Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 team)

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Guardians of the Galaxy
GuardiansoftheGalaxy.jpg
Promotional image for
Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 2) #1 (May 2008)
Art by Clint Langley depicting Star-Lord, Rocket Raccoon, Drax the Destroyer, Gamora, Adam Warlock and Phyla-Vell.
Group publication information
Publisher Marvel Comics
First appearance Annihilation: Conquest #6 (April 2008)
Created by Dan Abnett
Andy Lanning
In-story information
Type of organization Superhero team
Base(s) Knowhere
Leader(s) Star-Lord
Agent(s) Groot
Rocket Raccoon
Phyla-Vell
Gamora
Drax the Destroyer
Moondragon
Marvel Boy (Noh-Varr)
Nova (Richard Rider)
Roster
See: List of Guardians of the Galaxy members
Guardians of the Galaxy
Series publication information
ScheduleMonthly
Format Ongoing series
Publication date(Volume 2)
July 2008 – June 2010
(Volume 3)
May 2013 – July 2015
(Volume 4)
December 2015 – June 2017
(All-New Guardians of the Galaxy)
July – December 2017
(Volume 1 resumed)
January – March 2018
(Volume 5)
March 2019 – February 2020
(Volume 6)
March 2020 – November 2021
Number of issues(Volume 2) 25
(Volume 3) 28
(Volume 4) 20
(All-New Guardians of the Galaxy) 12
(Volume 1 resumed) 5
(Volume 5) 12
(Volume 6) 18
Creator(s) Dan Abnett
Andy Lanning

The Guardians of the Galaxy are a fictional superhero team appearing in American 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, Groot, Phyla-Vell, Gamora, Drax the Destroyer, and Adam Warlock.

Contents

These Guardians first appeared in Annihilation: Conquest #6 (April 2008). A feature film set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe based on this team was released in 2014. A sequel, titled Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 , was released in 2017, and the team has also been featured in the crossover films Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019) and Thor: Love and Thunder , as well as the Disney+ The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (both 2022) and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023). This Guardians team is the second to operate under the name, following the original team created by Arnold Drake, Roy Thomas and Stan Lee in 1969.

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 canceled 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 series for the 2012 Marvel NOW! branding, starting with issue 0.1 written by Brian Michael Bendis and drawn by Steve McNiven, which saw Iron Man join the team. [13] Later issues of the series saw Angela, [14] Agent Venom, [15] and Captain Marvel join. [16]

In 2014, to tie into the feature film, Marvel debuted Legendary Star-Lord , a solo series written by Sam Humphries, [17] and a Rocket Raccoon solo series. [18] The following year saw a solo Groot miniseries written by Jeff Loveness. [19]

Guardians of the Galaxy was relaunched as part of the 2015 All-New, All-Different Marvel initiative 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 new team's self-appointed leader, also two new characters were added to the team. Kitty Pryde (taking up the mantle of Star-Lord) and the Thing. [21] As part of the same initiative, Star-Lord starred in a 2015 solo series again written by Humphries, [22] while Drax and Gamora starred in their own individual solo series written by CM Punk [23] and Nicole Perlman, respectively. [24]

Team history

In the aftermath of the Phalanx invasion of the Kree, Star-Lord [25] 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, [26] Drax the Destroyer, [27] Gamora, [27] Phyla-Vell (the new Quasar), [28] Rocket Raccoon, [29] and Groot, [29] with Mantis as support staff. [30] 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. [31] 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. [32] Astro's declaration inspires the as-yet-unnamed team to adopt the "Guardians of the Galaxy" name for their own. [33] When the team learns Star-Lord directed Mantis to telepathically coerce the heroes into joining the team, they disband. [34]

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.[ citation needed ]

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, [35] 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. [36]

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. [37]

The Thanos Imperative

In the 2010 miniseries The Thanos Imperative , the universe is invaded by the Cancerverse, a universe that lies on the opposite side of the Fault, a rift in space-time formed at the end of "War of Kings". The Guardians take Thanos to the Cancerverse in an attempt to end the war early. [38] Along the way, Drax attacks Thanos and is killed. [39] 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. [40]

After the death of Star-Lord, the Guardians disband. Still believing in their cause, Cosmo recruits another team under the name "Annihilators". [41] Rocket Raccoon and Groot later reunite and decide to continue the Guardians' legacy after the duo prevent an incident on Rocket's home world, Halfworld. [42]

The new team appears on Earth to aid the Avengers against Thanos. [43]

Marvel NOW!

