IMPERIAL GUARD
Membership: Arc, Astra, Binder, Black Light, Blackthorn, Blimp, Chakar, Commando, Cosmo, Delphos, Earthquake, Electron, Fader, Fang, Flashfire/Tempest, G-Type, Gladiator, Glom, Hardball, Hobgoblin/Shapeshifter, Hussar, Impulse, Kwill, Magic/Magique, Mammoth, Manta, Mentor, Monstra, Moondancer, Neosaurus, Neutron/Quasar, Nightside, N'rill'iree, Onslaught, Oracle/Sybil, Plutonia, Peter Quill (Star-Lord), Schism, Scintilla/Midget, Smasher, Solar Wind, Squorm, Starbolt, Stuff, Titan, Voltor, Voyager, Warstar, Webwing, White Noise, Zenith, others
Purpose: To serve the needs and protect the interests of the Shi'ar Empire
Affiliations: Araki, Avengers (Black Widow (Natasha Romanova), Hercules, Quicksilver), Captain Marvel, Deathbird, D'ken, Hulk (Bruce Banner), Rick Jones, Ka'ardum, K'tor, Lilandra, K'rk N'kzaii, Pantheon, Samèdar, Davan Shakari, Shi'ar Death Commandos (Blackcloak, Colony, Devo, Flaw, Hypernova, Krait, Offset, Sega, Shell, Warshot), Spaceknights (Rom, Scanner, Seeker, Trapper), Spider-Man (Peter Parker), Una, Vulcan, Ya'lont, Yon-Rogg
Enemies: Araki
imposter, Atlas, Avengers (Captain America (Steve Rogers), Captain
Marvel (Monica Rambeau), Dr. Pym, Falcon,
Gilgamesh,
Hawkeye (Clint Barton), Iron Man (Tony Stark), Living Lightning, Mockingbird,
Quasar (Wendell Vaughn), Scarlet Witch, She-Hulk, Spider-Woman (Julia
Carpenter), Starfox, Thor (Eric Masterson), USAgent, Wasp, Wonder Man), Binary,
Black Bolt, Brood, Doc Samson, Elamron the Changeling, Eson, Excalibur (Captain Britain (Brian Braddock), Lockheed,
Meggan, Nightcrawler, Phoenix (Rachel Summers), Shadowcat, Widget), Her, Hulk (Bruce Banner), Janus, Jason
of Sparta,
Korvus, Kree
Sentry#372, Liberator, Lunatic Legion, Maker,
Minerva, Cassandra Nova, People's Militia (Primus, others),
Rook'shir,
Skornn, Skrulls, Starforce (Korath
the Pursuer, Ronan the Accuser,
Shatterax,
Supremor, Ultimus), Starjammers (Ch'od, Corsair, Cr+eee, Hepzibah,
Lilandra, Professor X, Raza, Sikorsky, Waldo), Stepford Cuckoos, Stranger,
Supernova, Thanos,
Uncreated, Warskrulls, X-Men (Angel (Warren Worthington), Banshee, Beast (Henry
McCoy), Colossus, Cyclops, Darwin, Havok, Marvel Girl (Rachel Grey),
Nightcrawler, Phoenix (Jean Grey), Polaris, Professor X, Sprite/Shadowcat,
Storm, Warpath, White Queen (Emma Frost), Wolverine);
Formerly Rick Jones, Ka'ardum, Vulcan
Base of Operations: Shi'ar Empire
First Appearance: X-Men I#107 (October, 1977)
History:
(Marvel Encyclopedia: X-Men) - The members of the Imperial Guard are selected from various Shi'ar planets to enforce galactic law and to keep the peace across the Empire. Collectively, the members control every form of energy and matter known to exist. The Guard must carry out the directives of the Shi'ar ruler (Emperor/Majestor or Empress/Majestrix). The members of the Guard go through vast training to develop superior fighting skills.
(Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Teams 2005) - Certain members of the Guard are appointed to protect and serve the Shi'ar ruler in the Superguardians. Factions of the Guard enforce law on the fringe worlds, and are called Borderers. Each division of the Guard is led by a praetor, and all Guard members that cannot fly under their own power are equipped with anti-gravity devices. Guard members who perish are often replaced by another member of their race of origin.
(Uncanny X-Men#479 (fb) - BTS) - The first Imperial Guard was formed centuries ago to fight Rook'shir, possessor of the Phoenix force (also called the Phal'kon). Among its first members were Gladiator, Magic, Mentor, and Quasar.
(Uncanny X-Men#479 (fb)) - The Guard apprehended Rook'shir, and Gladiator beheaded him.
(Untold Tales of Captain Marvel#2 (fb) - BTS) - Deathbird lead a small group of the Guard into Kree space to track down a Brood ship. Guard members in this mission included: Fang, Oracle, Smasher, and Starbolt.
