Imperial Guard (Marvel Comics)

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Imperial Guard
Fang
Roster
See: Full roster

The Imperial Guard (the so-called Superguardians) is a fictional superhero team appearing in American

comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Imperial Guard are a multi-ethnic group of alien beings who act as enforcers of the laws of the Shi'ar
Empire; the Superguardians are the personal guard of the leader of the Empire.

Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Dave Cockrum, the original Imperial Guard characters were pastiches of prominent members of rival publisher DC Comics' superhero team the Legion of Super-Heroes.[1][2][3][4] Many other characters were later added to the roster, not all of whom are based on Legionnaires.

The Imperial Guard first appeared in The

Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard (2010).[2]

More than 50 Imperial Guard Superguardians have appeared in Marvel Comics' titles; the core members number about 20, with the most notable being

Fang
.

Structure and organization

The Imperial Guard numbers about 300 members, and is made up of the most powerful and elite soldiers from throughout the Empire, with some of them being Shi'ar and most being from other alien races in the Shi'ar's jurisdiction.[5] The Imperial Guard is led by a praetor.

The Superguardians (who comprise the vast majority of the named characters) are the super-powered personal guard of the Shi'ar leader.[4][6][7][8] Those closest to the leader are known as the Royal Elite.

The Guard academy trains replacements — called Subguardians — for Superguardians who may be killed or incapacitated.[9] Over time, at least twenty Superguardians have been killed in the pages of Marvel's comics, with many of them being replaced by new versions from the ranks of the Subguardians.

Imperial Guard oath of allegiance

This is the Imperial Guard's oath of allegiance to the Shi'ar Empire:

I will not falter, and I will not swerve. From the rising of the suns to the setting of the stars. With

K'ythri to guide me, I will serve out the term of my duty with courage and conviction, for it is the greatest honor any being of any species can know to be allowed to guard the Imperium of the Shi'ar and stand, each of us, as a light in the darkness. So I make my oath of allegiance.[10]

Concept and creation

As X-Men creators Claremont and Cockrum were devising a team to battle the X-Men in the first part of the

Phoenix Saga, Cockrum suggested modeling their powers and costumes after characters from DC's Legion of Super-Heroes.[11] (Cockrum had had a two-year run as artist on the Legion of Super-Heroes backup feature in the Superboy comic book.)[12]

In a 2002 interview, Cockrum said that he showed the character designs to Paul Levitz, then-current Legion of Super-Heroes writer at DC. Asked if he thought there might be trouble between the companies, Cockrum said, "Not really... I showed the designs to Paul Levitz, and he didn't say, 'You can't do that.' If anything, he said, 'Geez, these costumes are better than the ones the Legionnaires are wearing.' No, I don't think we ever once thought that we were going to get in trouble over it."[13]

The first Guardsmen introduced (with their

Colossal Boy).[1]

Over time, for various reasons, some of the members' code-names were changed: Nightshade to

Reception and characterization

Nick Hemming of

Looper.com described the Imperial Guard as perhaps "the most interesting facet of the Shi'ar," describing them as "an elite team of super soldiers who enforce the law within the empire. The Guard has played both friend and foe to Earth's favorite heroes over time, boasting a diverse roster of various species."[7]

Fictional team history

Many centuries ago, the

Dark Phoenix
, Rook'shir goes on a rampage throughout the Empire, destroying many planets in the process.

T'korr, Majestor of the Shi'ar Empire, creates the Imperial Guard for the purpose of stopping Rook'shir;

Quasar.[20] Defeating Rook'shir, the Guard becomes the first line of defense of the Shi'ar Empire.[21]

In The

D'Ken and his sister, the Grand Admiral, Princess Lilandra Neramani.[23][24]

Some time later during "

Dark Phoenix, this time at the behest of Emperor D'Ken's successor, Empress Lilandra.[25][23][26]

The Borderers division is introduced — a group of Guardsman stationed on one of the Shi'ar's conquered worlds to help its governor enforce Shi'ar law. A renegade faction of the Imperial Guard — mainly made up of Borderers, but also including

