ASTRA
Real Name: Unrevealed
Identity/Class: Extraterrestrial (race of origin unrevealed)
Occupation: Member of Shi'ar Imperial Guard
Group Membership: Shi'ar Imperial Guard
Affiliations: Berman, Black Light,
Blackthorn,
Cosmo,
Deathbird,
D'ken,
Delphos,
Earthquake, Electron, Fang, Fantastic Four, Flashfire/Tempest, Gamora, Gladiator,
Hardball,
Hobgoblin/Shapeshifter, Hussar, Impulse,
Kid Gladiator, K'tor, K'ythri,
Manta, Mentor, Layla Miller, Multiple Man (Jamie Madrox), Neosaurus, Neutron/Quasar,
Nightside, Oracle,
Peter Quill (Star-Lord),
Plutonia, Schism,
Scintilla/Midget, Davan Shakari,
Sharra, Smasher, Squorm, Starbolt, Strong Guy (Guido Carosella), S.W.O.R.D., Titan, Voyager, Vulcan, Warbird (Ava'Dara Naganandini), Warstar, White Noise;
formerly Magic/Magique, Lilandra Neramani, Smasher (Vril Rokk), Smasher (Salac Tuur)
Enemies: Araki
imposter,
Asgardians (Cul Borson, Fandral, Heimdall, Hildegarde, Hogun, Sif),
Avengers (Captain Marvel/Monica Rambeau, Living Lightning, Scarlet
Witch, Starfox, Thor/Eric Masterson, Wonder Man), Blastaar, Blast Rockers Empire, Cerise, Deadpool ("Wade Wilson"), Destroyer,
Eson, Excalibur (Captain Britain/Brian Braddock, Lockheed, Meggan,
Nightcrawler, Shadowcat, Phoenix/Rachel Summers, Widget),
Fallen One,
Gambit (Remy LeBeau), Guardians of the Galaxy (Angela, Drax the Destroyer, Gamora, Groot, Rocket Raccoon, Star-Lord),
Inhumans (Black Bolt, Crystal, Gorgon, Karnak, Lockjaw, Medusa, Triton),
Jason of Spartax, Kree, Lobo (DC), Rogue (Anna LeBeau),
Starforce (Korath
the Pursuer, Ronan the Accuser,
Shatterax,
Supremor, Ultimus),
Starjammers (Ch'od, Corsair, Cr+eee, Havok, Hepzibah, Korvus, Marvel Girl (Rachel Grey), Lilandra Neramani, Polaris, Raza),
Thanos, Thor (Jane Foster),
Xandra, X-Men (Banshee, Colossus, Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Phoenix/Jean
Grey, Storm, Wolverine), X-Men (Angel (teen), Beast (teen), Cyclops (teen), Jean Grey (teen), Iceman (teen), Shadowcat, X-23);
formerly Vulcan
Known Relatives: None
Aliases: None
Base of Operations: Mobile throughout Shi'ar Empire
First Appearance: X-Men I#107 (October, 1977)
Powers/Abilities: Astra can alter her body's molecular density, allowing physical attacks to pass through her without harm and allowing her to pass through other objects or people without harm. By slightly solidifying herself inside another person, Astra can render them unconscious. While intangible, she can physically impact other intangible beings. While intangible, she is vulnerable to energies that meet her density wavelength. Astra has used a Shi'ar anti-gravity device to fly. It is unknown if her abilities are possessed by her entire race or solely her. The full extent of her abilities is likely unknown.
Height:
5'10''
Weight: 140 lbs.
History:
(X-Men I#107) - Members of the Imperial Guard fought the X-Men (Banshee, Colossus, Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Phoenix (Jean Grey), Storm, Wolverine) and Starjammers (Ch'od, Corsair, Cr+eee, Hepzibah, Raza) at the M'kraan Crystal, in order to stop them from rescuing Lilandra from D'ken and Davan Shakari. When the X-Men arrived, Astra demanded to know who they were. After a fierce battle, during which Wolverine startled Astra by wearing Fang's costume, D'ken was rendered comatose and Lilandra took over as the new Majestrix. Members of the Guard in this mission: Astra, Electron, Fang, Gladiator, Hobgoblin, Impulse, Magic, Mentor, Midget, Nightside, Oracle, Quasar, Smasher, Starbolt, Tempest, and Titan.
