me parece el menos interesante de todos, pero al ser quien tiene un mayor anclaje con la tierra era la decisión obvia. Por otro lado, vemos también las aventuras de Rocket y Groot que se reencuentran en una historia simpática y divertida que contrasta completamente (desde el guion y el dibujo) con lo que nos plantean los Aniquiladores.
Sin embargo, ambas historias van paralelas con un mismo hilo creador: Ambos grupos intentan ser el reemplazo de los Guardianes de la Galaxia.
El nivel narrativo de Lanning y Abnett es bueno sin ser superlativo. El dibujo es genial en ambas historias. Es una buena exploración al universo cósmico de Marvel, quizás lo mejor que ha tenido la editorial en el último tiempo, aunque queda desdibujado si se lo compara con otras historias (como por ejemplo Invencible o los Green Lanterns).
Personalmente no habría centrado la historia en Quasar dado que me parece el menos interesante de todos, pero al ser quien tiene un mayor anclaje con la tierra era la decisión obvia. Por otro lado, vemos también las aventuras de Rocket y Groot que se reencuentran en una historia simpática y divertida que contrasta completamente (desde el guion y el dibujo) con lo que nos plantean los Aniquiladores.
Sin embargo, ambas historias van paralelas con un mismo hilo creador: Ambos grupos intentan ser el reemplazo de los Guardianes de la Galaxia.
El nivel narrativo de Lanning y Abnett es bueno sin ser superlativo. El dibujo es genial en ambas historias. Es una buena exploración al universo cósmico de Marvel, quizás lo mejor que ha tenido la editorial en el último tiempo, aunque queda desdibujado si se lo compara con otras historias (como por ejemplo Invencible o los Green Lanterns).
September 10, 2018
Hey! Know what even a top of the line Spaceknight can't really get away with?
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.
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Moving Gladiator even if the Big G is "holding back".
This comic is bunk. It craps on Galador, the Spaceknights, the entire legacy of Rom, and the concept of truly powerful characters. Seriously. Gladiator is akin to Silver Age Superman. The Silver Surfer is the Silver Surfer. But they act like midcard street heroes in this. Written with the punk ass idiot ball so as to better pimp the new character.
Poor writing, terrible characterizations, and mediocre art.
.
.
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.
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Moving Gladiator even if the Big G is "holding back".
This comic is bunk. It craps on Galador, the Spaceknights, the entire legacy of Rom, and the concept of truly powerful characters. Seriously. Gladiator is akin to Silver Age Superman. The Silver Surfer is the Silver Surfer. But they act like midcard street heroes in this. Written with the punk ass idiot ball so as to better pimp the new character.
Poor writing, terrible characterizations, and mediocre art.
December 28, 2019
This new series of galactic marvel superheroes is all over the place. The new formed team led by Cosmo the telepathic dog deals with the random bad guy of the week who is not what seems to be. Basic, unremarkable story with minimum originality. Even the origin story of forming the Annihilators team is handled hurriedly.
March 6, 2024
The A-story (the actual "Annihilators" story) was pretty boiler-plate and managed to bring back the Space Knights/Dire Wraiths (who suck). That gets 2 stars.
The B-story, which touches on Rocket and Groot's backstories and is, ultimately, about their friendship is pretty good but a little long in the tooth. 3.5 stars.
Average rounds up to 3, I guess.
The B-story, which touches on Rocket and Groot's backstories and is, ultimately, about their friendship is pretty good but a little long in the tooth. 3.5 stars.
Average rounds up to 3, I guess.
August 16, 2017
The art isn't quite as good as what we saw in the Annihilation books and the main story is a little weak (how many times do we need to deal with Quasar's insecurities), but the second story, with Rocket and Groot, is great.
March 26, 2018
This was pretty good. The problem, however, is that with so many godlike beings in one team, nobody really gets to shine because of the shared space. The fact that this is only 4 issues long doesn't help.
July 10, 2019
A pretty decent story. Fairly self-contained, with hits of past and future connections. Doesn't really make me want to explore any more, though. Bonus Rocket and Groot story was good. Unemployed Rocket was fun.
February 3, 2020
I really enjoyed this team up of some great heavy hitters from the Marvel universe, and the bonus story with Rocket and Groot was really funny, and just insane enough for me. A good collection, I think I will definitely be looking out for more Annihilators
June 7, 2020
Since he reintroduced my favorite superhero I’ve decided to go and read Dan Abnett’s cosmic marvel stuff. Just started with this one which was pretty fun. Guess I’ll be reading things out of order but whatever, marvel always feels out of order even when it’s read in order.
May 2, 2021
The cosmic heavy hitters join forces to continue the legacy of the Guardians of the Galaxy in the aftermath of "The Thanos Imperative" and combat the returned threat of the Dire Wraiths. In the second story Rocket Raccoon confronts his past with the help of his buddy Groot. All kinds of space fun.
