{"id":26831,"date":"2026-08-04T03:48:47","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T22:48:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=26831"},"modified":"2026-08-04T03:48:47","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T22:48:47","slug":"marvel-confirms-guardians-of-the-galaxy-return-officially-names-new-leader","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=26831","title":{"rendered":"Marvel Confirms Guardians of the Galaxy Return, Officially Names New Leader"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Marvel&#8217;s <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/tag\/guardians-of-the-galaxy\/\" target=\"_blank\">Guardians of the Galaxy<\/a><\/strong> have a new leader, as Marvel launches a fresh era for the space-faring team of heroic miscreants. Here&#8217;s everything you need to know about the new, streamlined Guardians &#8211; and who exactly will lead them.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s been a tough few years for the <em>Guardians of the Galaxy <\/em>franchise. In the MCU, Chris Pratt&#8217;s team split in 2023&#8217;s <em>Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3<\/em>, and haven&#8217;t been seen since. Meanwhile, in the comics, the team split up in 2024 and have been relegated to background roles in different titles.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s been a long time since Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket and Groot flew through space together saving lives and committing crimes. Thankfully, a new era is on its way&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-39-imperial-guardians-39-era-is-officially-over\">\n                        The &#8216;Imperial Guardians&#8217; Era Is Officially Over<br \/>\n               <\/h2>\n<div class=\"body-img landscape \">\n<div class=\"responsive-img  image-expandable  img-article-item\" style=\"padding-bottom:56.25%\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/imperial-guardians-new-marvel-comics-team-roster.jpg\" data-modal-id=\"single-image-modal\" data-modal-container-id=\"single-image-modal-container\" data-img-caption=\"&quot;&quot;\">\n<figure><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/imperial-guardians-new-marvel-comics-team-roster.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=500&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/imperial-guardians-new-marvel-comics-team-roster.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=500&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/imperial-guardians-new-marvel-comics-team-roster.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=800&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/imperial-guardians-new-marvel-comics-team-roster.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=800&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 1023px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/imperial-guardians-new-marvel-comics-team-roster.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/imperial-guardians-new-marvel-comics-team-roster.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\"\/><img width=\"1650\" height=\"928\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Imperial Guardians New Marvel Comics Team Roster\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/imperial-guardians-new-marvel-comics-team-roster.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\" src=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/imperial-guardians-new-marvel-comics-team-roster.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\"\/>\n        <\/picture><figcaption style=\"display: none;\">Imperial Guardians New Marvel Comics Team Roster<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Marvel recently concluded its short-lived <em>Imperial Guardians <\/em>series with issue 5, from Dan Abnett, Marcelo Ferreira, Ray Leisten, Rachelle Rosenberg and Cory Petit This pivotal issue not only introduced a <a href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/imperial-new-guardians-galaxy-deaths-head\/\" target=\"_blank\">whole new roster of Guardians<\/a>, but also set up a new era with a new three-person team.<\/p>\n<p>Recent issues of <em>Imperial Guardians <\/em>have followed the unusual team of Captain Marvel, Darkhawk, Gamora, Amadeus Cho&#8217;s Iron Hulk and Cosmic Ghost Rider carrying out black ops missions for the Inhuman villain Maximus the Mad. In the series&#8217; concluding issue, they run up against a rival roster of &#8216;Imperial Guardians&#8217; led by <a href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/marvel-new-guardians-galaxy-roster-deaths-head\/\" target=\"_blank\">the android bounty hunter Death&#8217;s Head<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"table-container\">\n<table border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"1\" cellspacing=\"1\" style=\"\" align=\"\" summary=\"\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th colspan=\"5\" style=\"text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;\">\n<p>Death&#8217;s Head&#8217;s Imperial Guardians Roster<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"5\">\n<div class=\"body-img landscape \">\n<div class=\"responsive-img  image-expandable  img-article-item\" style=\"padding-bottom:97.4%\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/death-s-head-in-guardians-of-the-galaxy.jpg\" data-modal-id=\"single-image-modal\" data-modal-container-id=\"single-image-modal-container\" data-img-caption=\"&quot;&quot;\">\n<figure><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/death-s-head-in-guardians-of-the-galaxy.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=500&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/death-s-head-in-guardians-of-the-galaxy.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=500&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/death-s-head-in-guardians-of-the-galaxy.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=800&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/death-s-head-in-guardians-of-the-galaxy.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=800&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 1023px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/death-s-head-in-guardians-of-the-galaxy.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/death-s-head-in-guardians-of-the-galaxy.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\"\/><img width=\"1650\" height=\"1608\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"death's head in guardians of the galaxy\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/death-s-head-in-guardians-of-the-galaxy.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\" src=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/death-s-head-in-guardians-of-the-galaxy.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\"\/>\n        <\/picture><figcaption style=\"display: none;\">death&#8217;s head in guardians of the galaxy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><strong>Hero<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p><strong>Home Planet<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p><strong>Powers<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p><strong>First Appearance<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p><strong>Created by<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>Death&#8217;s Head<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Styrakos<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Mechanical physiology including enhanced strength, jet flight and built-in weaponry<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>1987&#8217;s <em>Transformers #113<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Simon Furman and Geoff Senior<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>Knightwatch (aka Ikon)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Galador<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Wears Plandanium armor which grants her teleportation, energy blasts, flight and an enhanced physique<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>2011&#8217;s <em>Thanos Imperative: Devastation #1<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning and Miguel Sepulveda<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>U.S.Agent (John Walker)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Earth<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Enhanced &#8216;Super Soldier&#8217; physique, near-unbreakable shield<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>1986&#8217;s <em>Captain America #323<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Mark Gruenwald and Paul Neary<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>Quasar (Wendell Vaughn)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Earth<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Wears the Quantum Bands, which grant him immense speed and strength, control over most forms of energy, and energy blasts in excess of 99% of superhumans<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>1977&#8217;s <em>Captain America #217<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Don Glut, Roy Thomas and John Buscema<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>Century<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Memoriam (moon of Hodomur)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Bonded to the superweapon Parallax, which empowers him with teleportation, levitation, superhuman tracking and an enhanced physique<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>1994&#8217;s <em>Force Works #1<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning and Tom Tenney<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<p>The issue reveals that Maximus was running not just two, but twenty teams, each of which believed itself to be the one and only Guardians. Knowing that Captain Marvel and Death&#8217;s Head were losing trust in him, Maximus tricked their teams into conflict, hoping they&#8217;d eliminate one another.<\/p>\n<section class=\"emaki-custom-block emaki-custom-note\" data-nosnippet=\"\">\n<div class=\"emaki-custom note\" id=\"custom_block_10\">\n<div class=\"custom_block-content note\">\n<p>Maximus is fixated on the Galactic Union because he was key to creating it, working with his brother Black Bolt to arrange a series of assassinations that changed the political order of the cosmos. With the mission a success, Black Bolt banished Maximus, knowing he could never be trusted long term.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>This revelation breaks up the Imperial Guardians, with Gamora forming a new team to hunt down Maximus, who it&#8217;s now clear is a threat to the safety of the galaxy.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"gamora-is-recruiting-a-new-guardians-roster\">\n                        Gamora Is Recruiting a New Guardians Roster<br \/>\n               <\/h2>\n<div class=\"body-img landscape \">\n<div class=\"responsive-img  image-expandable  img-article-item\" style=\"padding-bottom:50%\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/guardians-of-the-galaxy-gamora.jpg\" data-modal-id=\"single-image-modal\" data-modal-container-id=\"single-image-modal-container\" data-img-caption=\"&quot;&quot;\">\n<figure><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/guardians-of-the-galaxy-gamora.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=500&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/guardians-of-the-galaxy-gamora.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=500&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/guardians-of-the-galaxy-gamora.jpg?q=70&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=800&amp;dpr=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/guardians-of-the-galaxy-gamora.jpg?q=70&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=800&amp;dpr=1\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 1023px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/guardians-of-the-galaxy-gamora.jpg?q=70&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/guardians-of-the-galaxy-gamora.jpg?q=70&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=1\"\/><img width=\"825\" height=\"413\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"guardians of the galaxy gamora\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/guardians-of-the-galaxy-gamora.jpg?q=70&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=1\" src=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/guardians-of-the-galaxy-gamora.jpg?q=70&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=1\"\/>\n        <\/picture><figcaption style=\"display: none;\">guardians of the galaxy gamora<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>While the Imperial Guardians are done, not all of the team disband. Darkhawk and Cosmic Ghost Rider stick with Gamora, forming a three-person unit to hunt down Maximus and stop his schemes.