(Untold Tales of Captain Marvel#1) - The Guard's ship was attacked by dozens of Skrulls, and they fought them off, protecting Deathbird. Some Kree, including Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell) aided them. Fang was shocked when a massive gunblock went off, and he emphasized to Captain Marvel that Deathbird must be protected.
(Untold Tales of Captain Marvel#2) - The Guard, contained by the Kree, sought to fight their way free in order to be at Deathbird's side, Fang leaping on Marvel and getting knocked aside, but Deathbird ordered them to stand down. They revealed the nature of their mission to the Kree.
(Untold Tales of Captain Marvel#3 - BTS) - Weeks later, they saved a few surviving Kree (Mar-Vell, Una, and Yon-Rogg) after the Kree had fought the Brood.
(X-Men I#107/Classic X-Men#14) - The Imperial Guard was assembled at the M'kraan Crystal, where D'ken and Davan Shakari held Lilandra captive. When the X-Men (Banshee, Colossus, Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Phoenix, Storm, Wolverine) attacked, the Guard was sent against them and nearly defeated them. However, the Starjammers (Ch'od, Corsair, Hepzibah, Raza) turned the tide against the Guard just before the Crystal opened up and all reality blinked momentarily.
(X-Men I#108/Classic X-Men#15) - The Guard lay unconscious as the battle resolved.
(X-Men I#109 (fb)) - Lilandra ordered the Imperial Guard to stand down, as D'Ken had been driven incurably insane.
(Uncanny X-Men#137) - Lilandra sent the Imperial Guard against the X-Men (Angel (Warren Worthington), Beast (Henry McCoy), Colossus, Cyclops, Phoenix, Storm, Wolverine) on the moon to give the Shi'ar rights to slay the Phoenix. If the X-Men won, the Shi'ar would leave the Phoenix to them. A massive battle broke out and the Imperial Guard soon won. Guard members in this mission: Earthquake, Gladiator, Hussar, Manta, Oracle, Smasher, Starbolt, and Warstar.
(Uncanny X-Men#155) - Members of the Guard were assigned to assist Lord Samèdar in attacking the Earth. Gladiator, N'rill'iree, and Starbolt looked on as Araki and Samèdar delivered their ultimatum to the X-Men, keeping Nightcrawler and Sprite captive on board the ship.
(Uncanny X-Men#157) - Members of the Guard were assigned to assist Lord Samèdar in attacking the Earth. Nightcrawler and Shadowcat convinced Gladiator, N'rill'iree, Oracle, and Starbolt that Dark Phoenix was attacking the ship, then had Oracle read their minds to prove that Samèdar was acting against Lilandra's orders. Other members of the Guard loyal to Samèdar attacked and a fight ensued until a Brood weapon attached to B'nee (of the Warstar duo) knocked them all unconscious. DSamèdar prepared to destroy the Earth with the four guard members, two X-Men, and Captain K'rk watching, but Lilandra revealed herself and stopped him. Guard members in this mission included: Blackthorn, Fang, Gladiator, Hussar, N'rill'iree, Oracle, Quasar, Starbolt, Warstar, Webwing, and others.
(Rom Annual#4) - In far space, Guard members Binder, Chakar, Kwill, and Voltor were killed by the maddened Spaceknight Pulsar. Former Shi'ar ally Dr. Tyreseus donned Pulsar's armor and, calling himself Liberator, began slaying Shi'ar ships. Members of the Guard were sent to investigate, and battled other Spaceknights, Rom, Scanner, Seeker, and Trapper. Gladiator ended up aiding the Spaceknights in destroying the Liberator. Guard members in this mission: Electron, Gladiator, Magic, Manta, Oracle, Tempest, and Warstar.
(X-Men: Spotlight on Starjammers#2) -
Members of the Imperial Guard participated in an initial assault on the
Starjammers (Binary, Ch'od, Corsair, Cr+eee, Hepzibah, Raza) at Deathbird's
orders. When Binary blew a hole through the ship's wall, they briefly tried to
save the Shi'ar on board, but Deathbird ordered them to teleport away, leaving
the soldiers to their fate. They battled with the Starjammers and Zenith was
killed during the battle. 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 at Deathbird's orders, but they were ordered to retreat when Deathbird was
put at risk. Guard members who participated in the initial assault: Hussar,
Manta, Quasar, Warstar, and Zenith. Guard members who participated in later
assault: Astra, Black Light, Blackthorn, Earthquake, Electron, Gladiator,
Hobgoblin, Impulse, Magik, Mentor, Midget, Nightside, Oracle, Smasher, Starbolt,
Tempest, Titan, and White Noise.
