Warning: MAJOR Spoilers Ahead for Guardians of the Galaxy Annual #1!Groot‘s fate among the Guardians of the Galaxy has officially been confirmed following his 2023 villain era. Out of all the new stories that Marvel released throughout 2023, one of the most shocking was undoubtedly in Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing’s Guardians of the Galaxy series. The storyline featured the Guardians facing off against their friend, Groot, as he took a villainous turn by becoming an entity known as Grootspace. However, later issues would undo this villain arc by revealing that he was actually the hero, on a quest for galactic renewal. Now, this story has officially come to an end, and the final issue has officially confirmed Groot’s fate.
In Guardians of the Galaxy Annual #1, a hard fought battle between the Grootified Guardians and Star-Lord’s sister, Empress Victoria, ends with Drax sacrificing himself to allow Groot to bloom. The result is the rebirth of a variety of heroes who were supposedly dead, like Super-Skrull and Hercules. In the end, the Guardians all go their separate ways, but Rocket ends up coming face-to-face with an old friend.
Groot has officially been reborn into his classic Flora Colossus form. It’s absolutely heartwarming to see Rocket and Groot reunite, especially after Groot’s separation from the team was what led to Rocket himself leaving the Guardians.
Rocket and Groot’s Reunion Confirms Groot’s Selflessness
What’s interesting about this sweet moment between the two friends is how it rectifies Groot’s actions throughout the storyline. In the beginning, it was a huge mystery regarding why Groot would turn to villainy, if he decided to become Grootspace with his own free will. However, Rocket ultimately confirms that Groot knew what he was doing by taking a scary new form. He knew that what he was doing was for the benefit of the galaxy, and that even though it would cause pain for his friends, it was something that needed to be done. In fact, fans can understand Rocket’s emotions when he mentions that he could sense Groot was in total control the whole time by seeing his friend in the eyes of the Grootfalls he shot down. In the end, Groot’s actions were selfless, but he knew it would come at the cost of his friends’ relationships.
Marvel Confirmed Groot Was Never Actually Saying “I Am Groot”
Groot’s catchphrase is famous, but the true explanation for it is an accidental mistranslation, from his first meeting with the Guardians.
What’s Next for Groot and the Guardians?
As of right now, the Guardians of the Galaxy have officially split following Drax’s sacrifice. Star-Lord has officially hung up his cape and moved on to be with his sister, while Nebula has teamed up with a different group of heroes, leaving Gamora behind to be on her own. It’s a bittersweet ending for the fan-favorite cosmic team, but in a way, it’s a fitting conclusion, similar to how the MCU concluded their story in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. It’s entirely possible that the Guardians could reunite once again, but writers Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing have confirmed in an epilogue that for now they’ve “brought them to a pause of well-earned peace.”
Of course, fans can expect to see Groot, Rocket, Gamora, Star-Lord, Nebula and other fan-favorites make a return in future issues, but not necessarily as a team anytime soon. Still, this run featuring Groot’s supposed turn to villainy has been one of their most defining arcs as it explored who they were as a team, as well as how well Groot holds them all together. Now that Groot has officially returned, the Guardians of the Galaxy feel whole once again, even if they have gone their separate ways.
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