The Guardians of the Galaxy first appeared in Marvel Super-Heroes #18 (Jan. 1969) as a superhero team that originated from an idea Roy Thomas had about “super-guerrillas fighting against Russians and Red Chinese who had taken over and divided the USA.” However, Thomas has some problems with time and Stan Lee gave it to Arnold Drake. He took it and placed it in space and make them a superhero team in space.
Guardians of the Galaxy’s first story introduced us to an alternative timeline of the Marvel Universe known as Earth-691 based in the 31st century. Here is the list of original members.
- Major Vance Astro, an astronaut from 20th century Earth
- Martinex T’Naga, a crystalline being from Pluto
- Captain Charlie-27, a soldier from Jupiter
- Yondu Udonta, a blue-skinned “noble savage” from Centauri-IV
In May 2008, Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning introduced a new version of the Guardians of the Galaxy following the Annihilation: Conquest event. The new roster has the following team members-
- Star-Lord
- Rocket Raccoon
- Groot
- Phyla-Vell
- Gamora
- Drax the Destroyer
- Adam Warlock.
In the year of 2012 with the launch of the Marvel NOW! initiative, Brian Michael Bendis became the main writer of the series.
Guardians of the Galaxy Reading Order
The Guardians of the Galaxy of 1969
A total of 5 volumes were released by Marvel for the very team of the Guardians of the Galaxy.
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Tomorrow’s Avengers – Volume 1
Collects Marvel Super Heroes (1967) #18, Marvel Two-In-One (1974) #4-5, Giant-Size Defenders #5, Defenders (1972) #26-29, Marvel Presents #3-12. - Guardians of the Galaxy: Tomorrow’s Avengers – Volume 2
Collects Thor Annual #6; Avengers (1963) #167-168, #170-177, and #181; Ms. Marvel (1977) #23; Marvel Team-Up (1972) #86; Marvel Two-In-One #61-63, and #69. - Guardians of the Galaxy by Jim Valentino Vol. 1
- Collects Guardians of the Galaxy #1–7 and Annual #1, plus material from Fantastic Four Annual #24, Thor Annual #16, and Silver Surfer Annual #4
- Guardians of the Galaxy by Jim Valentino Vol. 2
- Collects Guardians of the Galaxy #8–20
- Guardians of the Galaxy by Jim Valentino Vol. 3
- Collects Guardians of the Galaxy #21–29, Annual #2, Marvel Super-Heroes #18
Guardians of the Galaxy of 2008
The Annihilation Saga was the start of the new Marvel Cosmic Universe. It was the base event for the reintroduction of the Guardians of the Galaxy in 2008 with a new roster. Marvel used existing characters and unite them in order to create the new Guardians of the Galaxy during the Annihilation. As mentioned earlier, the new roster has the following members.
- Star-Lord
- Rocket Raccoon
- Groot
- Phyla-Vell
- Gamora
- Drax the Destroyer
- Adam Warlock.
- Annihilation: Conquest: Book One
Collects Annihilation: Conquest Prologue, Annihilation: Conquest-Quasar #1-4 & Annihilation: Conquest-Starlord #1-4. - Annihilation: Conquest: Book Two
Collects Annihilation: Conquest #1-6, Nova #4-7 & Annihilation: Conquest – Wraith #1-4.
- Guardians of the Galaxy by Abnett & Lanning Volume 1
- Collects Guardians of the Galaxy (2008) #1-12.
- Guardians of the Galaxy by Abnett & Lanning Volume 2
- Collects Guardians of the Galaxy (2008) #13-25.
Guardians of the Galaxy by Brian Michael Bendis
After Marvel Cinematic Universe announced the movie Guardians of the Galaxy, Marvel comics rebirth this team, as a part of Marvel NOW! To do so, the biggest author at that time Brian Michael Bendis took charge of it. His version of the team was based on the one that will become familiar to MCU Fans.
Avengers Assemble By Brian Michael Bendis
You need to read this before jumping to Guardians of the Galaxy by Brian Michael Bendis. The Avengers team up with cosmic blockbusters the Guardians of the Galaxy to bring Thanos some cosmically-charged pain!
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1: Cosmic Avengers
There’s a new rule in the galaxy: No one touches Earth! But why has Earth suddenly become the most important planet in the galaxy? That’s what the Guardians of the Galaxy are going to find out.