(Uncanny X-Men#275) - The Imperial Guard was attacked by a group of Warskrulls posing as the Starjammers. The Guard seemed to be winning until the X-Men (Forge, Gambit, Jubilee, Psylocke, Storm) joined the fight against them, and the Guard was quickly overwhelmed. Guard members in this mission: Bolt, Earthquake, Gladiator, Mentor, Oracle, Smasher, Tempest, Titan, and Warstar.
(New Warriors I#42) - Gladiator led a contingent of the Guard to oppose Supernova.
(Avengers West Coast#80 (fb) - BTS) - Members of the Imperial Guard were sent to Earth to retrieve the Nega-Bands of Captain Marvel and a component of the Kree Psyche-Magnetron, and were ordered to capture Rick Jones to learn their whereabouts.
(Captain America I#398) - Warstar fought Captain America on Earth while Electron, Oracle, and Tempest grabbed Jones.
(Avengers West Coast#80) - Oracle got the information they needed, and they returned to the Kree base and retrieved the machinery. As they were rejoined by Warstar, Kree Sentry 372 attacked and the Avengers (Captain America (Steve Rogers), Hawkeye (Clint Barton), Iron Man (Tony Stark), Living Lightning, Mockingbird, Scarlet Witch, Spider-Woman (Julia Carpenter), USAgent, Wonder Man) and battle ensued, but the Guard escaped to their ship and returned to Shi'ar space.
(Thor I#445) - Gladiator responded to a Shi'ar distress call and battled Thor (Eric Masterson), who left him stranded in far space.
(Quasar#32) - Members of the Imperial Guard attacked Quasar and Her when the heroes neared the Guard ship. He boarded their ship and the Guard agreed to release Atlas to him so as not to damage the ship. Quasar quickly departed before they could pursue him. Guard members in this mission: Electron, Hobgoblin, Manta, Neutron, Nightside, Oracle, Scintilla, Starbolt, Tempest, and Warstar. In a different part of space, Quasar restrained Binary and was attacked by more members of the Guard. They retrieved Atlas and stranded Quasar in far space. Guard members in this mission: Glom, Moondancer, Onslaught, Solar Wind, and Voyager.
(Avengers West Coast#81) - The captured Shi'ar, Kree, and Warstar were moved to Project: PEGASUS in their miniature states and watched over by more Avengers (Dr. Pym, Wasp, Spider-Woman, Gilgamesh, She-Hulk, USAgent, Mockingbird, Falcon). Nightside and Scintilla restored the captive Shi'ar and Warstar to their real sizes, unintentionally freeing the two Kree as well. The Shi'ar, Nightside, and Warstar were recaptured while Atlas and Minerva flew away in a ship, pulled on the Guard ship by a tractor beam where "Minerva" revealed herself to be Hobgoblin of the Guard. They took the Nega-bands from Atlas and held him captive. The Shi'ar craft then made for the stargate again, and Quasar and Her fought Neutron and Starbolt while the ship escaped through the gate.
(Quasar#33) - Impulse, Manta, and Magique fought Quasar, Minerva, Atlas, and Starfox on one of Saturn's moons in order to retrieve the Nega-Bands, but they were defeated and captured.
(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). The Kree Starforce (Korath the Pursuer, Ronan the Accuser, Shatterax, Supremor, Ultimus) attacked and the Guard teamed with the Avengers to defeat them.
(Avengers West Coast#82) - When the Avengers resisted Lilandra's edicts, the Guard attacked them. 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.
(Avengers I#347) - Members of the Imperial Guard accompanied Lilandra and Araki to claim Hala and the Kree Empire as part of Shi'ar territory. Guard members in this mission: Impulse, Oracle, Tempest, and others.
(Quasar#46) - Glom, Moondancer, and Voyager were sent to Earth to retrieve Neutron.
(Spider-Man Drakes Cakes Mini Comics Series II#1 - BTS) - After a prison break Imperial Guardsmen Gladiator and Starbolt were sent after Galen-Kor and other fugitives. Meanwhile Galen-Kor and his fellow prisoners took over the Imperial Palace.
