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Marvel Two-in-One (1974) #4-5
Guardianes de la Galaxia: Vengadores Cósmicos
Contiene Marvel Super-Heroes 18, Marvel Two-In-One 4 y 5, Giant-Size Defenders 5 y The Defenders 26-29 USA.
El debut y las primeras apariciones de Los Guardianes de la Galaxia. Dentro de un siglo, Vance Astro, Yondu, Martinex y Charlie-27 se alzan para recuperar la Tierra de unos invasores reptilianos. Pero no sólo se inspirarán en el heroísmo del pasado, sino que también lo reclutarán: el Capitán América, el Doctor Extraño, La Cosa, Hulk y muchos más se unirán a ellos en la mayor guerra del futuro.
Autores: Arnold Drake, Gene Colan, Steve Gerber y Sal Buscema
El debut y las primeras apariciones de Los Guardianes de la Galaxia. Dentro de un siglo, Vance Astro, Yondu, Martinex y Charlie-27 se alzan para recuperar la Tierra de unos invasores reptilianos. Pero no sólo se inspirarán en el heroísmo del pasado, sino que también lo reclutarán: el Capitán América, el Doctor Extraño, La Cosa, Hulk y muchos más se unirán a ellos en la mayor guerra del futuro.
Autores: Arnold Drake, Gene Colan, Steve Gerber y Sal Buscema
184 pages, Paperback
First published April 15, 2009
About the author
Arnold Drake
324 books11 followersArnold Drake was an American comic book writer and screenwriter best known for co-creating the DC Comics characters Deadman and the Doom Patrol, and the Marvel Comics characters the Guardians of the Galaxy, among others.
Drake was posthumously inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 2008.
Drake was posthumously inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 2008.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 28, 2023
As a kid the individual comics that are collected in this compilation charged my imagination in ways that only a few other comics did. There was the Fantastic Four and Kamandi (and maybe OMAC), but the Guardians of the Galaxy had something those others didn't have, or rather they didn’t have something those others had. They didn't have a regular comic series. There was nothing like not having a regular diet of something to fuel the hunger for more. These stories created a future history for the Marvel Universe that loosely tied together the cybernetic nightmares of Astonishing Tales (see: Deathlok the Demolisher!: The Complete Collection) and the Amazing Adventures of revolutionaries fighting off Martian invaders (see: Killraven Epic Collection, Vol. 1: Warrior of the Worlds) and only left me wanting more and more. Whether it was a visit from the Thing, Captain America and SHIELD Agent Sharon Carter or the help of the entire non-team of the Defenders, the Guardians of the Galaxy were going to free their future earth from the fascist Badoon or they were going to die trying. But the biggest threat would come only after they actually succeeded! Today's readers might be disappointed that there is no Starlord, Rocket Raccoon, Gamora, Drax or Groot in these pages, but this was the original version of the Guardians of the Galaxy and those cinematic characters wouldn't be created for some years after these original Guardians had appeared and saved their future galaxy from the Badoon, and the likes of the Topographical Man and Arcturian Reavers.
Marvel Super-Heroes #18 (also reprinted with some heavy editing in Astonishing Tales #29) - This classic origin story introduces Charlie-27, Martinex, Yondu and Major Vance Astro, as well as their quest to free humanity from the crushing, totalitarian rule by the oppressive Badoon in this dystopian future version of the Marvel Universe. It may not be the most auspicious debut, but co-creators Arnold Drake and Gene Colan certainly put their hearts into it (3/5).
Marvel Two-In-One #4-5 - Five years after their first and only appearance, the story picks up with the Fantastic Four leading a hand, or at least a time machine, to send living legend Captain America, SHIELD Agent Sharon Carter and Ben Grimm, the Thing, into the future to offer assistance in defeating earth’s reptilian conquers. Steve Gerber and Sal Buscema do their best to generate some interest in these all but forgotten heroes of the future. This 2-part story got me to pick up this team-up series, and kept me buying Marvel Two-In-One on a regular basis long after it was over. And it also made me a life long fan of the Guardians of the Galaxy (4/5).
Giant-Size Defenders #5 - This next “chapter” in the Guardians of the Galaxy saga was also a prologue, of sorts, to the sequence that would end their initial quest. And it took almost a year to see the light of day. Gerber returned and Don Heck provided the artwork, but as Heck has never been a particular favorite of mine, this story didn’t grab me as much as the others did. Gerber’s usual sense of the absurd is present and the cliff-hanger surprise ending goes a long way to overcoming any shortcomings in the artistic department, although to be fair as I’m looking back on this now (many years later) it’s a lot better than I gave it credit for in my youth. The mainstays of the non-team (Doctor Strange, Hulk, Valkyrie and Nighthawk) are present and all have interesting contributions to make, and it never once feels overcrowded with heroes (3/5).
