Warning: SPOILERS for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind #1There’s no denying that Groot is a fan favorite member of the Guardians of the Galaxy, but his compassion doesn’t just make him adorable – it also makes him the most surprisingly effective member of the vagabond team.
A new Guardians of the Galaxy ride titled Cosmic Rewind recently opened at Disney World’s Epcot. As with many new rides and attractions, especially those featuring Marvel characters, Disney recently released a comic book tie-in to the ride. This comic sees the artificial intelligence that governs the Nova Corps wanting to learn more about humanity, and since Star-Lord is ignoring her request for an interview, the rest of the Guardians talk with the Worldmind in order to provide some insight.
This story takes place in Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind #1 by Kevin Shinick and Gerardo Sandoval. In addition to the interviews conducted with the AI, the Guardians are stuck on a planet with no energy source to escape. They track an energy source to a strange hand-like being, however it would be difficult to remove the energy source without killing it. Given the aggressive tendencies of the team, a fight inevitably breaks out. Fortunately, Groot is finally able to form a connection with the being by severing his own arm in solidarity with the strange creature. They then are able to take the energy they need as the creature is willing to help.
Groot Connects Where the Other Guardians Attack
Being a gigantic living tree, Groot in his adult form might be the most intimidating member of the Guardians of the Galaxy. However, this story showcases that he also has the most compassion. All the other Guardians couldn’t communicate with the strange being to tell it what they wanted, so obviously the situation devolved into violence. Groot, who also has difficulty communicating since he can only say one phrase, nevertheless finds a way to communicate. The Guardians have different expertese and power levels, but Groot’s preference for peace makes him truly unique, and it’s solely his influence that allows the team to access less risky, less costly tactics.
Digging deeper into the psychological causes for this, it makes sense that Groot would have the most compassion. Between Star-Lord, Gamora, Rocket, and Drax, they all have very traumatic pasts that they are struggling to escape or reconcile. Not that Groot hasn’t had a rough past either, but the trauma the others have endured has often made them distrustful or cold in a way Groot is not. In reaching out to trust others in a chaotic galaxy, Groot makes the Guardians of the Galaxy stronger not just by adding extra muscle, but by contributing a worldview the other heroes don’t.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind #1 is now available from Marvel Comics.
