The Good
Although the series and its characters have been involved in some stories that have really changed the status quo for the team, this is actually a pretty decent place to jump on for new readers, especially ones who enjoyed the film. The opening page updates new readers on what's going on and it's mainly about Flash Thompson, the current Venom. There is a bit of a learning curve with what's going on with Venom, but it's still very accessible to new readers.
Artist Valerio Schiti and colorist Jason Keith are an exceptional team on this book. The art in this book is beautiful and vibrant. When it comes to the big two, this is the art of the week here. The way Schiti draws Venom here is pure awesome. The line work is amazing and highly detailed and Keith's colors really bring this character to life. I would buy this issue just for the art, especially since the panel to panel story telling, with all these nice beats, is so brilliantly executed.
While there are some problems with the issue overall, the issue is a lot of fun. We get some great fight scenes and there's still that sense of fun and a bit of humor to make this series stand out. One of the best moments in the issue isn't an action sequence. The opening page has a man describing why Earth is a problem for the galaxy. It puts Marvel's Earth into a new perspective. There are folks in the galaxy who see Earth as more of a threat than anything else. Plus, the dialogue is really solid. It's a great opening page.
The Bad
Here's the thing with "Planet of the Symbiotes." The first issue doesn't leave us at said planet or the Guardians on the hunt for said planet. It's actually a huge letdown, considering that so many people are looking forward to this story, since it's that's never been told. Further issues will provide a much better reading experience than this one, at least we hope, but Bendis has, for the most part, done well with this team, so while this issue wasn't a home run, there's hope the rest of the issues will be.
The issue starts off really cool but ultimately, it's pretty directionless. Great art and cool fight scenes aside, this issue leaves the reader almost at the exact same place it started, except the symbiote has another host.
The Verdict
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #21 does not get off to a good start, but on the bright side, there's a ton of promise and potential to this story. This isn't a bad issue, but it is a big disappointment. Bendis isn't a bad writer, but this issue leaves readers feeling like they missed out on something. Luckily, the art on this book is worth the price of admission alone. "Planet of the Symbiotes" will hopefully be a great story, since it's a story that should be told.