Defenders #26-29 - The follow-up story picks up right where the Giant-Size issue ended and quickly propels the Defenders into the dystopian future to aid their new friends in defeating the Badoon. Buscema is back and Gerber is completing the story arc he’d already begun. This a wonderful 4-part adventure that is a great example of how good this era of the Defenders was, and we get the introduction to the character, and mystery, of Starhawk in these pages as well. And while the ending is abrupt and seems like it was supposed to be an epic that could have been twice as long, it makes sense that the Defenders shouldn’t be present at the actual liberation of Earth from the big bad Badoon (4/5).
Marvel Super-Heroes #18 (also reprinted with some heavy editing in Astonishing Tales #29) - This classic origin story introduces Charlie-27, Martinex, Yondu and Major Vance Astro, as well as their quest to free humanity from the crushing, totalitarian rule by the oppressive Badoon in this dystopian future version of the Marvel Universe. It may not be the most auspicious debut, but co-creators Arnold Drake and Gene Colan certainly put their hearts into it (3/5).
Marvel Two-In-One #4-5 - Five years after their first and only appearance, the story picks up with the Fantastic Four leading a hand, or at least a time machine, to send living legend Captain America, SHIELD Agent Sharon Carter and Ben Grimm, the Thing, into the future to offer assistance in defeating earth’s reptilian conquers. Steve Gerber and Sal Buscema do their best to generate some interest in these all but forgotten heroes of the future. This 2-part story got me to pick up this team-up series, and kept me buying Marvel Two-In-One on a regular basis long after it was over. And it also made me a life long fan of the Guardians of the Galaxy (4/5).
Giant-Size Defenders #5 - This next “chapter” in the Guardians of the Galaxy saga was also a prologue, of sorts, to the sequence that would end their initial quest. And it took almost a year to see the light of day. Gerber returned and Don Heck provided the artwork, but as Heck has never been a particular favorite of mine, this story didn’t grab me as much as the others did. Gerber’s usual sense of the absurd is present and the cliff-hanger surprise ending goes a long way to overcoming any shortcomings in the artistic department, although to be fair as I’m looking back on this now (many years later) it’s a lot better than I gave it credit for in my youth. The mainstays of the non-team (Doctor Strange, Hulk, Valkyrie and Nighthawk) are present and all have interesting contributions to make, and it never once feels overcrowded with heroes (3/5).
Defenders #26-29 - The follow-up story picks up right where the Giant-Size issue ended and quickly propels the Defenders into the dystopian future to aid their new friends in defeating the Badoon. Buscema is back and Gerber is completing the story arc he’d already begun. This a wonderful 4-part adventure that is a great example of how good this era of the Defenders was, and we get the introduction to the character, and mystery, of Starhawk in these pages as well. And while the ending is abrupt and seems like it was supposed to be an epic that could have been twice as long, it makes sense that the Defenders shouldn’t be present at the actual liberation of Earth from the big bad Badoon (4/5).
October 4, 2022
There's a certain charm in revisiting (or, visiting for the first time in my case) old comics. I sort of dig the super colorful, super saturated, overblown art style and hyper-dramatic text boxes. It's charming and corny, and I love it. Sure, maybe the stories and characters age like milk, but there's something to be said for going back to the roots, so to speak.
My husband wanted me to read this and see the Guardians of the Galaxy as they were when they first landed on the Marvel scene. I had a brief few issues of disoriented vertigo (who are these people? where are these people? when are these people?), but once I got going it was an easy, engaging read. Of the original four Guardians, I only recognized Yondu, and in name only. Comic Yondu bears little resemblance (other than name, I suppose) to movie Yondu. I am (not) shocked to see his character reworked, based on what I've read.
This is largely a Defenders story though, with the Guardians only existing as guest stars. The alien race of the Badoon have conquered a future Earth, and the Guardians go get some help ousting the alien invaders from their home. There's also some notable Starhawk cameoing going on here, another character I know little about.
Overall a fun trip into the Marvel Vault that I'm glad I went on.
November 18, 2016
This book includes the earliest adventures of the original Guardians of the Galaxy team from 1969. These guardians are four characters who come from a future where a savage alien race known as the Badoon have enslaved the earth.
The team itself is cool as we have a 1,000 year old Earthman (it's a long story), a native of Jupiter, a crystal based man from Pluto, and Yondo, the blue alien with the arrow controlled by his whistling who made it into the movie.