(X-Men I#108) - The Guard lay unconscious as the battle resolved.
(X-Men I#109 (fb) - BTS) - The Guard was stopped by Lilandra from killing the X-Men. Later the Guard watched the X-Men return to Earth.
(Deadpool: Badder Blood#3) - The Imperial Guard (Astra, Titan, Starbolt, Smasher, Fang, Electron, Impulse, Tempest, Oracle, Hobgoblin, Gladiator) were shocked to see Deadpool pass through their space.
(X-Men: Spotlight on Starjammers#2) - At Deathbird's orders, a large group of the Guard attacked the Starjammers and Excalibur (Captain Britain (Brian Braddock), Lockheed, Meggan, Nightcrawler, Shadowcat, Phoenix (Rachel Summers), Widget) on Earth, but they retreated when Deathbird was put at risk. During the battle, Astra turned intangible and knocked out Shadowcat (who was also intangible) with a punch. Guard members who participated in this assault: Astra, Black Light, Blackthorn, Earthquake, Electron, Gladiator, Hobgoblin, Impulse, Magik, Mentor, Midget, Nightside, Oracle, Smasher, Starbolt, Tempest, Titan, and White Noise.
(Thor I#446) - Members of the Imperial Guard tended to Lilandra on Chandilar, standing guard as she met a delegation of Avengers (Captain Marvel (Monica Rambeau), Living Lightning, Scarlet Witch, Starfox, Thor (Eric Masterson), Wonder Man). Astra resisted Starfox's attempts to woo her. The Kree Starforce (Korath the Pursuer, Ronan the Accuser, Shatterax, Supremor, Ultimus) attacked and the Guard teamed with the Avengers to defeat them. During the battle, Astra was briefly wounded by Korath's weapon, which he'd adjusted in order to harm her intangible form. When Scarlet Witch distracted Korath, Astra phased through him and solidified, defeating him.
(Avengers West Coast#82) - When the Avengers resisted Lilandra's edicts, the Guard attacked them. During the battle, Astra phased through Thor's attack, then solidified into Scarlet Witch. The battle ended when Araki was exposed as a Skrull imposter. Lilandra rescinded her orders and called the Nega-Bomb back. Members of the Guard in this (and the prior) mission: Astra, Earthquake, Hardball, Hussar, Smasher, and Titan.
(X-Men Legends I#2) - The Imperial Guard was summoned to the Blue Area of the Moon by Corsair and the Starjammers, and they helped return X-Treme (Adam-X) to Chandilar for judgment.
(Inhumans IV#3) - The Shi'ar Empire decided to join in alliance with the massive Spartoi Empire. Religious ceremonies were to be held on the neutral planet, Kritnah. Lilandra arrived with the Guard flanking her. Guard members in this mission: Astra, Gladiator, Hussar, Neutron, and Oracle.
(Inhumans IV#4) - Lilandra represented the Shi'ar Empire on the planet Kritnah in the marriage ceremony with Emperor Eson of the Spartoi while the Imperial Guard stood by. Black Bolt moved to attack Lilandra, who set up a shield and activated the Guard against the Inhumans. Black Bolt screamed, seemingly slaying Lilandra. The Guard moved in at full force. Astra appealed to the Inhumans, asking them if they knew what they'd done and what the consequences for the universe would be. The Inhumans teleported away, escaping. Lilandra's form was revealed to be Hobgoblin, who appeared to be dead. Lilandra, as a hologram, revealed herself and told the Spartoi that the union was off due to their atrocities. Jason of Spartax was blamed for being behind it. Members of the Guard in this mission: Astra, Delphos, Earthquake, Fang, Flashfire, Gladiator, Hobgoblin, Hussar, Impulse, Mentor, Neutron, Nightside, Oracle, Smasher, Starbolt, Titan, Warstar, others.
