REVIEW: ‘Groot,’ Issue #3

Groot #3 is published by Marvel Comics, written by Dan Abnett, art by Damian Couceiro, colors by Matt Milla and letters by Travis Lanham. With Captain Marvel held in captivity by Agz, the leader of the Spilers, it falls to Groot and Yonder to rally a planet full of fear. This book has a great story, splitting between the surface and well below it.

The issue is filled with potential and build-up, putting everything in place before the biggest moments erupt. There is exposition, and what I’ve grown to love about this comic is the complexity within what looks like simplicity. The enemy is big, loud and demanding conquest. The demands it has are ludicrous and those of a desperate, cosmic villain. But there is something more to its plight, something that it is fighting for beyond simple power. Then on the surface, Groot and Yonder, the Centauri warrior bring the comic right back to the beginning of the story. They are looking for resistance and strength from something that has simply been the landscape. Even though it was staring me right in the face, I forgot the most integral feature of the planet. But like with many parts of this issue, it is simply gathering power and suspense for an eruption in the next chapter.

The character and the dialogue is brilliant in Groot #3. Both Yonder and Captain Marvel have a tree to talk too, leading to fascinating dynamics. The opening conversation between Mar-Vell and the leader of the spoilers is similar to what chats are like with Groot, one-sided for the reader. But then a translation happened and the megalomaniacal comic-book villain blossoms. Captain Marvel’s ascendancy to becoming the hero he is famous for being is unfolding before our eyes. He is determined and a leader, but also full of compassion. He wants to help even those that have caused untold destruction.

Then there is Yonder and Groot. Unlike Agz, Groot remains the same but Yonder can understand. The crafting of those one-sided conversations is terrific, able to spill exposition and generate character development. The final part of the comic has two separate people yelling, one of them being Groot. There is equal amounts of power coming from the little tree as the eloquent Centauri with a wealthier vocabulary.

The art is also interesting. The beautiful surroundings and adorable little creatures often bely the violence and intensity of the book. The location is stunning, thick with trees and plants. Then you look at the characters and they are covered in blood and injuries, showing the brutal ordeal they have been put through. Agz is a fantastic design, taking the idea of the tres and evolving it into something brilliantly terrifying. The lines are tremendous on him and construct awesome details. The sheer size of him against Mar-Vell makes for a fight scene brimming with drama and dynamism. With Groot and his two other little tree friends unable to verbalise what they want to say in a way that we can understand, it is left to Couceiro to highlight their emotions. And that is achieved every single time we see the little guy.

The colors are fantastic. The vibrancy of the forest is met by colorful characters such as Captain Marvel and Yonder. However, they are contested and threatened by metallic creatures. When they enter, they have this intrusive, intense orange light and the cold metal blades that help the Spoilers cut through the forest. The lettering is simply brilliant, especially in Agz’s confrontation with Mar-Vell. The big word balloons that are just him bellowing his name are overlapped with the translation that comes from a drone often out of the panel. Even with the technique, the menace of the text remains intact.

Groot #3 features excellent storytelling from all of the creators. Every person involved in making the comic had a crucial, irreplaceable part to play in controlling the tone and tempo of the book. It’s so energetic and refreshing, largely due to how much of a classic cosmic adventure it feels like. Both Groot and Captain Marvel show acres of personality despite only one of them having understandable speech.

Groot #3 is available where comics are sold.