Summary
- Groot has become the leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy, with the team now calling themselves the Guardians of Grootspace.
- Groot’s transformation has changed fans’ perception of his actions, as he has not actually killed anyone and is not as evil as originally thought.
- The Guardians are now stronger both physically and spiritually, with Groot’s ultimate form and their newfound understanding of each other.
Warning: Spoilers for Guardians of the Galaxy #7!The guard has shifted towards a new leader as the Guardians of the Galaxy enter their most powerful state yet. For the entirety of the modern iteration of the Guardians of the Galaxy, the team has been led by Peter Quill’s Star-Lord. He’s still calling the shots, but an argument can be made for someone else truly leading the charge now: Groot.
That argument can be made by pointing to Guardians of the Galaxy #7 by Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing, Kev Walker, Matt Hollingsworth, VC’s Cory Petit, and Darren Shan. When the Manifold Territories become overrun by an invading Grootfall, Wiccan and Emperor Hulkling investigate in search of the heroes. They find the newly Grootified version of the Guardians, now dubbing themselves the Guardians of Grootspace.
These new forms that the Guardians have taken changes fans’ understanding of Groot has been doing for the issues leading up to this.
The Guardians of the Galaxy Have a New Jurisdiction
At the start of this series, Groot seemingly turns onto a more villainous path, appearing to destroy everything and everyone in sight, and dividing the team in the process. In lieu of Groot becoming a galaxy-swallowing monster called Grootfall, he’s finally devoured his best friends, turning them into Groot. However, the experience has helped the Guardians better understand Groot – he’s not as evil as they originally thought, as he never actually killed anyone. It’s also helped them understand each other, becoming closer than they have been in years. Now ruling over Grootspace, they gain Groot’s strength as they have become melded with him.
The Guardians are Stronger in More Ways Than One Now
Although Peter seems like he is still the one giving orders, it is hard not to acknowledge that, all things considered, it’s actually Groot who is in charge. After all, they reside in Grootspace now and, of course, they are Groot. And given the upgrades that come with it, that is not a bad thing in the slightest. It has already been established that Groot is in his ultimate, most terrifying form as Grootfall, and by proxy, so are the Guardians. Star-Lord himself has finally achieved a form reminiscent to Ego the Living Planet, for example.
At the same time, bringing Groot back into their ranks and transforming themselves has made the Guardians stronger in a spiritual sense. Before this, the Guardians were broken as a unit, as well as in terms of morale after losing two members in an exiting Rocket and an antagonistic Groot. The team gained new insight and understanding of each other last issue, reflecting on the past year and accepting becoming Grootified. Nothing can break the Guardians of the Galaxy now in their strongest form, and they never would have gotten there without Groot essentially leading the charge.
Guardians of the Galaxy #7 is available now from Marvel Comics.