Guardians of the Galaxy
Encyclopedia
The original Guardians of the Galaxy are a fiction
al superhero
team that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics
. The Guardians first appear in Marvel Super-Heroes
#18 (Jan. 1969).
and penciled by Gene Colan
. They appeared sporadically in several Marvel titles, such as Marvel Two-In-One
#4-5 (July-Sept. 1974), and Giant Size Defenders
#5 and Defenders #26-29 (July-Nov. 1975). In each case, other heroes such as Captain America
, the Thing
, and the Defenders aid them in their war against the alien Badoon
. The Guardians were also featured in Marvel Presents
#3-12 (Feb. 1976 - Aug. 1977).
This was followed by a series of appearances in Thor
Annual #6 (1977), The Avengers
#167-177 (Jan.-Nov. 1978) and #181 (March 1979), Marvel Team-Up
#86 (Oct. 1979), and Marvel Two-in-One
#69 (Nov. 1980). In the 1990s, the Guardians starred in a self-titled comic that ran for 62 issues, initially written and illustrated by Jim Valentino
. Michael Gallagher
commenced writing the title from issue #29 (Oct. 1992) until cancellation with issue #62 (July 1995). A spin-off four-issue miniseries
, Galactic Guardians (July-Oct. 1994), followed.
A second volume was published in May 2008, written by Dan Abnett
and Andy Lanning
. The title features a new team drawn from participants in the Annihilation: Conquest
storyline. The 1969 team made guest appearances in #12-17 and #25.
of the Marvel Universe
(Earth-691). The original members of the team include Major Vance Astro
, an astronaut
from the 20th century Earth who spends a thousand years travelling to Alpha Centauri in suspended animation
. He is also the future-counterpart of the hero Vance Astrovik, now called Justice. Martinex T'Naga
, a crystalline being from Pluto
; Captain Charlie-27
; a soldier from Jupiter
, and Yondu Udonta
, a blue-skinned "noble savage" from Beta Centauri
IV comprise the original team.
Each is apparently the last of their kind and is forced to unite as a team against the actions of the Badoon
, an alien race which attempts to conquer Earth's solar system. During the course of the war against the Badoon, the team recruit two more members - Starhawk
and Nikki
- and travel back in time and encounter several of the heroes of 20th century Earth, including Captain America
, the Thing,
The Guardians eventually defeat the Badoon, but soon find themselves facing a new foe called Korvac
, who was in fact a creation of the Badoon. After teaming with the Thunder God Thor
to defeat Korvac in the 31st century, the Guardians then follow Korvac to 20th century Earth, where together with the Avengers
they fight a final battle.
The Guardians reappear years later and have a series of adventures in their future, with several others eventually joining the Guardians, such as the Inhuman
Talon, Replica the Skrull
, and the second version of Yellowjacket
, Rita DeMara.
Wanting to expand the Guardians to a multiple team organization, Martinex eventually leaves the team to look for additional members for a second unit, nicknamed the Galactic Guardians.
incarnation of the Guardians discover a time displaced Vance Astro in a block of ice floating in space. It is his introduction as "Major Victory of the Guardians of the Galaxy" that inspires the team to take up the name. In #7 and #16 of the series, it was revealed a great "error" in the present day has caused the future to be destroyed - Starhawk is constantly trying to prevent it by time travel, causing the future (and the Guardians) to be altered. Only Starhawk, who is changed with each reboot, knows anything is different, but each change still ends in a cataclysm. In #17, the Guardians' future was a universe where only a small portion remained undestroyed, which had been taken over by the Badoon. A warning was sent to the present day, though at the cost of the universe being ended.
The Vance Astro of the modern-day Guardians is revealed to be a Major Victory from one of these altered futures, rather than the original. A second potential Vance Astro appears in #17.
In #18, a third version of the Guardians' future was shown: this time led by Killraven
against the Martians
.
Fiction
Fiction is the form of any narrative or informative work that deals, in part or in whole, with information or events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary—that is, invented by the author. Although fiction describes a major branch of literary work, it may also refer to theatrical,...
al superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
team that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
. The Guardians first appear in Marvel Super-Heroes
Marvel Super-Heroes (comics)
Marvel Super-Heroes is the name of several comic book series and specials published by Marvel Comics.-Marvel Super-Heroes Special:The first was the one-shot Marvel Super-Heroes Special #1 , reprinting Daredevil #1 and The Avengers #2 Marvel Super-Heroes is the name of several comic book series and...
#18 (Jan. 1969).
