So if you went to see Guardians of the Galaxy this weekend (and go see it if you haven’t) than you noticed there were a bevy of new faces in the Guardians universe on the big screen. Many of these faces are familiar to those who read about the space adventures in the Marvel universe but might not be familiar to many of the fans of the MCU and Guardians of the Galaxy. This is for you. (Warning: Mild Spoilers)
Mantis (Played by Pom Klementieff)
Mantis is probably the most recognizable new face to join the Guardians of the Galaxy in the new movie. Created by Steve Englehart (co-creator of Shang-Chi: Master of Kung Fu for Marvel as well as Batman love interest Silver St. Cloud for DC), the character has a different persona than in the film. In the film, Mantis is played as an innocent, who uses her empathic powers to help Ego sleep. In the comics, Mantis is a skilled warrior who has taken down Captain America and Thor in hand to hand combat. Besides her empathic abilities, she also has the ability to astral project as well as plant manipulation.
Ayesha (Played by Elizabeth Debicki)
Ayesha is one of the villains of the film as she hunts the Guardians throughout the galaxy for a crime Rocket commits on their homeworld the Sovereign. Co-Created by Len Wein (co-creator of Swamp Thing, Wolverine, Nightcrawler, Storm, Colossus and others), Ayesha was originally portrayed in comics as a hero also known as Paragon or simply Her. She was originally tasked to be the mate of Adam Warlock and has the abilities of flight, super strength, regeneration and the ability to survive the vacuum of space without aid.
Taserface (Played by Chris Sullivan)
One of the most memorable moments in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 was the running gag about everyone making fun of the name of the new leader of Yondu’s Ravager faction: Taserface. Created by Jim Valentino (creator of Shadowhawk), the character itself has a connection to Iron Man in the comics. Taserface comes from a primitive race in the galaxy who find technology created by Tony Stark. They call themselves The Stark and proceed to use the technology to conquer other worlds. He is equipped with advanced technology including repulsor rays and yes, tasers.
Stakar Ogord (Played by Sylvester Stallone)
A pleasant surprise for fans of the franchise got a little bit of a Tango & Cash reunion with both Kurt Russell playing Ego and Stallone playing Ravager leader Stakar Ogord. In the comics, Stakar is the real name of the hero Starhawk. Created by Steve Gerber (Co-creator of Howard the Duck) and Sal Buscema, Starhawk is actually the son of both Ayesha and Quasar in the comics. A member of the Guardians of the Galaxy from the year 3014, Stakar has the abilities of flight, energy manipulation, invulnerability and precognition.
Charlie-27 (Played by Ving Rhames)
Another Ravager leader who comes together with Stakar and the other leaders in the films finale, Charlie-27 also has his origins in the future. Created by Arnold Drake (creator of Doom Patrol, co-creator of Deadman, Lorna Dane, Havok and the Guardians of the Galaxy) and Gene Colan (Co-creator of Guardians of the Galaxy, Captain Marvel, Blade and Killer Croc), Charlie-27 is another member of the Guardians of the Galaxy from the year 3014, fighting alongside Stakar and others, including Yondu. He is genetically manipulated to have super strength, stamina and durability. Coincidentally, Charlie-27 does play a role in the comic version of Infinity War.
Martinex (Played by Michael Rosenbuam)
Stakar’s right hand man when the Ravager leader confronts Yondu about his past, Martinex is another member of the Guardians of the Galaxy from the year 3014. Created by Arnold Drake and Gene Colan, Martinex T’Naga was a scientist on his homeworld but was experimented on by the alien race the Badoon. When the Badoom exterminate his race, he joins forces with Charlie-27, Yondu and Starhawk to stop the Badoon threat. Martinex has the ability to blast heat from his right hand, cold from his left and has adapted to harsh conditions using his crystaline skin.
Aleta Ogord (Played by Michelle Yeoh)
Another Ravager leader who comes together at the end of the film for Yondu, Aleta is another member of the future Guardians of the Galaxy. Created by Steve Gerber and Sal Buscema, in the comics, Aleta is actually physically merged with Stakar. Only one of them is allowed to exist physically at a time, but that doesn’t stop them from falling in love and, after being separated from each other physically, conceiving and having children. Her abilities include the ability to form solid light constructs as well as flight and the ability to survive in space.
These are some of the notable additions to the Guardians of the Galaxy and MCU canon. Considering all of these characters have roots in Marvel Comics, it might be interesting to see how they are used in the next phase of the MCU. Especially since it looks like they want to continue working with Stallone. Could we possibly be seeing a return of the future Guardians in a standalone picture? You never know.
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