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Guardians of the Galaxy (2019) #1-2
Guardians of the Galaxy by Donny Cates Omnibus
Donny Cates' complete Guardians saga in one stellar volume! Hundreds of worlds are at war. More than ever, the galaxy needs the Guardians - but in the aftermath of the Infinity Wars, who is left to answer the call? Thanos is dead, but the search for his successor has just begun. Who will it be? And who are the Dark Guardians? Cosmic chaos commences when the new Guardians take on Thanos' Black Order - but could the Mad Titan be fighting his way back from the grave?! The Universal Church of Truth returns at the worst possible time - because Rocket Raccoon is dying! He's still got some fight left in him, but his allies are few and the odds are slim. Can Rocket hold on long enough to make a difference? Collecting GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY (2019) #1-12 and GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY ANNUAL (2019) #1.
328 pages, Paperback
First published January 19, 2021
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135 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 25, 2022
Cates' tongue-in-cheek style meshes well with the Guardians, and the cosmic derring do was quite entertaining. I particularly enjoyed the short vignette featuring Adam Warlock.
May 6, 2023
Although there have been around for decades, largely through the comics, the Guardians of the Galaxy got the mainstream attention from the James Gunn-directed movies. They may have acknowledged the influence of certain runs like the Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning run, Gunn put so much of his personality into these big-budgeted sci-fi blockbusters, they ended up influencing subsequent media from the comics to the 2021 video game.
However, when you look at what Donny Cates was doing during his Guardians run, he was looking back at when Jim Starlin was doing during his golden years at Marvel. Although Starlin didn’t specifically write Guardians of the Galaxy, he contributed so much to the cosmic side of the Marvel universe that would make its way to the MCU, such as his co-creation of Thanos. Speaking of the Mad Titan, it’s perhaps worth reading the miniseries Infinity Wars by Gerry Duggan and Mike Deodato Jr, which not only kills off Thanos, but sets up the story he’s telling in his run.
Thanos may be no more, but there is the threat of a successor as the Mad Titan’s brother, Eros, has formed his own band of Guardians to take down the most likely candidates, starting with Thanos’ adopted daughter, Gamora. As for Peter Quill/Star-Lord, left in a depressed state whilst Groot looks after him, gets roped in this whole ordeal, and along with new players and returning faces, the actual Guardians of the Galaxy are back in action.
When you look at the front cover, there are a lot of characters and that’s barely half the players that are present throughout these twelve issues (and the annual). Not only the aforementioned Infinity Wars, but you might have to read the rest of Cates’ other cosmic titles that feel like one massive narrative, split off in multiple character arcs, such as Thanos and Cosmic Ghost Rider. However, the first issue opens with a massive action sequence where the huge roster gets split off – some of which went off onto their own series like Silver Surfer Black – and so it becomes a case of who is fighting who, and who are we supposed to root for.
What could’ve been one massive slugfest – of which artist Geoff Shaw illustrates some striking imagery – there are the tiny character moments that anchor all the whole thing, such as the romance between Moondragon and Phyla-Vell, or the trauma that Star-Lord went through after being betrayed and stabbed by his former lover, Gamora. Cates does not negate the concept of the Guardians being a band of misfits, each with their own flaws and even though they may squabble with one another, there is a sense of togetherness, though readers might be surprised by Groot speaking in plain English, instead of just “I am Groot”.
Right in the middle of the run, is the annual issue, where we see what happened to the heroes that sucked into the abyss from the first issue. With Cates, along with other writers and artists, each of which tell their own little narrative about what has happened to these characters, whilst setting the next big story arc. When the Guardians receive a message from Peter’s father, J’son of Spartax, they cut their vacation short and investigate his whereabouts, leading to familiar faces, including the adversarial Universal Church of Truth and the dying Rocket Racoon.
Like Geoff Shaw, Cory Smith can deliver the cosmic spectacle with a touch of Donny Cates’ manic sensibilities, not least with Rocket piloting a Gundam-like mecha suit. Considering the bad-ass if comical appearance of a gun-wielding anthropomorphic racoon, there has always been a tragic edge to Rocket and this comic acknowledges this and even though he doesn’t appear for most of the run, he shines and certainly cements the theme of family among the Guardians.
