Exiles is still caught in an awkward transition phase, waiting for Chris Claremont to take over, and unable to make any real progress without him.

Left to bridge the gap, outgoing writer Tony Bedard has chosen to produce a simple, straightforward two-parter that goes through the usual formula.  Coming off the lengthy Proteus storyline, and the "all-Wolverine team" gimmick, it's not such a bad idea to get back to basics and just do a straight Exiles story for a couple of issues.

And that's what "Superguardians" is.  The high concept is that in this world, Galactus is the kindly restorer of worlds, and the Silver Surfer is his demented former sidekick.  Cue fighting, with the Imperial Guard as guest stars.  The result is pretty much what you'd expect from that outline.  It's a perfectly decent, inoffensive two-parter that doesn't have much to say.  But it has a cute gimmick and it doesn't outstay its welcome.  As formula Exiles stories go, it's fine.

Of course, the formula - heroes arrive on alternate world, fix it, go home - is a touch limited, which is why Bedard's gone out of his way to broaden the book's horizons.  These straight stories are particularly harsh on Heather Hudson, now relegated to standing around in a control room, pressing buttons, and delivering expository dialogue.  She's turning into 7-Zark-7, and there have to be more interesting ways of using her.

That aside, there's not much more to say about it.  It's the Exiles, doing their usual thing.  Since it's a fill-in story, and we're overdue for a regular formula plot anyway, I'm not complaining about that.  Perfectly okay.

Rating: B

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