Collects – Guardians of the Galaxy #0.1,1–3, Guardians of the Galaxy: Tomorrow’s Avengers #1.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: Angela
The galaxy’s most mismatched heroes find themselves at a crossroads when the effects of Infinity begin to rise. Can even the mysterious Angela’s power help combat the fallout from Thanos’ master plan?
Collects – Guardians of the Galaxy #4–10.
Guardians of the Galaxy/All-New X-Men: The Trial of Jean Grey
When an alien race discovers that Jean Grey – once (or perhaps future) host of the destructive Phoenix Force – is back on Earth, they decide to hold her accountable for the genocide committed by Dark Phoenix!
Collects – Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 3) #11–13, All-New X-Men (vol. 1) #22–24.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3: Guardians Disassembled
With Star-Lord missing and the entire galaxy gunning for the Guardians of the Galaxy, it’s time to bring in a little help. But as the Guardians get ready for new members Venom and Captain Marvel, unexpected dangers arise that promise to tear the team to its core! Where in the universe is Star-Lord?
Collects – Guardians 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 Galaxy.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 4: Original Sin
Remember when Star-Lord, Thanos, and Nova were trapped in the horrific Cancerverse? When Star-Lord and Nova were going to sacrifice their lives to take out Thanos once and for all? Nova disappeared, Star-Lord went back to being Star-Lord, and Drax…died?
Collects – Guardians of the Galaxy #18–23 where #18 to #20 were part of the Original Sin cross-over event.
Guardians Team-Up Vol. 1: Guardians Assemble
Guardians assemble side-by-side with the mighty Avengers. Next, Ronan, the Accuser joins the battle after the Black Vortex strikes the Kree Empire.
Collects Guardians Team-Up #1-5, Tails of the Pet Avengers #1.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 5: Through the Looking Glass
The Guardians of the Galaxy are caught in the pull of the Black Vortex! With the Slaughter Squad hot on their tails, the X-Men and the Guardians have to find somewhere to stash their precious cargo…but will the temptation of the Vortex’s unknown power be too much for this band of misfits?
Collects – Guardians of the Galaxy #24-27, Annual #1.
Dan Abnett and Gerardo Sandoval bring back the original Guardians with the Guardians 3000. It collects Guardians of the Galaxy #14 (3000 backstory), and Guardians 3000 #1-5.
After Secret Wars, the Marvel Universe was rebooted. A lot changed, but Brian Michael Bendis was still in charge of the Guardians of the Galaxy. Here are the volumes after Secret Wars.
Guardians of the Galaxy: New Guard Vol. 1: Emperor Quill
Peter Quill has abandoned the Guardians and his role as Star-Lord to be emperor of the Spartax.
Collects – Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 4) #1–5.
Guardians of the Galaxy: New Guard Vol. 2: Wanted
Peter Quill, a.k.a. Star-Lord, returns to the fold! But what does that mean for Kitty Pryde, a.k.a. Star-Lord? Is the Marvel Universe big enough for two Star-Lords?
Collects – Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 4) #6–10.
Guardians of the Galaxy: New Guard Vol. 3: Civil War II
Tie-ins with the cross-over event Civil War II
Collects – Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 4) #11–14.
Guardians of the Galaxy: New Guard Vol. 4: Grounded
The Guardians of the Galaxy have been grounded! The spacefaring superheroes are stuck, of all places, on Earth. How and why have the Guardians become stranded here, and what are they going to do about their new situation?
Collects – Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 4) #15–19.
Guardians of the Galaxy by Gerry Duggan
- All New Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1: Communication Breakdown
Collects All-New Guardians of the Galaxy #1–2, 4, 6, 8, 10, Free Comic Book Day 2017 Guardians of the Galaxy. - All New Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: Riders in the Sky
CollectsAll-New Guardians of the Galaxy #3, 5, 7, 9, 11–12. - All New Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3: Infinity Quest
Collects Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 1) #146–150.
Guardians of the Galaxy by Donny Cates
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1: Then It’s Us
Collects Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 6) #1–5.- The Guardians appeared briefly during the Empyre event.
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: Here We Make Our Stand
Collects Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 6) #6–12. - Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3: We’re Super Heroes
Collects Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 6) #13–18.
(All image credits – Marvel Comics)
