Retrospective: Guardians of the Galaxy (1976)
No talking tree. No wise-crackin' raccoon. Marvel's original Guardians of the Galaxy is an altogether more cosmic bunch...
Set in the year 3007 of an alternate future to the main normal universe, this is the story of the survivors of an invasion who band together to fight injustice. The reptilian Badoon race enslaved our solar system, crushing any resistance to their dominion. Human colonies on Mercury, Jupiter and Pluto were decimated.
The only survivor from Jupiter is Charlie 27, his huge muscular frame genetically engineered to withstand the immense Jovian gravity, granting him phenomenal strength. He teams up with the only survivor from Pluto: Martinex, whose body is also genetically adapted with crystalline skin. Charlie's super strength and Martinex's ability to project blasts of heat and cold give them a fighting chance against the Badoons... but not for long.
Luckily they meet two more fugitives with a common cause: Vance Astro was the only astronaut from Earth to travel to a new star system. In the 20th century he began a one thousand year voyage to Alpha Centauri, spending the time in suspended animation. Upon revival his body was encased in a metallic suit that preserves his life... and which he can never remove. He also has psychokinetic powers, firing a blast of energy from his forehead.
Returning to Earth, he brings with him Yondu, a blue-skinned Centauri warrior/mystic who carries a bow and arrow. His Yaka arrow is no ordinary projectile; it responds to his whistle, making it a very versatile weapon.
The four band together and are then joined by Starhawk from Arcturus, a mysterious figure referring to himself as 'he who knows' and seems to have information - that he cannot, or will not divulge - regarding the future of all of them, and of the galaxy itself. Able to fly through space (thanks to his 'solar sails') he also has the ability to project solid light, which has a variety of uses. His lover Aleta has similar powers.
After liberating Earth they set off on a quest to find the legendary shield of Captain America (after whom their starship is named). They are joined by young Mercurian Nikki, whose hair is composed of flames.
The seven set of on their quest. Their adventures lead them to many distant planets and encounters with exotic aliens, some of whom are friendly, many of whom are decidedly not...
Guardians of the Galaxy is a heady mix of genres: these are superheroes for sure, with their special abilities and costumes, but the settings and scenarios are strictly out of this world. The reader is transported even further beyond the mundane thanks to the inspiring interplanetary context. There is a vibrant sheen of the fantastic here that the modern Guardians do not have.
As is often the case with Marvel, science fiction blends seamlessly with mysticism and grand themes of destiny and the eternal conflict of good versus evil. Starhawk is an archetypal heroic leader who also fulfils the role of guru for the team, sometimes aloof but always committed to ensuring that the Guardians are where they are supposed to be - according to his own, hidden agenda. Luckily he saves the day often enough to earn their trust. His paranormal light also has healing powers; a subtle spiritual reference...
Less subtle is the artwork: the Bronze Comic Age style is bold and striking, with unique designs for the characters and the various spacecraft, aliens and entities that populate their never-ending vistas. We have no shortage of gleaming chrome surfaces and dazzling starscapes here. There is more than a touch of the psychedelic, but that is well in keeping with the transcendental themes of the story.
So how well do the originals stand up 45 years later? I have to say they have aged pretty well (if you're not averse to huge hair and the odd moustache here and there) ... As retro-futurism goes, this has plenty of energy and spectacle (in true Marvel OTT style) delivering the perfect science fantasy/space opera comic. It would be fantastic to see this version of the Guardians adapted as a big-budget movie, with a liberal dose of special effects to give it the impact it deserves. Or maybe even a cult TV series...?
We can, of course, always dream.
Zak Webber
Twitter - @sfcomicartist / Instagram - @sfcomicartist
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