Overall these stories are pretty cool, but you have to get past the somewhat psychedelic style many comics had in the 1970s. The art style is a little dated but sill very well done. Overall this is an enjoyable glimpse into the early Guardians comics and a good read.
The team itself is cool as we have a 1,000 year old Earthman (it's a long story), a native of Jupiter, a crystal based man from Pluto, and Yondo, the blue alien with the arrow controlled by his whistling who made it into the movie.
Overall these stories are pretty cool, but you have to get past the somewhat psychedelic style many comics had in the 1970s. The art style is a little dated but sill very well done. Overall this is an enjoyable glimpse into the early Guardians comics and a good read.
August 22, 2019
If Major Vance Astro was from earth, via the year 1989, then he probably worked for NASA and could have possibly been from the south and had a southern accent. And if Vance and Yondu were bros, then there’s a strong possibility that Yondu learned English from Vance. Southern accent and all. Hence Michael Rooker’s amazing portrayal of him in the MCU movies. But there is that issue of Defenders where a young Astro from 1974 meets himself from the year 3000 in New York. So he was probably a military brat. It’s goes deep, people.
Anyways, Issue 18 of Marvel Super-Heroes is a superb example of action-driven writing. I wish Charlie-27 kept the same boxy space suit he had in the first appearance, because that character design is so weird and perfect. They also fight an Eel man with Doctor Strange.
Anyways, Issue 18 of Marvel Super-Heroes is a superb example of action-driven writing. I wish Charlie-27 kept the same boxy space suit he had in the first appearance, because that character design is so weird and perfect. They also fight an Eel man with Doctor Strange.
November 18, 2017
Thanks to a recent blockbuster movie, many know the Guardians of the Galaxy as a space-faring team with a walking, talking tree and an anthropomorphic raccoon. Another Guardians team actually preceded that one, however, and this book will get you in on the ground floor.
The book begins with the original Guardians’ premiere story in MARVEL SUPER-HEROES #18, originally published in 1968. MARVEL SUPER-HEROES was a short-lived title that for a brief time featured “try outs” for possible new series (In this, it was similar to DC’s SHOWCASE, where several DC Silver Age heroes debuted.). Writer Arnold Drake and artist Gene Colan take us to the early thirty-first century, where genetic modifications have enabled humans to colonize worlds previously unfit for them. The bulky Charlie-27 and the silicon man Martinex are products of such genetic modification and natives of Earth colonies on Jupiter and Pluto, respectively. They are joined in this first story by Vance Astro and Yondu. Like Buck Rogers, Astro is a twentieth century man who wakes up in the future. Yondu is an aboriginal on the Earth-colonized Centauri IV – an obvious stand-in for a Native American.
Not surprisingly, Yondu is the most problematic character from a twenty-first century perspective. Sporting an elaborate mohawk and carrying a bow and arrow, he is essentially a bad Native American stereotype. In one of this volume’s later stories, a caption even references him – literally – as a “noble savage.” Oddly, Yondu is the only member of the original Guardians to appear in the movie, although fortunately, he was greatly re-imagined there. I digress, however.
These original four Guardians unite to battle the alien Badoon, who have conquered Earth and its various colonies. From here, 1968 readers might have looked forward to more futuristic adventures of the Guardians and their continuing struggle against the Badoon. Such readers would have been disappointed, however, as the Guardians disappeared for the next six years. Presumably, MARVEL SUPER-HEROES #18 wasn’t a big seller, and the Guardians don’t seem to have attracted much notice.
Marvel writer Steve Gerber obviously noticed them, however. In 1974, he had the Guardians team up with Captain America and the Thing in MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE. Then, he brought them to DEFENDERS, where he featured them as guest stars for a multi-issue story. That, in turn, led to the Guardians FINALLY getting their own series at the end of 1975. That series is reprinted in a second volume and does not appear here.
In a sense, then, this volume is largely a preliminary, with the Guardians being guest stars in all but one of the stories. Still, there’s a lot of backstory – including the team’s origin and introduction of Starkhawk – that would be missed if one started with Volume Two. Steve Gerber, who wrote all but one of the stories in this volume, was also the beginning writer on the Guardians’ series, so there’s some definite continuity there.
The stories themselves are enjoyable, but admittedly, there’s a reason why the original Guardians aren’t well remembered. The Guardians team from the movie had more interesting and distinct personalities. With Steve Gerber at the helm, though, you know that you’re in for a pretty good ride, and he does introduce a few good concepts and an interesting mystery in the enigmatic Starhawk character (pictured on the book's cover). I am actually a little eager for Volume Two, because I do want to see where Gerber takes Starhawk, if nothing else.
