The Major Cosmic Characters Introduced In Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is taking movie theaters by storm around the world as it trots through its global release schedule. Soon to be playing in the United States, the film has opened in various countries around the world and many fans have met the new faces of the Marvel Cinematic Universe which came with the film.

While the core Guardians team was inarguably the focus of Vol. 2, there was a subtle amount of world building going on throughout the movie’s 138 minutes. In fact, the tiny nods and introductions to extra corners of the Marvel Cinematic Universe made Guardians Vol. 2 the MCU’s most expansive addition since Thor took audiences to the Nine Realms in 2009.

Full spoilers follow as we run through some of the key cosmic Marvel characters introduced in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.

Martinex

Played by Smallville alum Michael Rosenbaum, Martinex was realized in live action in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.

A member of the Guardians 3000 roster, Martinex has a unique set of powers courtesy of his Pluvian physiology. He is a silicon based life form composed of silicon crystal rather than carbon matter like humans. It makes stronger and more durable but he can also use his thermokinetic abilities to manipulate temperatures to extremes heats or colds in an instant. The character is known for projecting thermal beams of hot or cold during battles.

First introduced in Marvel Super-Heroes #18 in January of 1969, Martinex has been featured in several Guardians titles under the lead of Vance Astro.

Starhawk

Sylvestor Stallone’s Starhawk has only scratched the tip of the iceberg with his possibilities in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 

Introduced early in the film before returning to pay tribute at a Ravager funeral, Stallone’s character clearly has a rich history within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Only referred to as Stakar, the character banished Yondu from the Ravagers for working in dealing kids against their group’s code. The Ravagers, however, are far from the only group to which Starhawk has belonged.

In Marvel Comics, Starhawk is a key character within the classic Guardians roster and the Guardians 3000 run. His powers were granted by the Hawk God in an alternate reality than core Marvel Comics stories after his first appearance in Defenders #27 in 1975.

Starhawk’s powers include the ability to generate luminous energy around his body, being able to fly, and creating intense heat/light beams.

Charlie-27

Like Martinex, Charlie-27 is a key character in an alternate Guardians line-up. The classic line-up sees Charlie-27 following the lead of Vance Astro and Starhawk.

In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Charlie-27 was introduced late in the film being played by Ving Rhames. 

With the introduction of these characters, the possible future of the Guardians of the Galaxy stories has been expanded as the roster fans know from the films can either team up with the classic names or take a back seat to the likes of Charlie-27, Martinex, and the sure-to-be introduced Vance Astro. 

Charlie-27 first appeared in Marvel Super-Heroes #18 in 1969.

The Watchers

The Watchers, like Vol. 2‘s Ego the Living Planet, are Celestial beings within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Introduced during Stan Lee’s cameo, the Watchers spawned billions of years ago as the history of Marvel Comics tell it. The Watcher responsible for Earth’s solar system is Uatu, son of Ikor, who drafted a code which banned the Watchers from interfering with any life outside of their own. This is likely why the trio Stan Lee was speaking to did not offer any response to his story of being a FedEx delivery man in Captain America: Civil War. 

Uatu was first introduced in Fantastic Four #13 in 1963.

Eternity

Eternity was not explicitly introduced in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 but the first tease of the entity responsible for guiding the Celestials was certainly teased.

When Peter Quill’s eyes were turned to stars by Ego the Living Planet, Peter looked to the sky and explored all that he was seeing. With literally all of the cosmos in his eyes, Peter said, “Eternity.”

First introduced in Strange Tales #138, Eternity controls everything within the planes of existence with the exception of the Living Tribunal. Eternity exists in partnership with Death and only rivaled her during the Infinity Gauntlet story. The being is quick to show willingness of sacrificing a plane of existence to defeat an opponent, though Eternity does not often interfere with worldly events. 

Adam Warlock

In the spirit of the original post-credits scenes which Marvel fans came to love, the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2‘s end-credits tag featured a tease of the introduction of a major character.

Shortly after realizing the cost of her losses, Ayesha is informed that the Sovereign’s council wishes to see her. She expects to be ridiculed for her failing efforts but has an ace up her sleeve: a creation strong enough to destroy the Guardians of the Galaxy.

Just before the camera cuts to Ayesha’s view, the villainous leader of the Sovereign says she will call him, “Adam.” Then, we see his golden coccoon.

Ayesha is referring to Adam Warlock, one of the most powerful beings in Marvel comics. Though Warlock has served as both enemy and ally to Thanos in comics, he is said to be sitting out the Avengers: Infinity War films. In comics, however, Warlock was created by the Enclave, which had similar goals as the Sovereign to create the perfect humans.