I had a hard time picking my favorite Marvel pick of the week. It came to a tie between Jeff Loveness’ ‘Groot’ #6, and Brandon Montclare’s & Amy Reeder’s ‘Moongirl and Devil Dinosaur.’ Both titles are a far cry from Marvel’s standard fair of New York based superhero and villain mash ups–not that I don’t enjoy those, but sometimes I need a breath of fresh air outside of my violence filled reading bubble.

I want to quote all of Groot #6, but that just isn’t appropriate. Pick this one up if you can; this final issue made me laugh and cry at the same time. Groot’s and Rocket’s space road trip comes to an end, with Groot finally finding a lost friend.

‘Moongirl and Devil Dinosaur’ promises to be another uplifting book, showcasing a lovable, strong, and intelligent  young female lead. Plus it has Jack Kirby’s Devil Dinosaur and Moon-Boy who according to Wikipedia made their debut in the Marvel Universe back in 1978. Its original incantation wasn’t successful, but it may have better luck this time around with Lunella Lafayette, a.k.a. Moon Girl.

I also picked up ‘All New Wolverine’ issues #1 & #2. Yet another #nerdconfession to make. I was originally planning to skip this one–the whole ‘Death of Wolverine’ thing left me nonplussed. But all the reviews were positive, so I picked it up.  I got the ‘boss’ hip-hop variant for issue #1. I am glad I did, and it is now in my pull list @MidtownComics.

I’m also reading Bendis’ ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ #2 this week. Hala, the last super-powered Kree Accuser and Punisher, is on the brink of destroying not one, but two planets–and she can if she wants to.

Here are the quotes:

“You’re the Wookie obviously. I’m the cool guy in the vest who shoots stuff.”

“If you’re going to Earth …party with the X-Men.”

“The powerful always justify their actions against the weak.”

“If you have the courage to leave your old life … if you take that risk , and jump into the unknown … what you find will amaze you … there are much better places than home.”

“Life is not about the shadow you cast on your enemies … but the shade you provide to your friends.”

“I am Groot.”

Jeff Loveness, with Art by Brian Kessinger, Groot No. 6, Marvel Comics

“My brain is all the superpower I need.”

Brandon Montclare & Amy Reeder, with Art by Natacha Bustos, Moongirl and Devil Dinosaur No. 1, Marvel Comics

“An eye for an eye. A planet for a planet.”

Brian Michael Bendis, with Art by Valerio Schiti, Guardians of the Galaxy No. 2, Marvel Comics

“And you have a boyfriend with wings, you totally get to exploit that.”

Tom Taylor, with Art by David Lopez & David Navarrot, All New Wolverine No. 2, Marvel Comics