(JLA/Avengers#1) - The Imperial Guard fought Lobo. Members of the Guard in this mission: Astra, Fang, Electron, Flashfire, Hobgoblin, Hussar, Impulse, Magique, Manta, Mentor, Neutron, Nightside, Oracle, Scintilla, Smasher, Starbolt, Titan, Warstar.
(Thanos#12) - Astra and Earthquake picked up Gladiator and new recruit Peter Quill from the Kyln. Astra was put off by Quill's strange attitude and humor, and thought recruiting him was a mistake. Astra later reported that they'd tracked the Fallen One, and helped evacuate the sector of space that was in danger. As Thanos fought the Fallen One, Astra ruminated that she was long overdue for revenge on Thanos.
(Uncanny X-Men I#477 - BTS) - The Imperial Guard was dispatched to defeat Vulcan, who'd been destroying ships in Shi'ar space
(Uncanny X-Men I#480) - The Guard finally defeated Vulcan (keeping him alive at the orders of K'tor) after a deadly battle which left some Guard members, including Cosmo, Impulse, Smasher, and Titan, seemingly slain. Guard members in this mission: Astra, Cosmo, Electron, Gladiator, Hobgoblin, Impulse, Manta, Mentor, Neutron, Nightside, Oracle, Plutonia, Scintilla, Smasher, Starbolt, and Titan.
(War of Kings#1) - Vulcan surveyed, with Gladiator, the assembled Imperial Guard. Mentor reported they were all battle ready and Vulcan announced his intentions to attack the Kree as the Guard, including Astra and Hussar, listened. They soon engaged in a massive battle with the Inhumans and Starjammers, successfully capturing Lilandra before retreating. Members of the Guard in this mission: Astra, Black Light, Earthquake, Electron, Fang, Flashfire, Gladiator, Hussar, Impulse, Magique, Manta, Neutron, Nightside, Plutonia, Schism, Scintilla, Shapeshifter, Smasher, Squorm, Starbolt, Titan, Voyager, Warstar, and White Noise.
(War of Kings: Who Will Rule?#1) - Under Mentor's lead several Imperial Guard members (Astra, Black Light, Earthquake, Fang, Hussar, Impulse, Neosaurus, Neutron, Plutonia, Schism, Smasher, Squorm, Starbolt, Titan, Warstar) attended Lilandra's funeral. In front of the Inhuman Royal Family Mentor declared the Imperial Guard rulers of the Shi'ar Empire. Medusa attacked Mentor and Smasher, causing a big brawl between the Inhumans and the Imperial Guard. Gladiator hit the ground with a devastating punch, knocking out everyone around him, and asked everyone present to show some resepect for Lilandra. Crystal then gave Gladiator the sceptre and asked him to rule the Shi'ar Empire. The Imperial Guard bowed before him, accepting his rule.
(All-New X-Men I#23) - The Imperial Guard (Astra, Oracle, Titan, Impulse, Manta, Smasher, Electron, Plutonia, Mentor, Hussar, Flashfire, Scintilla, Warstar) and the Shi'ar Death Commandos (Krait, Flaw, Devo, Offset, Sega, Colony, Hypernova, Warshot) were ordered by Gladiator to stand by while they put the young teenage Jean Grey on trial for crimes she would commit in the future as the Phoenix.
(All-New X-Men I#24) - The Imperial Guard (Oracle, Warstar, Impulse, Mentor, Manta, Hussar, Flashfire, Plutonia, Smasher, Astra, Electron, Titan, Scintilla) stood by at the trial, debating among themselves the guilt of Jean Grey, who pushed her powers to the limits and briefly defeated the entire team. When the X-Men, the Guardians of the Galaxy, and the Starjammers arrived, they fought the Guard.