Publication history
The team first appeared in the partial reprint title Marvel Super-Heroes with issue #18 (Jan. 1969), written by Arnold DrakeArnold Drake
Arnold Drake was an American comic book writer and screenwriter best known for co-creating the DC Comics characters Deadman and the Doom Patrol, and the Marvel Comics characters the Guardians of the Galaxy, among others....
and penciled by Gene Colan
Gene Colan
Eugene Jules "Gene" Colan was an American comic book artist best known for his work for Marvel Comics, where his signature titles include the superhero series, Daredevil, the cult-hit satiric series Howard the Duck, and The Tomb of Dracula, considered one of comics' classic horror series...
. They appeared sporadically in several Marvel titles, such as Marvel Two-In-One
Marvel Two-in-One
Marvel Two-In-One was an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics that featured the Fantastic Four member, the Thing, in a different team-up each issue with a different character. The series continued from the team-up stories starring the Thing in the final two issues of Marvel...
#4-5 (July-Sept. 1974), and Giant Size Defenders
Defenders (comics)
The Defenders is the name of a number of Marvel Comics superhero groups which are usually presented as a "non-team" of individualistic "outsiders," each known for following their own agendas...
#5 and Defenders #26-29 (July-Nov. 1975). In each case, other heroes such as Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
, the Thing
Thing (comics)
The Thing is a fictional character, a founding member of the superhero team known as the Fantastic Four in the Marvel Comics universe. He was created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee in The Fantastic Four #1...
, and the Defenders aid them in their war against the alien Badoon
Badoon
The Badoon are a reptilian alien species in the fictional Marvel Comics universe. They are notable for having a gender schism, resulting in two separate societies; the Brotherhood of Badoon and the Sisterhood of Badoon .The Brotherhood live on the planet Moord, while the Sisterhood reside on the...
. The Guardians were also featured in Marvel Presents
Marvel Presents
Marvel Presents was an American comic book anthology series published by Marvel Comics. Twelve issues were published from October 1975 to August 1977....
#3-12 (Feb. 1976 - Aug. 1977).
This was followed by a series of appearances in Thor
Thor (Marvel Comics)
Thor is a fictional superhero who appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby....
Annual #6 (1977), The Avengers
Avengers (comics)
The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...
#167-177 (Jan.-Nov. 1978) and #181 (March 1979), Marvel Team-Up
Marvel Team-Up
Marvel Team-Up is the name of several American comic book series published by Marvel Comics. The series featured two or more Marvel characters in one story...
#86 (Oct. 1979), and Marvel Two-in-One
Marvel Two-in-One
Marvel Two-In-One was an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics that featured the Fantastic Four member, the Thing, in a different team-up each issue with a different character. The series continued from the team-up stories starring the Thing in the final two issues of Marvel...
#69 (Nov. 1980). In the 1990s, the Guardians starred in a self-titled comic that ran for 62 issues, initially written and illustrated by Jim Valentino
Jim Valentino
Jim Valentino is an American writer, penciler, editor and publisher of comic books.-1970s - 1992:Valentino began his career in the late 1970s creating small press and mostly autobiographical comics. The early-mid 1980s saw normalman which first appeared as a back-up story in Aardvark-Vanaheim's...
. Michael Gallagher
Michael Gallagher (writer)
Michael Gallagher is an American writer who has contributed to several comic books, as well as to the satire magazine Mad, to which he has contributed several two-page gags since the mid-1990s. He is the son of cartoonist John Gallagher, as well as the nephew of George Gately, creator of the comic...
commenced writing the title from issue #29 (Oct. 1992) until cancellation with issue #62 (July 1995). A spin-off four-issue miniseries
Miniseries
A miniseries , in a serial storytelling medium, is a television show production which tells a story in a limited number of episodes. The exact number is open to interpretation; however, they are usually limited to fewer than a whole season. The term "miniseries" is generally a North American term...
, Galactic Guardians (July-Oct. 1994), followed.
A second volume was published in May 2008, written by Dan Abnett
Dan Abnett
Dan Abnett is a British comic book writer and novelist. He is a frequent collaborator with fellow writer Andy Lanning, and is known for his work on books for both Marvel Comics, and their UK imprint, Marvel UK, since the 1990s, including 2000 AD...
and Andy Lanning
Andy Lanning
Andy Lanning is a British comic book writer and inker, known for his work for Marvel Comics and DC Comics, and for his collaboration with Dan Abnett.-Career:Lanning works primarily at Marvel Comics and DC Comics as an inker...
. The title features a new team drawn from participants in the Annihilation: Conquest
Annihilation: Conquest
Annihilation: Conquest is a 2007-2008 Marvel Comics crossover storyline and the sequel to 2006's Annihilation. The series again focuses on Marvel's cosmic heroes defending the universe against the Phalanx, now led by Ultron...
storyline. The 1969 team made guest appearances in #12-17 and #25.
