Guardians of the Galaxy #16 (July 21): Everything goes wrong here. I was skeptical of calling this event yet another "Annihilation," but Ewing really makes this issue hit all the important "Annihilation" notes: despair, hopelessness, terror. In other words, I'm pretty stoked.
Dormammu makes his debut on the galactic stage by sending not only Mindless Ones but Mindless-One asteroids to important planets in each galactic realm: Aerie and Hala (Shi'ar), Spartax (Spartax), and Skrullos (Skrull). Billy and Teddy initially defend Hala, but Kl'rt alerts them that Skrullos is under attack forcing them to split: Billy heads to Skrullos while Teddy stays on Hala. Meanwhile, Teddy instructs Kl'rt to call up Captain Glory, admitting that he was right and they need him.
The best part of this issue is Nova's conversation with Pete. As they stand above the Valley of the Fallen on Arakko, Nova asks if Pete thinks that the mutants' takeover of Mars can last. Pete is optimistic: he notes that the X-Men settling Mars is better than some egomaniacal billionaire doing so and that mysterium has already saved the galactic economy. Pete tells Rich that he knows that he's waiting for the other shoe to drop, and Rich admits that he's trying to be optimistic. Pete puts his hand on his shoulder when Rich admits that he's seen so many new beginnings "wither and die," and Pete wisely encourages him to take it one day at a time.
Of course, their relationship is soon be put to the test. When Moondragon alerts Pete and Rich that Dormammu has unleashed an attack, Nova sees Gamora under attack on the Almond. He uses his Nova powers to get there just in time to save her (and Rocket), and the image of him carrying her makes it abundantly clear that that spark that they once had might have returned.
Moon Knight #1 (July 21): McKay sets the tone for this series right off the bat as we never see (handsome, handsome) Marc Spector: it's Mr. Knight's show.
To that end, Mr. Knight has established the Midnight Mission for "travelers of the night." Marc's first client leads him to a "vampiric self-actualization pyramid scheme cult" and the second one to Vermin(s). You can see how this premise is fertile.
But, McKay goes beyond that when he introduces the Hunter's Moon, Khonshu's left fist. Posing as a doctor at the neighborhood's free clinic, Hunter's Moon believes that Marc has strayed from Khonshu in deciding to help the travelers of the night instead of freeing Khonshu, who apparently tried to take over the world in "Avengers" and whom the Asgardians are currently holding prisoner. To make matters worse, someone hiding in the shadows pledges to break Marc's faith.
Thankfully, Marc has a new therapist who doesn't seem intent on killing him. She notes that MEG and MRI scans clearly show that Khonshu's touch has changed Marc. Combined with Marc's seeming inability to die, she wonders at Marc's true nature, a question that he also can't answer.
New Mutants #20 (July 21): This issue is an improvement over previous issues, as the Lost Club commits to saving Gabby. They do so by sneaking into the Hatchery to steal a husk and Gabby's backup persona so that they can use their synergy powers to resurrect her. I mean, it isn't a great idea. But, along the way, they realize how supportive Gabby had been to all of them, and they realize that they failed her. Again, I'm not sure if the Shadow King is manipulating them and they're just far enough from him to act like themselves or if he isn't manipulating them and they just had a learning moment. Either way, it all goes South when they encounter Rahne, who maybe is doing the same thing?
Meanwhile, Magik and Warpath lead a team to help a community recover after a girl's seismic powers activate and devastate parts of the island. The team initially jumps to the wrong conclusion, that the islanders want to hurt her. But, Warpath realizes that the islanders are worried that the Krakoan mutants are going to take her, and he calms down the situation. It's a great leadership moment for Warpath, and it finally gives the New Mutants something to do. In fact, they take some of the young Krakoan mutants with them to learn how to use their powers in non-combat situations. If rescue and recovery becomes the teams' modus operandi, I think that's a solid decision.
Also Read: Marauders #22 (July 21)
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