Written by Robert Kirkman and Benito Cereno
Illustrated by Ransom GettyAs the Viltrumite War rages on within the pages of INVINCIBLE, the Guardians of the Globe are the last line of defense on Earth. New York is under siege, and the Guardians are called in. El Chupacabra is brought along on his first mission, but he’s hiding a dark secret that could tear the team apart! Featuring a special guest-appearance by The Astounding Wolf-Man!
The latest chapter of Robert Kirkman’s long-awaited Guardians of the Globe mini-series has finally arrived, bringing a familiar face to fans of the Kirkman-verse to the book and continuing the revolution of the GOTG. How did it stack up? Clickity click to find out!
Who knew Bulletproof was a photographer? I sure didn’t. Yet the issue opens with the gallery opening of the long time Invincible ancillary character’s new photography series. As the various members of the GOTG absorb the work, we’re given some great character moments from the bunch (as usually, Shapesmith steals the show though.) We’re then given two immensely brief scenes revealing a painful bit of longing on the part of Yeti and a glimpse into Cecil’s continuing plans for the team before jumping to the main bulk of the issue’s action. As the cover indicates, this issue features the triumphant return of the Astounding Wolf-Man and his Wolf-Corps. As a matter of fact, the scene picks up mere hours after the end of Astounding Wolf-Man’s series finale, with the wolves being thoroughly trounced by the monstrous Gorgg. Thanks to some quick thinking on the part of new team member Outrun (pun well intended), Gorgg is dispatched and stone henge is relocated to upstate New York. All in a days work for the Guardians of the Globe, right? Right. Of course, The Guardians are not the only ones fleshing out their ranks, as the plans of the villainous Order continue to come together in between scenes as they have over the first two issues as well.
On the art side of things, I have to admit I was a little disappointed by Ransom Getty this issue, but I think there is a very simple, two word bit of reasoning for that: Ryan Ottley. Due to the immense delays on this title combined with the somewhat timely release of Invincible, we’ve been given a few issues of Invincible since the last issue of this book landed (including the monumental Issue #75), so in comparison Getty’s lines just seem less crisp, his proportions less defined and his facial expressions MUCH less realistic, and it definitely earns the issue negative marks overall.
Delays are nothing new when it comes to books penned by Robert Kirkman, and it seems even with Benito Cereno’s helping hand was not enough to save this book from delay-ville. That said, the fact that his issue definitely spoiled the end of Wolf-Man could have been the reason behind the delay. If the book manages to get back on track now, it’s highly likely that I’d like it even more than I already do. At this point in comics culture, Kirkman’s name equates to an automatic buy for most people, especially when its obvious he’s having as much writing this book as I have reading it…and I’m definitely on board for the full court press.
Final Verdict: 9.0 – Buy