<\/p>\n<p>This is the birth of a new Guardians of the Galaxy roster, with each of the heroes either having served on the team in the past or been a recurring ally. The trio are under Gamora&#8217;s command, as she hints they&#8217;ll recruit more <em>&#8220;friends&#8221; <\/em>while chasing Maximus.<\/p>\n<div class=\"table-container\">\n<table border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"1\" cellspacing=\"1\" style=\"\" align=\"\" summary=\"\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th colspan=\"5\" style=\"text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;\">\n<p>Gamora&#8217;s New Guardians Roster<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"5\">\n<div class=\"body-img landscape \">\n<div class=\"responsive-img  image-expandable  img-article-item\" style=\"padding-bottom:56.25%\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/imperial-guardians-ends-with-gamora-darkhawk-and-cosmic-ghost-rider-forming-a-new-team.jpg\" data-modal-id=\"single-image-modal\" data-modal-container-id=\"single-image-modal-container\" data-img-caption=\"&quot;&quot;\">\n<figure><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/imperial-guardians-ends-with-gamora-darkhawk-and-cosmic-ghost-rider-forming-a-new-team.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=500&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/imperial-guardians-ends-with-gamora-darkhawk-and-cosmic-ghost-rider-forming-a-new-team.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=500&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/imperial-guardians-ends-with-gamora-darkhawk-and-cosmic-ghost-rider-forming-a-new-team.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=800&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/imperial-guardians-ends-with-gamora-darkhawk-and-cosmic-ghost-rider-forming-a-new-team.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=800&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 1023px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/imperial-guardians-ends-with-gamora-darkhawk-and-cosmic-ghost-rider-forming-a-new-team.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/imperial-guardians-ends-with-gamora-darkhawk-and-cosmic-ghost-rider-forming-a-new-team.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\"\/><img width=\"1650\" height=\"928\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"imperial guardians ends with gamora, darkhawk and cosmic ghost rider forming a new team\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/imperial-guardians-ends-with-gamora-darkhawk-and-cosmic-ghost-rider-forming-a-new-team.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\" src=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/imperial-guardians-ends-with-gamora-darkhawk-and-cosmic-ghost-rider-forming-a-new-team.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\"\/>\n        <\/picture><figcaption style=\"display: none;\">imperial guardians ends with gamora, darkhawk and cosmic ghost rider forming a new team<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><strong>Hero<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p><strong>Home Planet<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p><strong>Powers<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p><strong>First Appearance<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p><strong>Created by<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>Gamora Zen Whoberi Ben Titan<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Zen-Whoberi<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Enhanced physiology including healing factor<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>1975&#8217;s <em>Strange Tales #180<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Jim Starlin<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>Darkhawk (Christopher Powell)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Earth (Darkhawk android from Shi&#8217;ar Empire)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Amulet transfers Chris&#8217; mind into robotic body with enhanced strength and durability, weapons-based shapeshifitng, self-healing tech and energy manipulation. Chris has limited precognitive visions.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>1991&#8217;s <em>Darkhawk #1<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Tom DeFalco, Danny Fingeroth and Mike Manley<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>Cosmic Ghost Rider (Frank Castle)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Alternate Earth ruled by Thanos<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Traditional superpowers of both Ghost Rider and Silver Surfer, including Hellfire generation, time travel, energy blasts etc.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>2017&#8217;s <em>Thanos #2<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p>Donny Cates and Geoff Shaw<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<p>Hopefully, this reveal will be followed by a new ongoing series starring Gamora&#8217;s Guardians of the Galaxy &#8211; potentially one that brings some familiar faces back into the fold.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-happened-to-the-classic-guardians-of-the-galaxy\">\n                        What Happened to the Classic Guardians of the Galaxy?<br \/>\n               <\/h2>\n<div class=\"body-img landscape \">\n<div class=\"responsive-img  image-expandable  img-article-item\" style=\"padding-bottom:56.25%\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/star-lord-gamora-and-rocket-raccoon-stand-next-to-each-other-in-marvel-comics-guardians-of-the-galaxy.jpg\" data-modal-id=\"single-image-modal\" data-modal-container-id=\"single-image-modal-container\" data-img-caption=\"&quot;&quot;\">\n<figure><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/star-lord-gamora-and-rocket-raccoon-stand-next-to-each-other-in-marvel-comics-guardians-of-the-galaxy.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=500&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/star-lord-gamora-and-rocket-raccoon-stand-next-to-each-other-in-marvel-comics-guardians-of-the-galaxy.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=500&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/star-lord-gamora-and-rocket-raccoon-stand-next-to-each-other-in-marvel-comics-guardians-of-the-galaxy.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=800&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/star-lord-gamora-and-rocket-raccoon-stand-next-to-each-other-in-marvel-comics-guardians-of-the-galaxy.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=800&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 1023px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/star-lord-gamora-and-rocket-raccoon-stand-next-to-each-other-in-marvel-comics-guardians-of-the-galaxy.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/star-lord-gamora-and-rocket-raccoon-stand-next-to-each-other-in-marvel-comics-guardians-of-the-galaxy.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\"\/><img width=\"1650\" height=\"928\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Star-Lord, Gamora, and Rocket Raccoon stand next to each other in Marvel Comics' Guardians of the Galaxy\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/star-lord-gamora-and-rocket-raccoon-stand-next-to-each-other-in-marvel-comics-guardians-of-the-galaxy.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\" src=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/star-lord-gamora-and-rocket-raccoon-stand-next-to-each-other-in-marvel-comics-guardians-of-the-galaxy.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\"\/>\n        <\/picture><figcaption style=\"display: none;\">Star-Lord, Gamora, and Rocket Raccoon stand next to each other in Marvel Comics&#8217; Guardians of the Galaxy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Back in 2020, the Guardians were riding high, as Al Ewing&#8217;s acclaimed run turned them into the Avengers of space, with an expanded roster, matching uniforms, and a galaxy-wide remit. In a surprise move, 2023&#8217;s <em>Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 8 <\/em>tore all that down, breaking the team apart and <a href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/guardians-galaxy-groot-terrifying-new-form-villain-grootfall\/\" target=\"_blank\">giving Groot an apparent villain era<\/a> (ultimately, of course, he was exonerated.)<\/p>\n<p>2025&#8217;s massive <em>Imperial <\/em>event followed soon after, establishing a new galactic order &#8211; one in which Star-Lord became a major power player as leader of the new Galactic Union, becoming a pseudo-villain who took part in framing the Skrulls and turning them into universal pariahs.<\/p>\n<div class=\"body-img landscape \">\n<div class=\"responsive-img  image-expandable  img-article-item\" style=\"padding-bottom:79%\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/peter-quill-s-star-lord-becomes-leader-of-the-galactic-union-in-marvel-s-imperial.jpg\" data-modal-id=\"single-image-modal\" data-modal-container-id=\"single-image-modal-container\" data-img-caption=\"&quot;&quot;\">\n<figure><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/peter-quill-s-star-lord-becomes-leader-of-the-galactic-union-in-marvel-s-imperial.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=500&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/peter-quill-s-star-lord-becomes-leader-of-the-galactic-union-in-marvel-s-imperial.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=500&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/peter-quill-s-star-lord-becomes-leader-of-the-galactic-union-in-marvel-s-imperial.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=800&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/peter-quill-s-star-lord-becomes-leader-of-the-galactic-union-in-marvel-s-imperial.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=800&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 1023px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/peter-quill-s-star-lord-becomes-leader-of-the-galactic-union-in-marvel-s-imperial.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/peter-quill-s-star-lord-becomes-leader-of-the-galactic-union-in-marvel-s-imperial.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\"\/><img width=\"1650\" height=\"1304\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"peter quill's star-lord becomes leader of the galactic union in marvel's imperial\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/peter-quill-s-star-lord-becomes-leader-of-the-galactic-union-in-marvel-s-imperial.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\" src=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/peter-quill-s-star-lord-becomes-leader-of-the-galactic-union-in-marvel-s-imperial.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\"\/>\n        <\/picture><figcaption style=\"display: none;\">peter quill&#8217;s star-lord becomes leader of the galactic union in marvel&#8217;s imperial<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>As part of the event, Marvel announced a slate of new series, with the classic Guardians spread across them, acting as supporting characters. Star-Lord appeared in <em>Nova: Centurian<\/em>, Gamora led the <em>Imperial Guardians<\/em>, and Rocket was slated for the never-published <em>Exiles<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>For the last few years, the classic Guardians have been off on their own solo adventures, exploring different corners of the universe. However, <a href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/marvel-cancelation-major-release-imperial-cosmic-comics-2026\/\" target=\"_blank\">with all of the <em>Imperial<\/em> spin-offs now canceled<\/a>, the classic Guardians are left drifting in the solar winds. It&#8217;s essentially inevitable that Marvel will announce a new <em>Guardians of the Galaxy <\/em>series soon, and the <em>Imperial Guardians <\/em>creative team give them the perfect springboard for doing so.<\/p>\n<p>With Gamora hunting Maximus, the launch of a new series basically writes itself &#8211; especially because Star-Lord is leading the very group that Maximus has dedicated himself to manipulating. Hopefully, Marvel picks up where <em>Imperial Guardians <\/em>leaves off, using Gamora&#8217;s three-person team as a foundation on which to build a new era for <strong><em>Guardians of the Galaxy<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><em>Imperial Guardians #5<\/em> is available now from Marvel Comics.