L.A.Williams: Really?
Yes, Marvel Studios has had a string of hits with their various Avenger-related flicks, but I thought they were pushing their luck releasing 2014’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” movie. I knew the oft-canceled comic. Most people had never heard of the team.
Well, Marvel’s “luck push” with the team most hadn’t heard of gave them 2014’s highest grossing film. And they just hit the box office jackpot again when “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” opened May 5.
Created in 1969, the “Guardians” have undergone varied mythos and line-ups. In the current comics and the new film sequel, the team’s core is Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel) a walking, lovable tree with a limited vocabulary (although better than that of most trees); Drax (played by Dave Bautista. Think intelligent warrior version of the Incredible Hulk); Gamora (Zoe Saldana), “The deadliest woman in the galaxy”; Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), the team leader; and Rocket Raccoon (voiced by Bradley Cooper.) They each first appeared in comics in 1960, 1973, 1975, 1976 and 1976, respectively.
Andrew Lis: My first exposure to what would become the “Guardians of the Galaxy” was in the 1980s, with the “Rocket Raccoon” miniseries written by Bill Mantlo, with art by Mike Mignola and Al Gordon. This wasn’t a straight “Guardians” series nor even a traditional Marvel comic. Based on a Beatles song, “Rocket Raccoon” was about an anthropomorphic raccoon with a walrus sidekick doing battle using rocket roller skates and laser guns in a corner of the universe. But comics fans in the know would buy anything with Mignola’s name on it. From “Rocket Raccoon” to his work on “Doctor Strange” to his work on “Hellboy,” Mignola had a taste for the interesting and offbeat, and his art was unmistakable. After those four issues, Rocket rarely popped up for years. But there is something compelling about the concept of a cybernetic raccoon with a bad temper and OCD.
This obscure origin speaks volumes about “Guardians of the Galaxy.” The characters that drive this now billion-dollar franchise were all cast-offs, background color for the more interesting, bigger-named characters of the Marvel Universe. Drax was a minor annoyance for the Avengers. Gamora was usually seen hanging out with other brightly colored, minimally clothed heroes and villains. Star-Lord was created, abandoned, briefly resurrected by “X-Men” scribe Chris Claremont, only to be abandoned again when Claremont’s tale seemed to borrow too much from a Robert Heinlein story, which nearly got Marvel sued. And Groot was a 1950s-style tree monster! Take these humble origins, add in ’70s-’80s music, and get what many are saying is the “best Marvel movie” with its sequel the “most anticipated Marvel film, ever.” Incredible!
Williams: “The Avengers” are primarily comprised of highly accomplished, respected, “A-list” heroes. “Guardians” writers could’ve portrayed their team that way too, but wisely admitted what we all knew: They were no one’s first choice—for anything! But since we have all experienced the feeling of being overlooked for something we felt right for (a job, a crush, etc.), the Guardians’ underdog status made them relatable.
Lis: Despite the scale of the film, which bounces from planet to planet and features huge explosions and incredible special effects, the best part of “Guardians Vol. 1” was the characters. Rocket’s temperament. Drax’s literal interpretation of metaphoric sayings. Star-Lord’s obsession with the old-school mix tape from his mom. Gamora’s unpredictable presence. The deep bond between Groot and Rocket. They’re accessible and funny. “Guardians Vol. 1” did an amazing job moving the plot forward using its cast of cast-offs. With no real hierarchy of popularity, director James Gunn was able to spotlight their personalities with an obvious attention to character first. It reminded me of what I love about well-written comics: Every issue may be someone’s first, so a good story must be well-crafted, engaging and character driven, so even if you don’t know everything going on, you appreciate and buy into who’s driving the action. That’s what sells backpacks and comic books, caring about the heroes. Even if they’re “second-rate” compared to the Avengers, the story made me care, made me laugh and made me come back for “Volume 2!” Plus, Groot! Who doesn’t love Groot?
Williams: If comics were high school, the “X-Men” would be the cool kids, the “Justice League” would be an assembly of your yearbook’s superlatives (Smartest, Most Athletic, Fastest, Most Likely to Succeed) and the “Guardians of the Galaxy” would be the unpopular kids who rescue you anyway.
Andrew Lis was in editorial at Marvel Comics before becoming a professional environmentalist.
L.A. Williams is a former comic book editor who runs AquaBabyBooks.com online comic bookstore.