Writer Brian Michael Bendis signing books at Midtown Comics in Manhattan, including copies of the Marvel NOW! version of the series 7.24.19BrianMichaelBendisByLuigiNovi39.jpg
Writer Brian Michael Bendis signing books at Midtown Comics in Manhattan, including copies of the Marvel NOW! version of the series

The Marvel NOW! iteration of the team includes Star-Lord, Drax the Destroyer, Gamora, Groot, Rocket Raccoon, and Iron Man. 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 an army of Badoon invading Earth. The Guardians and their newest member Iron Man defeat the ship; however, London is still invaded. [44] 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. 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 the "Age of Ultron", she joins the Guardians. Captain Marvel and Agent Venom later have stints as team members as well. [45]

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. [46] During the subsequent conflict with the Beyonder-empowered Doom, Star-Lord is one of the survivors of the previous universe, piloting the 616 and Ultimate versions of Mister Fantastic in to mount a final assault on Doom's castle, and revealing that he kept a twig from Groot in his pocket until the right moment.

All New All-Different Marvel

During the "Secret Empire" storyline, the Guardians of the Galaxy assist Captain Marvel, the Ultimates, the Alpha Flight Space Program, Hyperion, and Quasar in fighting the Chitauri wave. Captain America, who was brainwashed into being a Hydra sleeper agent, activates the Planetary Defense Shield, trapping them outside of Earth. [47]

In 2020, Marvel announced a reboot of the series, written by Al Ewing and drawn by Juann Cabal. This new series depicts the titular team, led by Star-Lord and Rocket Raccoon and including Marvel Boy, Nova, Phyla-Vell, Moondragon and Hercules, fighting against the Gods of Olympus, with Gamora, Groot, and Drax also appear as prominent supporting characters. [48] Wiccan and Hulkling later join as members. [49]

Members

Reception

Volumes

Guardians of the Galaxy - 2008

The 2008 series holds a 7.5 out of 10 critic rating on the review aggregator website Comic Book Round Up. [50] [51] [52] [53] [54] [55]

The May 2008 sales estimate for the first issue was 39,854 copies, making it the 61st top-selling comic title that month. [56] The first and second issues sold out, [57] and were later published as part of a collected edition. [58]

Al Ewing's run of Guardians of the Galaxy received a nomination for the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comic Book at the 32nd GLAAD Media Awards in 2021. [59]

Other versions

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 later befriended them when she helped to fight off attacking beasts. [60]

In another story, "Baby Thanos", other team members appeared with Cable instead of Star-Lord from the resurrected and remade universe where they became "Punisher Universe". But there were other team members as well, where there were Peni Parker, Wolverine, Kamala Khan (Captain Marvel), Juggernaut (Juggerduck), Cloak and Dagger, Iron Groot, and others heroes. All were killed by Frank Castle in order to protect the infant Thanos. [61]

In other media

Television

Film

The Guardians of the Galaxy appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with the characters portrayed in a more comedic manner. [64] The group's founding members are Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket, and Groot along with Mantis and Nebula, who joined them in the second film. [65] In the conclusion of the third film, the Guardians disband and the team is reconstituted with new members, led by Rocket, along with Groot, Cosmo, Kraglin, Warlock, Phyla, and Blurp.

Video games

Toys

Theme parks

Live performance

The Guardians of the Galaxy appears in Marvel Universe LIVE! stage show.

