Gamora

Not to be confused with Gamera or Gomora (disambiguation).
Gamora

Cover art for Nova (vol 2) #6.
Art by Adi Granov.
Publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance Strange Tales #180 (June 1975)
Created by Jim Starlin
In-story information
Alter ego Gamora
Species Zen-Whoberis
Team affiliations Guardians of the Galaxy
Infinity Watch
Phalanx
United Front
Notable aliases The Most Dangerous Woman in the Universe, Bambi Long
Abilities Highly skilled assassin and gymnast
Skilled martial artist
Superhuman strength, speed, agility and durability
Accelerated healing factor

Gamora is a fictional antiheroine that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Jim Starlin, the character first appeared in Strange Tales #180 (June 1975). Gamora is the adopted daughter of the supervillain Thanos, and the last of her species. Her powers include superhuman strength and agility and an accelerated healing factor. She has appeared as the occasional love interest of the superheroes Adam Warlock and Nova, and a member of the group known as the Infinity Watch.

The character played a role in the 2007 crossover comic book event Annihilation: Conquest, and became a member of the titular team in its spin-off comic, Guardians of the Galaxy. She has been featured in a variety of associated Marvel merchandise. Zoe Saldana plays the character in the 2014 live-action film Guardians of the Galaxy.

Publication history

The character debuted in Strange Tales #180 (1975), and was created by Jim Starlin. She returned in issue #181, Warlock vol. 1 #9-15 (1975-1976), and in the 1977 annuals for Avengers and Marvel Two-in-One. In 1990, she returned in Silver Surfer vol. 3 #46-47. She had a minor role in Infinity Gauntlet #1-6 (1991) and co-starred in Warlock and the Infinity Watch #1-42 (1992-1995). She was also featured in the Infinity War (1992) and Infinity Crusade (1993) crossovers. After appearing in Infinity Abyss #1-6 (2002), Annihilation: Ronan #1-4 (2006), Annihilation #1-6 (2006) and Nova vol. 4 #4-12 (2007-2008), Gamora costarred in Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2 #1-25 (2008-2010). She played a minor role in The Thanos Imperative #1-6 (2010).

The character, along with the other Guardians, appears in Avengers Assemble issues #4-8 (2012). She will star in Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 3, a part of the Marvel NOW! relaunch.[1]

Fictional character biography

Gamora is the last of her species, the Zen-Whoberis, who were exterminated by the Badoon (in her original timeline, her species was exterminated by the Universal Church of Truth). Thanos found the child and decided to use her as a weapon. Gamora was raised and trained by Thanos to assassinate the Magus, an evil alternate version of Adam Warlock. Thanos showed her little kindness during her childhood, but Gamora was very loyal to the man who promised her the opportunity to avenge the death of her family. Gamora became very proficient in the martial arts, earning the nickname "The deadliest woman in the whole galaxy". When she was a teenager, Thanos took her on a trip to Tartoonla # 7. Gamora disobeyed Thanos's orders, and due to this came into conflict with a group of thugs. She was greatly outnumbered, and despite her skills she was defeated and then raped by the assailants. Thanos found her half dead, and in turn murdered all of her assailants and restored her to health, cybernetically enhancing her to superhuman levels.

As an adult, Gamora was sent as an assassin against the Universal Church of the Truth, quickly becoming feared by its agents, the Black Knights. She exacted revenge for the genocide of her race by killing every member of the church involved before the event actually occurred. Gamora met and teamed up with Adam Warlock, who wanted to stop his older version.[2][3] She even managed to get close to the Magus but failed her assassination in the last second. Together with Warlock, Pip the Troll and Thanos, Gamora fought to escape the Black Knights of the Universal Church of Truth and Magus's Death Squad.[4][5][6] She was then assigned by Thanos to protect Adam Warlock, but she became suspicious of Thanos's plans, and was then attacked by Drax the Destroyer.[7]