(Spider-Man Drakes Cakes Mini Comics Series II#2) - After three fugitive ships hit Earth's atmosphere they broke formation to separately pursue three identified sites of extremely destructive weapons to take back to Hala. Dylon-Cir's ship landed on a rooftop in New York City, where they encountered Spider-Man. Dylon-Cir told Spider-Man that his beloved homeworld was under attack and he and his companions Tazer and Dekker were trying to contact the Avengers to seek their help in their fight. Spider-Man distrusted the story, but before he could do anything Gladiator and Starbolt arrived to bring Dylon-Cir's crew back into custody. Caught between Gladiator's warning/threat to leave and Dekker's plea to not allow the Guardsmen to take them, Spidey tried to get everyone to sit down and talk it out. When Gladiator refused and realized that Spidey was not going to leave, Gladiator attacked Spidey, much to the amusement of the watching criminals. After throwing Spidey hard through a nearby building Gladiator turned his attention to the three criminals, with Tazer using his cybernetic coils and his bio-electricity to ensnare and fry Starbolt in an attempt to get Gladiator to surrender and leave them alone. While Gladiator was refusing Spidey returned to the scene. Realizing that innocents would suffer if the battle continued on, Spidey used his webs to blind Tazer long enough for him to drop Starbolt, who then used his powers to knock Tazer down. When Dylon-Cir and Dekker drew their guns to fire on the two Guardsmen, Spidey used his webbing to clog up the guns, effectively disarming the two criminals and ending the battle. Gladiator apologized to Spidey for attacking him, calling him a true warrior, while all Spidey wanted right then was an aspirin for his aching head. Meanwhile another of the fugitive ships lands in plains of New Mexico, seeking another cache of weapons hidden there.
(Spider-Man Drakes Cakes Mini Comics Series II#2 - BTS) - Gladiator and Starbolt took Dylon-Cir, Tazer and Dekker back to Hala as prisoners. The two Guardsmen then returned to Earth to catch the other fugitives.
(Spider-Man Drakes Cakes Mini Comics Series II#3) - Lunatic Legion member Kona-Lor and her allies Yeti and Skreamer were stopped by Hulk and Pantheon members Ulysses and Hector when they attempted to steal weapons from the Mount. The aliens were brought back to Hala by Imperial Guardsmen Gladiator and Starbolt.
(Starblast#2) - Gladiator ordered the humans aboard the battle-cruiser (Binary, Black Bolt, Captain Marvel (Monica Rambeau), Darkstar, Ikaris, Lockjaw, Perun, Quasar (Wendell Vaughn), Vanguard) to leave, but they refused. After some brief explanations by Gladiator, more of the Imperial Guard teleported aboard to investigate. After a deadly battle, during which Neutron traded blows with Perun, the humans agreed to surrender the ship if the Shi'ar would help the humans pursue the Black Fleet. Guard members in this mission included: Gladiator, Manta, Moondanacer, Neutron, Nightside, Smasher, Solar Wind, Starbolt, and Voyager.
(Quasar#55) - The Shi'ar ship got safely through the stargate, and the Guard parted ways with the Earthlings when they investigated the Stranger. Moondancer, Solar Wind, and Voyager chose to leave the Guard to get revenge on the Stranger. Guard members: Gladiator, Manta, Neutron, Smasher, and Starbolt.
(Starjammers I#4) - Lilandra gathered many of the Guard to battle the Uncreated, but the aliens were defeated by the Starjammers first.
(Imperial Guard#1 (fb)) - Lilandra sent eight of the Guard to Earth to watch out for Kree militants and to protect the planet in the absence of its heroes (many of whom had been seemingly killed by Onslaught, a composite entity of Professor X and Magneto). Members on this mission included: Commando, Earthquake, Electron, Flashfire, Gladiator, Mentor, Nightside, and Oracle. They aided the Avengers (Black Widow (Natasha Romanova), Hercules, Quicksilver) against Primus and his People's Underground Militia.
(Uncanny X-Men#341) - Gladiator sent the X-Men to aid Lilandra in Shi'ar space.
(Imperial Guard#1) - After
some down time, the Guard battled the Militia again, but were defeated this
time.
(Imperial Guard#2) - The Guard escaped, and discovered the Militia were Kree operatives. They fought the villains again, and helped authorities clean up after the villains escaped.
(Imperial Guard#3) - While tracking the Militia again, the Guard discovered that the Kree planned to detonate a Nega-Bomb. After a deadly battle, they managed to stop the bomb from going off and defeated the Militia. They allied with Rick Jones (who'd been powered by the Supreme Intelligence) and learned the Supreme Intelligence was on Earth.
(Incredible Hulk Annual 1997) - While practicing the use of her powers to cast mental illusions, Oracle suddenly sensed the presence on Earth of an old Shi'ar enemy, Elamron the Changeling. She mentally contacted Gladiator and they tracked down Elamron's new form, that of the small boy David Banner, claiming to be the son of the Hulk. They explained what the boy was and stated he must be destroyed, but Hulk refused and attacked. While Oracle held the boy, Janus (who'd tried harming Oracle), and Leonard Samson to the side with her powers, Gladiator fought the Hulk. Elamron, seeing the Hulk's destructive potential, fled and abandoned his form. Oracle and Gladiator could no longer sense him.
(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, Mentor, Neutron, Nightside, Oracle, Smasher, Starbolt, Titan, Warstar, others
(Thanos#10 (fb)) - Gladiator led Electron, Oracle and Quasar (Neutron) to investigate the sudden disappearance of the entire Shi'ar settlement of Eru-7. There, they discovered that the Maker (formerly the Beyonder) had wiped out 64,000 people, and Oracle contained the threat.
