Xandar
| Xandar | |
|---|---|
| First appearance | The Man Called Nova #1 (September 1976) |
| Created by | Marv Wolfman |
| Genre | Fictional |
| In-universe information | |
| Ethnic group(s) | Xandarians |
| Location | Andromeda Galaxy |
Xandar (/ˈzændər/) is a fictional planet appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The planet is depicted as being in the Tranta system in the Andromeda Galaxy. It is best known as the home world of the Nova Corps, an intergalactic police task force. Xandar is also the home planet of Firelord and Air-Walker, former Heralds of Galactus as well as the super-villain Supernova.
The first appearance of Xandar was made in Nova Vol 1 #1 (1976) by writer Marv Wolfman and artist John Buscema.[1] The 2014 film Guardians of the Galaxy introduced it to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as an alien planet where the major plot took place.
History
Blown apart in an attack by the Luphomoid Zorr, Xandar is saved from complete destruction by the timely intervention of Uatu the Watcher, who assists the Xandarians in creating a network of interconnected domed cities out of the largest remaining pieces of the planet.
The planet is later nearly destroyed by the Skrulls. Later still, Nebula destroyed the planet and the Nova Corps. The Nova Corps were resurrected by Richard Rider who used the Nova Force power to reboot the Xandarian Worldmind computer which proceeded to clone the dead Xandarians including Queen Adora.[2]
The war-torn planet is, once again, completely destroyed, and the Nova Corps decimated at the hands of Annihilus. Rider stands as the last surviving Nova Corps member following the massacre. The collective hive mind which resided in Xandar's core, an entity known as the Xandarian Worldmind, also survived and is now housed within Rider's newly modified uniform, which has also been enhanced to assist him in containing the full measure of the Nova Force.
For a short time, Ego the Living Planet became a temporary home for the corps, known as "New Xandar." This was short lived as it was revealed Ego's intelligence was gradually returning and was attempting to corrupt the newly re-formed Nova Corps.[3]
Xandarians
The Xandarians are a peaceful human-like race.
Royalty
Suzerain Adora was their Queen. Her husband Tanak Valt was Nova Prime. Adora once enlisted the Fantastic Four's help to end the war with the Skrulls.[4]
Nova Corps
The Nova Corps was originally a space militia and exploration group for the planet Xandar. It consisted of 500 soldiers ranging in rank from Corpsman up to Centurion and its leader Centurion Nova Prime. The source of the Corps' power is a nearly limitless energy field called the Nova Force, generated by the Xandarian Worldmind.[5] There are many notable individuals who used to be members of the Corps, including Peter Quill, Rocket Raccoon, and Samuel Alexander.[6]
Xandarian Worldmind
The Xandarian Worldmind is a supercomputer located in the bowels of Xandar, made up of the collective intelligence of the deceased Nova Corps members and the Xandar people. Actual brains are stored within the computer. Its purpose is to preserve the knowledge and history of Xandar and to serve as the custodian of the Nova Force.[7]
Known Xandarians
- Suzerain Adora
- Tanak Valt (Nova-Prime)
- Thoran Rul (Protector)
- Rhomann Dey (Nova, entrusted his powers to Richard Rider)
- Rieg Davan (Powerhouse)
- Garthan Saal (Supernova)
- Pyreus Kril (Firelord)
- Gabriel Lan (Air-Walker)
- Master Xar (Co-Creator of H.E.R.B.I.E.)
Other versions
Planet Xandar appeared as a flashback in the comic mini-series Avengers: Infinity War Prelude (2018).[8]
In other media
Television
- Xandar appears in Guardians of the Galaxy.
- In the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. episode "Fun & Games," it was revealed that there are a type of land snail that lives on Xandar called the Xandarian Snails. During a dinner party held by the Kree Kasius as a prelude to them seeing Daisy Johnson in action, one of his guests named Senator Gaius Ponarian offered the Xandarian Snails to Kasius as a good will gesture towards Kasius.[9]
Film
- Xandar was introduced in Phase Two of the films set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe[10] as the capital planet of the Nova Empire and the home to the Nova Corps — the military wing of the Xandarians.
- Xandar first appeared in Guardians of the Galaxy. The Xandarians had signed a peace treaty with the Kree Empire, ending a long war between the two sides. However, Ronan the Accuser — the main villain of this film — used an Infinity Stone to attack Xandar due to a hatred towards the Xandarians for the death of his father and forefathers. The Guardians helped Nova Corps and the Ravagers to defeat Ronan, and in the end entrusted the Infinity Stone to the Xandarians. As the primary inhabitants, Xandarians are depicted with pink skin. Besides Xandarians, the film also revealed many other alien species who live in the cities of Xandar. Buildings located on Xandar include the Nova Headquarters and Nova Corps War Room. The virtual setting of planet Xandar was inspired by the monumental steel, glass and white concrete Liège-Guillemins railway station in Liège, Belgium. During the filming process, London's Millennium Bridge was used to double as a location on Xandar.[11][12]
- The planet Xandar is said to have been "decimated" by Thanos prior to the events of Avengers: Infinity War,[13] with him having done so in order to obtain the Power Stone in the care of Nova Corps.
Video games
Xandar appears in Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2.[citation needed] It is the first level of the game where the Guardians of the Galaxy must work to fight off Kang the Conqueror's forces. When Eson the Searcher was defeated, Kang the Conqueror activated a device that allowed him to use a part of Xandar to make Chronopolis.
References
- ^ Wolfman, Marv (1976). Nova Vol 1 #1. Marvel.
- ^ Nicieza, Fabian (1993). New Warriors Vol 1 #40–42. Marvel.
- ^ Abnett, Dan (2008). Nova Vol5 #17-25. Marvel.
- ^ Wolfman, Marv (1979). Fantastic Four Vol 1 #204 The Andromeda Attack!. Marvel.
- ^ Abnett, Dan (2006). Annihilation: Nova Vol 1 #1. Marvel.
- ^ "Nova Corps members". Marvel Database. Retrieved 2018-03-31.
- ^ Wolfman, Marv (1979). Fantastic Four Vol 1 #205. Marvel.
- ^ Pilgrim, Will (2018). Avengers: Infinity War Prelude. Marvel.
- ^ Gregg, Clark (director); Brent Fletcher (writer) (January 5, 2018). "Fun & Games". Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 5. Episode 6. ABC.
- ^ "How to watch the entire MCU in the right order". Digital Spy. 2018-02-28. Retrieved 2018-03-31.
- ^ Shahid, Sharnaz (August 11, 2013). "PHOTOS: Guardians Of The Galaxy Cast Get Physical In London Shoot". Entertainmentwise. Archived from the original on June 30, 2014. Retrieved August 11, 2013.
- ^ Hunt, James (July 8, 2014). ""Guardians Of The Galaxy" Set Visit Puts Concerns To Rest". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on July 10, 2014. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- ^ Mithaiwala, Mansoor (28 April 2018). "Avengers: Infinity War's Many Unanswered Questions". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on 29 April 2018. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
The only instance in which it's even mentioned is when Thor tells the Guardians that Xandar had been destroyed a week prior.