Warstar — become traitors, deciding to serve Lord Samédàr, Deathbird, and the Brood in a conspiracy to overthrow Shi'ar Princess-Majestrix Lilandra. The renegades battle the Guardsman who remain loyal to Lilandra and the X-Men. After defeating the Brood and the renegades, Lilandra resumes her position as the head of the Shi'ar Empire. Despite many of the Imperial Guard having joined with Deathbird against Lilandra, most team members are pardoned for their actions,[27] although Quasar, Warstar, Hussar, and Webwing are later banished.[28][29]

Some time later, Deathbird stages a successful coup and becomes the new Shi'ar Empress.[30] She sends the Imperial Guard to Earth to battle the combined forces of the Starjammers and the superhero team Excalibur, so that she can claim the power of the Phoenix Force for herself. The Guard are forced to retreat when Deathbird realizes the Starjammers are led by Lilandra.[31]

Later,

Charles Xavier and the Starjammers depose Deathbird and restore Lilandra to the throne. Deathbird cedes the empire back to Lilandra as she has grown bored of the bureaucracy.[32]

When the Shi'ar and the Kree wage an intergalactic war, the Imperial Guard are commissioned to lead the fight. The Guard steals the original

Nega-Bands from the dead hero's tomb.[33] Using Kree artifacts, including the Bands, the Sh'iar create a massive superweapon, the "Nega-Bomb." Ultimately, the Nega-Bomb device is successfully detonated, devastating the Kree Empire, with billions dying instantaneously (98% of the Kree population).[34] The Shi'ar annex the remnants of the Kree Empire, with Deathbird becoming viceroy of the Kree territories.[35]

Some time later, the Imperial Guard are informed about a hijacked Shi'ar craft, and join Quasar in a battle against a group of interplanetary marauders known as the Starblasters, who attempt to push the moon away from Earth's orbit.[36]

When many of Earth's heroes vanish (sent to the pocket universe[37] after defeating Onslaught),[e] Lilandra orders the Imperial Guard to help protect Earth.[38]

Hobgoblin dies in her place.[40]

Charles Xavier's body, contacts Majestrix Lilandra, Xavier's lover. Cassandra drives Lilandra insane and uses her to make the Shi'ar fleet destroy the empire. Cassandra forces Lilandra to send the Shi'ar Superguardians to sterilize the entirety of mutantkind, starting with the X-Men.[41] After a battle with the X-Men, the Imperial Guard come to realize Cassandra's treachery and the danger she poses. Jean Grey, using Xavier's consciousness, and with the help of the Imperial Guard, is able to force Cassandra out of Xavier's body and imprison her.[42]

he Imperial Guard's loyalties are tested when

Emperor Vulcan" storyline. He fights the Guard, killing and wounding a number of them, before he is defeated by Gladiator, who puts out his left eye.[43][44]

Ultimately, however, Vulcan returns and assumes the Shi'ar throne, and the Imperial Guard are honor-bound to do his bidding.

Havok and the Starjammers, the Shi'ar prevail. Vulcan declares that he will return the Shi'ar Empire to its former glory.[47]

Emperor Majestor Vulcan begins to expand the empire,[46] leading to a war with the Kree.[48] Things start off well for the Imperial Guard when they slaughter a cadre of new recruits to the Nova Corps.[49][50] The Guard follows this by attacking and hospitalizing Ronan the Accuser on his wedding day.[51] The Kree's retaliation, however, leads to the deaths of a number of Guardsmen.[52][53] Two new Smashers, recruited from the ranks of the Subguardians, die,[51][54] as does Warstar.[55]

When ordered to kill former Shi'ar Empress Lilandra Neramani, Gladiator abandons his post to protect her.[56] Nonetheless, during an attempt to return her to the throne, Lilandra is assassinated.[57][58]

Vulcan is seemingly killed during a battle with the leader of the Kree, Black Bolt.[59] With no one in line to inherit the throne, civil war threatens the Shi'ar empire. To avoid further conflict, the Imperial Guard's praetor, Gladiator, accepts the offer to become Emperor; Mentor becomes praetor in his place.[60]