(New X-Men I#117) - Lilandra and Gladiator, Smasher, Mammoth, Jorrsk, and Forunn of the Imperial Guard, traveled to Earth to pick up Professor X for a stay in the Shi'ar galaxy. They bid farewell to the X-Men, not knowing that Professor X had been possessed by Cassandra Nova.
(New X-Men I#122) - While Gladiator was absent from the ship, Nova took over Professor X's form and wreaked havoc, slaying shipman Immundra as well as Forunn, Jorrsk, and Mammoth. Smasher fled to Earth to find the X-Men just before the ship exploded and Lilandra nearly died.
(New X-Men I#124 (fb) - BTS) - Lilandra, maddened under Nova's influence, sent Guardian, Stuff, and Squorm to Earth to wipe out the X-Men, convincing them that they had contracted a virus that would be deadly to all live in the galaxy. She sent Arc on a separate mission.
(New X-Men I#123) - Gladiator, though regretting it, moved to Earth, reciting a vow of destruction on his way. He initiated the lifeform sterilization procedure with Stuff, and asked for forgiveness as the grounds around the X-Mansion started on fire.
(New X-Men I#124) - More members of the Guard were sent to aid Gladiator in the attack. Gladiator rushed to Monstra's aid, and approached the X-Men (Beast, Phoenix, White Queen, Wolverine) and their students (Stepford Cuckoos), stating that their actions proved they were unstable. He then swiftly defeated Beast and Wolverine, then burst through a massive wall to find Phoenix and several reporters. Plutonia then entered with Smasher, who relayed Nova's possession of Professor X to Gladiator. Members of the Guard in this mission included Arc, Blimp, Cosmo, Fader, Gladiator, G-Type, Manta, Monstra, Neosaurus, Oracle, Plutonia, Schism, Squorm, and Stuff.
(New X-Men I#125) - Repentant and realizing they'd been duped, Gladiator used his micro-vision to confirm for the X-Men that they had nano-Sentinels in their bodies, placed there by Nova. He gathered Manta, Smasher, and Plutonia around him and they prepared for final battle against Nova. They went outside and were all quickly defeated by Nova.
(New X-Men I#126) - Nova taunted Gladiator, stating he was useless and unable to stop her. The X-Men later defeated Nova, who died. Professor X's mind was restored to his body.
(New X-Men I#133) - Gladiator, N'rill'iree, and Starbolt accompanied Lilandra on a private mission to Earth, and she annulled her marriage to Professor X.
(Marvel Universe: The End#5-6) - Members of the Imperial Guard were briefly summoned alongside dozens of Earth heroes to battle the powerful Thanos. Members of the Guard included: Gladiator, Manta, and Starbolt.
(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) - Earthquake and Astra picked up Gladiator and new recruit Peter Quill from the Kyln. Earthquake was put off by Quill's strange attitude and humor, and thought recruiting him was a mistake. Earthquake later helped evacuate the sector of space that was in danger from the battle between the Fallen One and Thanos.
(X-Force II#5) - Gladiator, Oracle, Smasher, and Fang stopped a band of Skrull insurgents who'd tried smuggling proton bombs into Shi'ar territory. They soon received word that an ancient Shi'ar enemy, the Skornn, had manifested on Earth. Gladiator wondered why they didn't just burn Earth long ago for all the trouble it caused the Shi'ar. He ordered the entire Imperial Guard to be on alert and the three hundred member Imperium Congress be called. He and Admiral Ya'lont discussed the legality of intervening on Earth yet again. They departed for Earth, planning on getting Lilandra's permission on their way.
(X-Force II#6) - Gladiator, Starbolt, and Ya'lont received word that the terrans had managed to defeat the Skornn.
(Uncanny X-Men#477) - The Imperial Guard was dispatched to defeat Vulcan, who'd been destroying ships in Shi'ar space. Gladiator, Impulse, Smasher, and Starbolt flew ahead of the attack ship.
(Uncanny X-Men#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.
(Uncanny X-Men#485) - Members of the Guard stood guard at the wedding of Deathbird to Vulcan, D'ken acting as new emperor having ordered it. The X-Men (Darwin, Havok, Marvel Girl (Rachel Grey), Polaris, Warpath), Starjammers (Ch'od, Corsair, Cr+eee, Hepzibah, Raza), Korvus, Lilandra, and the armies of General Ka'ardum attacked, and the Guard fought against them. Vulcan then assassinated D'ken.
(Uncanny X-Men#486) - Vulcan murdered Corsair and proclaimed himself emperor. Deathbird ordered the Guard to follow Vulcan's orders, and they were soon ordered to retreat. Guard members in this mission (and last): Earthquake, Electron, Gladiator, Magique, Mentor, Nightside, Starbolt, and Warstar.