Whilst his run is too ambitious with the number of characters he throws in every issue, Donny Cates’ Guardians of the Galaxy is a terrific series that is partly the writer’s cosmic saga at Marvel.
However, when you look at what Donny Cates was doing during his Guardians run, he was looking back at when Jim Starlin was doing during his golden years at Marvel. Although Starlin didn’t specifically write Guardians of the Galaxy, he contributed so much to the cosmic side of the Marvel universe that would make its way to the MCU, such as his co-creation of Thanos. Speaking of the Mad Titan, it’s perhaps worth reading the miniseries Infinity Wars by Gerry Duggan and Mike Deodato Jr, which not only kills off Thanos, but sets up the story he’s telling in his run.
Thanos may be no more, but there is the threat of a successor as the Mad Titan’s brother, Eros, has formed his own band of Guardians to take down the most likely candidates, starting with Thanos’ adopted daughter, Gamora. As for Peter Quill/Star-Lord, left in a depressed state whilst Groot looks after him, gets roped in this whole ordeal, and along with new players and returning faces, the actual Guardians of the Galaxy are back in action.
When you look at the front cover, there are a lot of characters and that’s barely half the players that are present throughout these twelve issues (and the annual). Not only the aforementioned Infinity Wars, but you might have to read the rest of Cates’ other cosmic titles that feel like one massive narrative, split off in multiple character arcs, such as Thanos and Cosmic Ghost Rider. However, the first issue opens with a massive action sequence where the huge roster gets split off – some of which went off onto their own series like Silver Surfer Black – and so it becomes a case of who is fighting who, and who are we supposed to root for.
What could’ve been one massive slugfest – of which artist Geoff Shaw illustrates some striking imagery – there are the tiny character moments that anchor all the whole thing, such as the romance between Moondragon and Phyla-Vell, or the trauma that Star-Lord went through after being betrayed and stabbed by his former lover, Gamora. Cates does not negate the concept of the Guardians being a band of misfits, each with their own flaws and even though they may squabble with one another, there is a sense of togetherness, though readers might be surprised by Groot speaking in plain English, instead of just “I am Groot”.
Right in the middle of the run, is the annual issue, where we see what happened to the heroes that sucked into the abyss from the first issue. With Cates, along with other writers and artists, each of which tell their own little narrative about what has happened to these characters, whilst setting the next big story arc. When the Guardians receive a message from Peter’s father, J’son of Spartax, they cut their vacation short and investigate his whereabouts, leading to familiar faces, including the adversarial Universal Church of Truth and the dying Rocket Racoon.
Like Geoff Shaw, Cory Smith can deliver the cosmic spectacle with a touch of Donny Cates’ manic sensibilities, not least with Rocket piloting a Gundam-like mecha suit. Considering the bad-ass if comical appearance of a gun-wielding anthropomorphic racoon, there has always been a tragic edge to Rocket and this comic acknowledges this and even though he doesn’t appear for most of the run, he shines and certainly cements the theme of family among the Guardians.
Whilst his run is too ambitious with the number of characters he throws in every issue, Donny Cates’ Guardians of the Galaxy is a terrific series that is partly the writer’s cosmic saga at Marvel.
March 1, 2021
Je to vlastně druhé čtení, protože na poprvé jsem to četl v sešitech hned jak to vyšlo, což bylo fajn čtení, ale docela mě sralo, že jsem na to vždycky musel čekat až vyjde další sešit.
Co se týká celého OHC, jsou GotG od Catese vynikající marvelovské kosmické čtení, které mě na podruhé ještě více baví než když jsem to četl poprvé. Skvělé napsané postavy (Groot), příjemná kresba a taky jsem byl překvapený kolik všelijakých postav dostalo prostor a ani mi nepřipadlo, že jsou tam jen do počtu.
