Every Guardian of the Galaxy Ever

The Guardians of the Galaxy franchise has a long history at Marvel Comics, dating back decades before Star-Lord and the gang became cinematic icons. In that time, a lot of heroes have joined the team and left their mark on the Marvel Universe. With Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 hitting theaters, we figured now was a great time to highlight those many characters.

Read on to see every character who’s been part of the Guardians of the Galaxy in the comics. To keep things simple, we’ve organized the list by the major incarnations of the team. That includes both the classic, 31st Century version of the Guardians as well as their modern-day counterparts.

The Original Guardians

Roster: Charlie-27, Major Victory, Martinex, Nikki, Starhawk, Vance Astro, Yondu Udonta

Team Leader: Vance Astro

First Appearance: Marvel Super-Heroes #18 (1969)

The original Guardians of the Galaxy were introduced as a team of heroes from the 31st Century, with the time-displaced Vance Astro serving as the team’s one link to the present-day Marvel Universe. Eventually, Marvel established these Guardians as dwelling in the alternate universe Earth-691, rather than the future of the core Marvel Universe.

The ‘90s Guardians

New Recruits: Aleta Ogord, Replica, Talon, Yellowjacket (Rita DeMara)

Team Leader: Vance Astro

First Appearance: Guardians of the Galaxy #1 (1990)

Early on, the original Guardians team only guest-starred in other comics, and it wasn’t until 1990 that they gained their own monthly series. The team roster is originally the same, but new members like Aleta Ogord, Replica and Talon join up as the series unfolds.

The Galactic Guardians

New recruits: Firelord, Hollywood, Mainframe, Phoenix (Giraud), Spirit of Vengeance

Team Leader: Martinex

First Appearance: Guardians of the Galaxy Annual #2 (1992)

Because guarding the galaxy is a big job, Martinex eventually takes a break from the team in order to spearhead a second Guardians crew. This new team includes its own present-day Marvel hero, in this case the erstwhile Avenger Simon Williams (using the codename Hollywood rather than Wonder Man).

The 21st Century Guardians

Roster: Adam Warlock, Bug, Cosmo, Drax the Destroyer, Gamora, Groot, Jack Flag, Mantis, Moondragon, Phyla-Vell, Rocket Raccoon, Star-Lord

Team Leader: Star-Lord

First Appearance: Guardians of the Galaxy #1 (2008)

Marvel revived the Guardians franchise in 2008, this time with a brand new team set in the present-day Marvel Universe. Following the destructive events of Annihilation and Annihilation: Conquest, Adam Warlock fears further cosmic disasters may tear open the fabric of reality. He spearheads a team to stop that from happening, including many of the characters most closely associated with the Guardians name today – Star-Lord, Rocket Raccoon, Groot, Gamora and Drax among them.

The Marvel NOW! Guardians

New Recruits: Angela, Captain Marvel, Iron Man, Venom (Flash Thompson)

Team Leader: Star-Lord

First Appearance: Guardians of the Galaxy #1 (2013)

The modern-day Guardians returned after a brief hiatus as part of Marvel’s “Marvel NOW” relaunch. In addition to traditional members like Star-Lord, Gamora and Drax, the revamped team included several heroes normally based on Earth, like Iron Man, Agent Venom and even the former Spawn villain Angela.

The All-New, All-Different Marvel Guardians

New recruits: Kitty Pryde, The Thing

Team Leader: Star-Lord (Kitty Pryde)

First Appearance: Guardians of the Galaxy #1 (2015)

Writer Brian Michael Bendis remained on board Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy series after it was relaunched again in 2015. Keeping with the trend of mixing traditional favorites with unexpected faces from Earth, the new series added Kitty Pryde and The Thing to the team. Kitty even took the Star-Lord mantle for herself temporarily.

The Marvel Legacy Guardians

New Recruits: Ant-Man (Scott Lang), Beta Ray Bill

Team Leader: Star-Lord

First Appearance: All-New Guardians of the Galaxy #12 (2017)

Despite the title All-New Guardians of the Galaxy, Marvel’s next franchise relaunch focused on the core team of Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket and Groot. However, Marvel eventually shook things up by adding Ant-Man to the mix. Later, Thor’s BFF Beta Ray Bill joins the team as every hero in the galaxy begins hunting for Gamora.

The Dark Guardians

Roster: Cosmic Ghost Rider, Gladiator, Nebula, Starfox, Wraith

Team Leader: Starfox

First Appearance: Guardians of the Galaxy #2 (2019)

With fears growing that the late Thanos may be resurrected in the body of his daughter, Gamora, Starfox forms his own team of “Dark Guardians” in opposition to Star-Lord’s team. Where the Guardians want to save Gamora, the dark Guardians want to kill her and rid the universe of Thanos’ evil once and for all. This team includes heavy-hitters like Gladiator and Cosmic Ghost Rider, a deranged version of the Punisher from an alternate future.

The Fresh Start Guardians

New Recruits: Doctor Doom, Hercules, Hulkling, Marvel Boy, Nova, Quasar (Avril Kincaid & Wendell Vaughn), Super-Skrull, Wiccan

Team Leader: Star-Lord

First Appearance: Guardians of the Galaxy #1 (2020)

As part of Marvel’s “Fresh Start” initiative, the Guardians were given yet another big overhaul, resulting in one of the largest and most eclectic rosters yet. Early on, Hercules joined the team to help the Guardians deal with the gods of Olympus. Later, the Guardians welcomed everyone from former Young Avengers Wiccan and Hulkling to the one and only Doctor Doom.

The 2023 Guardians

New recruits: None (for now)

Team Leader: Star-Lord

First Appearance: Guardians of the Galaxy #1 (2023)

Marvel’s latest Guardians of the Galaxy relaunch is the first to feature no new members, at least initially. This slimmed-down roster includes mainstays like Gamora, Drax, Nebula and Mantis, and all have been given a unique, Wild West-style makeover.

For more on the Guardians franchise, check out our High Evolutionary Explained and Adam Warlock Explained breakdowns, and then read IGN’s spoiler-free review of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.