The Imperial Guard (the so-called Superguardians) is a superhero team appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Imperial Guard are a multi-ethnic group of alien beings who act as enforcers of the laws of the Shi'ar empire; the Superguardians are the personal guard of the leader of the Empire.
Created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Dave Cockrum, the original Imperial Guard characters were pastiches of prominent members of rival publisher DC Comics' superhero team the Legion of Super-Heroes.Cronin, Brian. "Wolverine: Every Costume Marvel's Latest Resurrected Mutant Has Worn, Ever," CBR (AUG. 25, 2018).Blumberg, Arnold T. "Lilandra Explained: Who Is the X-Men: Dark Phoenix Character?," IGN (5 Jul 2017). Many other characters were later added to the roster, not all of whom are based on Legionnaires.
The Imperial Guard first appeared in The Uncanny X-Men #107 (October 1977). Since then, they have been featured periodically in the X-Men titles; crossed paths with the Starjammers, the Kree, the Skrulls, Nova Corps, the Inhumans, and the Guardians of the Galaxy; and been featured in a number of limited series, including Imperial Guard (1997), the War of Kings crossover series (2009), and Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard (2010).Fuller, Kevin. "Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #1 Review: Marvel's cosmos deal with the effects of its war," IGN (12 Nov 2009).
More than 50 Imperial Guard Superguardians have appeared in Marvel Comics' titles; the core members number about 20, with the most notable being Gladiator, Oracle, Starbolt, Neutron, Smasher, Flashfire, Warstar, Electron, Manta, Mentor, Titan, Pulsar, Hussar, Nightside, and Fang.
Structure and organization The Imperial Guard numbers about 300 members, and is made up of elite soldiers from throughout the Empire. The Imperial Guard is led by a praetor.
The Superguardians (who comprise the vast majority of the named characters) are the guards of the Shi'ar leader.Austin, Michael. "X-Men: The 10 Most Dangerous Members of The Shi’ar Imperial Guard: The X-Men Comics are filled with powerful and dangerous people. But few are as dangerous as the members of the Shi-ar Imperial Guard," CBR (AUG. 18, 2019).Arrant, Chris. "Marvel Hints at 'Very Cool' (and Space-y) Future for Starjammers & Imperial Guard," Space.com (August 29, 2019). Those closest to the leader are known as the Royal Elite.
The Guard academy trains replacements called Subguardians for Superguardians who are killed or incapacitated.
Imperial Guard oath of allegiance This is the Imperial Guard's oath of allegiance to the Shi'ar empire:
Concept and creation As X-Men creators Claremont and Cockrum were devising a team to battle the X-Men in the first part of the Phoenix Saga, Cockrum suggested modeling their powers and costumes after characters from DC's Legion of Super-Heroes."X-Men's Imperial Guard and Cockrum's Legion of Super-Heroes," The Scoop (Gemstone Publishing, Dec. 1). Cockrum previously had a two-year run as artist on the Legion of Super-Heroes backup feature in the Superboy comic book.
In a 2002 interview, Cockrum said that he showed the character designs to Legion writer Paul Levitz. Asked if he thought there might be trouble between the companies, Cockrum said, "Not really... I showed the designs to Paul Levitz, and he didn't say, 'You can't do that.' If anything, he said, 'Geez, these costumes are better than the ones the Legionnaires are wearing.' No, I don't think we ever once thought that we were going to get in trouble over it."
The first Guardsmen introduced (with their Legion of Super-Heroes analog in parentheses) were Gladiator (Superboy),Sanderson, Peter. "Interview With Dave Cockrum," The X-Men Companion (Fantagraphics Books, 1982), p. 82: Sanderson asks Gladiator co-creator Dave Cockrum, "How about the Imperial Guard? Can you give a key as to who’s who? The leader, Gladiator, is supposed to be Superboy...?" Cockrum answers, "Superboy, sure." Astra (Phantom Girl), Electron (Cosmic Boy), Fang (Timber Wolf),Johnson, Jim. "Legion of Super-Heroes' New Timber Wolf Influenced by a Specific Wolverine: Wolverine isn't a surprising inspiration for the Legion of Super-Heroes' Timber Wolf, but there's a classic irony behind it," CBR (AUG. 29, 2019). Hobgoblin (Chameleon Boy), Impulse (Wildfire), Magic (Princess Projectra), Mentor (Brainiac 5), Midget (Shrinking Violet), Nightshade (Shadow Lass), Oracle (Saturn Girl), Quasar (Star Boy), Smasher (Ultra Boy), Starbolt (Sun Boy), Tempest (Lightning Lad), and Titan (Colossal Boy).Cronin, Brian. "Comic Legends: Why New Imperial Guard Members in Dark Phoenix Saga?", CBR (APR 09, 2018).