(X-Men: Emperor Vulcan#1 (fb) – BTS) – The allegiances of the Imperial Guard still to Vulcan, the Imperial Guard spent the following weeks helping Vulcan and Deathbird enforce their rule.
(X-Men: Emperor Vulcan#1 – BTS) – Vulcan learned that the Starjammers (Ch'od, Havok, Marvel Girl (Rachel Grey), Polaris, Raza), Ka'ardum, Lilandra and their forces would be attacking the planet Feather's Edge. He led his forces, including the Imperial Guard, to trap them there. Taunting Gladiator, Vulcan wondered if he should kill them all before a third force, the Scy'ar Tal, destroyed Vulcan's ship.
(X-Men: Emperor Vulcan#2) – The Scy'ar Tal waged war on the Shi'ar and destroyed the planet Feather's Edge. Vulcan, with Deathbird and the Imperial Guard (Gladiator, Manta, Nightside, Oracle, Starbolt, Titan, Warstar) teleported aboard the Starjammers' ship.
(X-Men: Emperor Vulcan#3) – Vulcan held off Havok's energy attack while Oracle blocked Marvel Girl's telepathy. Vulcan offered an alliance against the Scy'ar Tal, claiming that they were the bigger threat, then left with his allies to let the Starjammers think things over. Vulcan, Deathbird, and the Imperial Guard (joined by Scintilla) greeted the Starjammers, who agreed to the alliance. Deathbird had reservations, but Vulcan quelled them. Soon, Araki entered with his private guard, the Shi'ar Death Commandos (Blackcloak, Colony, Devo, Flaw, Hypernova, Krait, Offset, Sega, Shell, Warshot). Marvel Girl grew furious and lashed out in a powerful attack, sending the Commandos scattering and threatening Araki's life, even accusing him of running the secret order of the Shi'ar and ordering the death of her family, until Polaris stopped her. After the Commandos left, they started a planning session and Havok insisted they destroy the Finality weapon, which had destroyed Feather's Edge, first. Vulcan ordered the Starjammers and Imperial Guard to go after the weapon while Ka'ardum lead the fleet to defend the M'kraan Crystal. They soon arrived at the Finality, where they found dozens of stars ready to be used as weapons.
(X-Men: Emperor Vulcan#4) – While the Starjammers were engaged the Scy'ar Tal ships, Gladiator, Oracle, Nightside, and Mentor of the Guard narrowly saved the Starjammers from being shot down. Vulcan summoned the Imperial Guard (Earthquake, Gladiator, Starbolt, Titan, Warstar) to defend him against the Eldest. The Eldest chided the Guard for serving their Shi'ar enslavers and easily defeated most of them until Havok suggested that he, Gladiator, and Vulcan focus their energy attacks on Eldest simultaneously. The Eldest fell dead, but another of the Scy'ar Tal turned into the new Eldest. Finally, thanks to Havok, Vulcan realized that the Eldest was drawing his powers from the energies of his people, so he manipulated those energies and cut off the hive mind of the Scy'ar Tal. The battle quickly turned to the Shi'ar's favor. Vulcan slew the rest of the Scy'ar present, captured Havok with a blast, and vowed to kill the others. Meanwhile, Electron, Manta, Plutonia, and Flashfire gathered in on the remaining Starjammers.
(X-Men: Emperor Vulcan#5) – With Earthquake seemingly dead, Mentor analyzed the Finality weapon and determined its capabilities and superior functioning. Vulcan ordered that it be used on the remaining Scy'ar Tal. Meanwhile, Electron's group attacked the Starjammers. Plutonia phased a hand through Raza while Manta blinded Marvel Girl and Electron was punched aside by Ch'od. Korvus held off Flashfire and Marvel Girl held off Plutonia. Polaris ordered Marvel Girl and Korvus on another mission as she wrapped Manta and Electron in metal coverings. Gladiator was ordered after Marvel Girl and Korvus, but Marvel Girl successfully held him off. Plutonia phased through Raza again, then was defeated by a blast from Polaris, then Ch'od knocked Flashfire out with a blow to the head. The Scy'ar Tal were finally destroyed after Mentor activated the weapon, even though Havok managed to destroy the Finality weapon. Deathbird lead the rest of the Imperial Guard and defeated the Starjammers, then teleported back to save Vulcan from Havok. The Imperial Guard (Electron, Flashfire, Gladiator, Manta, Mentor, Nightside, Oracle, Plutonia, Scintilla, Titan, Warstar) stood by Deathbird, Araki, and Ka'ardum as the Shi'ar cheered on Vulcan. The Starjammers (Ch'od, Havok, Polaris, Raza) lay captive.
Comments: Created by Chris Claremont, Dave Cockrum and Dan Green.