Co se týká celého OHC, jsou GotG od Catese vynikající marvelovské kosmické čtení, které mě na podruhé ještě více baví než když jsem to četl poprvé. Skvělé napsané postavy (Groot), příjemná kresba a taky jsem byl překvapený kolik všelijakých postav dostalo prostor a ani mi nepřipadlo, že jsou tam jen do počtu.
March 13, 2021
The Final Gauntlet (#1-6). The resurrection of Thanos is a fine plot for the first arc of the new Guardians. We also get a lot of fun action with a lot of interesting cosmic heroes, including a couple of shocking twists. The only downside is that it doesn't really feel like the Guardians. Still, it's good Cosmic Marvel fun [4/5].
Faithless (Annual, #7-12). The fight against a future Church of Faith doesn't have the depth of Cates' previous story, in large part because it's a big mind-controlled fight, and those rarely turn out great. Still, it's got some great plot development for Gamora and Rocket and a fun twist at the end. [3+/5]
Overall, Cates' short run was enjoyable if a little too made-for-the-movies.
Faithless (Annual, #7-12). The fight against a future Church of Faith doesn't have the depth of Cates' previous story, in large part because it's a big mind-controlled fight, and those rarely turn out great. Still, it's got some great plot development for Gamora and Rocket and a fun twist at the end. [3+/5]
Overall, Cates' short run was enjoyable if a little too made-for-the-movies.
September 1, 2021
Nevím jak to pacholek Cates dělá, že mě prakticky po každý strašně baví. Zase a znova je to to samé: vesmírná rubačka, epochální scény, super hlášky, příjemný ansábl postav. Zamíchejte, přidejte Catese a vařte na 200° než z toho vystřelí trhák.
Super kresba, super dvě knížky (škoda, že nebylo víc), s Cosmic Ghost Riderem asi nejvíc užitý Cates, hodí se si načíst předchozí Donnyho Marvel dílo, začíná se dost na sebe odkazovat.
Super kresba, super dvě knížky (škoda, že nebylo víc), s Cosmic Ghost Riderem asi nejvíc užitý Cates, hodí se si načíst předchozí Donnyho Marvel dílo, začíná se dost na sebe odkazovat.
February 1, 2021
Great collection of cosmic comics.
The first arc is stunningly composed by Geoff Shaw. It builds from one action set piece to the next. I loved the new Guardians team and how they come to be is such a fun moment.
The second arc is drawn by Corey Smith whom I'm unfamiliar with but does a excellent job rendering the cosmic side of the Marvel universe.
The stories here are great but I feel like Cates spends a good bit of time putting the classic team back together instead of telling the story of the new team. I understand bringing the classic team together but I can't help but just wish this new team got to breath more.
Few things I loved about this book.
-Punk Rock Groot
-Rocket getting me emotional
-Beta Ray Bill just in general
-Geoff Shaw' pencils
-the nods to Abnet and Lanning
-the range of characters
-the ending
-Cosmic Ghost Rider
Overall it's not Cates most epic book to date. Seems like he was serving the editors and with a little more freedom his run could have been much better. Still a great read that had me craving the next issue.
The first arc is stunningly composed by Geoff Shaw. It builds from one action set piece to the next. I loved the new Guardians team and how they come to be is such a fun moment.
The second arc is drawn by Corey Smith whom I'm unfamiliar with but does a excellent job rendering the cosmic side of the Marvel universe.
The stories here are great but I feel like Cates spends a good bit of time putting the classic team back together instead of telling the story of the new team. I understand bringing the classic team together but I can't help but just wish this new team got to breath more.
Few things I loved about this book.
-Punk Rock Groot
-Rocket getting me emotional
-Beta Ray Bill just in general
-Geoff Shaw' pencils
-the nods to Abnet and Lanning
-the range of characters
-the ending
-Cosmic Ghost Rider
Overall it's not Cates most epic book to date. Seems like he was serving the editors and with a little more freedom his run could have been much better. Still a great read that had me craving the next issue.
February 18, 2021
Thanos is dead! The aftermath of Infinity Wars is very much on display here and Guardians from all over the Galaxy are gathered to hear Thanos’ last will and testament. What has the mad Titan done and just what impact will it have it have on those left behind?
