Posted in: Comics, Marvel Comics, Review | Tagged: angela, asgardians of the galaxy, avengers, destroyer, fantasy, guardians of the galaxy, infinity wars, Nebula, sci-fi, skurge the executioner, superheroes, thor, throg, Thunderstrike, valkyrie

Asgardians of the Galaxy #1 Advance Review: Shallow, Fun Action

Angela is accompanied by the Destroyer armor when she recruits Annabelle Riggs, the current host to the spirit of Brunnhilde the Valkyrie. Angela has a mission for both women. The Asgardians of the Galaxy are Angela, Valkyrie/Anabelle Riggs, the Destroyer, Thunderstrike, Throg, and Skurge the Executioner. They go to the Planet of Temples and are opposed by the Chitauri, trolls, and numerous other races. Their goal is to track down and stop Nebula, the daughter of Thanos.

Asgardians of the Galaxy is a fun idea. It takes numerous Asgard-affiliated characters and unites them under one banner. The first issue is action packed, and we get to see the team face down hordes of aliens.

Unfortunately, "fun idea" is about all this comic has going for it. That's all it really has going on for it. There is some decent banter here and there, and Skurge and Throg all but steal the show. Skurge is a bit more jovial than he once was, and Throg is a frog but also Thor — and that's kind of amazing.

It all feels a little slap-dash, and an idea like this needs to be better established and justified. It may do so in the issues to come, but this first installment starts with most of the team assembled.

Also, the comic is told in a nonlinear order for no reason. We jump to the middle of the fight on the Planet of Temples immediately after Angela recruits Annabelle. Then, once the fight is almost over, we jump back to their arrival on the planet. There's no reason for doing this and only comes off like the comic isn't confident in keeping the reader hooked unless it jumps straight into a battle.

The pilot of the Destroyer armor is revealed already, and that was a treat.

Matteo Lolli's artwork is good and an overall boon to the comic. There is a nice balance of detailing and cartoonish exaggeration. Skurge is drawn to strongly resemble Karl Urban from Thor: Ragnarok, and that's a bit entertaining. Nebula has fully morphed into the Karen Gillan version from the Guardians of the Galaxy films. The fight scenes look nice and show off the powers well. Federico Blee keeps things bright and colorful too.

Asgardians of the Galaxy #1 is a bit of fun, but it's depressingly shallow. The interplay between characters doesn't hook the reader, the story is pushed out with little explanation, and the art is the only strong aspect of the comic. I can't say to not buy this one, but I can't strongly recommend it either. If you just want to see a bunch of Asgardians come together and kick ass, then you'll likely get some enjoyment out of this one. It you want anything more substantial, then I can't suggest this one.

Enjoyed this? Please share on social media!

Stay up-to-date and support the site by following Bleeding Cool on Google News today!