Thanks to Elf with a Gun for the Spider-Man Drake Cakes appearances.
The Imperial Guard received entries in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe I#5, Deluxe Edition#6, Teams 2005 and in the X-Men Encyclopedia.
The Imperial Guard members are generally
based on the Legion of Super-Heroes. Hobgoblin=Chameleon
Also, there seems to be some indication that Hobgoblin is in fact a Skrull, as
acknowledged by his Master Edition entry. This occurs due to a scene in Avengers
I#345.
--Per Degaton
Check out Fantastic Four
III#51. He looks to be part of the Chameloid race. There really should be some
discussion of his origins in the comments, b/c there's also that one time when
he's either shown as a Skrull or impersonated by one.
--Snood.
We don't have any idea why the Imperial Guard attacked
Lobo, do we other than the fact they possibly saw him as an invader. While JLA/Avengers isn't specific, I'd expect he found himself on a strange planet and
attacked first.
--Will U
The Imperial Guard was also active in the novel X-Men: Empire's End by Diane Duane (see below). It has to be seen if this story is canon.
Interesting backstory in this novel about the Shi'ar
The Majestor Arakh adopted a policy of succession to
the throne whereby his clones would succeed him, and
in turn the clones produced from his clone. Finally,
one clone decided to have his brain or soul directly
implanted into a cloned body, in a process similar to
that of the Elan, Kang, Maelstrom, the Red Skull, the
Hate-Monger, Arnim Zola et al.
It is also stated that the Shi'ar believe that their
royal family traces descent from Sharra and Kythri.
This on pages 147-148.
--Per Degaton
(X-Men: Empire's End) - Years ago, a research team including Avend and Irdin discovered an irregularity in nearby galaxies. Avend demanded this situation come to D'Ken's attention, but the Imperial Science Council handled it.
(X-Men: Empire's End) - The star-devouring irregularity Avend noted once again came to Shi'ar attention, this time in the Sorosh Galaxy. Lilandra summoned Gladiator, Electron, Flashfire, Sibyl, Nightside, Mentor, and Commando to set up a firebreak (similar to how rangers will start a controlled fire to stop a raging forest fire) with a machine that would tamper with a star's carbon-carbon fusion cycle. Later, Mentor joined Lilandra in a virtual conference with Xavier. They refused to contact Reed Richards, despite Xavier's suggestion, sore memories of the trial of Galactus fiasco still coming to mind. Quake and Flashfire were also called in to serve in the mission at least at this point.
Profile by Chadman.
CLARIFICATIONS:
Imperial Guard has no known connections to
images: (without ads)
X-Men I#107, p4-5 (1st)
X-Men: Spotlight on Starjammers#2, p38 (2nd)
Imperial Guard#2, p17, pan4 (3rd)
Uncanny X-Men#480, p2, pan1 (4th)
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, 1978) - Chris Claremont (writer), John Byrne (penciler), Terry Austin (inker), Archie Goodwin (editor)
X-Men I#136-137 (August-September, 1980) - Chris Claremont (writer), John Byrne (penciler), Terry Austin (inker), Jim Salicrup (editor)
Uncanny X-Men#155 (March, 1982) - Chris Claremont (writer), Dave Cockrum (penciler), Bob Wiacek (inker), Louise Jones (editor)
Uncanny X-Men#157 (May, 1982) - Chris Claremont (writer), Dave Cockrum (penciler), Bob Wiacek (inker), Louise Jones (editor)
Rom Annual#4 (December, 1985) - Bill Mantlo (writer), Steve Ditko (penciler), Al Milgrom (inker), Mike Carlin (editor)
X-Men: Spotlight on Starjammers#2 (1990) - Terry Kavanagh (writer), Dave Cockrum (penciler), Jeff Albrecht (inker), Kelly Corvese (editor)
Uncanny X-Men#275 (April, 1991) - Chris Claremont (writer), Jim Lee (penciler), Scott Williams, Karl Alstaetter (inkers), Bob Harras (editor)
Uncanny X-Men#277 (June, 1991) - Chris Claremont (writer), Jim Lee (penciler), Scott Williams (inker), Bob Harras (editor)
Captain America I#398 (March, 1992) - Mark Gruenwald (writer), Rik Levins (penciler), Danny Bulanadi (inker), Ralph Macchio (editor)
Avengers West Coast#80 (March, 1992) - Roy & Dann Thomas (writers), Dave Ross (penciler), Tom Dzon (inker), Nelson Yomtov (editor)
