Heather Douglas might be one of the Marvel Universe’s most interesting Z-list characters. It’s great news for her that Guardians of the Galaxy #5 shines the spotlight directly on her.
As the Guardians still mourn, the creative team tackles one of the main outstanding plots from the past while tackling a profile of two characters who are actually the same character. It’s a confusing set up that’s executed extremely well by Al Ewing, Juann Cabal, Federico Blee, and Cory Petit.
As the Guardians face off with one another, Moondragon faces her perfect, uncorrupted doppelganger. It’s a psychic battle that will affect the entire team and possibly the entire universe. Which Moondragon will be the winner or will there be one at all?!
If this was a straightforward superhero adventure, it would still be a great issue. The adventure side of this issue is great work by Ewing. It has solid action, wonderful dialogue and a fantastic twist to the whole ordeal.
However, when combined with the character study of/battle between the two Moondragons, the issue really sings. It dives deep into Heather Douglas in a way that I don’t I’ve ever read before. It gives deep insight into both versions of the character, to the point that the reader is actually cheering for both.
I’ve enjoyed Cabal’s art for years, but this issue is something else. The superhero fight is entertaining and inventive, but the Moondragon battle is next level. It’s trippy and mind-bending, but it still tells a clear story. The layouts are as much a story as the figures within them. It’s an issue that will be worth going back to over time, just to absorb all the detail and layers within it.
This series continues to be perhaps the best version of the Guardians we’ve gotten. I can’t recommend it enough.
Guardians of the Galaxy #5 is available now from Marvel Comics.
Heather Douglas might be one of the Marvel Universe’s most interesting Z-list characters. It’s great news for her that GuardiansCOMICONRead More