Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 has finally crash-landed into theaters, continuing the adventures of Star-Lord, Rocket Raccoon, Gamora, Drax, and Groot on the big screen. But of course, the full story of these beloved spacefaring heroes expands far beyond the confines of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
While they’re not quite as prolific as other Marvel heroes like Spider-Man, Iron Man, or the Hulk, the Guardians of the Galaxy still had years of comic history to their names — both as individuals and as a team — long before they made their movie debut. And across their many comic exploits, a few special stories stand far above the rest. So for any MCU fans who are still hungry for more Guardians after their latest silver screen adventure, here are a few crucial comics to check out.
Infinity Gauntlet
While not a Guardians of the Galaxy comic per se, this iconic 1991 crossover event written by Jim Starlin — the creator of Thanos, Drax, Gamora, and Nebula — still prominently features many characters who would go on to be associated with the Guardians. Besides the aforementioned characters, GOTG Vol. 3 newcomer Adam Warlock also plays a massive role, arguably serving as the main hero of the story. But of course, the arc features far more heroes than just those of the cosmic variety.
As a crossover between some of Marvel’s most popular characters, Infinity Gauntlet sees the likes of Spider-Man, Captain America. Wolverine, Hulk, Doctor Doom, and many more joining forces to stop Thanos from destroying the universe using the power of the titular Infinity Gauntlet. This comic was, of course, the main influence for both Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, though it differs wildly from said films in many ways. Still, it remains one of Marvel’s all-time greatest crossovers, and it’s a must-read for any MCU fan seeking to dive into the comics.
Annihilation: Conquest
Speaking of crossover events, this 2007-08 storyline from writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning serves as a direct prequel to the Guardians of the Galaxy run that originated the modern incarnation of the team. The event reintroduced Star-Lord, Rocket Raccoon, and Groot for the 21st century, seeing them join forces with other cosmic heroes like Quasar, Nova, and Moondragon — along with Mantis, and Adam Warlock — to save the galaxy from a seemingly unstoppable foe. What enemy could possibly pose a threat to such a mighty alliance? None other than Ultron, who takes control of the techno-organic alien hive mind known as the Phalanx in order to assimilate all life into his twisted vision mechanical perfection. Annihilation: Conquest is a perfect comic for anyone who wants to read up on the Guardians’ beginnings.
Rocket: The Blue River Score
Now, it’s time to switch gears from a massive interstellar war to something much smaller in scope — though certainly no less enjoyable. This 2017 miniseries by superstar Marvel writer Al Ewing (Immortal Hulk, X-Men Red) sees Rocket Raccoon embark on a solo adventure, pulling off a series of daring and deadly heists as part of his grandest plan yet. It’s a wild, imaginative thrill ride packed with off-the wall humor, plus a surprise guest appearance by Deadpool.
While he’s better known for more dramatic works, Ewing nevertheless proves himself a master of zany comedy. One particularly inspired bit features Rocket enlisting legal aid from an alien parody of Daredevil — Murd Blurdock, aka Seeing Being, the Sentient Without Self-Preservation. However, by the end of the series, what was once a wacky farce becomes a tragic tale that captures the sense of melancholy central to Rocket’s character. Any fan who loves James Gunn’s take on Rocket Raccoon is sure to enjoy this miniseries.
Guardians of the Galaxy by Donny Cates
Donny Cates is best known for his acclaimed work on Venom and Thanos, but his 12-issue 2019 run on Guardians of the Galaxy is well worth a look as well. The first half of the series sees Star-Lord and Groot unravel a conspiracy woven by a seemingly dead Thanos, facing off with friends and foes alike in the process. Meanwhile, the latter half of the run focuses on Rocket Raccoon — and without giving too much away, the story heavily parallels his struggles in GOTG Vol. 3. Cates’ brief tenure on the book may not be as beloved as other runs, but this underrated series is still a fun ride from start to finish.
Guardians of the Galaxy by Al Ewing
Finally, Ewing returns to close out the list with his 2020-21 run on the main Guardians title. Beloved by fans and critics alike, Ewing’s GOTG is only 18 issues in length, but it uses that time to present a bold new direction for these familiar characters. Ewing uses his mastery of nuanced, gripping character writing to create what’s arguably the definitive take on the comic book Guardians. The comic captures everything that fans love about the MCU Guardians, from Star-Lord’s cocky wit to Rocket’s inner pain to Drax’s comedic eccentricity.
But unlike many comics before it, Ewing’s run isn’t content to merely mimic the movies. Some of the most important characters in Ewing’s run, like Nova, Moondragon, and Noh-Varr, have yet to appear in the MCU at all. There are a few surprise additions to the team as well, including Hercules, Super-Skrull, and Doctor Doom of all people. Even some of the familiar faces are taken in very different directions than in the movies — particularly Star-Lord, whose journey of self-discovery forms the thematic backbone of the entire series. Though it may be all too brief, Ewing’s Guardians of the Galaxy is a vibrant, passionate love letter to the Guardians themselves, and any GOTG fan who’s even mildly curious about the comics owes it to themselves to give it a read.