DYNAMITE COLLECTS STARLIN'S COSMIC GUARD

[MattBrady]

<img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Dynamite/COSMICGUARDSC1.jpg" width="175" height="265" border="0" align="right"><i>Press Release</i>

<blockquote>Dynamite Entertainment announced today a collected edition for the critically acclaimed Cosmic Guard limited series by legendary (and cosmic) writer and artist Jim Starlin.

The series -- created, written and illustrated by Starlin -- was released in single issue form (6 issues) beginning in 2004, and was completed in 2005.

"[Jim] Starlin is one of the true masters of the comic book," said Dynamite Spokesperson J. Allen. "This collected edition will find a home alongside Starlin's other legendary creation - Dreadstar - in any reader's library. All part of the Jim Starlin library!"

The trade is scheduled to ship in May, and is available for pre-order now from your local comics shop, or directly from Dynamite Entertainment.

JIM STARLIN'S COSMIC GUARD: THE COLLECTED EDITION
$19.95 Suggested Retail Price
http://www.dynamiteentertainment.com/htmlfiles/p-C103317.html

With such past creative credits on high profile as Amazing Spiderman, Avengers, Batman (with the Death of Robin), 'Breed, Captain Marvel, Cosmic Odyssey, Dreadstar, Infinity Abyss, Infinity Crusade, Infinity Gauntlet, Infinity War, Marvel: The End, Thanos, The Amazing Adventures of the Escapist and a list of so many more, creator/writer/artist/visionary Jim Starlin presents the Cosmic Guard!

A young orphan is chosen by a mysterious light from space to become the latest in a long line of cosmic guardians, super-powered defenders who are charged with protecting the galaxy.

Featuring story and art from the legendary Jim Starlin, this trade collection features all 6 issues of Starlin's series, plus a cover gallery, and bonus materials! 144 page trade color collection.

"Nobody does "Cosmic" better than Jim Starlin!"
-- Comics Nexus

For more information on Dynamite Entertainment, including more Army of Darkness and Red Sonja product, please visit the Dynamite Entertainment website at www.dynamiteentertainment.com </blockquote>

[JONAS]

Will there be a Cosmic Guard II??

[stlfan79]

I was angered at this series upon its completion. I was very excited to have a new Starlin ongoing but then at issue six I realized it was a mini. Probably wouldn't have purchased it had I known. I wish I would have paid more attention to the initial solicits.

[delawarejoel]

well, the cover of the trade does say "Part One" -- maybe JS wanted to see the reaction before he committed to something long term.

I liked this series and would like to see it continue. A little more light hearted than some Starlin -- I was sorry when he left Thanos at Marvel cos those first six issues were classic.

[adamcasey]

I'm a big Starlin fan, got hooked on his style with Dreadstar.

The writing was a bit weak comparitavely at first, but then warmed up a few issues in.

I wish this was on going, or at least more prolonged as I felt there were lots of great stories to tell.

[grphxkindaguy]

Originally posted by adamcasey
I'm a big Starlin fan, got hooked on his style with Dreadstar.


I am also, but this book looked like a POS to me. I even read the first few pages for free online, and it further convinced me I should save my money...

hey, they can't ALL be winners!!!

[Captain Jim]

I have it on good authority that this is designed to be a series of minis--which is pretty much the same thing as an ongoing title.

[algertman]

DreadStar is badass

[adamcasey]

Originally posted by grphxkindaguy
hey, they can't ALL be winners!!!

It wobbles a little bit at the beginning. It's funny, I was suggesting people jump on with issue #4 when it got good, too bad it was cut short.

[matic]

I'm a huge Jim Starlin fan... HUGE!!!!
Jim Starlin is my all time favorite writer /artist


... but this series fell flat with me.

This is easily the worst writing & art that Starlin has done in his entire career. [ It should be noted that even at his worst , Starlin is still better than alot of other guys]

- The main character , Ray , is a young kid and Starlin completely fails at capturing the dialogue of a kid that age. It's almost embarrasing because Starlin's use of "slang" is so forced and unnatural. Starlin is a great writer [My favorite as a matter of fact] ...but writing "cool" "young" characters is not his strong suit. Imagine your grandpa saying that something was the "Shiznit" and thats how alot of the dialogue comes across *cringe*

- The art isn't as good as it could be either because Starlin has chosen to use a more "cartoony"...almost manga influenced style which just doesn't work for him. He draws Ray with these huge eyes and rather than looking "manga like" ... it makes the kid look like a frog. It looks really unnatural and bad... Starlin still rocks with his backgrounds , spaceships, and alien landscapes etc. ..but his experimentation with a more "youth friendly" stlye just doesn't work.

Cosmic Guard isn't without it's good points. I thought the first issue was phenomenal [Especially the sequence with destruction of the Dark Paladins world] The Dark Paladin is the stereotypical old school dramatic /serious character and works very well in that role. I like alot of the character designs too. The idea's behind Cosmic Guard are very interesting and creative.... it's just too bad that the execution wasn't there.

Starlin should have made the main character "Ray" an adult and taken alot of the humor out of the story and i'm willing to bet it would have rocked.

I hate that i just wrote a review slamming my favorite creators most recent project but honestly , i'm just calling it like i see it.

[drdash]

i only read the first 2 issues, but i really enjoyed it. definitely will pick this up. big fan of starlin. on a side note, i really would hav loved for starlin to finished his 'breed trilogy when he was with malibu's bravura. that was a kickass book.

ciao
drdash

[Scott Wherle]

Did I miss something? I thought Devil's Due was publishing the singles of this series. They're not even mentioned in the press release as having published the book. Is the honeymoon over between Starlin and DD or something?

[adamcasey]

Originally posted by Scott Wherle
Did I miss something? I thought Devil's Due was publishing the singles of this series. They're not even mentioned in the press release as having published the book. Is the honeymoon over between Starlin and DD or something?

I think since Dynamite is branching out on their own (see Red Sonja) that it might be collected and released through Dynamite solely.

[Scott Wherle]

Just realized Dynamite is affiliated with DD in much the same way as Studio Ice and Udon, so um, there's nothing to see here. Move along. Move along.