Only know Rocket Raccoon, Drax, and Groot?
You only know a tiny fraction of the insane history of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy!
But these five arent the only heroes who have had the honor of calling themselves Guardians of the Galaxy.
To truly understand the legacy of the team, one must first understand this time lost hero.
Oh, but things dont end there.
Charlie 27 was the teams representative from Jupiter.
Martinex
We covered heart and strength, now we have the Guardians brains, Martinex of Pluto.
Yondu was originally from Centurai 4, the first planet colonized by humans.
We know Starhawk is awesome.
We know that Starhawk is enigmatic and a classic anti-hero.
Its all very muddled, but in a cool Bronze Agey sort of way.
On a related note, we really miss Quasar.
Nikki was the precocious young female character before Kitty Pryde made it cool.
That all ended with the introduction of Nikki, the teams first female member.
Nikki had romantic entanglements with Charlie 27 and she gave a whole new meaning to the term hot blooded.
Aleta had more passion and zest for life than her often cold and clinical husband did.
Firelord is powerful…like Silver Surfer level powerful…like able to go toe-to-toe with Thor powerful.
Replica
Replica is linked to two majorly infamous cosmic villainous groups.
Replica was a rare and shining example of goodness in unexpected places.
She had all the shape changing powers of her native race but none of their murderous tendencies.
She had the devout faith of her beliefs, but didnt force it on others.
She turned her back on both her Church and her race by joining the heroic Guardians.
Yes, its as awesome as it sounds.
Can someone see to it Kevin Feige and James Gunn are aware of the Stark, yo?
Now, there really hasnt been a greater example of 90s excess than ol Talon.
In 1991, Talon was way more host of MTVs Headbangers Ball Riki Rachtman than he was Wolverine.
Other than great strength and agility, Talon had the ability to launch his finger and toe nails.
Now thats just freakin gross.
Space Raccoons yes, toenail shooting orange cat wizard people, no.
Yellowjacket
Rita DeMara was one of the most fascinating members in Guardians history.
Finally, after growing homesick, Yellowjacket decided to return home.
This wise and experienced hero was actually Simon Williams, the Avenger once known as Wonder Man.
Mainframe
Speaking of classic Avengers in the future, Mainframe was actually the Vision.
In the Guardians future, the Vision had evolved to make up the operating system of an entire planet.
Man, thats a lot of cosmic forces of destruction gathered in one place.
Spirit of Vengeance
In the 90s, Ghost Rider was everywhere.
It was impossible to swing a hell-forged bike chain without hitting a flame headed pursuer of vengeance.
Thus, Arthur Douglas became Drax.
becoming a semi-constant space mainstay.
Until Drax became a Guardian that is.
And what a star, Drax is one of the most popular characters in the Marvel Universe.
you might be sure Marvel has huge things in store for this very literal minded monster.
Fun fact, did you know that Drax is a world class saxophone player?
The more you know.
She is the daughter of Thanos and former lover of Adam Warlock.
Thats the power of the Guardians, taking the once forgotten and making it into something special.
Rocket Raccoon
Nowhere is the idea of the forgotten becoming legendary more evident than in Rocket Raccoon.
Bill Mantlo infused the character with a likability that transcended the rodents comical appearance.
Who would have ever believed that Marvels next film sensation would be Rocket and his team of space losers?
And Rocket has soared since the first film taking part in every big Marvel event and storyline.
Groot
Also from the anything is possible department, we have Groot.
Groot was one of the many giant monsters created by Lee and Kirby in the pre-Marvel superhero era.
Despite not appearing for almost half a century, Groot was included in the new Guardians.
Adam Warlock
Adam Warlock was once the central figure of the cosmic Marvel Universe.
Thanos, Drax, and Gamora will soon all become household names and Warlock is nowhere to be seen.
With so many of his cast playing major roles in the Marvel films, could Warlock be far behind?
Its hard to imagine anInfinity Gauntletadaptation without him, isnt it?
And from all hints and clues, afterGuardians of the Galaxy Vol.
2, that wait may just be over.
Mantis was introduced in Steve Engleharts run on theAvengersin the Celestial Madonna storyline.
She returned but wasnt utilized much until she joined the Guardians.
She was an integral part of the early days of the Guardians and was recently reunited with Star-Lord.
I guess well never know unless we can BUG Kevin Feiges office.
Flag didnt have any powers or special abilities but proved himself a true Guardian through bravery and cunning.
Recently, Jack Flag took a place in one of Marvels most shocking events.
Were sure you heard about Captain Americas turn to the dark side.
You see, Cap revealed himself to be a sleeper agent by uttering the words Hail Hydra!
after tossing a SHIELD super powered operative out of a plane.
All of a sudden, Flag seems way more tragic, huh?
Cosmo the Space Dog
Disney certainly likes their talking dogs which bodes well for this security pooch.
The Abnett and Lanning Guardians were headquartered in the flying head of a Celestial, a vessel called Knowhere.
After she lost her lover Moondragon, Phyla darkened and became the universes avatar of death, Martyr.
When last readers heard of Phyla, she was being mourned on Knowhere after theThanos Imperative.
Moondragon
Madame MacEvil?
Moondragon also has a connection to Mantis as she was once believed to also be the potential Celestial Madonna.
During this time, the Earth precog Geena Drake joined the team.
Angela
Not every super team boasts a character created for another company.
Will a future Guardians film feature the former Spawn supporting character?
Its a distinct possibility and one that will make Todd McFarlane very grumpy.
Whatever the case, Angela brings some otherworldly baddassery to the pages of the book every month.
What would happen if a radioactive spider bit a sentient tree?
From a high school bully to a galactic savior, not bad for one of Marvels oldest characters.
Carol is an accomplished pilot with a keen military mind and does not flinch from cosmic insanity.
The Thing
On Earth, Ben Grimm was always considered a monster.
A hero, yeah, but also, a grotesque creature to be feared and shunned.
But in space, Ben Grimm is just a hero.
So it was a natural fit when the Thing joined the Guardians of the Galaxy.
If only we could see this film.
You hear me Fox?
One just has to wonder when Langs in space, where does he find his ants?
In space, no one can hear you ant.