What I liked -
The initial set up is great! Even in death Thanos is out to wreak havoc. Hela cropping up with the Black Order is fun and her long term plan is great and in keeping with Thanos’ whole death loving mantra.
The potential team ups in the book are good, if a little disjointed.
What I disliked -
You really need to have read what comes before this run. Many major character changes/ plot points were set up in other titles by Cates so if you haven’t read them all then aspects will be lost. I do like when authors honour readers of all their work but not to the overall quality of new readers.
Favourite panel/ moment -
The last panel with Rocket and the OG team is a heartfelt touch.
3/5.
What I liked -
The initial set up is great! Even in death Thanos is out to wreak havoc. Hela cropping up with the Black Order is fun and her long term plan is great and in keeping with Thanos’ whole death loving mantra.
The potential team ups in the book are good, if a little disjointed.
What I disliked -
You really need to have read what comes before this run. Many major character changes/ plot points were set up in other titles by Cates so if you haven’t read them all then aspects will be lost. I do like when authors honour readers of all their work but not to the overall quality of new readers.
Favourite panel/ moment -
The last panel with Rocket and the OG team is a heartfelt touch.
3/5.
December 14, 2021
All of this.. perfection in a mini-omnibus format and made me fall back in love with Rocket and Groot.
September 19, 2023
Guardians of The Galaxy by Donny Cates.
This is a fun run. Cates is not among my favorite writers, but he is good with action, and the Guardians really suits his work. This is a wild big team here with lots of things going one but he does it fairly well. The artwork is great aswell. The only gripe i have is thats it very heavily mixed with other books, never to much a fan of those, but it happens more and more. Long story short, really not a bad run, i had some good fun !
This is a fun run. Cates is not among my favorite writers, but he is good with action, and the Guardians really suits his work. This is a wild big team here with lots of things going one but he does it fairly well. The artwork is great aswell. The only gripe i have is thats it very heavily mixed with other books, never to much a fan of those, but it happens more and more. Long story short, really not a bad run, i had some good fun !
February 1, 2024
Very good! There were maybe 30-35 pages in the two thirds of it that were awkward and didn’t work well as a whole with the story but if not, it was an interesting Guardians of the Galaxy story, with a lot of amazing characters, a strong story and good arts. Totally worth reading!
January 3, 2022
Two...two...two story arcs in one.
This collection isn't the best GotG run to read. It basically has to resolve the end of Infinity Wars (2018) and tie up all the loose ends. Two members are from an alternate earth. Luckily, their current 616 counterparts are dead. Shouldn't be too hard to mention their history once and move on.
Cosmic stories are always fun in Marvel comics and this one has some high spots and call backs that will bring a smile to your face. Magus. Universal Church of Truth. Drax's old skullcap outfit. Other parts of this collection seem to be random cosmic characters that get to be shoehorned into yet another space opera. How many Quasars does the 616 have?! Oh, and the Nova Corps gets spanked AGAIN. How many times does this GL wannabe spacecop core have to have their asses handed to them?! I swear, they should be down to just office admins now.
Bonus: break off a piece of 'punk rock' Groot and they call themselves 'STAB!'
This collection isn't the best GotG run to read. It basically has to resolve the end of Infinity Wars (2018) and tie up all the loose ends. Two members are from an alternate earth. Luckily, their current 616 counterparts are dead. Shouldn't be too hard to mention their history once and move on.
Cosmic stories are always fun in Marvel comics and this one has some high spots and call backs that will bring a smile to your face. Magus. Universal Church of Truth. Drax's old skullcap outfit. Other parts of this collection seem to be random cosmic characters that get to be shoehorned into yet another space opera. How many Quasars does the 616 have?! Oh, and the Nova Corps gets spanked AGAIN. How many times does this GL wannabe spacecop core have to have their asses handed to them?! I swear, they should be down to just office admins now.
Bonus: break off a piece of 'punk rock' Groot and they call themselves 'STAB!'
September 15, 2025
Guardians of the Galaxy is always a fun time.