<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-card tag type-generic large \" data-show-streamrentbuy-links=\"false\" data-include-community-rating=\"false\" id=\"ea48-4df2-a8464f79171f\">\n<div class=\"display-card-main-content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"display-card-main-content\">\n<div class=\"display-card-content image-column large\">\n<p>                        <!--  Image --><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-img \" data-stnl-group-once=\"amXr451llW\">\n<div class=\"body-img portrait \">\n<div class=\"responsive-img  img-article-square\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/guardians-of-the-galaxy-2014-movie-poster.jpg\" data-modal-id=\"single-image-modal\" data-modal-container-id=\"single-image-modal-container\" data-img-caption=\"&quot;&quot;\">\n                                                                                                                                                            <picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/guardians-of-the-galaxy-2014-movie-poster.jpg?q=70&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=280&amp;dpr=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/guardians-of-the-galaxy-2014-movie-poster.jpg?q=70&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=280&amp;dpr=1\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/guardians-of-the-galaxy-2014-movie-poster.jpg?q=70&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=280&amp;dpr=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/guardians-of-the-galaxy-2014-movie-poster.jpg?q=70&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=280&amp;dpr=1\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 1023px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/guardians-of-the-galaxy-2014-movie-poster.jpg?q=70&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=280&amp;dpr=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/guardians-of-the-galaxy-2014-movie-poster.jpg?q=70&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=280&amp;dpr=1\"\/><img width=\"280\" height=\"420\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) Movie Poster\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/guardians-of-the-galaxy-2014-movie-poster.jpg?q=70&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=280&amp;dpr=1\" src=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/guardians-of-the-galaxy-2014-movie-poster.jpg?q=70&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=280&amp;dpr=1\"\/>\n        <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"display-card-content info-column\">\n<p>                    <!--  Display card main info widget --><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-display-card-info main-info\">\n<div class=\"w-display-card-info\">\n<dl>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- div --><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- div --><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- div --><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- div --><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- div --><\/p>\n<div>\n<dt>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<strong>Cast<\/strong> \t\t\t\t\t<\/dt>\n<dd>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a data-id=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/tag\/person\/chris-pratt\/\" target=\"_blank\">Chris Pratt<\/a>, <a data-id=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/tag\/person\/zoe-saldana\/\" target=\"_blank\">Zoe Saldana<\/a>, <a data-id=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/tag\/person\/dave-bautista\/\" target=\"_blank\">Dave Bautista<\/a>, <a data-id=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/tag\/vin-diesel\/\" target=\"_blank\">Vin Diesel<\/a>, <a data-id=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/tag\/person\/bradley-cooper\/\" target=\"_blank\">Bradley Cooper<\/a>, <a data-id=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/tag\/person\/karen-gillan\/\" target=\"_blank\">Karen Gillan<\/a>, Pom Klementieff, Michael Rooker, <a data-id=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/tag\/person\/sean-gunn\/\" target=\"_blank\">Sean Gunn<\/a>, Lee Pace, <a data-id=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/tag\/sylvester-stallone\/\" target=\"_blank\">Sylvester Stallone<\/a>, <a data-id=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/tag\/person\/kurt-russell\/\" target=\"_blank\">Kurt Russell<\/a>, <a data-id=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/tag\/person\/elizabeth-debicki\/\" target=\"_blank\">Elizabeth Debicki<\/a>, <a data-id=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/tag\/person\/will-poulter\/\" target=\"_blank\">Will Poulter<\/a>, <a data-id=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/tag\/person\/chukwudi-iwuji\/\" target=\"_blank\">Chukwudi Iwuji<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/dd>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- div --><\/p>\n<p><dt>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<strong>Created by<\/strong> \t\t\t\t\t<\/dt>\n<dd>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDan Abnett, Andy Lanning<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/dd>\n<\/p>\n<\/dl><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>                    <!--  Display card main info widget end -->\n                <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <!-- Default Description or Custom one added by creator ( override )--><\/p>\n<p>            <!-- Extra content section, display hidden by default --><br \/>\n            <input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"extra-content-ea48-4df2-a8464f79171f\" name=\"extra-content-ea48-4df2-a8464f79171f\" class=\"expand-extra-info-checkbox css-menu-checkbox\"\/> <!-- Checkbox: control the expandable behavior  of the extra info --><\/p>\n<p>            <!-- PROS and CONS section --><\/p>\n<p>            <!-- Affiliate links section --><\/p>\n<p>            <!-- Display card footer --><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Marvel&#8217;s Guardians of the Galaxy have a new leader, as Marvel launches a fresh era for the space-faring team of heroic miscreants. Here&#8217;s everything you need to know about the new, streamlined Guardians &#8211; and who exactly will lead them. It&#8217;s been a tough few years for the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. 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