Collected editions

Volume 2 (Abnett and Lanning)

TitleMaterial collectedPublication dateISBN
LegacyGuardians of the Galaxy (vol. 2) #1–6January 20090-7851-3338-0
War of Kings: Book 1Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 2) #7–12June 20090-7851-3339-9
War of Kings: Book 2Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 2) #13–19, Marvel Spotlight: War of KingsNovember 2009978-0785140481
Realm of KingsGuardians of the Galaxy (vol. 2) #20–25July 20100-7851-4049-2
Guardians of the Galaxy by Abnett & Lanning: The Complete Collection Volume 1Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 2) #1–12August 2014978-0785190646
Guardians of the Galaxy by Abnett & Lanning: The Complete Collection Volume 2Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 2) #13–25December 2014978-0785190639
Guardians of the Galaxy by Abnett & Lanning OmnibusGuardians of the Galaxy (vol. 2) #1–25, The Thanos Imperative: Ignition, The Thanos Imperative #1–6, The Thanos Imperative: Devastation, material from Annihilators #1–4, Annihilators: Earthfall #1–4May 2016978-0785198345
Guardians Of The Galaxy Modern Era Epic Collection Vol 1 Somebody's Got To Do ItAnnihilation: Conquest - Star-Lord #1-4, Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 2) #1-12September 2023978-1302953751
Guardians Of The Galaxy Modern Era Epic Collection Vol 2 War of KingsGuardians of the Galaxy (vol. 2) #13-25, The Thanos Imperative: Ignition, The Thanos Imperative #1–6January 2025

Volume 3 (Brian Michael Bendis)

TitleMaterial collectedPublication dateISBN
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1: Cosmic AvengersGuardians of the Galaxy (vol. 3) #0.1,1–3, Guardians of the Galaxy: Tomorrow's Avengers #1September 2013978-0785166078
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: AngelaGuardians of the Galaxy (vol. 3) #4–10February 2014978-0785166085
Guardians of the Galaxy/All-New X-Men: The Trial of Jean GreyGuardians of the Galaxy (vol. 3) #11–13, All-New X-Men (vol. 1) #22–24June 2014978-0785166092
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3: Guardians DisassembledGuardians of the Galaxy (vol. 3) #14–17, Captain Marvel (vol. 7) #1, material from Amazing Spider-Man #654, Free Comic Book Day 2014: Guardians of the GalaxyNovember 2014978-0785154792
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 4: Original SinGuardians of the Galaxy (vol. 3) #18–23December 2014978-0785192459
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 5: Through the Looking GlassGuardians of the Galaxy (vol. 3) #24–27, Annual #1April 2015978-0785197386
Guardians of the Galaxy & X-Men: The Black VortexGuardians of the Galaxy & X-Men: The Black Vortex Alpha #1, Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 3) #24–25, Legendary Star-Lord #9–11, All-New X-Men (vol. 1) #38–39, Guardians Team-Up #2, Nova (vol. 5) #28; Cyclops (vol. 3) #12; Captain Marvel (vol. 8) #14; Guardians of the Galaxy & X-Men: The Black Vortex Omega #1July 2015978-0785197706
Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 1 (HC)Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 3) #0.1, 1–10, Guardians of the Galaxy: Tomorrow 's Avengers #1May 2015978-0785194002
Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2 (HC)Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 3) #11–17, All-New X-Men (vol. 1) #22–24, Free Comic Book Day 2014: Guardians of the GalaxyJanuary 2016978-0785198246
Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3 (HC)Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 3) #18–27, Annual #1September 2016978-1302900083
Guardians of the Galaxy by Brian Michael Bendis OmnibusAvengers Assemble #1–8, Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 3) #0.1, 1–27, Annual #1; Guardians of the Galaxy: Tomorrow's Avengers #1, All-New X-Men (vol. 1) #22–24, Free Comic Book Day 2014: Guardians of the Galaxy,Guardians of Knowhere #1–4December 2016978-1302900274

Guardians Team-Up

TitleMaterial collectedPublication dateISBN
Guardians Team-Up Vol. 1: Guardians AssembleGuardians Team-Up #1–5, Tails of Pet-Avengers #1November 2015978-0785197140
Guardians Team-Up Vol. 2: Unlikely StoryGuardians Team-Up #6–10, Deadpool Team-Up #883February 2016978-0785199113

Secret Wars Miniseries

TitleMaterial collectedPublication dateISBN
Guardians of KnowhereGuardians of Knowhere #1–4, New Avengers: Illuminati #3December 2015978-0785198444
Star-Lord & Kitty PrydeStar-Lord & Kitty Pryde #1–3, Generation Next #1,Guardians of the Galaxy & X-Men: The Black Vortex OmegaDecember 2015978-0785198437