As for the art, I’m always happy to see Gene Colan’s name, and Colan did draw the initial story. His art seems very Kirbyesque here, and I suspect that that’s deliberate, as Stan Lee famously wanted every artist except Steve Ditko to draw like Kirby. It’s still recognizably Colan, however, with the usual shadows and fluid movements. The other two artists, Sal Buscema and Don Heck, are more workmanlike, and both have their fans and detractors. Personally, I’ve always viewed Heck’s work as mostly “okay,” but I do like Sal Buscema quite a bit. His heroes look heroic, his villains look villainous, and he’s a good storyteller. Unfortunately, he’s inked by the dreaded Vince Colletta in two of the three Sal Buscema issues reprinted here. Colletta was infamous for taking shortcuts, but even so, I’d say that Sal’s work shines through.
This was a fun read but hardly essential and maybe not worth the $25.00 cover price. I’m glad I read it, however, as it satisfied my curiosity and filled a gap in my Marvel history knowledge. I’m also looking forward to Volume Two, to see what Steve Gerber ultimately did with these characters.
The book begins with the original Guardians’ premiere story in MARVEL SUPER-HEROES #18, originally published in 1968. MARVEL SUPER-HEROES was a short-lived title that for a brief time featured “try outs” for possible new series (In this, it was similar to DC’s SHOWCASE, where several DC Silver Age heroes debuted.). Writer Arnold Drake and artist Gene Colan take us to the early thirty-first century, where genetic modifications have enabled humans to colonize worlds previously unfit for them. The bulky Charlie-27 and the silicon man Martinex are products of such genetic modification and natives of Earth colonies on Jupiter and Pluto, respectively. They are joined in this first story by Vance Astro and Yondu. Like Buck Rogers, Astro is a twentieth century man who wakes up in the future. Yondu is an aboriginal on the Earth-colonized Centauri IV – an obvious stand-in for a Native American.
Not surprisingly, Yondu is the most problematic character from a twenty-first century perspective. Sporting an elaborate mohawk and carrying a bow and arrow, he is essentially a bad Native American stereotype. In one of this volume’s later stories, a caption even references him – literally – as a “noble savage.” Oddly, Yondu is the only member of the original Guardians to appear in the movie, although fortunately, he was greatly re-imagined there. I digress, however.
These original four Guardians unite to battle the alien Badoon, who have conquered Earth and its various colonies. From here, 1968 readers might have looked forward to more futuristic adventures of the Guardians and their continuing struggle against the Badoon. Such readers would have been disappointed, however, as the Guardians disappeared for the next six years. Presumably, MARVEL SUPER-HEROES #18 wasn’t a big seller, and the Guardians don’t seem to have attracted much notice.
Marvel writer Steve Gerber obviously noticed them, however. In 1974, he had the Guardians team up with Captain America and the Thing in MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE. Then, he brought them to DEFENDERS, where he featured them as guest stars for a multi-issue story. That, in turn, led to the Guardians FINALLY getting their own series at the end of 1975. That series is reprinted in a second volume and does not appear here.
In a sense, then, this volume is largely a preliminary, with the Guardians being guest stars in all but one of the stories. Still, there’s a lot of backstory – including the team’s origin and introduction of Starkhawk – that would be missed if one started with Volume Two. Steve Gerber, who wrote all but one of the stories in this volume, was also the beginning writer on the Guardians’ series, so there’s some definite continuity there.
The stories themselves are enjoyable, but admittedly, there’s a reason why the original Guardians aren’t well remembered. The Guardians team from the movie had more interesting and distinct personalities. With Steve Gerber at the helm, though, you know that you’re in for a pretty good ride, and he does introduce a few good concepts and an interesting mystery in the enigmatic Starhawk character (pictured on the book's cover). I am actually a little eager for Volume Two, because I do want to see where Gerber takes Starhawk, if nothing else.
As for the art, I’m always happy to see Gene Colan’s name, and Colan did draw the initial story. His art seems very Kirbyesque here, and I suspect that that’s deliberate, as Stan Lee famously wanted every artist except Steve Ditko to draw like Kirby. It’s still recognizably Colan, however, with the usual shadows and fluid movements. The other two artists, Sal Buscema and Don Heck, are more workmanlike, and both have their fans and detractors. Personally, I’ve always viewed Heck’s work as mostly “okay,” but I do like Sal Buscema quite a bit. His heroes look heroic, his villains look villainous, and he’s a good storyteller. Unfortunately, he’s inked by the dreaded Vince Colletta in two of the three Sal Buscema issues reprinted here. Colletta was infamous for taking shortcuts, but even so, I’d say that Sal’s work shines through.