During the "

Mentor and Plutonia choosing to bond with Raptor amulets; Mentor is taken over by Strel and Plutonia becomes the Raptor Kyte; both vanish.[10]

During the "

Annihilation Wave to resist them.[62]

After many battles and losses — including the death of

S.W.O.R.D. space station headquarters.[64]

Soon afterward, Gladiator kidnaps the time-displaced incarnation of Jean Grey, placing her on trial for the destruction done by the Phoenix Force years earlier. The All-New X-Men team up with the Guardians of the Galaxy to rescue Jean from the Shi'ar homeworld, but Jean ends up awakening a new power, enabling her to absorb massive amounts of psionic energy from others and combine her telepathy and telekinesis, which she uses to defeat Gladiator and the Imperial Guard.[65][66]

When the Shi'ar find out that the reason for the "decay of the universe" is on Earth, they decide to destroy the planet.

Annihilation Wave. The Avengers are ready to meet their end, but the Illuminati intervenes, using the controller disk of a rogue planet that shares the same space with Earth, while Iron Man uses Sol's Hammer to destroy the Shi'ar fleet, including the Imperial Guards.[68]

The Guard are resurrected, along with the rest of the universe, as part of the All-New, All-Different Marvel relaunch.[citation needed]

Membership

Core members

Code Name (Original name) Legion of Super-Heroes analog Powers and abilities Species First appearance Notes
Astra
Phantom Girl Phasing Unidentified extraterrestrial race The Uncanny X-Men #107 (Oct. 1977) Founding member of the Imperial Guard
Earthquake
Geokinesis (psionically create tremors and small quakes on the surface of a planet)[6] Unidentified extraterrestrial race The Uncanny X-Men #137 (Sept. 1980) Killed in Avengers vol. 5 #21 (Dec. 2013)
Earthquake II Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 5 #1 (Dec. 2012)
Electron
Cosmic Boy Magnetism manipulation, projection of bolts of electrical energy Shi'ar The Uncanny X-Men #107 (Oct. 1977)
Fang
Timber Wolf
Superhuman senses, strength, speed, stamina, durability, agility, and reflexes; claws and fangs; teleportation; flight; energy projection/matter manipulation Lupak The Uncanny X-Men #107 (Oct. 1977) Member of the Royal Elite; transformed into one of the Brood and then killed by Wolverine in The Uncanny X-Men #162 (Oct. 1982)
Fang II
Starjammers #4 (Jan. 1996) Alter-ego is Nev-Darr
Flashfire
(Tempest)
Lightning Lad[1]
Generate and fire bursts of light and electricity Unidentified extraterrestrial race The Uncanny X-Men #107 (Oct. 1977) At one point engaged to marry fellow Guardsman Oracle[69] (an analog of Saturn Girl, to whom Lightning Lad was also romantically linked); alter-ego is Grannz[70] (Lightning Lad's alter-ego is Garth Ranzz); renamed Flashfire because of the DC Comics character Joshua Clay (Tempest)
Gladiator Superboy (or Mon-El) Superhuman strength, speed, stamina, agility, reflexes, and durability; psionic abilities; flight[6] Strontian The Uncanny X-Men #107 (Oct. 1977) Commander (praetor) of the Imperial Guard; alter-ego is Kallark
Hobgoblin
Chameleon Boy[1]
Shapeshifting Chameloid The Uncanny X-Men #107 (Oct. 1977) Killed posing as Lilandra Neramani in Inhumans vol. 3 #4 (Oct. 2000)
Hussar
Channeling of
bioelectricity
into other living beings to shock and paralyze
Unidentified extraterrestrial race The Uncanny X-Men #137 (Sept. 1980)
Magique
(Magic)
Princess Projectra Ability to create realistic illusions Shi'ar The Uncanny X-Men #107 (Oct. 1977) Killed in Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2 #15 (June 2009)
Magique II
Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 5 #1 (Dec. 2012) Replaced the original Magique, who died in Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2 #15
Manta
Infrared and ultraviolet vision, photokinesis Unidentified extraterrestrial race The Uncanny X-Men #137 (Sept. 1980)
Mentor
Brainiac 5 Instantaneous processing of vast amounts of information Unidentified extraterrestrial race The Uncanny X-Men #107 (Oct. 1977) Becomes praetor in War of Kings: Who Will Rule
Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard
Neutron
(Quasar)
Star Boy
Superhuman strength, stamina, and durability; capable of increasing the mass, density or gravity of an object[6] Stygian The Uncanny X-Men #107 (Oct. 1977) Killed in battle in Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #5 (May 2010)
Nightside
(Nightshade)
Shadow Lass Ability to tap into the
Darkforce dimension, giving her the ability to conjure absolute darkness within a radius around her or her enemies; displace projectile attacks against her person by opening small apertures into the Darkforce[6]
Unidentified extraterrestrial race The Uncanny X-Men #107 (Oct. 1977) Killed in War of Kings #1 (May 2009)
Nightside II
Avengers vol. 5 #35 (Sept. 2014) Recruited from the Subguardians to replace the original Nightside, who was killed in War of Kings #1
Oracle
Saturn Girl Telepathy, mind control, projection of stun bolts, psychoscopic awareness ("Mind-Sight": the ability to expand her over-consciousness to read the impressions left by events in the fabric of time and matter)[6] Shi'ar The Uncanny X-Men #107 (Oct. 1977) Long-time member; part of the Royal Elite;[citation needed] alter-ego is Lady Sybil; originally romantically linked with Starbolt;[22] later engaged to marry Tempest/Flashfire[69]
Plutonia Phasing Unidentified extraterrestrial race New X-Men #124 (May 2002) Alter-ego is N'zyr; romantically linked with fellow Guardsman Smasher, then romantically linked with fellow Guardsman Mentor; chose to bond with Raptor amulet at cost of her free will, becoming the Raptor Kyte;[10] current whereabouts unknown
Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #5 (May 2010) Added to Imperial Guard after N'zyr became the Raptor Kyte and vanished
Pulsar
(Impulse)
Wildfire Energy being: flight, projection of energy blasts Unidentified extraterrestrial race The Uncanny X-Men #107 (Oct. 1977) Seemingly killed by Vulcan in The Uncanny X-Men #480 (Jan. 2007), but reappears later
Scintilla
(Midget)
Shrinking Violet
Shrinking from normal size to five percent of her normal size (and any size in between) Unidentified extraterrestrial race The Uncanny X-Men #107 (Oct. 1977)
Smasher Ultra Boy Superhuman strength via cosmic radiation absorption, ability to download additional powers (one at a time) via "Exospex," flight via anti-gravity "flight patches"[6] Unidentified extraterrestrial race The Uncanny X-Men #107 (Oct. 1977) Romantically linked with fellow Guardsman Plutonia; alter-ego is Vril Rokk; killed by Vulcan in The Uncanny X-Men #480 (Jan. 2007)
War of Kings #1 (Mar. 2009) Alter-ego is Salac Tuur; killed by Karnak in War of Kings #1 (May 2009)
War of Kings #3 (July 2009) Killed by Gladiator in War of Kings #3 (July 2009)
Human Avengers vol. 5 #1 (Feb. 2013) Alter-ego is Izzy Kane; left the Imperial Guard to return to the Avengers
Unidentified extraterrestrial race All-New X-Men #23 (Apr. 2014) Replaced Izzy Kane in the Imperial Guard
Starbolt
Sun Boy or Wildfire Projection of energy bolts from hands[6] Unidentified extraterrestrial race X-Men #107 (Oct. 1977) Originally romantically linked with Oracle;
Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard
#4 (Apr. 2010)
Titan
Colossal Boy
Expand his body to giant size, superhuman strength and mass Unidentified extraterrestrial race The Uncanny X-Men #107 (Oct. 1977) Killed by a swarm of mutated bugs in
Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard
#5 (May 2010)
Titan
II
TK (sometime during the "Infinity" storyline) Replaced the first Titan who was killed in Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #5
Warstar
B'nee: electricity generation; C’cil: gigantic, superhuman strength and durability[6] Two symbiotically linked sentient mechanoids[6] The Uncanny X-Men #137 (Sept. 1980) Alter-egos are B'nee and C'cil; their names are an homage to the 1960s animated television program Beany and Cecil; killed (along with the entire Shi'ar fleet) by Iron Man using Sol's Hammer in Avengers vol. 5 #44 (June 2015), resurrected (along with the rest of the universe) in The Ultimates vol. 2 #3 (Mar. 2017)

Other members

Code Name Legion of Super-Heroes analog Powers and abilities Species First appearance Notes
Arc Bio-
electrokinesis
Unidentified extraterrestrial race New X-Men #123 (Apr. 2002)
Binder Binding objects Unidentified extraterrestrial race Rom Annual #4 (Dec. 1985) Killed by disintegration in Rom Annual #4 (Dec. 1985)
Black Light Dark energy blasts Shi'ar (mutated) X-Men: Spotlight on... Starjammers #2 (June 1990) Twin brother of White Noise;
Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard
#5 (May 2010)
Blackthorn Botanopathy (Communication with and command of plant life like himself) Extraterrestrial sentient humanoid plant The Uncanny X-Men #157 (May 1982) Member of the Borderers division
Blimp Bouncing Boy Bio-helium body contained within a specially constructed space suit Unidentified extraterrestrial race New X-Men #124 (May 2002)
Chakar Flight, superhuman strength and durability Shi'ar Rom Annual #4 (Dec. 1985) Praetor of the Imperial Guard; killed in Rom Annual #4 (Dec. 1985)
Commando Nega-Radiation that gives him superhuman strength, durability, and intellect Kree Imperial Guard #1 (Jan. 1997) Alter-ego is M'Nell[18]
Cosmo Flight, superhuman strength and durability Stygian New X-Men #123 (Apr. 2002) Killed by Vulcan in The Uncanny X-Men #480 (Jan. 2007)
Delphos
Dream Girl
Precognition Unidentified extraterrestrial race Inhumans vol. 3 #3 (Aug. 2000)
Fader Invisible Kid Invisibility Unidentified extraterrestrial race New X-Men #124 (May 2002)
Glom Matter-Eater Lad Giant jaws with the ability to bite through and consume all forms of matter Unidentified extraterrestrial race
Quasar
#33 (Apr. 1992)
God-Killer Telepathy, claws, quills, superhuman strength and durability
The Uncreated
X-Men: Kingbreaker #2 (Mar. 2009) Recruited by Vulcan to his Praetorians faction of the Imperial Guard;[71] later imprisoned by the Nova Corps for war crimes, and finally transferred to Zan Philo's Corps starship Resolute Duty
G-Type Project body's intense energy through wrist-mounted flamethrowers Hodinn New X-Men #124 (May 2002)
Hardball Bouncing Boy Rubbery body which gives him superhuman durability and leaping power Unidentified extraterrestrial race Thor #446 (Apr. 1992)
Kwill Projection of stun rays Unidentified extraterrestrial race Rom Annual #4 (Dec. 1985) Killed by Tyreseus in Rom Annual #4 (Dec. 1985)
Mammoth Superhuman strength and durability Unidentified mammoth-like extraterrestrial race New X-Men #117 (Oct. 2001) Killed in battle with Cassandra Nova in New X-Men #122 (March 2002)
Monstra Superhuman strength and durability Unidentified extraterrestrial race New X-Men #123 (Apr. 2002)
Moondancer Dawnstar Flight, long-range tracking Unidentified extraterrestrial race Quasar #33 (Apr. 1992) Alter-ego is Myla; forced to resign from the Imperial Guard in Quasar #57 (Apr. 1994)
Neosaurus Projection of consciousness from one exo-body form to another Unidentified extraterrestrial race New X-Men #124 (May 2002)
N'rill'irēē Superhuman strength and durability; claws and teeth Unidentified extraterrestrial race The Uncanny X-Men #155 (Mar. 1982) Member of the Borderers division
Onslaught
Karate Kid
Skilled martial artist, superhuman strength[6] Unidentified extraterrestrial race Quasar #33 (Apr. 1992)
Schism
Duo Damsel
Ability to divide into two bodies Unidentified extraterrestrial race New X-Men #124 (May 2002)
Sea Spine Pheromones contained in her upper epidermis that can stun, poison, or incapacitate her opponents Unidentified extraterrestrial race The Uncanny X-Men #157 (May 1982) Member of the Borderers division
Solar Wind Projection of energy blast from chest Unidentified extraterrestrial race Quasar #33 (Apr. 1992) Forced to resign from the Imperial Guard in Quasar #57 (Apr. 1994)
Sp'yxx Large creature with three heads; superhuman strength Unidentified extraterrestrial race The Uncanny X-Men #157 (May 1982) Member of the Borderers division
Squorm Flying, floating Hive of thousands of vastly intelligent tiny worm-like creatures New X-Men #123 (Apr. 2002)
Stuff Shapeshifting Extraterrestrial bio-computer New X-Men #123 (Apr. 2002)
Trypthe Enormous tripod creature with superhuman strength Unidentified extraterrestrial race The Uncanny X-Men #157 (May 1982) Member of the Borderers division
Voltar Razor-sharp blades (possibly replacing hands) with the ability to electrify Unidentified extraterrestrial race
Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard
#1 (Nov. 2009)
Killed while retaking the Imperial shipyards after the war with the Kree in Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #1 (Nov. 2009)
Voltor Projection of electrical blasts from hands Unidentified extraterrestrial race Rom Annual #4 (Dec. 1985) Killed by Tyreseus in Rom Annual #4 (Dec. 1985)
Voyager Teleportation Unidentified extraterrestrial race Quasar #33 (Apr. 1992) Alter-ego is Divad; forced to resign from the Imperial Guard in Quasar #57 (Apr. 1994)
Webwing Tentacles with sedative excretion, can capture others in body, flight Unidentified extraterrestrial race The Uncanny X-Men #157 (May 1982) Member of the Borderers division
White Noise Sound wave projection and manipulation Shi'ar X-Men: Spotlight on... Starjammers #2 (June 1990) Twin sister of Black Light[31]
Zenith Capability to access and utilize the maximum potential of an energy-wielder's power[6] Unidentified extraterrestrial race X-Men: Spotlight on... Starjammers #2 (June 1990) Brother of Raza Longknife from the Starjammers; killed in X-Men: Spotlight on... Starjammers #2 (June 1990)

Other versions

Age of Apocalypse

In an alternate reality depicted in the miniseries,

M'Kraan Crystal.[72]

Heroes Reborn

In an alternate reality depicted in the miniseries "Heroes Reborn", the Imperial Guard is associated with Hyperion and most of its members were infected by the Brood.[73][74]

MC2

An older, alternate reality version of the original Lilandra appears in MC2 miniseries, Last Planet Standing, escaping the Shi'ar Empire after it is attacked and devoured by Galactus.[volume & issue needed]

In other media

  • The Imperial Guard appear in the
    Manta. They battle the X-Men in a trial by combat to determine Jean Grey's fate, only to be defeated by the Phoenix Force
    .
  • The Imperial Guard appear in the video game
    M'Kraan Crystal
    and defeat the traitorous guards, Shi'ar soldiers, and Deathbird in the process.
  • The Imperial Guard appear in the 2006
    Magique
    , Blackthorn, N'rill'iree, and Empress Lilandra.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Not to be confused with the rogue Space Knight Pulsar, introduced in Rom Annual #4 (Dec. 1985).
  2. Hobgoblin, commonly depicted as enemies of Spider-Man
    .
  3. ^ Not to be confused with Mentor, the member of the Eternals, father of Thanos and Starfox
  4. ^ Not to be confused with the Marvel character Quasar (Wendell Vaughn), who was introduced shortly thereafter.
  5. ^ Not the member of the Imperial Guard with the same name, who was introduced some years earlier.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Cronin, Brian. "Comic Legends: Why New Imperial Guard Members in Dark Phoenix Saga?", CBR (APR 09, 2018).
  2. ^ a b Fuller, Kevin. "Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #1 Review: Marvel's cosmos deal with the effects of its war," IGN (12 Nov 2009).
  3. ^ a b c d Cronin, Brian. "Wolverine: Every Costume Marvel's Latest Resurrected Mutant Has Worn, Ever," CBR (AUG. 25, 2018).
  4. ^ a b Blumberg, Arnold T. "Lilandra Explained: Who Is the X-Men: Dark Phoenix Character?," IGN (5 Jul 2017).
  5. .
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Austin, Michael. "X-Men: The 10 Most Dangerous Members of The Shi’ar Imperial Guard: The X-Men Comics are filled with powerful and dangerous people. But few are as dangerous as the members of the Shi-ar Imperial Guard," CBR (AUG. 18, 2019).
  7. ^ a b c Hemming, Nick (7 October 2020). "Alien races we want to see in the MCU". Looper.com. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  8. ^ Arrant, Chris. "Marvel Hints at 'Very Cool' (and Space-y) Future for Starjammers & Imperial Guard," Space.com (August 29, 2019).
  9. ^ a b c Avengers vol. 5 #1 (Dec. 2012).
  10. ^ a b c d Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #5 (May 2010).
  11. ^ a b "X-Men's Imperial Guard and Cockrum's Legion of Super-Heroes," The Scoop (Gemstone Publishing, Dec. 1).
  12. ^ Spurgeon, Tom (December 1, 2006). "Dave Cockrum, 1943-2006". The Comics Reporter. Archived from the original on August 10, 2013. Retrieved April 25, 2009.
  13. .
  14. ^ Sanderson, Peter. "Interview With Dave Cockrum," The X-Men Companion (Fantagraphics Books, 1982), p. 82: Sanderson asks Gladiator co-creator Dave Cockrum, "How about the Imperial Guard? Can you give a key as to who’s who? The leader, Gladiator, is supposed to be Superboy...?" Cockrum answers, "Superboy, sure."
  15. ^ Johnson, Jim. "Legion of Super-Heroes' New Timber Wolf Influenced by a Specific Wolverine: Wolverine isn't a surprising inspiration for the Legion of Super-Heroes' Timber Wolf, but there's a classic irony behind it," CBR (AUG. 29, 2019).
  16. ^ X-Men #157 (May 1982).
  17. ^ a b c Quasar #33 (April 1992).
  18. ^ a b Imperial Guard #1 (Jan. 1997).
  19. ^ Arrant, Chris. "Marvel's best Phoenix Force hosts: Who wore it best?," GamesRadar+ (September 03, 2020).
  20. ^ War of Kings: Warriors #1 (Sept. 2009).
  21. ^ The Uncanny X-Men #479 (Dec. 2006).
  22. ^ a b c The Uncanny X-Men #107 (Oct. 1977).
  23. ^ a b Connell, Mike. "X-Men: Whatever Happened to the Phoenix Saga's Original Villain? The original Phoenix Saga is one of the most important X-Men stories of all time, but its primary villain disappeared after a few appearances," CBR (MAY 28, 2020).
  24. ^ The Uncanny X-Men #107-108 (Oct–Dec. 1977).
  25. ^ Beat Staff. "The Marvel Retro Rundown: The X-Men reach an early high note with THE DARK PHOENIX SAGA: The fall of Jean Grey," The Beat (June 10, 2020).
  26. ^ The Uncanny X-Men #137 (Sept. 1980).
  27. ^ a b Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #4 (Apr. 2010).
  28. ^ The Uncanny X-Men #157–158 (May–June 1982).
  29. ^ The Uncanny X-Men #162 (Oct. 1982).
  30. ^ Rom Annual #4 (Dec. 1985).
  31. ^ a b c X-Men: Spotlight on... Starjammers #2 (June 1990).
  32. ^ The Uncanny X-Men #274-277 (Mar.–June 1991).
  33. Quasar
    #32–33 (Apr.–May 1992).
  34. ^ Wonder Man #9 (May 1992).
  35. ^ The Avengers #347 (May 1992).
  36. Starblast
    #1–4 (Jan.-Apr. 1994).
  37. ^ Heroes Reborn: The Return #4 (Dec. 1997).
  38. ^ Imperial Guard #1-3 (Jan.- Mar. 1997).
  39. ^ The Inhumans vol. 3 #1–4 (June–Oct. 2000).
  40. ^ Inhumans vol. 3 #4 (Oct. 2000).
  41. ^ New X-Men #123 (Apr. 2002).
  42. ^ New X-Men #124–126 (May–July 2002).
  43. ^ The Uncanny X-Men #480 (Jan. 2007).
  44. ^ Allan, Scott. "X-Men: 10 Storylines Featuring The Starjammers Fans Should Read," CBR (Oct. 13, 2020).
  45. ^ X-Mem: Emperor Vulcan #1–5 (Nov. 2007–Mar. 2008).
  46. ^ a b X-Men: Kingbreaker #1–4 (Feb.–May 2009).
  47. ^ X-Men: Emperor Vulcan #5 (Mar. 2008).
  48. ^ "Marvel's Cosmos Erupt With A War Of Kings," IGN (May 2012).
  49. ^ Nova vol. 4 #20–25 (Feb.–July 2009).
  50. ^ Schedeen, Jesse. "Nova #24 Review: The Nova Corps do battle with Vulcan's Imperial Guard," IGN (29 Apr 2009).
  51. ^ a b War of Kings #1 (May 2009).
  52. ^ X-Men: Kingbreaker #3 (Apr. 2009).
  53. ^ Schedeen, Jesse. "War of Kings #3 Review: The Kree go on the offensive with a little help from the Guardians of the Galaxy," IGN (6 May 2009).
  54. ^ War of Kings #3 (July 2009).
  55. ^ Nova vol. 4 #26 (June 2009).
  56. ^ War of Kings #4 (Aug 2009).
  57. ^ War of Kings: Ascension #3 (Aug. 2009).
  58. ^ War of Kings #5 (Sept 2009).
  59. ^ War of Kings #6 (Oct. 2009).
  60. ^ a b War of Kings: Who Will Rule one-shot (Nov. 2009)
  61. ^ Joshua. "The Avengers #5 Review: Meet Smasher. No, not the Hulk," IGN (6 Feb 2013).
  62. ^ Infinity #1–6 (Oct. 2013–Jan. 2014).
  63. ^ Avengers vol. 5 #21 (Dec. 2013).
  64. ^ Avengers vol. 5 #23 (Jan. 2014).
  65. ^ Guardians of the Galaxy #13 (May 2014).
  66. ^ Yehl, Joshua. "Marvel Finally Ends 6-Year X-Men Time Travel Story: In the pages of Extermination #5," IGN (19 Dec 2018).
  67. ^ Avengers vol. 5 #41 (Apr. 2015).
  68. ^ Avengers vol. 5 #43-44 (June 2015).
  69. ^ a b Inhumans vol. 3 #3 (Aug. 2000).
  70. ^ Tempest (Grannz) at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)
  71. ^ X-Men: Kingbreaker #2 (Mar. 2009)
  72. Gambit and the X-Ternals
    #2 (Apr. 1995).
  73. ^ Heroes Reborn #2. Marvel Comics.
  74. ^ Heroes Reborn: Hyperion & the Imperial Guard #1. Marvel Comics.
  75. ^ Nix, Marc (October 17, 2006). "Ultimate Alliance: Caged Lightning". IGN. Archived from the original on January 14, 2014. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
  76. ^ Bennett, Christopher L. X-Men: Watchers on the Walls (Simon and Schuster, 2006).

External links