Guardians of the Galaxy (1969 team)
| Guardians of the Galaxy | |
|---|---|
 The Guardians of the Galaxy as featured in Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 1, #1. 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 | |
| Member(s) | Vance Astro/Major Victory Aleta Ogord Charlie-27 Nikki Martinex Yondu Starhawk |
The Guardians of the Galaxy are a fictional superhero team active in the 31st century in an alternate timeline that is a version of the Marvel Universe. The Guardians first appear in Marvel Super Heroes vol. 1. #18, 1969.
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 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 are 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 and the Thing [1] and the Defenders. [2]
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, [3] the Guardians then follow Korvac to 20th century Earth, where together with the Avengers they fight a final, massive battle. [4] The grateful Avengers make the Guardians honorary Avengers. [5] 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 himself 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 [6] and later the Avengers as Justice. [7]
In the 1990's the Guardians had a self-titled comic that ran for 62 issues. The title's sales dropped with the departure of writer/artist Jim Valentino and was eventually cancelled. As the events of the series are set in the future and have never been referenced since, it is uncertain as to whether it is regarded as canon. [8] In 2005, Marvel Comics designated the 31st century Earth occupied by the Guardians (and the hero Killraven) as Earth-691. [9]
Alternate Version
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. [10]
References
- ^ Marvel Two-In-One vol. 1, #4 -5
- ^ Defenders Giant Size #5 + Defenders vol. 1, #26 - 29
- ^ Thor Annual #6
- ^ Avengers vol. 1, #167 - 177
- ^ Avengers vol. 1, #181
- ^ Thor vol. 1, #411
- ^ Avengers vol. 3, #4
- ^ Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 1, #1 - 62
- ^ Official Handbook to the Marvel Universe: Alternate Universes (2005)
- ^ Avengers Forever #1 - 12 (1998 - 1999)
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 Worlds - Includes information about Guardians members