This was a fun read but hardly essential and maybe not worth the $25.00 cover price. I’m glad I read it, however, as it satisfied my curiosity and filled a gap in my Marvel history knowledge. I’m also looking forward to Volume Two, to see what Steve Gerber ultimately did with these characters.
January 13, 2014
Much like the Thing/Liberty Legion hardcover, this book falls under the category of "Reprints I Never Expected to See". I'm glad it happened, but I never would've thought that Marvel would reprint these errant adventures of the original Guardians of the Galaxy. Old school fans know them, but I think many fans of the newer time might get a little confused.
The book features the very first GOTG story from Marvel Super-Heroes #18, by the adept team of Arnold Drake and Gene Colan. It reprints the group's next appearances chronologically, from two issues of Marvel Two-in-One and a slew of Defenders stories.
Drake and Colan's is the standout of the volume, of course, though Don Heck and Sal Buscema provide some very servicable artwork for the other issues, with Steve Gerber providing the scripting. The stories are good, standard seventies sci-fi/super-hero fare, and a very fun read.
Most of the tales involve time travel of some sort, to varying degrees of success, so expect a bit of hokeyness at times. It happens ... ignore it and have a good time reading these stories on a rainy afternoon!
The book features the very first GOTG story from Marvel Super-Heroes #18, by the adept team of Arnold Drake and Gene Colan. It reprints the group's next appearances chronologically, from two issues of Marvel Two-in-One and a slew of Defenders stories.
Drake and Colan's is the standout of the volume, of course, though Don Heck and Sal Buscema provide some very servicable artwork for the other issues, with Steve Gerber providing the scripting. The stories are good, standard seventies sci-fi/super-hero fare, and a very fun read.
Most of the tales involve time travel of some sort, to varying degrees of success, so expect a bit of hokeyness at times. It happens ... ignore it and have a good time reading these stories on a rainy afternoon!
July 22, 2010
Great collection of stories about the Guardians.
This hero team is made up of various genetically altered, last survivors of colonies from across our solar system.
When the alien Badoon attack and conquer the solar system, these survivors band together as a rebel force to free Earth and it's surviving colonies.
At first the Guardians did not have their own comics, so would guest star in other comic books and various marvel heroes would time travel to the future and help with the good fight.
This lead to some uneven story telling, as the story of the fight to free earth was stretched out and told by several writers piece by piece.
In the 70's, marvel did this with several characters, sneaking them into various series in the hopes that they would get popular enough for their own title.
The Guardians of the Galaxy is a nice mix of sci-fi and super heroes.
This hero team is made up of various genetically altered, last survivors of colonies from across our solar system.
When the alien Badoon attack and conquer the solar system, these survivors band together as a rebel force to free Earth and it's surviving colonies.
At first the Guardians did not have their own comics, so would guest star in other comic books and various marvel heroes would time travel to the future and help with the good fight.
This lead to some uneven story telling, as the story of the fight to free earth was stretched out and told by several writers piece by piece.
In the 70's, marvel did this with several characters, sneaking them into various series in the hopes that they would get popular enough for their own title.
The Guardians of the Galaxy is a nice mix of sci-fi and super heroes.
January 20, 2014
Cool introduction to the original Guardians of the Galaxy. I thought that the original story had a lot to offer and would have been like a 12 issue mini series today but back in 1968 it was confined to one issue.
I love that Steve Gerber never forgot about them and resurrected them in the '780's in Marvel Two in One with the Thing and Captain America and in the Defenders. The latter story lead into their short run in Marvel Presents. The characters were some of my favorites when I was in Jr. High. This brought back fond memories.
I love that Steve Gerber never forgot about them and resurrected them in the '780's in Marvel Two in One with the Thing and Captain America and in the Defenders. The latter story lead into their short run in Marvel Presents. The characters were some of my favorites when I was in Jr. High. This brought back fond memories.
May 30, 2009
Amidst the sub-par DEFENDER work, in which the Guardians appeared most early on, lurks a great sci-fi epic that was just waiting for its own title. The concepts are groundbreaking for mainstream comics, but the execution is hampered by sub-standard art (even Gene Colan, which Mickey Demeo inked in a way that makes me think he did it with his brush in his ear and with one eye closed) and an unsteady editorial hand. The later Guardians stuff is much better.
August 22, 2011
Great classic cosmic heroes ... and a fun read to boot, especially the Gerber stuff.
Want to Read
September 14, 2015Tomo de la colección Marvel Gold que recopila las apariciones de la primera formación de Los Guardianes de la Galaxia.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews