Guardians of Infinity Character Designs & New Details Revealed

Following the news of the new upcoming Guardians of Infinity ongoing that pairs Dan Abnett with Carlo Barberi, Marvel.com has released character designs for the Guardians 1000 members as well as an interview with the creators.

Fans of the previous Marvel Cosmic titles should be excited for Guardians of Infinity as no one can write the Guardians better than Abnett.

I think that’s why I’ve always loved the cosmic side of Marvel: placing super heroes in an [sci-fi] context means that it’s less about costumes and secret identities and integrating super hero roles into a ‘real world.’ These are characters [that] look and behave the way they do because of non-terrestrial technology, culture, and abilities. We get a sense of the whole universe, and the possibilities are vast and ingenious. Take Rocket, as an example. On Earth, he’d be a curiosity, a goofy “fun” character. Out in the universe, he’s non-human adventurer that we don’t have to qualify or excuse. We can just get on with enjoying his misadventures.

Abnett says obviously time travel will be used to connect the teams, but hints it won’t be the same old same old.

The idea I was playing with was to mix up the characters from the two existing eras of Guardians: Rocket’s crew from “now” and Vance Astro’s team of freedom fighters from the year 3000. That’s inevitably going to involve time travel, at the very least, as a mechanism to bring them together. But I thought of a way of using cross-time contact as part of the story itself without it being the usual “travel in time, change the future/past” cliché.

Abnett also describes the differences between the three teams.

I also really want to differentiate, not just between characters, but between team philosophies. The ‘now’ GOTG are very much rogues and misfits, but the Guardians 3000 are much more heroic—they’re freedom fighters, after all. It’s like mixing a gang of charming crooks with a dedicated squad of soldiers. Then the Guardians 1000—well, they are explorers. They are noble. They are optimistic and are all about embracing the wonder of the Universe. The three teams may have the same name, but they couldn’t be more different. Streams are going to be crossed, is what I’m saying.

Abnett offers the series is going to be a great ride and more.

Great characters; really great art from Carlo; plus an opportunity to leap headlong into the wonder of the broader Marvel Universe. If you’re shy of all things cosmic, you don’t know if it’s your thing, or if you’re fascinated by that side of the Marvel Universe but don’t know your Galadorans from your Spartax, the answer is right here. Jump on board. We’ll explain everything you need to know on the way. No prior experience needed.

But hold on tight, because Rocket’s driving, and space can get crazy at this time of day.

“Guardians of Infinity” hits in December.

GUARDIANS OF INFINITY #1

Written by DAN ABNETT & JASON LATOUR

Art by CARLO BARBERI & JIM CHEUNG

Cover by JIM CHEUNG

Variant Cover by CARLO BARBERI

IN THE INFINITE EXPANSE OF TIME AND SPACE IS THERE ROOM FOR MORE GUARDIANS? YOU BET THERE IS!

Defending the galaxy is a good gig, but Drax isn’t thrilled with the combat hours (not enough of them) and Rocket isn’t thrilled with the compensation (not enough of it). They’re off on an adventure to supplement both, and Groot is happy to come along. But instead of the perks they want, they’re about to get more trouble than they can handle. Good thing the Guardians 3000 are on hand to help! But what about…THE GUARDIANS 1000??!!

Also in this issue, Latour and Cheung tell a one-off story of Ben Grimm and Rocket Raccoon, stuck on a planet where culture is based on Earth-style professional wrestling…but the stakes are life and death! THIS AIN’T KAYFABE, BROTHER!