This Article Contains Spoilers -
WARNING: This article contains major spoilers. If you do not wish to know vital information on plot / character elements in a story, you may not wish to read beyond this warning: We hold no responsibility for any negative effects these facts may have on your enjoyment of said media should you continue. That is all. |
“ | You said it yourself, bitch! We're the Guardians of the Galaxy! | „ |
~ Star-Lord before defeating Ronan the Accuser. |
“ | You're right. We're family. We leave no one behind. Except maybe you. | „ |
~ Drax to Neubla. |
The Guardians of the Galaxy are the titular main protagonists of the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy and the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, the deuteragonists of Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, and supporting characters in Thor: Love and Thunder.
They are a band of intergalactic former outlaws and heroes who have teamed together to protect the Galaxy from disastrous threats. They managed to save the planet of Xandar from the Kree warlord Ronan and have been recognized under the Nova Empire.
History[]
Guardians of the Galaxy[]
When Peter Quill, known as Star-Lord stole the Orb, Ronan the Accuser's Sakaarans forced hunted for the Ravager. He used the Milano to escape. Yondu Udonta and the Ravagers went to Morag after the Orb but discovered Quill's treachery and set a bounty on him.
Elsewhere in the galaxy, Thanos, The Mad Titan, his lieutenant The Other, and his daughter Nebula met with Ronan the Accuser. Ronan argued with the Other about the Orb, then killed him with his hammer and sent Gamora to retrieve it. On Xandar, Quill tried to sell the Orb to a Xandarian Barterer but he refused after hearing of Ronan. Gamora then launched a sneak attack on Quill but was hindered by bounty hunters Rocket Raccoon and Groot. The Nova Corps then arrested them.
The group was sentenced to Kyln Prison Facility where Gamora was endangered by inmates whose families were victims of Ronan. As they tried to kill Gamora, Drax the Destroyer stopped them, scaring the other prisoners away. Drax intended to kill Gamora himself to avenge for the death of his family. Quill convinced Drax that by letting Gamora live he would get the chance to exact his vengeance on Ronan as Gamora reveals she had betrayed him. Rocket plotted an escape plan, but Groot initiated it earlier than planned. They were forced to use a makeshift plan to escape from the Kyln with the Orb. They managed to do so successfully.
Eventually, the team resolved to protect the Power Stone from falling into the wrong hands. They defeat Ronan, and leave the Power Gem in the hands of the Nova Crops. With the Nova Corps' blessing, the team sticks together vowing to do "bit of both" good and bad.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2[]
In the sequel, the Guardians are joined by former enemies Yondu and Nebula, as well as new character Mantis. The team is thrown into drama when Peter's father, Ego, catches up with the team and offers Quill answers to his past and an opportunity to embrace his destiny. Ego's intentions prove to be nefarious, and the team have to fight their way out of his grasp.
Avengers: Infinity War[]
After Thanos attacked the Asgardian arc, the Guardians answered the distress beacon and saved the lone survivor, Thor. After Thor fills them in, they split up. Thor, Rocket, and Groot head to Nidavellir so Thor can get a new weapon and then to Earth to defend the Mind Stone. The rest of the team head to Knowhere to defend the Reality Stone. They fail, and Gamora is kidnapped and later killed by Thanos. The remaining Guardians head to Thanos' homeworld where they team up with Iron Man, Spider-Man, and Doctor Strange to defend the Time Stone.
Despite the efforts, Thanos retrieves all of the stones and wipes out 50% of life in the universe. Rocket and Nebula are the only Guardians that survive.
Avengers: Endgame[]
After "The Snap", Rocket and Nebula fall in with the Avengers. When Iron Man perfects time travel, they accompany the team on a mission to retrieve the stones from earlier in the timeline. When they successfully bring back the 50% of life Thanos wiped out, the Guardians joined the rest of the Avengers allies to face Thanos, except Gamora. Gamora was killed before the snap and couldn't be brought back. However, a version of Gamora from before the Guardians' formation hitched a ride to the present and is still out there.
In the clear, the Guardians leave Earth, giving a ride to Thor, who needs time away from Earth to collect himself.
Thor: Love and Thunder[]
The Guardians of the Galaxy can be seen answering a number of distress signals with Thor and Korg among their ranks, usually adding a bit of theatricality to their live saving. Eventually, Thor goes his separate way after receiving a distress call from fellow Asgardian, Sif. The Guardians are not too broken up about it.
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special[]
The Guardians, now including more of the Ravagers, are introduced as outfitting their new headquarters, Knowhere, which they bought off The Collector. Noticing that Star-Lord has been in a bit of a personal slump, Mantis and Drax decide to head to Earth to find Quill a gift and supplies for an approximate Christmas celebration, like Quill used to have as a kid.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3[]
With the defeat of the High Evolutionary, the Guardians decided its time to go on separate paths. Drax and Nebula decided to stay at Knowhere and give the rescued children happy and fulfilling lives. Mantis decides to go travel and find herself. Star-Lord takes a sabbatical to Earth, so he can spend time with his grandpa in the old man's final years.
Rocket was named captain by Star-Lord, continuing the Guardians with a new roster. While Groot stayed on, Kraglin and Cosmo also became field operatives. They even were joined by Adam Warlock, Phyla-Vell, and Blurp. To help the group bond, Rocket encouraged musical appreciation from Star-Lord's collection and modern earth performers.
Members[]
- Star-Lord (2014-2018; 2023-2026) - Former Leader
- Gamora † (2014-2018; deceased)
- Rocket Raccoon (2014-2018; 2023-present) - Leader
- Groot (2014-2018; 2023-present)
- Drax the Destroyer (2014-2018; 2023-2026)
- Mantis (2014-2018; 2023-2026)
- Nebula (2014; 2018; 2023-2026)
- Kraglin Obfonteri (2024-present)
- Cosmo (2025-present)
- Yondu Udonta † (2014; deceased)
- Thor (2023-2024)
- Gamora (2026)
- Adam Warlock (2026-present)
- Phyla (2026-present)
- Blurp (2026-present)
Relationships[]
Allies[]
|
Enemies[]
|
[]
Heroes | ||
Stark Industries United States Armed Forces S.H.I.E.L.D. Culver University Asgardians Frost Giants Howling Commandos The Avengers Guardians of the Galaxy Ravagers Nova Corps The Defenders PYM Tech/X-Con Security Consultants Wakandans Midtown School of Science and Technology Masters of the Mystic Arts The Revengers/Sakaaran Rebellion House of Agon Runaways Skrulls S.W.O.R.D. S.A.B.E.R. Time Variance Authority Red Room Ta Lo Armed Forces The Eternals Avatars Freedom Fighters The Marvels Assorted Variants Others (Films/Disney+) Others (Pre-Disney+ TV) |