Volume 4 (Brian Michael Bendis)

TitleMaterial collectedPublication dateISBN
Guardians of the Galaxy: New Guard Vol. 1: Emperor QuillGuardians of the Galaxy (vol. 4) #1–5May 2016978-0785195184
Guardians of the Galaxy: New Guard Vol. 2: Wanted Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 4) #6–10November 2016978-0785195191
Guardians of the Galaxy: New Guard Vol. 3: Civil War IIGuardians of the Galaxy (vol. 4) #11–14February 2017978-1302903015
Guardians of the Galaxy: New Guard Vol. 4: GroundedGuardians of the Galaxy (vol. 4) #15–19October 2017978-1302906702
Guardians Of The Galaxy Volume 4 (HC)Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 4) #1–10November 2017978-1302904371
Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 5 (HC)Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 4) #11–19, material from Free Comic Book Day 2016 Civil War IIAugust 2018978-1302908966

Guardians of Infinity

TitleMaterial collectedPublication dateISBN
Guardians of the Galaxy: Guardians of InfinityGuardians of Infinity #1–8 (A stories)August 2016978-0785195870
Guardians of the Galaxy: Tales of the CosmosGuardians of Infinity #1–8 (B stories)August 2016978-0785195887

All New Guardians of the Galaxy (Gerry Duggan)

TitleMaterial collectedPublication dateISBN
All New Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1: Communication BreakdownAll-New Guardians of the Galaxy #1–2, 4, 6, 8, 10, Free Comic Book Day 2017 Guardians of the GalaxyDecember 2017978-1302905446
All New Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: Riders in the SkyAll-New Guardians of the Galaxy #3, 5, 7, 9, 11–12February 2018978-1302905453
All New Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3: Infinity QuestGuardians of the Galaxy (vol. 1) #146–150March 2018978-1302905460
Guardians of the Galaxy by Gerry Duggan OmnibusAll-New Guardians Of The Galaxy #1–12, Guardians Of The Galaxy (vol. 1) #146–150, material from Free Comic Book Day 2017 Guardians Of The GalaxyOctober 2018978-1302913151

Volume 5 (Donny Cates)

TitleMaterial collectedPublication dateISBN
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1: The Final GauntletGuardians of the Galaxy (vol. 5) #1–6August 2019978-1302915889
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: FaithlessGuardians of the Galaxy (vol. 5) #7–12, Annual #1March 2020978-1302915896
Guardians of the Galaxy by Donny CatesGuardians of the Galaxy (vol. 5) #1–12, Annual #1February 2021978-1302926731

Volume 6 (Al Ewing)

TitleMaterial collectedPublication dateISBN
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1: Then It's UsGuardians of the Galaxy (vol. 6) #1–5October 2020978-1302920753
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: Here We Make Our StandGuardians of the Galaxy (vol. 6) #6–12May 2021978-1302920760
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3: We're Super HeroesGuardians of the Galaxy (vol. 6) #13–18November 2021978-1302928766
Last AnnihilationGuardians of the Galaxy (vol. 6) #16–18, Cable Reloaded #1, The Last Annihilation: Wiccan & Hulking #1, The Last Annihilation: Wakanda #1, S.W.O.R.D. (vol. 2) #7August 2022978-1302933111
Guardians of the Galaxy by Al EwingGuardians of the Galaxy (vol. 6) #1-18, Rocket #1-6 and material from Guardians of the Galaxy Annual #1April 2023 978-1302949907

Volume 7 (Colin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing)

TitleMaterial collectedPublication dateISBN
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1: GrootfallGuardians of the Galaxy (vol. 7) #1–5November 2023978-1302951191
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: GrootriseGuardians of the Galaxy (vol. 7) #6–10, Guardians of the Galaxy Annual #1April 2024978-1302951207

Other Miniseries

TitleMaterial collectedPublication DateISBN
Guardians of the Galaxy: Mother EntropyGuardians Of The Galaxy: Mother Entropy #1–5August 2017978-1846538322
Guardians of the Galaxy: Telltale GamesGuardians of the Galaxy: Telltale Games #1–5June 2018978-1302909390

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Drax the Destroyer, often referred to simply as Drax, is a fictional character portrayed by Dave Bautista in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise, based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Drax is depicted as an imposing yet dimwitted warrior who seeks vengeance against the man who killed his family, Ronan the Accuser. Drax joins the Guardians of the Galaxy in their battle against Ronan. He participates in the conflict against Thanos, falling victim to the Blip before being resurrected by the Avengers. Drax and the Guardians depart for space and come into conflict with the High Evolutionary before Drax retires to watch over the children of the newly established colony on Knowhere.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gamora (Marvel Cinematic Universe)</span> Character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Gamora is a fictional character portrayed primarily by Zoe Saldaña in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise, based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Gamora is depicted as a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy, having escaped her previous life as an assassin after she was forcibly adopted by Thanos after he murdered half of her people, including her mother. For the next twenty years, she served Thanos as a cybernetically enhanced warrior until betraying him to join the Guardians. Over time she becomes romantically involved with Peter Quill, and develops a positive relationship with her adopted sister Nebula despite their rivalrous upbringing. She is eventually killed by Thanos when he sacrifices her to obtain the Soul Stone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Groot (Marvel Cinematic Universe)</span> Extraterrestrial tree creature in the Marvel Cinematic Universe Groot

Groot is a fictional character voiced by Vin Diesel and portrayed in various forms and capacities via motion capture by Diesel, Krystian Godlewski, Sean Gunn, James Gunn and Terry Notary, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise, based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. A tree-like extraterrestrial humanoid known as a flora colossus, the character is a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy and a close associate of Rocket in particular. The initial incarnation of the character sacrifices himself to save his allies during the battle against Ronan the Accuser at the climax of the first film, leaving behind a sapling which grows into a new Groot, colloquially known as "Baby Groot" and differentiated offscreen by James Gunn as the original's "son". Raised by Rocket as an adoptive son, the new Groot gradually grows to a similar size as his predecessor over the course of his next several appearances. He participates in the conflicts against Ego and then Thanos, falling victim to the Blip before being resurrected five years later by the Avengers and participating in the final battle against Thanos before departing for space with the Guardians. After the Guardians defeat the High Evolutionary, Groot continues to serve on the team, now under the command of Rocket.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mantis (Marvel Cinematic Universe)</span> Character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Mantis is a fictional character portrayed by Pom Klementieff in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film franchise, based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. She is a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy with empathic powers and is the paternal half-sister of its leader, Peter Quill. Introduced in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), she is an alien ward of Ego with the power to control the emotions of people by touch. She is commonly depicted as having a naive and innocent personality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nebula (Marvel Cinematic Universe)</span> Character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Nebula is a fictional character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise, portrayed by Karen Gillan, based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. She is depicted as a blue-skinned alien warrior who is both the adoptive daughter of Thanos, who killed her blood family before raising her, and the adoptive sister of Gamora, with whom she grew to share a bitter rivalry. Although she is first introduced as the secondary antagonist of Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), subsequent films see her develop into an antihero and eventually a protagonist, who joins her sister as part of the Guardians of the Galaxy and becomes a member of the Avengers and then officially of the Guardians of the Galaxy. Aspects of this interpretation were later integrated into the comics version of the character.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rocket (Marvel Cinematic Universe)</span> Character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Rocket Raccoon, commonly referred to simply as Rocket, is a fictional character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise voiced by Bradley Cooper and based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Rocket was based on movements from Sean Gunn and an actual raccoon named Oreo. Rocket is a hot-tempered mercenary and weapons expert who, along with his companion Groot, joins the Guardians of the Galaxy. They then come into conflict with Ronan the Accuser and Ego. Following the Blip, Rocket remains on Earth as a member of the Avengers. Five years later, Rocket and the Avengers quantum time travel to alternate universes to find the Infinity Stones. Following their success, Rocket joins the battle against an alternate Thanos, and rejoins the Guardians after their victory; departing for space. Later, he and the Guardians make their base on Knowhere before coming into conflict with Rocket's creator, the High Evolutionary. Rocket then assumes leadership of the Guardians of the Galaxy.

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