SECRET WARS III HAPPENED
(Mighty Thor II#17) - Gladiator (and Kid Gladiator) led the Imperial Guard (Astra, Plutonia, Hobgoblin, Starbolt, Oracle, Manta, Neutron, Fang, Electron, Warstar, Webwing, Hussar, Smasher (Isabel Kane)) against the Asgardians, but the Destroyer was unleashed to fight them back.
(Mighty Thor II#18 - BTS) - Gladiator kept the Imperial Guard off to the side during the battle between gods.
(Guardians of the Galaxy IV#17) - S.W.O.R.D. turned Gamora over to the Imperial Guard (Gladiator, Titan, Manta, Watstar, Oracle, Impulse, Astra) for containment, but she had changed places with Crewman Berman and escaped.
(Mr. and Mrs. X#1) - The Imperial Guard (Astra, Flashfire, Hussar, Manta, Warstar) went to the planet Che'ar, where they arrested Cerise and seized the package. Gambit and Rogue attacked and battled the Guard. Rogue escaped by absorbing Astra's powers.
(Mr. and Mrs. X#2) - The Imperial Guard (Astra, Flashfire, Hussar, Manta, Warstar) kept Gambit and Cerise captive aboard the mutants' ship, then fired on a ship above planet Che'an, Cerise escaped her shackles and used a teleporter to take all of the Imperial Guard across the galaxy.
(Mr. and Mrs. X#3) - The Imperial Guard members (Astra, Flashfire, Hussar, Manta, Warstar) reported back to Gladiator and Oracle on Chandilar; Gladiator pretended to punish them while Oracle let Cerise go. Later, the new Nightside stole the egg from the ship and returned it to Chandilar through the Darkforce Dimension.
(Mr. and Mrs. X#4) - The Imperial Guard (Astra, Electron, Flashfire, Hussar, Manta, Nightside, Pulsar, Titan, Warstar) attacked Rogue, Gambit, Cerise, Xandra (the hatched egg), and the Starjammers on the Artsturd 'Kle moon over Chandilar. Deathbird and her rebel army arrived soon after wounding Gambit, then Rogue and Xandra seemed to explode.
(Mr. and Mrs. X#5) - Oracle joined the Imperial Guard (Astra, Electron, Flashfire, Hussar, Manta, Nightside, Pulsar, Titan, Warstar) in mourning the seemingly lost Xandra. Oracle secretly gave condolences to Cerise, then the Guard departed peacefully.
(Guardians of the Galaxy V#1) - Aboard the Sanctuary, Starfox (badly scarred and in a hover-chair) assembled many heroes, including the Imperial Guard, the Starjammers, Adam Warlock, Wraith, Firelord, Cosmo, Cosmic Ghost Rider, Beta Ray Bill, Major Victory, Howard the Duck, Shi’ar Death Commandos, and Moondragon and Phyla-Vell (alternates), as he stood over the corpse of Thanos. Starfox triggered a recording of Thanos from before his death, and Thanos stated that he had made arrangements to have his consciousness uploaded into the mind of another, causing panic among those assembled. Starfox believed Gamora was the most likely candidate. Meanwhile, aboard the Ryder (new ship named after Winona), Star-Lord and Groot discovered that Knowhere was missing, and the Nova Corps informed them it was headed to Sanctuary. Knowhere attacked Sanctuary, with Outriders and the Black Order behind it all. A black hole and most of the participants were pulled through and sent through to other places in the cosmos.
(X-Men Unlimited Infinity Comic#95) - The Imperial Guard (Fang, Astra, Manta, Warstar, Electron, Smasher, Gladiator) aided the Fantastic Four, Multiple Man, Layla Miller, and Strong Guy in fighting Blastaar and the Blast Rockers Empire, evil pirate versions of Multiple Man.
Comments: Created by Chris Claremont, Dave Cockrum, and Dan Green.
Astra is pictured in OHotMU I#5 and has a partial entry in OHotMU Delux Edition#6 and the Marvel Encyclopedia: X-Men.
The Imperial Guard members are generally based on DC's Legion of Super-Heroes. Astra is based on Phantom Girl.
