Synopsis
Guardians of the Galaxy (2013 series) #2 synopsis by
Rob Johnson
Rating:
Last issue Star-Lord Peter Quill was asked to come home by his father King J-son of Spartax, but Peter as usual refused. J-son then told him that a galactic council had ruled Earth (Quill's birth-world) off-limits to the rest of the galaxy. Star-Lord believed this would make Earth an even bigger target for some races, and he led the Guardians there. They helped Iron Man destroy a Badoon warship near Earth. Now fighter craft from that ship are strafing London. And all communications are blocked in that area, so the Guardians can't call for help from, eg the Avengers.
Rocket Racoon has planted the sliver of wood that is all that remains of fellow-Guardian Groot since last issue's battle. He now uses his advanced tech to reboot Shellhead's armour and wake up Tony Stark inside (another casualty of the battle). The Guardians bring him up-to-date. As the 5 active combatants (including Gamora and Drax) head out to tackle a Badoon fighter each, Stark asks why the Badoon are attacking.
To clarify that we go back 6 weeks to a meeting in the Negative Zone that we saw a bit of last issue. King J-son called the meeting to discuss Earth. Last issue I recognised the Kree Supreme Intelligence, Gladiator of the Shi'ar and a Brood queen. Another figure is now identified as young Annihilus, their host in the Neg Zone. 2 silhouetted figures last time turn out to be Y-gaaar (a Badoon) and Freyja the Asgardian All-Mother.
J-son claims that Earth is on the verge of becoming a galactic player. Their plethora of super-beings will make them extra-dangerous. He points out that they have fought off Galactus, which no-one else has, and recently they killed the Phoenix Force. And they seem to have their own personal Watcher. Thanos considers them important, and it is believed that the Infinity Gems are on Earth.
Gladiator suggests Earth should be conquered, but J-son says that their history indicates that wouldn't work. Freyja, whose Nine Realms include the Earth, gets J-son to confirm he is asking for an agreement to destroy Earth. And then she declares Earth under her protection, and leaves.
J-son paraphrases this as 'Earth is off-limits', and makes that an official ruling of the council. With a conspiratorial glance at the Badoon.
During the multi-pronged fight the heroes keep chatting by radio. Iron Man brusquely dismisses the idea of trying to contact Captain Britain. Rocket wonders if they can get a reward for saving the city.
The Racoon sets one Badoon ship to self-destruct and sends it crashing into another, inside which Drax is fighting. Rocket tells him to get our fast, but Drax is injured. Gamora helps him escape the ship, and Iron Man rescues them both from the blast. Drax doesn't seem to appreciate being rescued.
Despite all the ships being destroyed something is still blocking outside communications. And then a bunch of spaceships and troopers from Spartax appear, and arrest the Guardians for breaking the interdiction order.
EnemiesPlus: Gladiator (
Kallark), Jason of Spartax (
J'son).