June 11, 2018
This series needs more women. Sausage fest, maybe that was the problem. Too much ‘alpha threat’ testosterone.
March 31, 2019
Meh. I'm not crazy about the Annihilators.
But this is worth it for Rocket and Groot. I love them.
But this is worth it for Rocket and Groot. I love them.
December 4, 2019
Only half of this book is about the group the Annihilators, the second half is about Rocket Raccoon. The Annihilators part was cool but too short, the Rocket story was so bad.
January 7, 2024
Such wasted potential …
December 6, 2024
This Abnett & Lanning cosmic run has diminishing returns.
March 14, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed the two Annihilation series from Marvel. That's what made this book a little disappointing. Putting some Marvel's biggest cosmic heavy hitters together on a team is a great idea. Reducing most of them to little more than shades of their personalities is not such a good idea. Quasar's moping about how he feels outclassed on the team was not only not fun to read, it didn't make much sense. He is not a new character at all. I would have thought that, by now, he'd be over those sorts of insecurities that plague so many human characters. The ideas in the story were interesting enough, reintroducing an old and long unused Marvel menace as well as adding a new villain to the fold was great. The story itself felt a little rushed, but the ending was nice and usefully open. Hopefully they will make use of it. I also hope that the characters have more personality in the next book.
Next up is the story of Rocket Raccoon and Groot, two old obscure Marvel characters who became breakout stars in Annihilation: Conquest. The story is a suitably fun and cartoony one that explores ideas first hashed out way back in the original Rocket Raccoon mini-series. It really was no surprise that I enjoyed it more than the book's main feature. The only thing that bothered me was Groot's new speech inflection. In his first appearance back in the pre-Marvel monster comics and in his adventure in Annihilation: Conquest, Groot spoke in perfectly formed (and characteristically pompous)sentences. I didn't read any of the Guardians of the Galaxy series with him, so I don't know if anything happened to change him there, but his new thing for always saying "I am Groot" and having it mean different things that only Rocket or his translator can understand just was not fun to read. Maybe Dan Abnett was going for a sort of Han Solo/Chewbacca thing, but it didn't work for me. Hopefully Groot will get his senses and his speech back in the next Annihilators book.
Next up is the story of Rocket Raccoon and Groot, two old obscure Marvel characters who became breakout stars in Annihilation: Conquest. The story is a suitably fun and cartoony one that explores ideas first hashed out way back in the original Rocket Raccoon mini-series. It really was no surprise that I enjoyed it more than the book's main feature. The only thing that bothered me was Groot's new speech inflection. In his first appearance back in the pre-Marvel monster comics and in his adventure in Annihilation: Conquest, Groot spoke in perfectly formed (and characteristically pompous)sentences. I didn't read any of the Guardians of the Galaxy series with him, so I don't know if anything happened to change him there, but his new thing for always saying "I am Groot" and having it mean different things that only Rocket or his translator can understand just was not fun to read. Maybe Dan Abnett was going for a sort of Han Solo/Chewbacca thing, but it didn't work for me. Hopefully Groot will get his senses and his speech back in the next Annihilators book.
May 3, 2015
Man, I really wanted to like this. Abnett & Lanning's cosmic Marvel stuff has been some of my favorite stuff I've read in recent years, and this seemed like it was going to be a great addition. Silver Surfer, Beta Ray Bill, Gladiator, Ronan the Accuser and Quasar all teaming up together? That's probably the most powerful super team of all time. I was expecting big, flatout insane superheroics to match the ridiculousness of this team, but I think ultimately it just wasn't possible. These guys can practically bend time and space by sheer force of will. There just isn't an enemy that seems like a realistic threat for them, and that becomes clear over the course of the book. I just never felt like there were any real stakes, because they were able to quickly solve pretty much every problem, often by doing some crazy thing that doesn't even get explained.
As a bonus, Abnett & Lanning have also included "Rocket Raccoon & Groot," which follows the duo's adventures after the dissolution of the Guardians of the Galaxy at the end of The Thanos Imperative. It's written in a style that at first seems to want to be funny (and is, for the most part), but then also kind of seems like it wants to be a fairly serious origin story for Rocket. I loved the art in this one, but the story is just too all over the place to ever really take hold. I never quite understood how I was meant to feel about anything, and I wasn't a big fan of one certain revelation about Groot himself.
Overall, this just isn't a great entry in the cosmic pantheon. I really wish Abnett & Lanning had just brought it all to a close with the Thanos Imperative, rather than going out with a couple of lackluster followups that have no real bearing on the rest of the stuff they've worked so hard to build. Oh well.
As a bonus, Abnett & Lanning have also included "Rocket Raccoon & Groot," which follows the duo's adventures after the dissolution of the Guardians of the Galaxy at the end of The Thanos Imperative. It's written in a style that at first seems to want to be funny (and is, for the most part), but then also kind of seems like it wants to be a fairly serious origin story for Rocket. I loved the art in this one, but the story is just too all over the place to ever really take hold. I never quite understood how I was meant to feel about anything, and I wasn't a big fan of one certain revelation about Groot himself.
