Guardians of the Galaxy

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Guardians of the Galaxy
The Guardians of the Galaxy as featured in Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 1, #1 (Jun. 1990). Art by Jim Valentino
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Marvel Super-Heroes vol. 1, #18 (January 1969)
Created by	Arnold Drake Gene Colan
In story information
Base(s)	Freedom's Lady USS Captain America[1] USS Captain America II[2] Avengers Sub-basement
Roster
See:List of Guardians members

The Guardians of the Galaxy are a fictional superhero team that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Guardians first appear in Marvel Super-Heroes #18 (vol.1, January 1969).

Contents 1 Publication history 2 Fictional team history 3 New team 4 Other versions 5 Collections 6 Notes 7 References 8 External links

[edit] Publication history

The team first appeared in the partial reprint title Marvel Super-Heroes with issue #18 (vol. 1, Jan. 1969), written by Arnold Drake and illustrated by Gene Colan. They then appeared sporadically through several Marvel titles, such as Marvel Two-In-One #4 -5 (vol. 1, Jul. - Sep. (bi-monthly) 1974); Defenders Giant Size #5 + Defenders #26 - 29 (vol. 1, Aug. - Oct. 1975) and Thor Annual #6 (1977). In each case, other heroes such as Captain America; the Thing; the Defenders and Thor aid them in their war against the alien Badoon.

This was followed by a series of appearances in Avengers, being #167 - 177 (vol. 1, Jan. - Nov. 1978) and #181 (vol. 1, Mar. 1979) respectively, which dealt with the ramifications during and after of the battle against Korvac. The Guardians were not seen again until a brief cameo appearance in Avengers #4 (vol. 3, May. 1998), and soon after this appeared in their own title. Dated July 1990 the title was initially written and illustrated by Jim Valentino. Michael Gallagher commenced writing the title from issue #29 (vol. 1, Oct. 1992) until cancellation with issue #62 in July 1995.

A second volume has been 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. ^[3]

[edit] Fictional team history

The Guardians are active in the 31st century in an alternate time-line of the Marvel Universe. The original members of the team are:

• 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.

• Yondu Udonta - a blue-skinned "noble savage" from Beta Centauri IV.

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, ^[4] and the Defenders. ^[5]

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,^[6] the Guardians then follow Korvac to 20th century Earth, where together with the Avengers they fight a final, massive battle.^[7] The grateful Avengers make the Guardians honorary Avengers.^[8] Soon after returning to the 31st century Vance Astro decides to stop himself from becoming an astronaut by meeting his previous self. The feedback caused by Astro meeting him results in the Guardians' timeline separating from the main timeline. The Vance Astrovik from 20th century Earth then goes on to join the New Warriors as Marvel Boy^[9] and later the Avengers as Justice.^[10]

The Guardians reappear years later and have a series of adventures in their future,^[11] which is revealed to be the alternate universe Earth-691.^[12] Several other beings eventually join 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 "Galactic Guardians".^[1]

[edit] New team

A new team has formed in the aftermath of Annihilation: Conquest, and consists of Adam Warlock,^[13] Drax the Destroyer,^[14] Gamora,^[14] Phyla-Vell, the new Quasar,^[15] Rocket Raccoon,^[16] Groot^[16] and Star-Lord.^[17]

[edit] Other versions

During the events of Avengers Forever it is revealed that in an alternate future the Avengers become an army and conquer the galaxy, with the Guardians of the Galaxy acting as resistance fighters. ^[18]

[edit] Collections

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.

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Jim Valentino comments on his issues, and lays out his plans up to what would have been issue #51
• Marvel Directory entry
• Guardians of the Galaxy Appearances in Publication Order
• Inside Look: Guardians of the Galaxy #1, Broken Frontier, May 21, 2008
• Friday Flashback: Guardians of the Galaxy, Newsarama, June 6, 2008

v • d • e Earth-691 (Marvel Comics) Killraven – Guardians of the Galaxy – Cyberspace 3000 Aleta – Charlie-27 – Firelord – Hollywood – the Keeper – Krugarr – Nikki – Vance Astro – Mainframe – Martinex – Phoenix – Replica – Spirit of Vengeance – Starhawk – Talon – Yellowjacket (Rita DeMara) – Yondu Martians – Badoon – Korvac – Stark – Universal Church of Truth – Ripjak