Fictional team history
The Guardians are active in the 31st century in an alternate time-lineAlternate future
In science fiction stories involving time travel, an alternative future or alternate future is a possible future which never comes to pass, typically because someone travels back into the past and alters it so that the events of the alternative future cannot occur.An alternative future differs from...
of the Marvel Universe
Marvel Universe
The Marvel Universe is the shared fictional universe where most comic book titles and other media published by Marvel Entertainment take place, including those featuring Marvel's most familiar characters, such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, the X-Men, and the Avengers.The Marvel Universe is further...
(Earth-691). The original members of the team include Major Vance Astro
Vance Astro
Vance Astro, born Vance Astrovik and going by the nickname Major Victory, is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero from the Earth-691 timeline of the Marvel Universe.-Publication history:...
, an astronaut
Astronaut
An astronaut or cosmonaut is a person trained by a human spaceflight program to command, pilot, or serve as a crew member of a spacecraft....
from the 20th century Earth who spends a thousand years travelling to Alpha Centauri in suspended animation
Suspended animation
Suspended animation is the slowing of life processes by external means without termination. Breathing, heartbeat, and other involuntary functions may still occur, but they can only be detected by artificial means. Extreme cold can be used to precipitate the slowing of an individual's functions; use...
. He is also the future-counterpart of the hero Vance Astrovik, now called Justice. Martinex T'Naga
Martinex
Martinex T'Naga is a fictional character, a superhero from an alternate future version of Marvel Comics' shared universe, the Marvel Universe. Most of Martinex's adventures take place as a member of the 31st century Guardians of the Galaxy....
, a crystalline being from Pluto
Pluto
Pluto, formal designation 134340 Pluto, is the second-most-massive known dwarf planet in the Solar System and the tenth-most-massive body observed directly orbiting the Sun...
; Captain Charlie-27
Charlie-27
Captain Charlie-27 is fictional character in the Earth-691 timeline of the Marvel Universe.-Publication history:Charlie-27 first appeared in Marvel Super-Heroes #18 , and was created by Arnold Drake and Gene Colan....
; a soldier from Jupiter
Jupiter
Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun and the largest planet within the Solar System. It is a gas giant with mass one-thousandth that of the Sun but is two and a half times the mass of all the other planets in our Solar System combined. Jupiter is classified as a gas giant along with Saturn,...
, and Yondu Udonta
Yondu
Yondu is a fictional superhero in the future of the Marvel Comics universe, and a founding member of the Guardians of the Galaxy.-Fictional character biography:...
, a blue-skinned "noble savage" from Beta Centauri
Beta Centauri
Beta Centauri , also known as Hadar or Agena, is the second brightest star in the constellation Centaurus and the tenth brightest star in the night sky. Beta Centauri is a B1 III blue-white giant star that the astrometric Hipparcos satellite calculates as about 161 parsecs or 525 light-years from...
IV comprise the original team.
Each is apparently the last of their kind and is forced to unite as a team against the actions of the Badoon
Badoon
The Badoon are a reptilian alien species in the fictional Marvel Comics universe. They are notable for having a gender schism, resulting in two separate societies; the Brotherhood of Badoon and the Sisterhood of Badoon .The Brotherhood live on the planet Moord, while the Sisterhood reside on the...
, an alien race which attempts to conquer Earth's solar system. During the course of the war against the Badoon, the team recruit two more members - Starhawk
Starhawk (comics)
Starhawk is a fictional character created by Steve Gerber and Sal Buscema . He is an antihero in the Earth-691 timeline of the Marvel Comics universe....
and Nikki
Nikki (comics)
Nicholette "Nikki" Gold is a fictional character, a woman in the Earth-691 timeline of the fictional Marvel Universe, genetically engineered to live on the planet Mercury. As such, she has a superhuman ability to withstand heat and ultraviolet radiation, and can see clearly in very bright light...
- and travel back in time and encounter several of the heroes of 20th century Earth, including Captain America
Captain America
Captain America is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 , from Marvel Comics' 1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, and was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby...
, the Thing,
The Guardians eventually defeat the Badoon, but soon find themselves facing a new foe called Korvac
Korvac
Michael Korvac is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Giant-Size Defenders #3 Michael Korvac (often called Korvac or The Enemy) is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character...
, who was in fact a creation of the Badoon. After teaming with the Thunder God Thor
Thor (Marvel Comics)
Thor is a fictional superhero who appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby....
to defeat Korvac in the 31st century, the Guardians then follow Korvac to 20th century Earth, where together with the Avengers
Avengers (comics)
The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...
they fight a final battle.
