Not so New Comic Review: Guardians of the Galaxy (1991) #58

                Last issue ended with the arrival of the High Evolutionary.  This issue starts with Talon attacking the High Evolutionary (of course).  This does not go over well as The High Evolutionary is well equipped to deflect any attack.  When the rest of the Guardians fail to heed the pleas of Ripjak to actually think for a second and stop just attacking without a clear reason, Yellowjacket (the only member of the team that knows who the High Evolutionary is because of her time spent in the present day where he was more of a fixture) stops them herself.  She then explains to them who he is and why he should be trusted. 

                At that point The High Evolutionary and Ripjak decide that Vance is the only one that can help them take on Bubonicus because there is no more room in Ripjak’s ship for the whole team (his ship has superior technology but no extra seats so they are going to use that).  Talon gets all butt-hurt about not being allowed to go but the rest of the team supports their leader.  It is then revealed that because of Vance’s bodysuit that he will be impervious to the disease that Bubonicus uses as a weapon.  To fight him, Vance and Ripjak need to team up!  The rest of the Guardians, despite now knowing that Ripjak is not the enemy, still don’t understand why Vance would work with him. 

                Now, on a distant planet, Bubonicus is striking again.  However, he is taken by surprise as Vance is among the populace (though the rest of the people are dying, so I guess they were just the bait?).  Ripjak, meanwhile is in his ship and shoots at Bubonicus to disorient him before jumping down to engage him face to face.  Ripjak and Vance fight Bubonicus until an explosion shows that both Bubonicus and Ripjak have disappeared, leaving Vance alone.  The High Evolutionary has saved the citizens of the planet at least, but that is it.  There is no actual conclusion to this storyline.  Bubonicus and Ripjak are out there…somewhere.

                Back on the ship, Vance comes to find out that while he was out there saving lives, the rest of the Guardians have decided that they’ve had enough of being a team and are all taking a sabbatical.  Aleta has decided to stay behind with Vance to rekindle their relationship, but everyone else has left to do their own thing for the time being. 

                As we finish up this issue, we focus on Starhawk who comes across a beaten and broken Silver Surfer floating through space. 

                Next Issue:  Who did this to the Surfer, and is this the end of the lover’s quarrels between Vance and Talon?