Being an Old Comics Fan, I read the original Guardians of the Galaxy adventures, as well as Jim Valentino's run from the pre-Image 90s. So I'll be honest - I don't know these new folks from Adam, and I don't mean Warlock. Based solely on the trailer, I'm willing to make the investment - how far back should I go to get a solid run-up to the characters? Back to vol. 2 of the series, or just the current one, or what?
I think your easiest starting point would be the first volume of the current Bendis/McNiven series, which should give you easy access. But there are a bunch of hardcore GUARDIANS fans who’ll swarm me if I don’t tell you to go further back and start with the earlier Abnett & Lanning material.
I think the Bendis stuff is going to be easier for somebody to jump right into, but that’s also a question of taste.
Of course Brevoort would push the Bendis trash (aka GotGINO). It's Brevoort and Alonso's fault GotGINO even exists. They wanted to dumb down the concepts to attract Avengers-zombies. Start with the DnA Volume II run. Then read Bendis' run and you'll see why anyone who has ever read Volume II (and also has discerning taste and a mentality above that of the average 8-year-old) is thoroughly disgusted by the mediocrity of Bendis' completely pedestrian take on the concept.
