COMIC TALK: GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VS GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

In my obsession with the Guardians of the Galaxy I have been doing some comparing and contrasting of the characters. If you are not aware there are two distinct teams of Guardians. The original team that appeared in 1969 existed in the year 3014 in the future. While the current team, the team getting a movie based off them only first gathered together within the last 7 years, around 2007 and 2008. Both teams are amazing, loaded with great characters and amazing stories. Recently I've discovered how closely the new team resembles the original. Here are the comparisons I've drawn:

Major Vance Astro & Peter Quill ~ Star Lord: Both humans from the 20th century with genetic anomalies, Star-Lord being part Spartax and Astro a mutant. Both are the respective leaders of their teams. Vance wears a sealed suit to protect him from the elements and Peter has an elemental gun (okay that's a bit of a stretch, I know).

Starhawk & Adam Warlock: Both characters represent the biggest powers on the teams. Both characters are cosmic powerhouses able to take on such universal threats as Thanos and Michael Korvac by themselves. Each has a mysterious presence surrounding them, speaking cryptically and generally enigmatic personas. Both answer to higher powers too, Starhawk to the Hawk God and Warlock to Eternity.

Aleta & Quasar (Phyla-Vell): Each of them represent the second most powerful characters on the team. Both women who control light, transforming the light into solid objects and weapons. Both women can fly. Each character has a haunted past dealing with family and both characters story arcs lead them to dark places, Phyla's transformation into Martyr and Aleta donning the Starhawk mantle.

Yondu & Gamora: Both characters are masters of physical combat, utilizing primitive weaponry, a bow and arrow and a sword. Both had or believed to have had their entire races wiped out by the Badoon aliens. Both stoic characters.

Charlie 27 & Drax: Again both extremely physical characters, imposing in physique and attitude. Both had their entire families slaughtered, initially taking up the fight for revenge on the Badoon and Thanos. Charlie uses various guns while Drax uses various knives.







Nikki & Rocket: Both characters are the last or only ones of their kind in all the universe. Both are hotheads and smart mouthed. Both characters display proficient use with side arms and guns. Each also has exceptional natural agility. Both Nikki and Rocket are capable pilots too.

 

Martinex & Groot: I got nothing on this one of any real weight. Both characters are relatively unique in design but couldn't be further apart in character. Martinex is the brains of the original team, the science officer of the ship. Groot, during the War Of Kings epic, demonstrated how capable he was around the science lab by helping Maximus in constructing sophisticated weaponry (it happened only this one time and isn't the focus of his character). I love both characters but aside from the brief episode where Groot shows off his intelligence with Maximus there isn't much of a similarity between them or any others.

There it is, folks. I'd say the evidence shown here says that writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning knew exactly what they were doing when they assembled the new Guardians of the Galaxy, mirroring and honoring the classic characters from 1969. Just another reason why DnA are the best!