--Wikipedia
Profile by Chadman.
Astra has no known connections to
Appearances:
X-Men I#107 (October, 1977) - Chris Claremont (writer), Dave Cockrum (penciler), Dan Green (inker), Archie Goodwin (editor)
X-Men I#108 (December, 1977) - Chris Claremont (writer), John Byrne (penciler), Terry Austin (inker), Archie Goodwin (editor)
X-Men I#109 (February, 1977) - Chris Claremont (writer), John Byrne (penciler), Terry Austin (inker), Archie Goodwin (editor)
X-Men:
Spotlight on Starjammers#2 (1990) - Terry Kavanagh (writer), Dave
Cockrum (penciler), Jeff Albrecht (inker), Kelly Corvese (editor)
Thor I#446 (April, 1992) - Tom DeFalco (writer), Patrick Olliffe (penciler), Al Milgrom (inker), Ralph Macchio (editor)
Avengers West Coast#82 (May, 1992) - Roy & Dann Thomas (writers),
Dave Ross (penciler), Tom Dzon (inker), Nelson Yomtov (editor)
Inhumans IV#3 (August, 2000) - Carlos Pacheco, Rafael Marin (writers), Jose Ladronn (penciler/inker), Mark Powers (editor)
Inhumans IV#4 (September, 2000) - Carlos Pacheco, Rafael Marin (writers), Jorge Lucas (penciler/inker), Mark Powers (editor)
JLA/Avengers#1 (September, 2003) - Kurt Busiek (writer), George Perez (artist), Tom Brevoort & Dan Raspler (editors)
Thanos#12 (September, 2004) - Keith Giffen (writer), Ron Lim (penciler), Al Milgrom (inker), Tom Brevoort (editor)
Uncanny X-Men I#477 (October, 2006) - Ed Brubaker (writer), Clayton Henry (penciler), Mark Morales (inker), Mike Marts (editor)
Uncanny X-Men I#480 (January, 2007) - Ed Brubaker (writer), Clayton Henry
(penciler), Mark Morales (inker), Mike Marts, Nick Lowe (editors)
War of Kings#1 (May, 2009) - Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning (writers), Paul
Pelletier (penciler), Rick Magyar (inker), Bill Rosemann (editor)
War of Kings: Who Will Rule?#1 (November, 2009) - Dan Abnett & Andy
Lanning (writers), Paul Pelletier (pencils), Andrew Hennessy (inks),
Bill Rosemann (editor)
All-New X-Men I#23 (April, 2014) - Brian Michael Bendis (writer),
Stuart Immonen (penciler), Wade Von Grawbadger (inker), Nick Lowe
(editor)
All-New X-Men I#24 (May, 2014) - Brian Michael Bendis (writer), Stuart
Immonen (penciler), Wade Von Grawbadger (inker), Nick Lowe (editor)
Guardians of the Galaxy IV#17 (April, 2017) - Brian Michael Bendis (writer), Valerio Schiti (artist), Jordan White (editor)
Mighty Thor II#17-18 (May-June, 2017) - Jason Aaron (writer), Russell Dauterman (artist), Wil Moss (editor)
Mr. and Mrs. X#1-5 (September, 2018 - January, 2019) - Kelly Thompson (writer), Oscar Bazaldua (artist), Darren Shan (editor)
Guardians of the Galaxy V#1 (March, 2019) - Donny Cates (writer), Geoff Shaw (art), Darren Shan (editor)
X-Men Legends I#2 (May, 2021) - Fabian Nicieza (writer), Brett Booth (penciler), Adelso Corona (inker), Mark Basso (editor)
X-Men Unlimited Infinity Comic#95 (July, 2023) - Jason Loo (writer/artist), Jordan White (editor)
Deadpool: Badder Blood#3 (October, 2023) - Rob Liefeld (writer/artist), Chad Bowers (writer), Mark Basso (editor)
First Posted: 07/20/2007
Last updated: 12/20/2023
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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