Rocket Raccoon and Groot is a marvel comics graphic novel, featuring the unlikely pair from Guardians of the Galaxy. This novel features Free Comic Book Day 2014 (Rocket Raccoon) #1, Rocket Raccoon #5, Marvel Universe Guardians of the Galaxy#1-2 and #5, and Groot #2. This collection is best when it is just Rocket Raccoon and Groot. They very cleverly use the only phrase Groot uses which of course is “I am Groot”. The art in the Groot and Rocket Raccoon comics were really great, but I was really turned off by the Guardians of the Galaxy with was was super unnecessarily too dark, It reminded me of the Game of Thrones episode that had the battle in the snow storm that you could barely make out.

The Plot: Rocket Raccoon and Groot didn’t start out as friends. Actually Rocket Raccoon thought that the phrase “I am Groot” was kind of annoying and didn’t understand what he was saying. But as they are locked up as cellmates Groot and Rocket Raccoon develop a friendship and some understanding as they defend themselves from guards and prisoners. Groot and Rocket Raccoon team up with the Guardians of the Galaxy to retrieve a rare powerful crystal.

What I Liked: The humor is filled throughout this collection, the funniest moments are all around the phrase “I am Groot” There’s a great scene where alien children are around the fire asking rocket about his latest adventure, and says Groot tells it better, so we get a whole adventure where people, dates and even store front signs are all labeled “I am Groot.” Another scene where Groot is sick and tells Rocket Raccoon “I am Groot” where Rocket replies he’s not making sense. There are some great moments of humor involving art.

What I Disliked: The art work of the Guardians of the Galaxy was sooo dark, you can barely see some of the art. The Guardian of the Galaxy do a really bad job of introducing all the characters, it basically relies on you having seen the movies, which I have but there needed to be more the only one who gets an introduction was Cosmo the Russian dog that is telepathic and not introduced in the movies, (even though he does have a cameo in the Collector’s lair in the first Guardians of the Galaxy).

Recommendations: This is the scholastic version of Rocket Raccoon and Groot presented by Marvel. I was reading this for content in looking to give this book to my almost 7 year old nephew. This comic should be 6 and above for some minor prison violence. I think my nephew will love it as he is just getting into superheroes. I rated Rocket Raccoon and Groot graphic novel 3 out of 5 stars. The ultra dark Guardians of the Galaxy comics ruin what was looking like an excellent collection.