The Dejection Of Drax
Star-Lord is the focal point of the Guardians, and thus he probably won’t die. Groot and Rocket are likely to survive, too, because they’re highly marketable and popular (cynical, but true). Nebula and Gamora, meanwhile, are key to Thanos’ story, since they’re set to suffer retribution for fleeing his control. Yet, the sisters are more likely to experience catharsis in his defeat, instead of tragedy in death’s release. As such, we fall to that one tattooed tough guy on the team.
Look, we’re really not saying that we want Drax to die. On the contrary, we love Drax. His struggles to understand human hang-ups – along with his very literal takes on the subtleties of communication – are endlessly endearing. Plus, whether it’s Drax’s take down of a troublesome Sovereign craft or his head-butting of a guard that has the audacity to hit him, his bad-assery is fantastic to watch.
However, for all of these cheerful aspects, Drax’s story has always been defined by sadness. Sure, many of Marvel’s other heroes have suffered losses; from Tony Stark to Stephen Strange, it’s not a new phenomenon. Yet, in his two outings so far, the murder of Drax’s wife and daughter at the hands of Ronan the Accuser is heavily referenced.
Two examples of this are when he pledges his allegiance to Star Lord, and his pool-side chat with Mantis. Tellingly, these are moments in which Drax finds a new sense of purpose with the Guardians (he becomes a friend to Quill and a mentor to Mantis). And yet, Drax nonetheless recalls the memory of his lost family.
“You’re an honorable man, Quill. I will fight beside you,” he says. “And in the end, I will see my wife and daughter again.”
In some ways, this echoes Ridley Scott’s epic Gladiator. During the film, the protagonist Maximus attempts to gain revenge and reform the Roman Empire. Yet, he only manages to find peace when he meets his wife and son at the gates of Elysium – the afterlife.
It stands to reason that Drax, another wronged warrior, may meet a similar end. In this way, the death of Drax might lend a sense of tragedy and a depth to a story which definitely needs it. It’s essential that Marvel seeks out these kinds of emotional stakes for their plots to resonate, especially if their upcoming movie is to be worthy of the name Infinity War.