Most people think they know the Guardians. They think of a talking raccoon with a bad attitude and a giant tree that only says three words. They think of 70s rock music and Chris Pratt dancing his way through a space station. But if you actually go back and crack open the Guardians of the Galaxy 1st comic, you're going to be incredibly confused.
It wasn't Star-Lord. It wasn't Gamora. Honestly, the team we see on the big screen didn't even exist as a unit until 2008.
The real story starts in 1969. Marvel Super-Heroes #18. Arnold Drake and Gene Colan. This wasn't a "bunch of A-holes" saving the modern universe; it was a desperate, gritty guerilla war set in the 31st century. It was a story about the last survivors of the solar system fighting back against lizard-like aliens called the Badoon.
What Actually Happened in Marvel Super-Heroes #18?
The Guardians of the Galaxy 1st comic introduces us to a completely different roster. We're talking about Vance Astro, Martinex T'Naga, Captain Charlie-27, and Yondu Udonta. If those names sound familiar, it's because James Gunn snuck them into the movies as Easter eggs or supporting roles, but in 1969, they were the main event.
The plot is basically a sci-fi nightmare. It’s 3007 AD. The Badoon have conquered Earth and its colonies. Major Vance Astro—an astronaut from the 20th century who spent a thousand years in suspended animation—wakes up to find that his sacrifice was totally pointless. While he was sleeping, humanity invented faster-than-light travel, beat him to Pluto, and then got wiped out anyway.
Talk about a bad Monday.
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Vance meets Charlie-27, a massive pilot who was genetically engineered to live on Jupiter (which explains why he's built like a brick wall). Then they find Martinex, a scientist from Pluto whose skin is made of crystal to survive the cold. Finally, they run into Yondu on Alpha Centauri. This Yondu isn't a Ravager with a leather jacket; he’s a spiritual warrior with a giant red fin that is actually part of his head.
These four are the literal last of their kind. They don't have a ship called the Milano. They don't have a catchy soundtrack. They just have a burning desire to not be extinct.
The Weird History of the 1969 Team
You have to understand the era. 1969 was the year of the moon landing. Sci-fi was everywhere, but Marvel wasn't quite sure what to do with it. The Guardians of the Galaxy 1st comic wasn't an instant hit. In fact, after their debut in Marvel Super-Heroes #18, the team basically vanished for years.
They were "guest star" characters.
They popped up in Marvel Two-In-One with the Thing. They hung out with the Defenders. They even traveled back in time to the "modern" Marvel era to help the Avengers fight Korvac. It’s a messy, non-linear history that makes modern MCU continuity look like child’s play.
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One of the biggest misconceptions is that the original team lived in the "main" Marvel universe. Technically, they live in Earth-691. It’s an alternate future. This is why Marvel can have two different versions of the Guardians running around at the same time in the comics today. It’s also why Vance Astro eventually finds Captain America’s shield in the future—it’s a symbol of a lost age.
Why the 2008 Reboot Changed Everything
If the 1969 team was the original, why is everyone obsessed with Rocket and Groot?
Basically, the brand was dead. Marvel decided to revive the name "Guardians of the Galaxy" during the Annihilation: Conquest event in 2008. Writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning (often called DnA by fans) took a group of cosmic losers—Star-Lord, Rocket Raccoon, Quasar, Adam Warlock, and Gamora—and threw them together.
They weren't fighting the Badoon in the 31st century. They were fighting the Phalanx in the present day.
This is the version that inspired the movies. But here’s the kicker: the original 1969 team actually exists in the modern comics too. They occasionally cross over through time-travel shenanigans. In the comic Guardians 3000, we see the old-school team in all their glory, proving that the Guardians of the Galaxy 1st comic wasn't just a fluke, but the foundation for the entire cosmic side of Marvel.
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Key Differences You Should Know
- Vance Astro vs. Peter Quill: Both are "men out of time," but Vance is much more tragic. He’s trapped in a copper suit because if his skin touches the air, he’ll age a thousand years instantly.
- The Badoon: In the movies, the villains are usually the Kree or the Sovereign. In the original comics, the Badoon are the ultimate threat. They are cruel, reptilian, and way more organized than the Sakaarans.
- The Power Scale: The 1969 team felt more like a military unit. The 2008 team (and the movie team) feels like a dysfunctional family.
Investing in the Guardians of the Galaxy 1st Comic
If you're looking to buy a copy of Marvel Super-Heroes #18, be prepared to drop some serious cash. For a long time, this was a "dollar bin" book. No one cared. Then 2014 happened.
When the first movie was announced, the value of the Guardians of the Galaxy 1st comic skyrocketed. Even though the movie featured almost none of the characters from that specific issue, collectors realized its historical significance.
A high-grade CGC 9.6 copy can go for thousands of dollars. Even a mid-grade "raw" copy will set you back a few hundred.
But is it a good investment? Honestly, the market for "Key Issues" is volatile. However, as the MCU continues to explore the Multiverse, the chances of seeing the 31st-century Guardians (the real originals) in their own project or a major cameo are pretty high. We already saw a version of them at the end of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2—Stakar Ogord (Sylvester Stallone) was leading a team that included Martinex and Charlie-27.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Collectors
If you're interested in the roots of this franchise, don't just watch the movies. You've got to see where the DNA came from.
- Read the 1990s Series: Before the 2008 reboot, Jim Valentino wrote a 62-issue run of Guardians of the Galaxy featuring the original 31st-century team. It’s peak 90s comic book energy—big muscles, big guns, and wild space battles. It’s much more affordable than the 1969 debut.
- Look for the "First Appearances": If Marvel Super-Heroes #18 is too expensive, look for Strange Tales #180 (1st Gamora) or Incredible Hulk #271 (1st Rocket Raccoon). These are the "modern" keys that drive the movie hype.
- Check Digital Archives: You don't need to spend $500 to read the story. Marvel Unlimited has the entire 1969 run. It's worth it just to see Gene Colan’s psychedelic art style.
- Verify Your Copies: If you're buying a physical copy of the Guardians of the Galaxy 1st comic, watch out for reprints. There are several "Marvel Milestone Edition" reprints that look similar but are worth a fraction of the price. Check the cover price; the original is 25 cents.
The legacy of the Guardians is one of the strangest in comic history. It’s a title that was passed from a group of 31st-century freedom fighters to a group of 21st-century misfits. Whether you prefer the gritty 1969 originals or the hilarious modern version, it all started with four survivors in a galaxy that had already given up.
Understanding that history doesn't just make you a more informed fan; it changes how you see the movies. You realize that the "Guardians" isn't just a team name. It's a heavy burden for characters who have lost everything.