Cosmic Guard

(Devil’s Due, 2004-2005)
™ and © 2003 Tim Seeley & ™ and © 2003 Eric Larsen

Moments before a galactic civilization faces annihilation by an overwhelming and genocidal armada, its leader sends his legacy across the galaxy to our world, to an unwanted boy on the brink of bringing about the end of his own life.

This beautifully illustrated comic is the latest of Jim Starlin’s cosmic epics. It’s an enjoyable book with a clever idea and with enough promise to bring readers back for the second issue.

Anyone who’s read Starlin’s work before might think, well, that they’ve read this in Starlin’s work before. There’s the invading space army, intent on widespread extermination. There are character designs swiped from just about every work he’s done. And there’s the boy, about to become Starlin’s latest messiah figure. From Warlock to Metamorphosis Odyssey to Dreadstar, all of these elements have been seen before, multiple times. And, after 30 years of Starlin, it might seem fresh to the younger generation, but those of us getting old think many of the concepts are old, as well.

It’s good stuff. It’s just good stuff that’s been done already.

— Jim Johnson

Jump to issue: