Warning: Spoilers for The Ultimates #8 ahead! The Guardians of the Galaxy have solidified their place in Marvel lore, but a recent comic has introduced a clever tribute to the less-renowned original Guardians. Despite being separated by centuries, these two iterations of the Guardians are now intertwined in an innovative way.
The eighth issue of The Ultimates (2024) features a heartfelt nod to the original Guardians of the Galaxy, integrating its founding members into this fresh Ultimate version of the team.
This newest iteration of the Guardians is derived from the 61st century and functions more as a corps, encompassing many of the overlooked original members of the Guardians franchise.
The Original Guardians of the Galaxy Have Returned
The Originals Cameo as Part of a New Ultimate Universe Team
The original Guardians of the Galaxy made their debut in 1969, showcasing a vastly different team compared to the iteration most fans recognize today. Throughout the 1970s, they mingled with various Marvel heroes, but eventually faded into obscurity, only to have their legacy revived in the mid-2000s, particularly after their popular adaptation in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2014.
In Ultimates #8, the newly formed Guardians travel back in time to “rescue”their amnesiac teammate, America Chavez. Nova reveals that a catastrophic event threatens the timeline itself in the Ultimates’ foreseeable future. The first team dispatched to delve into this crisis was the universe’s version of the 1960s Guardians, who tragically did not survive their encounter with the enigmatic ‘Unmaker’, likely a representation of Kang the Conqueror. This grim fate is in line with the overall tone of this Ultimate Universe.
Marvel Combining Both Versions of The Guardians is a Great Idea
It’s Surprising It Took This Long
Incorporating the original Guardians into the new team cleverly bridges the franchise’s two eras. While the current team features familiar personas like Star-Lord, Nova, and Cosmo, they share a backstory more aligned with the 1960s version. Fans familiar with the original team will appreciate this acknowledgment, while newer readers can enjoy this narrative without prior knowledge.
Nova suggests that the Guardians may have safeguarded the universe for eons, with this now-extinct team possibly stretching from the 31st to the 61st century. This implies a potential foundational role in the genesis of the Guardians, creating a deeper connection between these two iterations that has rarely been explored. Alternatively, this could simply serve as a whimsical Easter egg, establishing a setup for the series’ future developments.
The Shared Guardians Legacy is Something Marvel Needs More Of
A Legacy Team Sometimes Precedes the Original
This is not the first instance of the original Guardians interacting with their more popular successors. Vance Astro, also known as Victory, has previously endorsed the modern team’s use of their name and even joined them for a period.
Furthermore, there are links between the two primary universe teams that extend beyond time travel. For example, the future Guardians’ Yondu is a descendant of the Yondu from the contemporary team. The two versions of the Guardians have always shared a closer connection than previously acknowledged, and this latest Ultimate version serves as yet another testament to that continuity.
The Ultimates #8 is currently available from Marvel Comics.
Related Articles:
Wolverine: Marvel’s Deadliest Hero and Spider-Man’s Secret Strategy Revealed
4:56
Shazam’s Gods Undergo Major Transformation, Setting the Scene for a Hero to Shine
4:52
10 Timeless Peanuts Comics That Remain Surprisingly Relatable Even After 60 Years
4:50
Leave a Reply