5 things you didn’t know about ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’

“Guardians of the Galaxy” is here and you can expect a plethora of reviews from many other blogs out there. Given the number of reviews out there, I’d like to provide another perspective. Many of you will see this film and it will be your baseline for your “Guardians of the Galaxy” knowledge. The truth is that this film’s history is so unknown because the comic book source was extremely low profile and even some avid comic enthusiasts do not have detailed knowledge regarding the Guardians. Here are 5 things you probably didn’t know about “Guardians of the Galaxy.”

5. These are not the original Guardians of the Galaxy

The Guardians first appeared in the 1969 comic book Marvel Super-Heroes #18, but the characters you see on the big screen are far from the original inception. The first team included none of the characters in the film and were initially led by a time displaced astronaut named Vance Astro, not Peter Quill. The Guardians that we see in the film were first introduced in 2008 as the second team to take the name. So while the original “Guardians of the Galaxy” led the universe for almost 40 years, the team know has only been around for 6 years.

4. There are missing team members

The team referenced in the film is actually comprised of a few more than depicted. Original members Adam Warlock, Quasar (Phyla Vell), and Mantis are currently missing from the film’s roster. These characters may appear in the future because they do play key roles, but as of now they are absent from the Marvel Studios universe. I would expect to at least see Adam Warlock in the future.

3. Yondu was an original member of the Guardians of the Galaxy

Yondu may have a borderline villainous character in the film but in the comics he was a founding member of the Guardians. Michael Rooker plays a great villain which makes it even more difficult to imagine the character as any sort of hero but according to the comics he was just that.

2. The Guardians of the Galaxy are from the future

The original “Guardians of the Galaxy” story takes place in the 31st century not present day. The team was disconnected from the rest of the Marvel universe until they were taken back in time to the 20th century to connect with a variety of Marvel’s trademark characters.

1. The name “Star-Lord” has royal origins

Peter Quill seems to reluctantly give himself the name Star-Lord at the beginning of the film but the name actually has meaning in the Marvel Comic universe. Peter Quill’s father is J’son of Spartax who is Emperor of the Spartoi Empire. Quill is actually given the title of Star-Lord in relation to his royal blood because he is actually a prince.