Eventually the Magus was defeated, but Thanos revealed himself as an even greater threat. Gamora aided Captain Mar-Vell, Drax, and the Avengers against Thanos. Gamora and Pip tried to prevent Thanos from destroying all life in the universe. Gamora attempted to slay Thanos, but he mortally wounded her, and destroyed Pip's mind.[8] Adam Warlock found them, and Gamora warned Adam of Thanos's plans, and Adam absorbed their souls into his Soul Gem. When Adam Warlock died as well, his spirit was reunited with that of his friends in "Soulworld" within the Soul Gem.[9]

Infinity Watch

Gamora (upper right) on the cover of Warlock and the Infinity Watch #8 (September 1992), with Thanos and Moondragon. Art by Tom Raney and Terry Austin.
Main article: Infinity Watch

Inside the Soul Gem was Soulworld, a place where Gamora, Pip and eventually Adam Warlock himself lived at peace. Other beings who had been absorbed by the Soul Gem, such as Kray-Tor and Autolycus, also lived in peace with former enemies.

Gamora met the Silver Surfer when he traveled to "Soulworld", and also battled Drax the Destroyer.[10][11]

When Thanos managed to obtain all the Infinity Gems, forming the Infinity Gauntlet, Adam Warlock decided that he must be stopped. Warlock led Gamora and Pip the Troll out of Soulworld into the real world. Their souls took over the bodies of three humans, who had recently died in a car crash. Gamora thus returned to the corporeal world by taking possession of the body of Bambi Long, whose body then began transforming into a duplicate of Gamora's original body. However, Gamora was soon erased from existence by Thanos when he erased half the population in the universe.[12] When Nebula claimed the Gauntlet from Thanos, Gamora returned to existence.[13]

Warlock now had the Infinity Gauntlet, giving him near omnipotence. Gamora and Pip persuaded Doctor Strange to help them find and stop Warlock, who was going mad with power.[14] The Living Tribunal intervened and Warlock divided the Infinity Gems among several guardians, known as the Infinity Watch. Gamora received the Time Gem, but was incapable of consciously using it, though it did give her sporadic precognitive dreams and visions.[15] Gamora had become romantically interested in Adam, but Adam did not respond to her. In an argument over the Infinity Watch member Maxam, Gamora left the Infinity Watch and the Time Gem behind. She returned to work as a mercenary until Adam Warlock approached her again. They continued to travel together and eventually Adam reciprocated her love. Adam and Gamora remained in a pocket dimension to raise the cosmic being known as Atleza.[16]

Annihilation

Gamora later reappears in the pages of Ronan, having left the company of Adam Warlock and settled on the world Godthab Omega as leader of a group of female warriors called The Graces, where her mind has been altered by Glorian. She is intent on re-establishing her reputation as the deadliest woman in the universe and now wields a powerful blade known as Godslayer.[17][18] At one point, she is seen reclining on a 'throne' made of corpses. She joins the United Front, using her skills to launch quick counterattacks against the Annihilation Wave. She engages in a sexual relationship with the United Front's leader, Nova.[19]

During the Phalanx's invasion of the Kree home-world following the Annihilation War, Gamora is assimilated as a "select" of the hive mind. They dispatch her to apprehend Nova after he flees the planet.[20] She's later freed by Nova and the Technarch Tyro, but left in severe distress, longing again for the sense of companionship brought by the Phalanx, and continuing to adopt her Phalanx mannerisms.[21]

She joins the new Guardians of the Galaxy.[22]

Gamora was taken prisoner by Magus when he faked the death of himself and several other Guardians.[23] She was rescued by Star-Lord[24][25] and played a minor role in the war with the "Cancerverse."[26][27]

She later appears on Earth to aid the Avengers against Thanos.[28]

During the Original Sin storyline, Gamora was seen with Moon Knight and Winter Soldier's group when they do their investigation on who murdered Uatu the Watcher.[29]

Powers and abilities

Gamora received treatments from Thanos that enhanced her speed, strength, agility, and durability to rival Adam Warlock's (to better slay the Magus, his evil future self). Thanos also helped her become a formidable hand-to-hand combatant, trained in the martial arts techniques from various planets, in the uses of the known weaponry of the Milky Way Galaxy, and stealth techniques. She is also a highly skilled gymnast and assassin, and formerly possessed a telepathic link to Thanos. She uses a wide variety of weaponry, most notably a dagger whose unknown properties made it capable of slaying even beings of such immense power as Thanos and the Magus.

In the pages of Infinity Watch, it is revealed that Gamora had been cybernetically enhanced to have superhuman strength, speed, and a rapid healing ability.[30] Gamora's strength and speed were further enhanced by Adam Warlock when they returned from Soulworld.[31]

Gamora is one of the most skilled martial artists in the Marvel Universe. She is capable of defeating opponents who possess superhuman strength and durability that far surpass her own, and she has defeated a military platoon containing dozens of combat-trained men in only a few minutes. She has learned to paralyze or kill opponents using vital point strikes directed at certain nerve clusters. Although skilled in the use of most conventional weapons, she prefers to use knives and swords.

While Gamora was with the Infinity Watch, she possessed the Infinity Gem called the "Time Gem". The gem was mentally linked to her, giving her the potential power to control time. She said that she did not know how to employ its powers and preferred not to use it. While she possessed the Time Gem, Gamora was prone to precognitive dreams and visions, though she had no conscious control over them.

In other media

Television

Film

Zoe Saldana as Gamora in a character poster for the 2014 film, Guardians of the Galaxy.

Video games

Toys

References

  1. ↑ Richards, Dave (14 October 2012). "NYCC: Bendis, McNiven & Wacker Relaunch the "Guardians of the Galaxy"". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  2. ↑ Jim Starlin (w), Jim Starlin (p), Jim Starlin, Alan Lee Weiss (i). "The Judgment!" Strange Tales 180 (June 1975), Marvel Comics
  3. ↑ Jim Starlin (w), Jim Starlin (p), Al Milgrom (i). "1000 Clowns!" Strange Tales 181 (August 1975), Marvel Comics
  4. ↑ Jim Starlin (w), Jim Starlin (p), Steve Leialoha (i). "The Infinity Effect" Warlock 9 (October 1975), Marvel Comics
  5. ↑ Jim Starlin (w), Jim Starlin (p), Steve Leialoha (i). "How Strange my Destiny! Part 1: The Rice!" Warlock 10 (December 1975), Marvel Comics
  6. ↑ Jim Starlin (w), Steve Leialoha, Jim Starlin (p), Steve Leialoha (i). "How Strange My Destiny! Part 2: Escape Into the Inner Prison!" Warlock 11 (February 1976), Marvel Comics
  7. ↑ Jim Starlin (w), Jim Starlin (p). "Just a Series of Events" Warlock 15 (November 1976), Marvel Comics
  8. ↑ Jim Starlin (w), Jim Starlin (p), Josef Rubinstein (i). "The Final Threat" Avengers Annual 7 (November 1977), Marvel Comics
  9. ↑ Jim Starlin (w), Jim Starlin (p), Josef Rubinstein (i). "Death Watch!" Marvel Two-in-One Annual 2 (December 1977), Marvel Comics
  10. ↑ Jim Starlin (w), Ron Lim (p), Tom Christopher (i). "... The Soul World" Silver Surfer v3, 46 (February 1991), Marvel Comics
  11. ↑ Jim Starlin (w), Ron Lim (p), Tom Christopher (i). "Adam Warlock Protector of the Soulworld!" Silver Surfer v3, 47 (March 1991), Marvel Comics
  12. ↑ Jim Starlin (w), George Pérez (p), Tom Christopher, Josef Rubinstein (i). "God" The Infinity Gauntlet 1 (July 1991), Marvel Comics
  13. ↑ Jim Starlin (w), Ron Lim (p), Josef Rubinstein (i). "The Final Confrontation" The Infinity Gauntlet 6 (December 1991), Marvel Comics
  14. ↑ Dann Thomas, Roy Thomas (w), Dan Lawlis (p), Andrew Pepoy (i). "Footnote to Infinity" Doctor Strange v3, 36 (December 1991), Marvel Comics
  15. ↑ Jim Starlin (w), Angel Medina (p), Terry Austin (i). "Gathering the Watch!" Warlock and the Infinity Watch 2 (March 1992), Marvel Comics
  16. ↑ Jim Starlin (w), Jim Starlin (p), Al Milgrom (i). "Rewards & Punishment" Infinity Abyss 6 (October 2002), Marvel Comics
  17. ↑ Simon Furman (w), Jorge Lucas (p). Annihilation: Ronan 3 (August 2006), Marvel Comics
  18. ↑ Simon Furman (w), Jorge Lucas (p). Annihilation: Ronan 4 (September 2006), Marvel Comics
  19. ↑ Keith Giffen (w), Andrea Di Vito (p). "Blood and Thunder" Annihilation 1 (October 2006), Marvel Comics
  20. ↑ Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning (w), Sean Chen, Brian Denham (p), Brian Denham, Scott Hanna (i). "Alone" Nova v4, 4 (September 2007), Marvel Comics
  21. ↑ Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning (w), Paul Pelletier (p), Rick Magyar (i). "Terminal: Part 1" Nova v4, 11 (May 2008), Marvel Comics
  22. ↑ Greeting the Guardians: Drax and Gamora, Newsarama, May 13, 2008
  23. ↑ Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning (w), Wes Craig (p). "Seconds Out" Guardians of the Galaxy v2, 19 (December 2009), Marvel Comics
  24. ↑ Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning (w), Wes Craig (p), Serge LaPointe (i). Guardians of the Galaxy v2, 23 (April 2010), Marvel Comics
  25. ↑ Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning (w), Wes Craig (p), Serge LaPointe (i). Guardians of the Galaxy v2, 24 (May 2010), Marvel Comics
  26. ↑ Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning (w), Miguel Sepulveda (p). "The Thanos Imperative (Part 1 of 6)" The Thanos Imperative 1 (August 2010), Marvel Comics
  27. ↑ Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning (w), Miguel Sepulveda (p). "The Thanos Imperative (Part 6 of 6)" The Thanos Imperative 6 (January 2011), Marvel Comics
  28. ↑ Brian Michael Bendis (w), Mark Bagley (p), Danny Miki (i). "At the Command of Thanos" Avengers Assemble 4 (August 2012), Marvel Comics
  29. ↑ Original Sin #1
  30. ↑ Jim Starlin (w), Angel Medina (p), Bob Almond (i). "Old Wounds" Warlock and the Infinity Watch 9 (October 1992), Marvel Comics
  31. ↑ Jim Starlin (w), Angel Medina (p), Bob Almond (i). "Strange Encounters" Warlock and the Infinity Watch 14 (March 1993), Marvel Comics
  32. ↑ http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/MarvelParadise56/news/?a=83613
  33. ↑ "It's a Wonderful Smash". Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. Season 1. Episode 25. July 6, 2014. Disney XD.
  34. ↑ http://comicbook.com/2015/02/19/guardians-of-the-galaxy-animated-series-adds-star-wars-rebels-je/
  35. ↑ Radtke, Chris (February 1, 2010). "Planet Hulk is Loaded With Random Marvel Universe Cameos". Archived from the original on September 10, 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
  36. ↑ Kit, Borys (July 14, 2012). "'Comic-Con 2012: Marvel Names 'Avengers' Follow-Ups; Robert Downey Jr. Makes Surprise Appearance'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 4, 2012. Retrieved July 16, 2012.
  37. ↑ Kit, Borys (April 3, 2013). "Zoe Saldana in Talks to Star in Marvel's 'Guardians of the Galaxy' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 3, 2013. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  38. ↑ Kit, Borys (April 22, 2013). "'Guardians of the Galaxy' Adds One More to Cast (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 22, 2013. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
  39. ↑ The Classic Marvel Figurine Collection: Figurines

External links