Guardians of the Galaxy
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- For the Modern team, see Guardians of the Galaxy (modern)
The original Guardians of the Galaxy are a superhero team that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Guardians first appear in Marvel Super-Heroes #18 (Jan. 1969).
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Publication history
The team first appeared in the partial reprint title Marvel Super-Heroes with issue #18 (Jan. 1969), written by Arnold Drake and illustrated by Gene Colan. They appeared sporadically through several Marvel titles, such as Marvel Two-In-One #4 -5 (Jul. - Sep. (bi-monthly) 1974); Defenders Giant Size #5 + Defenders #26 - 29 (Aug. - Oct. 1975) and Thor Annual #6 (1977). In each case, other heroes such as Captain America; the Thing; the Defenders and Thor aid them in their war against the alien Badoon. The Guardians also featured in the main stories of the title Marvel Presents from issues #3 to #12 (Feb. 1976 - Aug. 1977).
This was followed by a series of appearances in Avengers, being #167 - 177 (Jan. - Nov. 1978) and #181 (Mar. 1979) respectively, which dealt with the ramifications during and after of the battle against Korvac. In the 1990s the Guardians had a self-titled comic that ran for 62 issues, initially written and illustrated by Jim Valentino. Michael Gallagher commenced writing the title from issue #29 (Oct. 1992) until cancellation with issue #62 in July 1995.
A second volume was published in May 2008, written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning. The title features a new team drawn from participants in the Annihilation: Conquest storyline. *Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2, #1 (May 2008)*
team history
The Guardians are active in the 31st century in an alternate time-line of the Marvel Universe. The original members of the team include 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 Vance Astrovik, now called Justice. Martinex T'Naga, a crystalline being from Pluto; Captain Charlie-27; a soldier from Jupiter, and Yondu Udonta, a blue-skinned "noble savage" from Beta Centauri IV comprise the original team.
Each is apparently the last of their kind and is 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, the Thing, *Marvel Two-In-One #4 -5 (Jul. - Sep. (bi-monthly) 1974)*
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, *Thor Annual #6 (1977)* the Guardians then follow Korvac to 20th century Earth, where together with the Avengers they fight a final battle. *Avengers #167 - 177 (Jan. - Nov. 1978)*
The Guardians reappear years later and have a series of adventures in their future, *Marvel Super-Heroes #18 (Jan. 1969)* with several others eventually joining the Guardians, such as the Inhuman Talon; Replica the Skrull and the second version of Yellowjacket, Rita DeMara.
Wanting to expand the Guardians to a multiple team organization, Martinex eventually leaves the team to look for additional members for a second unit, nicknamed the Galactic Guardians. *Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2, #62 (July 1995)*
Other versions
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. *Avengers Forever #1 - 12 (Dec. 98 - Nov. 99)*
Collected editions
In February 1992, a trade paperback was released titled Guardians of the Galaxy: Quest for the Shield () reprinting Guardians of the Galaxy issues # 1 - 6.