Quasar#32 (March, 1992) - Mark Gruenwald (writer), Greg Capullo (penciler), Harry Candelario (inker), Kelly Corvese (editor)
Avengers West Coast#81 (April, 1992) - Roy & Dann Thomas (writers), Dave Ross (penciler), Tom Dzon (inker), Nelson Yomtov (editor)
Quasar#33 (April, 1992) - Mark Gruenwald (writer), Rurik Tyler (penciler), Fred Fredericks (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)
Avengers I#347 (May, 1992) - Bob Harras (writer), Steve Epting (penciler), Tom Palmer (inker), Ralph Macchio (editor)
Quasar#46 (May, 1993) - Mark Gruenwald (writer), Andy Smith (penciler), Ralph Cabrera (inker), Mike Rockwitz (editor)
Spider-Man Drakes Cakes Mini Comics Series II#1 (1994)/ Silver Surfer: Breakout - Eric Fein (writer), Robert Walker (pencils), John Stanisci (inks), Glenn Herdling (editor)
Spider-Man Drakes Cakes Mini Comics Series II#2 (1994)/ Spider-Man: When Heroes Clash! - Eric Fein (writer), Jim Craig (pencils), Dan & David Day (inks), Glenn Herdling (editor)
Spider-Man Drakes Cakes Mini Comics Series II#3 (1994)/ Hulk: Pantheon Raid - Eric Fein (writer), Jim Craig (pencils), Dan & David Day (inks), Glenn Herdling (editor)
Starblast#2 (February, 1994) - Mark Gruenwald (writer), Herb Trimpe (penciler), Ralph Cabrera (inker), Mike Rockwitz (editor)
Quasar#55 (February, 1994) - Mark Gruenwald (writer), John Heebink (penciler), Aaron McClellan (inker), Mike Rockwitz (editor)
Starjammers I#4 (January, 1996) - Warren Ellis (writer), Carlos Pacheco (penciler), Cam Smith, Bob Wiacek (inkers), Suzanne Gaffney (editor)
Imperial Guard#1-3 (January-March, 1997) - Brian Augustyn (writer), Chuck Wojkiewicz (penciler), Ray Snyder (inker), Terry Kavanagh (editor)
Untold Legend of Captain Marvel#1-3 (April-June, 1997) - Tom Brevoort, Mike Kanterovich (writers), Scott Kolins (penciler), John Lowe (inker), Mark Bernardo (editor)
Incredible Hulk Annual 1997 - Chris Cooper (writer), Jeff Rebner (penciler), Mark Irwin (inker), Bobbie Chase (editor)
X-Men: Empire's End (October, 1997) - Diane Duane (writer)
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)
New X-Men I#117 (October, 2001) - Grant Morrison (writer), Ethan Van Scriver (penciler), Prentiss Rollins (inker), Mark Powers (editor)
New X-Men I#122 (April, 2002) - Grant Morrison (writer), Ethan Van Scriver, Tom Derenick (pencilers), Tim Townsend, Danny Miki, Scott Hanna, Sandu Florea (inkers), Mark Powers (editor)
New X-Men I#124-125 (May-June, 2002) - Grant Morrison (writer), Igor Kordey (penciler/inker), Mark Powers (editor)
New X-Men I#126 (July, 2002) - Grant Morrison (writer), Frank Quitely (penciler), Tim Townsend (inker), Mark Powers (editor)
New X-Men I#133 (December, 2002) - Grant Morrison (writer), Ethan Van Scriver (penciler), Norm Rapmund (inker), Mike Marts (editor)
Marvel Universe: The End#5-6 (August, September, 2003) - Jim Starlin (writer/penciler), Al Milgrom (inker), Tom Brevoort (editor)
JLA/Avengers#1 (September, 2003) - Kurt Busiek (writer), George Perez (artist), Tom Brevoort & Dan Raspler (editors)
Thanos#10 (July, 2004) - Keith Giffen (writer), Ron Lim (penciler), Al Milgrom (inker), Tom Brevoort (editor)
Thanos#12 (September, 2004) - Keith Giffen (writer), Ron Lim (penciler), Al Milgrom (inker), Tom Brevoort (editor)
Uncanny X-Men#477 (October, 2006) - Ed Brubaker (writer), Clayton Henry (penciler), Mark Morales (inker), Mike Marts (editor)
Uncanny X-Men#480 (January, 2007) - Ed Brubaker (writer), Clayton Henry (penciler), Mark Morales (inker), Mike Marts, Nick Lowe (editors)
Uncanny X-Men#485 (June, 2007) - Ed Brubaker (writer), Billy Tan (penciler), Danny Miki, Allen Martinez (inkers), Nick Lowe (editor)
Uncanny X-Men#486 (July, 2007) - Ed Brubaker (writer), Billy Tan (penciler), Danny Miki (inker), Nick Lowe (editor)
X-Men: Emperor Vulcan#1-5 (November, 2007-March, 2008) – Christopher Yost (writer), Paco Diaz Luque (penciler), Vicente Cifuentes (inker), Nick Lowe (editor)
Last updated: 10/25/07.
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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