Not So New Comic Review: Guardians of the Galaxy (1991) #24

                 Valentino’s back!  I mean, you didn’t really expect him to be gone for long, did you?  Not only is Valentino back, but he brought friends in the form of the Silver Surfer!  Really, what good space-faring comic is complete without a visit from Norrin Radd and his surfboard?  Well, the surfer left his board at home this time and his picked up the Quantum Bands as he is now the Keeper of the Universe.

                We open on quite the conflict of interest as Aleta, speaking through Starhawk is trying to get Vance to give their relationship a try, even though he would, in essence, be dating a man with a girly voice, and only for part of the time.  In fact, it doesn’t even seem like there is much of a rhyme or reason as to who is present or when.  That could create some awkward pillow-talk for sure.  Starhawk tries to explain to Aleta exactly what is going on and why she shouldn’t be put off by the fact that Vance doesn’t want any part of her (which is so nice considering the fact that it is Starhawk’s fault she’s trapped like that to begin with) to no avail.  In fact, Aleta continues to cause extreme pain to Starhawk at every turn, to remind him that she’s there and she’s pissed. 

                After that little drama-filled escape we head out for some more bonding time!  This time it’s between Yondu and everyone’s favorite pointless character, Talon!  Talon, in an attempt to learn more about Yondu has struck up a conversation where, much like a first date, they ask each other questions.  It’s a way for the readers to learn more about the characters, I get that, but boy is it a painful exchange between these two. 

                Now it’s time for even more drama as Nikki and Charlie chat about their feelings.  Nikki feels unloved because ever since she dumped Charlie she’s been rebuffed by every guy she throws herself at (it’s been enough to be noticeable for sure).  They chat a bit more, Nikki seems to be ready to go back to Charlie, almost out of desperation, but he cuts her off completely.  Denied once again, Nikki cuts her losses and resigns herself to the fact that she and Charlie are just friends.  Whether Valentino is setting up a will they-won’t they relationship thing or what, I’m not sure but it’s a little much to have every member of the group have relationship problems at once. 

                The Comandeers, now relegated to watch duty, sees something streaking across the sky and call the Guardians in to investigate.  Vance recognizes the Silver Surfer, and we get a brief history of the Surfer, including the future of the current Marvel continuity, a brief snippet of a story that has yet to be told.  Now, the Surfer has returned to Earth, and because of the way he left it the last time he was here, the Guardians consider him an enemy, which is why they attack him  when he shows up.  He stops everything with his cosmic power in order to set the record straight, which he does, in a large bit of exposition, explaining not only what the Surfer has been doing the last 1000 years, but also what Galactus was up to, setting up the big 25^th issue.  Basically, the Surfer, Firelord and a different Thor fought Galactus and killed Nova, his herald at the time.  Galactus chose not to take another herald because two of his former ones killed his current one.  Apparently without a herald, Galactus doesn’t eat, which makes for a cranky Galactus.  Galactus is so cranky that he is breaking the vow that he made to Reed Richards waaaaay back in the 50^th issue of Fantastic Four (which is even longer ago to the people in the future) and he’s coming back to Earth…at least that’s what he wants you to think.  Instead he’s really going to the planets in the Alpha Centauri system (Yondu’s galaxy) to feast on the planets there.  Eon shows up and explains this part and the Guardians, along with the Surfer pledge to stop him, setting up an epic, anniversary issue showdown.

                Next Issue: The epic, anniversary issue showdown.