This book though is very much part of a series by Donny Cates. You'd get the most out of this book reading what comes before.
It's basically split up into two arcs. Starting with a fractured Guardians team turning into a new look team, they team up with a bunch of other cosmic characters in a pretty large scale crossover.
It gets a bit dark at times but there's still traces of that Guardians humour we've come to know and love.
It's gripping and pretty fast paced with plenty of action and the ending leaves me wanting more.
This book though is very much part of a series by Donny Cates. You'd get the most out of this book reading what comes before.
It's basically split up into two arcs. Starting with a fractured Guardians team turning into a new look team, they team up with a bunch of other cosmic characters in a pretty large scale crossover.
It gets a bit dark at times but there's still traces of that Guardians humour we've come to know and love.
It's gripping and pretty fast paced with plenty of action and the ending leaves me wanting more.
June 30, 2025
I liked this. a gathering for thanos's will reading. black order steal the body tonresurrect. they need gamora to make that happen.
there's a wormhole that sucks in silver surfer leading to SSBlack story. this could have been a new golden age of cosmic marvel with cates at the helm.
Shaw does the first half and that's strong art. second artist isn't as good to me but still not bad. this was a fun romp with a lot of the cosmic characters I've come to know and like from annihilation and on.
there's a wormhole that sucks in silver surfer leading to SSBlack story. this could have been a new golden age of cosmic marvel with cates at the helm.
Shaw does the first half and that's strong art. second artist isn't as good to me but still not bad. this was a fun romp with a lot of the cosmic characters I've come to know and like from annihilation and on.
July 29, 2023
Note that half of this volume overlaps with Cosmic Ghost Rider. What begins with the news of Thanos’s death evolves into a conspiratorial thriller about the power of legacies that reframes the cosmic status quo for the Marvel universe and sets up an exploration of religious hegemony. All of this is combined with a Guardians team that feels right at home in a post-James Gunn depiction of the team.
March 28, 2023
This was different. I enjoyed it more than I thought. I usually go with the Spider-Man comics, but I decided to go with this one to prepare for the new movie. I'm so excited that Adam Warlock is finally going to be introduced. It's sad that Drax might die, but we'll see.
June 2, 2025
If you want a great Guardians of the Galaxy story you’ve come to the right place.
You’ve got two pretty strong (mildly flawed) stories with lots of great cameos and bits from other cosmic heroes.
I enjoyed every moment of it.
9/10
You’ve got two pretty strong (mildly flawed) stories with lots of great cameos and bits from other cosmic heroes.
I enjoyed every moment of it.
9/10
February 7, 2021
Thanos’s, not Thanos’, but this was pretty great otherwise.
May 11, 2023
I have a huge soft spot for the Guardians and particularly Rocket, so I loved this!
Read
May 14, 2024Creo que me hubiese gustado más si hubiera leído todo lo anterior de Donny Cates o si estuviera mas puesto en el marvel cósmico
December 29, 2024
Was great except the Adam warlock story
June 30, 2025
3.5 stars in reality. Fun read!
August 25, 2025
The first half was significantly better plot-wise than the second half, but the second half had so much heart good lord.
June 30, 2023
My first read of a complete G.o.t.G. run (the so called volume 5) and i liked it. When its good (the non action talking scenes involving Quill) its easy a four star read. Even when the team we know from the movies is shattered at the start of this is still a good and fun read. The two arcs (resurrection of Thanos & The future universal church of truth) are good especially the first one. The thing i really didnt like about this omnibus was the inclusion of the 'annual' wich was is a collection of stories about non G.o.t.G. characters written by someone else then Donny Cates. This took down my rating to somewhere between 3 and 3,5 stars.
I well definitely read more of this characters.
I well definitely read more of this characters.
February 18, 2024
Less epic than other comics by Cates, but still a decent read. The second arc featuring the return of the Universal Church of Truth did give me some good old Abnett and Lanning Guardians vibes.
April 1, 2022
Frankly dull very little action and feels like a contrivance to bring back the movie characters.
April 29, 2023
Super fun run. I wish it was longer. Love Donny’s cosmic stuff.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews