Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 team)

For the original team, see Guardians of the Galaxy (1969 team).
Guardians of the Galaxy

Promotional image for Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 2) #1 (May 2008)
Art by Clint Langley.
Group publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance Guardians of the Galaxy #1 (May 2008)
Created by Dan Abnett
Andy Lanning
In-story information
Base(s) Knowhere
Member(s)

Current Members
Agent Venom
Drax the Destroyer
Gamora
Groot
Peter Quill
Rocket Raccoon (leader)
Star-Lord (Kitty Pryde)
Thing

Former Members
Angela
Bug
Captain Marvel
Cosmo
Jack Flag
Major Victory
Mantis
Martyr
Moondragon
Adam Warlock
Roster
See: List of Guardians of the Galaxy members
Guardians of the Galaxy
Series publication information
Schedule Monthly
Format Ongoing series
Genre
Publication date (Volume 2)
June 2008 – August 2010
()
[[ in comics|]] – present
Number of issues Volume 2
26
Creator(s) Dan Abnett
Andy Lanning
Collected editions
Legacy ISBN 0-7851-3326-7
Famous, Mutant & Mortal ISBN 0-7851-3982-6
War of Kings - Book 1 ISBN 0-7851-1429-7
War of Kings - Book 2 ISBN 0-7851-4127-8
Realm of Kings ISBN 0-7851-4543-5
Cosmic Avengers ISBN 0-7851-6828-1
Angela ISBN 0-7851-6829-X

The Guardians of the Galaxy are a fictional spacefaring superhero team that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning formed the team from existing and previously unrelated characters created by a variety of writers and artists, with an initial roster of Star-Lord, Rocket Raccoon, Quasar, Adam Warlock, Gamora, Drax the Destroyer, and Groot.

The modern Guardians team is the second to operate under the name, following the original team created by Arnold Drake and Gene Colan in 1969. These Guardians first appeared in Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 2) #1 (May 2008). A feature film based on this team was released in 2014.

Publication history

The second volume of the title was published in May 2008, written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning and featured a new team of characters from the Annihilation: Conquest storyline.[1][2]

Abnett and Lanning's work on the Annihilation: Conquest story laid the foundation for the new Guardians of the Galaxy book that they had been wanting to launch for some time.[3] Editor Bill Rosemann, who had also edited Annihilation: Conquest, provided more background: "As the planning of Annihilation: Conquest came together, it occurred to us that, if things went well, there would be a group of characters left standing who would make for a very interesting and fun team." It also provided the motivation the team would need, as "on the heels of two back-to-back wars, they're out to prevent any new Annihilation-size disasters from erupting."[4]

The title ran parallel with Nova vol. 4, which was also written by Abnett and Lanning. The two crossed over in the storylines "War of Kings"[5][6] and "Realm of Kings".[7][8][9] Paul Pelletier pencilled the first seven issues. Brad Walker and Wes Craig alternated pencilling tasks from #8 to #25.[10]

The book was cancelled in April 2010 with issue 25. Some plot threads were concluded in The Thanos Imperative 1–6 and its two one-shots (May 2010 – Jan 2011).[11]

The team appeared reassembled in Avengers Assemble #4–8 (June–October 2012).[12]

The Guardians of the Galaxy appeared in a new series for Marvel NOW! starting with issue 0.1 written by Brian Michael Bendis and drawn by Steve McNiven. In addition to the previous Guardians, Iron Man also joined the team.[13] Later issues of the series saw Angela,[14] Agent Venom,[15] and Captain Marvel join.[16] With the success of the film adaptation, spinoff books were also created as solo titles featuring Star-Lord,[17] Rocket Raccoon,[18] and Groot.[19]

Guardians of the Galaxy, along with most of Marvels other titles, came to an end with the beginning of the crossover event, Secret Wars. A new volume was planned to begin after the event as part of the All-New, All-Different Marvel initiative, once again starting at issue #1 (the book debuted two months before the event finished due to some delays on the main Secret Wars book) with Brian Michael Bendis and Valerio Schiti returning as writer and artist respectively.[20] The series sees Peter Quill and Gamora leaving the team, and Rocket becoming the self-appointed new team's leader, also two new characters were added to the team. Kitty Pryde (taking up the mantle of Star-Lord) and the Thing.[21] As a part of the All-New, All-Different Marvel initiative, all the cast of the movie Guardians will get their own solo series. Star-Lord will continue as a solo series written by Sam Humphries,[22] while Rocket Raccoon and Groot will join to be a duo series written by Skottie Young.[23] Drax and Gamora will also get their own solo series written by UFC fighter CM Punk[24] and Nicole Perlman[25] respectively.

Team history

In the aftermath of the Phalanx invasion of the Kree, Star-Lord[26] decides to form a team of interstellar heroes that will be proactive in protecting the galaxy, rather than reacting to crises as they happen. To this end, he recruits Adam Warlock,[27] Drax the Destroyer,[28] Gamora,[28] Phyla-Vell (the new Quasar),[29] Rocket Raccoon,[30] and Groot,[30] with Mantis as support staff.[31] On the recommendation of their ally, Nova, the group establishes a base of operations on the space station Knowhere, which possesses a teleportation system with near-universal range.[32] An intelligent, telepathic dog named Cosmo the Spacedog is Knowhere's chief of security and works closely with the new team. After a confrontation with the Universal Church of Truth,[1] the team meets a semi-amnesiac man who identifies himself as Vance Astro - Major Victory of the original Guardians of the Galaxy.[33] Astro's declaration inspires the as-yet-unnamed team to adopt the "Guardians of the Galaxy" name for their own.[34] When the team learns Star-Lord directed Mantis to telepathically coerce the heroes into joining the team, they disband.[35]

Rocket Raccoon decides to continue Star-Lord's mission and starts a search for the missing members. His new team includes Bug, Mantis, Major Victory, and Groot, who is fully regrown.

Meanwhile Star-Lord was banished to the Negative Zone by Ronan the Accuser for his actions during the Phalanx's attempted conquest of the Kree Empire. There, he finds himself in the middle of King Blastaar's fight to break into 42 and use its portal to invade Earth. Star-Lord allies with Jack Flag to defend the prison and contact the other Guardians for rescue. Rocket's new team successfully brings both of them back, and Flag becomes a Guardian.

Elsewhere, Drax and Phyla begin looking for Cammi, but on their search they talk to a seer who tells them about an oncoming war. Phyla is able to wake Moondragon from the dead, but loses her Quantum Bands in the process. The consequence for Phyla is that she is now the new avatar of death. They go back to Knowhere and do not follow up on the search for Cammi.

War of Kings

Main article: War of Kings

Warlock and Gamora return and inform the team of the War of Kings. They split into three teams, one each to the Kree and Shi'ar, and one staying on Knowhere to coordinate. The Kree team is heard by Black Bolt and the Inhumans, but their request for peace is denied. The Shi'ar team is attacked by Vulcan and the Imperial Guard, leading them to ally with the Starjammers.

Star-Lord, Mantis, Bug, Jack Flag, and Cosmo are taken to the 31st Century by that era's Guardians, who warn them of the creation of an all-destroying energy rift called The Fault at the war's conclusion. Trapped in the future, Star-Lord's team is able to get a message to Warlock in the 21st Century. Warlock is unable to stop The Fault's creation, but is able to contain it with a spell that requires a stable, unused timeline. Warlock chooses the one he previously erased,[36] causing him to become the Magus. Star-Lord's team, with the help of Kang the Conqueror, are returned to this point in the timestream. To escape, Magus fakes the death of himself, Mantis, Cosmo, Major Victory, Martyr, and Gamora.[37]

Martyr frees herself with the help of Maelstrom, and enables Mantis to call the other Guardians for help telepathically. When they come to the rescue, Phyla-Vell is misled by Maelstrom into freeing Thanos. Thanos kills Martyr, but is captured by the Guardians and taken back to Knowhere as a prisoner.[38]

The Thanos Imperative

Main article: The Thanos Imperative

When the universe is invaded by the alternate universe known as the "Cancerverse" from the other side of the Fault, the Guardians take Thanos to the Cancerverse in an attempt to end the war early.[39] Along the way, Drax attacks Thanos and is killed.[40] They are ultimately successful at ending the war, but Thanos is left enraged and promising to kill everyone. Along with Nova, Star-Lord remains in the collapsing Cancerverse as the other Guardians escape.[41]

After the death of Star-Lord, the Guardians disband. Still believing in their cause, Cosmo recruits another team under the name "Annihilators."[42] Rocket Raccoon and Groot later reunite and decide to continue the Guardian's legacy after the duo prevent an incident on Rocket's home world, Halfworld.[43]

The new team appears on Earth to aid the Avengers against Thanos.[44]

Marvel NOW!

After Star-Lord's father visits him in a bar to tell him that it is forbidden for any alien species to visit Earth, Iron Man is attacked by Badoon appearing to attack Earth. The Guardians and their newest member Iron Man defeat the ship; however, London is still attacked.[45] The Guardians defend London and finish off the horde of Badoon but learn that, for violating the "Earth-is-off-limits" rule (the Spartax Earth Directive), they are to be placed under arrest by the King of Spartax. The Guardians manage to escape with the help of Groot, who had recently regrown after being destroyed by a Badoon ship's explosion. The team includes Star-Lord, Drax the Destroyer, Gamora, Groot, Rocket Raccoon, and Tony Stark. In April 2013, it was announced that Image Comics' Angela (Spawn) would join the Marvel Universe as the result of a legal battle between Neil Gaiman and Todd McFarlane. After appearing in Age of Ultron, she joined the Guardians in November. Captain Marvel and Agent Venom are set to join the team.[46]

During the Secret Wars storyline, the Guardians of the Galaxy take part in the incursion between Earth-616 and Earth-1610. During the incursion, Rocket Raccoon and Groot are killed by the Children of Tomorrow, Star-Lord is teleported away trying to come up with a back-up plan, and Gamora and Drax the Destroyer are surrounded and confused by the corpses of their comrades.[47]

Reception

The series debuted to mostly positive reviews.[48][49][50][51][52][53] The May 2008 sales estimate for the first issue was 39,854 copies, making it the 61st top-selling comic title that month.[54] The first and second issues sold out;[55] they have been reprinted in a collected edition.[56]

Collected editions

The series was collected into individual volumes:

Other versions

1602

During the Secret Wars storyline in the domain of King James' England (which is based on the Marvel 1602 reality), the Guardians of the Galaxy have a counterpart here named the Gardiner's Men. They are a troupe of performers consisting of Madam Gomorrah, Peadar O'Cuill, Arthur Dubhghlas, Goodman Root, and Aroughcun the Raccoon. Angela befriended them where she helped to fight off the beasts that were attacking them.[57]

In other media

Television

Film

The Guardians of the Galaxy from the 2014 film (L-R: Saldana as Gamora, Pratt as Quill, Rocket Raccoon (voiced by Cooper), Bautista as Drax, and Groot (voiced by Diesel)).

Video games

Toys

References

  1. 1 2 Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 2) #1 (May 2008)
  2. ↑ Rogers, Vaneta (March 6, 2008). "Abnett & Lanning on The Guardians of the Galaxy". Newsarama. Retrieved March 9, 2008.
  3. ↑ Richards, Dave (February 19, 2008). "DnA + Pelletier + Rosemann on "Guardians of the Galaxy"". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved June 29, 2008.
  4. ↑ Rogers, Vaneta (February 26, 2008). "Bill Rosemann talks Guardians of the Galaxy". Newsarama. Retrieved June 29, 2008.
  5. ↑ Richards, Dave (July 27, 2008). "CCI: DnA and Rosemann on "War of Kings". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved July 29, 2008.
  6. ↑ Rogers, Vaneta (December 18, 2008). "Abnett and Lannig: Readying for War of Kings". Newsarama. Retrieved December 19, 2008.
  7. ↑ Richards, Dave (August 9, 2009). "CCC09: DnA's "Realm of Kings"". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved August 9, 2009.
  8. ↑ McGloin, Matt, Luoma, Mike and Meneese, Bill (August 19, 2009). "Interview with Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning and Bill Rosemann". Cosmic Book News. Retrieved October 31, 2009.
  9. ↑ Richards, Dave (November 17, 2009). "DnA Map Out Their "Realm of Kings"". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved February 21, 2010.
  10. ↑ Guardians of the Galaxy, vol. 2, at Grand Comics Database.
  11. ↑ Richards, Dave (March 4, 2010). "DnA Issue "The Thanos Imperative"". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved March 19, 2010.
  12. ↑ Meylikhov, Matthew "Guardians of the Galaxy reform in Avengers Assemble", www.multiversity.com, 15 May 2012
  13. ↑ Richards, Dave. "NYCC: Bendis, McNiven & Wacker relaunch the 'Guardians of the Galaxy'". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 14 October 2012.
  14. ↑ http://marvel.com/comics/collection/48125/guardians_of_the_galaxy_vol_2_angela_trade_paperback
  15. ↑ http://www.blastr.com/2015-1-22/marvel-unveils-venoms-new-revamped-look-guardians-galaxy
  16. ↑ http://marvel.com/comics/issue/48634/guardians_of_the_galaxy_2013_15
  17. ↑ http://marvel.com/comics/series/19044/legendary_star-lord_2014_-_present
  18. ↑ http://marvel.com/comics/issue/50221/rocket_raccoon_2014_1
  19. ↑ http://marvel.com/comics/issue/53697/groot_2015_1
  20. ↑ http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/herocomplex/la-et-hc-all-new-all-different-marvel-20150701-story.html
  21. ↑ http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/star-lady-revealed-secret-wars-ends-all-new-all-different-marvel-begins
  22. ↑ http://marvel.com/news/comics/25048/travel_back_to_the_beginning_of_star-lord
  23. ↑ http://marvel.com/news/comics/25078/rocket_raccoon_groot_reunite_for_new_adventures
  24. ↑ http://www.newsarama.com/24293-guardians-drax-goes-solo-with-cm-punk.html
  25. ↑ http://marvel.com/news/comics/23673/nicole_perlman_returns_to_gamora_in_the_marvel_universe
  26. ↑ Rogers, Vaneta (May 8, 2008). "Greeting the Guardians: Star-Lord". Newsarama. Archived from the original on February 19, 2009.
  27. ↑ Rogers, Vaneta (May 9, 2008). "Greeting the Guardians: Adam Warlock". Newsarama. Archived from the original on December 12, 2008.
  28. 1 2 "Greeting the Guardians: Drax and Gamora". Newsarama. May 13, 2008. Archived from the original on February 21, 2009.
  29. ↑ "Greeting the Guardians: Quasar". Newsarama. May 12, 2008. Archived from the original on February 21, 2009.
  30. 1 2 "Greeting the Guardians: Rocket Raccoon, Groot". Newsarama. May 14, 2008. Archived from the original on February 21, 2009.
  31. ↑ Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2 #1 (May 2008)
  32. ↑ Nova (vol. 2) #8-9 (Nov. - Dec. 2008)
  33. ↑ "DnA: Whose Shield Was That? Guardians of the Galaxy Secrets". Newsarama. June 25, 2008.
  34. ↑ Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2 #2 (June 2008)
  35. ↑ Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2 #6 (Oct. 2008)
  36. ↑ Warlock #11 (Feb. 1976)
  37. ↑ Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2 #17-19 (Oct-Dec 2009)
  38. ↑ Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2 #24-25 (2010)
  39. ↑ The Thanos Imperative #1 (2010)
  40. ↑ The Thanos Imperative #3 (2010).
  41. ↑ The Thanos Imperative #6 (Dec 2010)
  42. ↑ The Thanos Imperative: Devastation (Jan 2011)
  43. ↑ Annihilators #1–4
  44. ↑ Avengers Assemble #3-8 (May 2012 - October 2012)
  45. ↑ Guardians of the Galaxy #0.1-2 (January 2013-March 2013)
  46. ↑ Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 3) #5
  47. ↑ Secret Wars #1
  48. ↑ Issue #1, Comics Bulletin
  49. ↑ Issue #1, Comic Book Resources, May 19, 2008
  50. ↑ Best Shots Extra: Guardians of the Galaxy #1, Newsarama
  51. ↑ Issue #2, Comics Bulletin
  52. ↑ Issue #2, Comic Book Resources, July 5, 2008
  53. ↑ Issue #3, Comics Bulletin
  54. ↑ Sales Estimates for May, 2008, Comic Book Resources, June 17, 2008
  55. ↑ "Captain Britain," "Guardian of the Galaxy" sell out, variant cover second printings announced (press release), Comic Book Resources, May 20, 2008
  56. ↑ Guardians of the Galaxy: Legacy Redefines Marvel’s Cosmic Universe! (press release), Comics Bulletin, June 30, 2008
  57. ↑ 1602: Witch Hunter Angela #2
  58. ↑ Goldman, Eric (July 6, 2015). "Guardians of the Galaxy Animated Series Poster Reveal". IGN. Archived from the original on July 6, 2015. Retrieved July 6, 2015.
  59. ↑ 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.
  60. ↑ Lesnick, Silas (September 18, 2012). "James Gunn Confirmed to Direct and Rewrite Guardians of the Galaxy". Superherohype.com. Archived from the original on September 18, 2012. Retrieved September 18, 2012.
  61. ↑ "Marvel Studios Begins Production on Guardians of the Galaxy". Marvel.com. July 20, 2013. Archived from the original on July 20, 2013. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  62. ↑ "Marvel Head Talks Thanos & Ultron - Comic-Con 2013". IGN. July 20, 2013. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  63. ↑ Khatchatourian, Maane (June 29, 2015). "‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Sequel Gets Title". Variety. Archived from the original on June 29, 2014. Retrieved June 29, 2015.
  64. ↑ Siegel, Lucas (October 28, 2014). "Marvel Announces Black Panther, Captain Marvel, Inhumans, Avengers: Infinity War Films, Cap & Thor 3 Subtitles". Newsarama. Archived from the original on October 28, 2014. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  65. ↑ June for September 2014 Previews
  66. ↑ May for August 2014 Previews magazine

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