Overall, this just isn't a great entry in the cosmic pantheon. I really wish Abnett & Lanning had just brought it all to a close with the Thanos Imperative, rather than going out with a couple of lackluster followups that have no real bearing on the rest of the stuff they've worked so hard to build. Oh well.
September 11, 2020
I recently interviewed the writer Dan Abnett and it was fucking awesome! Check out part 1 here https://youtu.be/vWI5mkTn8Ws and part 2 here https://youtu.be/A_VQ0ieJvhg
It’s ok.
The story is one of those convoluted stories in the vein of Annihilation Conquest and Thanos Imperative. If you like those (and I sometimes do), then you’ll enjoy this one.
The characters do not live up to their potential. Besides The Surfer being awesome, everyone else falls flat. Quasar spends the whole time griping about how he doesn’t feel powerful enough. Beta Ray Bill just lumbers in the background. Ronan The Accuser has some cool moments, but it’s all missing something...
Where are the character quirks?
What makes a Hero Team awesome is not the powers... it’s watching fun personality clashes. Seeing the relationships evolve. Watching as they become a cohesive team and compliment each other.
The Annihilators didn’t really give each other any shit... there humor was sort of low. I didn’t fall in love with this team.
Compared to awesome teams like Infinity Watch, Guardians of the Galaxy or even The Defenders, the dynamic here was kind of weak sauce.
The Rocket and Groot bonus story, on the other hand, was freaking AWESOME!!! Amusing, engaging, cool, moving... basically everything Annihilators wasn’t. If you are a fan of the Starlin version of Adam Warlock, there are some pretty awesome references to those stories.
All in all... this is an ok addition to the Marvel Cosmic Canon... but it’s definitely not going to be anyone’s favorite.
It’s ok.
The story is one of those convoluted stories in the vein of Annihilation Conquest and Thanos Imperative. If you like those (and I sometimes do), then you’ll enjoy this one.
The characters do not live up to their potential. Besides The Surfer being awesome, everyone else falls flat. Quasar spends the whole time griping about how he doesn’t feel powerful enough. Beta Ray Bill just lumbers in the background. Ronan The Accuser has some cool moments, but it’s all missing something...
Where are the character quirks?
What makes a Hero Team awesome is not the powers... it’s watching fun personality clashes. Seeing the relationships evolve. Watching as they become a cohesive team and compliment each other.
The Annihilators didn’t really give each other any shit... there humor was sort of low. I didn’t fall in love with this team.
Compared to awesome teams like Infinity Watch, Guardians of the Galaxy or even The Defenders, the dynamic here was kind of weak sauce.
The Rocket and Groot bonus story, on the other hand, was freaking AWESOME!!! Amusing, engaging, cool, moving... basically everything Annihilators wasn’t. If you are a fan of the Starlin version of Adam Warlock, there are some pretty awesome references to those stories.
All in all... this is an ok addition to the Marvel Cosmic Canon... but it’s definitely not going to be anyone’s favorite.
September 7, 2015
Abnett takes on a very challenging concept and writes very well for it. Star-Lord initiated the Annihilators, saying, "The galaxy doesn't need guardians! It doesn't need brave souls! If it's going to survive another one of these, it's going to need absolute bad-asses! It's going to need the biggest guns of all! Cosmic heavy hitters as scary as the menaces they have to face! It's going to need flarking annihilators!" I wasn't sure I was actually going to like this direction. The concept and the characters are not my favorite, but the writing is engaging and unpredictable. The plot is very smart. The illustrations are stunning. It surprised me by turning out to be a very good comic.
This edition also includes Rocket Raccoon and Groot: Root and Branch, Tooth and Claw.. I actually liked this even better than Annihilators. I cannot get enough of Rocket and Groot. They are probably my favorite two comic characters. This story gives you a lot of their history before the Guardians in addition to the main plot which takes place after the Guardians. Rocket and Groot play off each other so well. Rocket is intelligent, humorous, and conflicted, and Groot is just strange. Rocket understands Groot like any true best friend, and Groot keeps Rocket in line. Whenever the two are separated, they are kind of a mess. When they get together, they are an amazing pair of heroes. Marvel can keep the Rocket and Groot comics coming!
This edition also includes Rocket Raccoon and Groot: Root and Branch, Tooth and Claw.. I actually liked this even better than Annihilators. I cannot get enough of Rocket and Groot. They are probably my favorite two comic characters. This story gives you a lot of their history before the Guardians in addition to the main plot which takes place after the Guardians. Rocket and Groot play off each other so well. Rocket is intelligent, humorous, and conflicted, and Groot is just strange. Rocket understands Groot like any true best friend, and Groot keeps Rocket in line. Whenever the two are separated, they are kind of a mess. When they get together, they are an amazing pair of heroes. Marvel can keep the Rocket and Groot comics coming!
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