Guardians of the Galaxy (2019) # 4

Cover Art: David Marquez

Published: June 2019
Original Price: $3.99

Title: "The Final Gauntlet, Part 4"
Writer: Donny Cates
Artist: Geoff Shaw
Letterer: VC's Cory Petit
Colorist: Marte Gracia
Senior Editor: Jordan D. White
Editor: Darren Shaw
Assistant Editor: Danny Khazem
Editor-in-Chief: C.B. Cebulski

SYNOPSIS
The Guardians of the Galaxy arrive on Halfworld to locate Gamora, who attacks them before Groot intervenes.  Groot takes Gamora onto their ship, stating that they will come back to deal with Rocket Raccoon another time.  Star Lord locks Gamora's hands in cuffs, not willing to belief that she's a victim in Thanos' game.  Nova runs into the ship, crashing his way inside to warn them that the Dark Guardians are after Gamora, not realizing that Gamora is already with them.  The Dark Guardians force Star Lord's ship to crash back onto Halfworld, and the two teams engage each other in battle.  Nebula attempts to shoot and kill Gamora, but Star Lord jumps in front of the blast, seemingly killing him as the rest of the Guardians of the Galaxy are defeated by the Dark Guardians.

ANNOTATIONS
Podcast Review: Inner Demons Episode 42 - "Power Vacuum" (Click to Listen)

REVIEW
Cosmic Ghost Rider does some stuff in the background of a few panels in this overcrowded issue.

Right about here is where I've lost patience with and interest in this series. I've said in previous reviews that Cates is not doing his best work by juggling so many characters and that opinion is validated completely with this issue. Characters are still showing up with no introductions, no dialogue, and in the case of some of the Dark Guardians not even names. The creators are really taking advantage of the cosmic sandbox, which is admirable, but by doing so are giving the short shrift to some of their "core" cast. Phylla Vell and Moondragon are still ciphers, while Cosmic Ghost Rider is just there as background noise. Instead of bringing in Nova and Nebula and everyone else, why not make the actual main characters useful and interesting?

Geoff Shaw is still producing quality work, and the man can draw the hell out of a big fight scene, but not even that is enough to maintain my flagging interest. The characters may be emoting like mad visually, but the story isn't engaging enough to justify it. He does draw a mean Beta Ray Bill, though.

By this point I'm only reading this comic because of Cosmic Ghost Rider, and his appearance in this issue is making me question even that decision. Its disappointing considering how excited I was for this series going in.

Grade: C-