The Guardians reappear years later and have a series of adventures in their future, with several others eventually joining the Guardians, such as the Inhuman
Inhumans
The Inhumans are a fictional race of superhumans, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. This race appears in various comic book series published by Marvel Comics and exists in that company's shared universe, known as the Marvel Universe....
Talon, Replica the Skrull
Skrull
The Skrulls are a fictional race of extraterrestrial shapeshifters that appear in publications by Marvel Comics.-Publication history:The Skrulls first appeared in Fantastic Four #2 and were created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby....
, and the second version of Yellowjacket
Yellowjacket (comics)
-In comics:Yellowjacket may refer to:*Marvel Comics characters:**Henry Pym, the first Yellowjacket, also known as Ant-Man, Giant-Man and Goliath, who was a founding member of the Avengers....
, Rita DeMara.
Wanting to expand the Guardians to a multiple team organization, Martinex eventually leaves the team to look for additional members for a second unit, nicknamed the Galactic Guardians.
Connection to the "Modern" Guardians
During their second mission, the team that was to become the Earth-616Earth-616
In the fictional Marvel Comics multiverse, Earth-616 or Earth 616 is the name used to identify the primary continuity in which most Marvel Comics titles take place.-Origin of Earth-616:...
incarnation of the Guardians discover a time displaced Vance Astro in a block of ice floating in space. It is his introduction as "Major Victory of the Guardians of the Galaxy" that inspires the team to take up the name. In #7 and #16 of the series, it was revealed a great "error" in the present day has caused the future to be destroyed - Starhawk is constantly trying to prevent it by time travel, causing the future (and the Guardians) to be altered. Only Starhawk, who is changed with each reboot, knows anything is different, but each change still ends in a cataclysm. In #17, the Guardians' future was a universe where only a small portion remained undestroyed, which had been taken over by the Badoon. A warning was sent to the present day, though at the cost of the universe being ended.
The Vance Astro of the modern-day Guardians is revealed to be a Major Victory from one of these altered futures, rather than the original. A second potential Vance Astro appears in #17.
In #18, a third version of the Guardians' future was shown: this time led by Killraven
Killraven
Killraven is a fictional freedom fighter in several post-apocalyptic alternate futures of the Marvel Comics universe. He first appeared in Amazing Adventures #18 , created by co-plotters Roy Thomas and Neal Adams, scripter Gerry Conway, and penciller Adams...
against the Martians
Martian (War of the Worlds)
The Martians, also known as the Invaders, are the fictional race of extraterrestrials from the H.G. Wells novel The War of the Worlds. They are the antagonists of the novel, and their efforts to exterminate the populace of Earth and claim the planet for themselves drive the plot and present...
.
Collected editions
- In February 1992, a trade paperback was released titled Guardians of the Galaxy: Quest for the Shield (ISBN 0871358794) reprinting Guardians of the Galaxy issues # 1 - 6.
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Earth Shall Overcome (ISBN 9780785137863): Collects Marvel Super-HeroesMarvel Super-Heroes (comics)Marvel Super-Heroes is the name of several comic book series and specials published by Marvel Comics.-Marvel Super-Heroes Special:The first was the one-shot Marvel Super-Heroes Special #1 , reprinting Daredevil #1 and The Avengers #2 Marvel Super-Heroes is the name of several comic book series and...
#18, Marvel Two-In-OneMarvel Two-in-OneMarvel Two-In-One was an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics that featured the Fantastic Four member, the Thing, in a different team-up each issue with a different character. The series continued from the team-up stories starring the Thing in the final two issues of Marvel...
#4-5, Giant-Size Defenders #5, and DefendersDefenders (comics)The Defenders is the name of a number of Marvel Comics superhero groups which are usually presented as a "non-team" of individualistic "outsiders," each known for following their own agendas...
#26-29. Released in April, 2009. - Guardians of the Galaxy: The Power of Starhawk (ISBN 9780785137887): Collects Marvel PresentsMarvel PresentsMarvel Presents was an American comic book anthology series published by Marvel Comics. Twelve issues were published from October 1975 to August 1977....
#3-12. Released in July, 2009.
External links
- Guardians of the Galaxy at the Big Comic Book DataBaseBig Comic Book DataBaseThe Big Comic Book DataBase is a website containing information about comic books, and run by the maintainers of the Big Cartoon DataBase. , the database contains information on over 100,000 books in 5000+ series, including over 35,000 cover scans....
- Marvel Directory entry
- Friday Flashback: Guardians of the Galaxy, NewsaramaNewsaramaNewsarama is an American website that publishes news, interviews and essays about the American comic book industry.-History:Newsarama began in Summer 1995 as a series of Internet forum postings on the Prodigy comic-book message boards by fan Mike Doran. In these short messages. Doran shared...
, June 6, 2008