Over time, for various reasons, some of the members' code-names were changed: Nightshade to Nightside,X-Men #157 (May 1982). Magic to Magique, Midget to Scintilla,Quasar #33 (April 1992). Quasar to Neutron, Tempest to Flashfire, and Impulse to Pulsar.
Fictional team history Many centuries ago, the Phoenix Force entity ends up in Shi'ar space, where it bonds with a citizen of the Empire named Rook'shir. In conjunction with his blade, Rook'shir learns to control the Phoenix Force, but is ultimately overwhelmed by its power, becoming the first known host to succumb to and go insane from its destructive impulses. Becoming the first Dark Phoenix, Rook'shir rampages throughout the Empire, destroying many planets in the process.
T'korr, Majestor of the Shi'ar empire, creates the Imperial Guard to battle Rook'shir;Arrant, Chris. "Marvel's best Phoenix Force hosts: Who wore it best?," GamesRadar+ (September 03, 2020). some of the first members are Gladiator, Magic, Mentor, and Quasar.War of Kings: Warriors #1 (Sept. 2009). Defeating Rook'shir, the Guard becomes the first line of defense of the Shi'ar empire.The Uncanny X-Men #479 (Dec. 2006).
In The X-Men #107 (Oct. 1977),The Uncanny X-Men #107 (Oct. 1977). the Shi'ar empire comes into conflict with the X-Men regarding the Phoenix entity, with the Guard battling them at the command of Emperor D'Ken and his sister, the Grand Admiral, Princess Lilandra Neramani.Connell, Mike. "X-Men: Whatever Happened to the Phoenix Saga's Original Villain? The original Phoenix Saga is one of the most important X-Men stories of all time, but its primary villain disappeared after a few appearances," CBR (MAY 28, 2020).The Uncanny X-Men #107-108 (Oct–Dec. 1977).
Some time later during "The Dark Phoenix Saga", the Guardsmen again come into conflict with the X-Men regarding Dark Phoenix, this time at the behest of Lilandra.Beat Staff. "The Marvel Retro Rundown: The X-Men reach an early high note with THE DARK PHOENIX SAGA: The fall of Jean Grey," The Beat (June 10, 2020).The Uncanny X-Men #137 (Sept. 1980).
The Borderers division is introduced — a group of Guardsman stationed on one of the Shi'ar's conquered worlds to help its governor enforce Shi'ar law. A renegade faction of the Imperial Guard — mainly made up of Borderers, but also including Fang, Hussar, Quasar, and Warstar — become traitors, deciding to serve Lord Samédàr, Deathbird, and the Brood in a conspiracy to overthrow Shi'ar Princess-Majestrix Lilandra. The renegades battle the Guardsman who remain loyal to Lilandra and the X-Men. After defeating the Brood and the renegades, Lilandra resumes her position as the head of the Shi'ar empire. Despite many of the Imperial Guard having joined with Deathbird against Lilandra, most team members are pardoned for their actions,Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #4 (Apr. 2010). although Quasar, Warstar, Hussar, and Webwing are later banished.The Uncanny X-Men #157–158 (May–June 1982).The Uncanny X-Men #162 (Oct. 1982).
Some time later, Deathbird stages a successful coup and becomes the new Shi'ar Empress.Rom Annual #4 (Dec. 1985). She sends the Imperial Guard to Earth to battle the combined forces of the Starjammers and the superhero team Excalibur, so that she can claim the power of the Phoenix Force for herself. The Guard are forced to retreat when Deathbird realizes the Starjammers are led by Lilandra.
Later, War Skrulls impersonating Charles Xavier and the Starjammers depose Deathbird and restore Lilandra to the throne. Deathbird cedes the empire back to Lilandra as she has grown bored of the bureaucracy.The Uncanny X-Men #274-277 (Mar.–June 1991).
When the Shi'ar and the Kree wage an intergalactic war, the Imperial Guard are commissioned to lead the fight. The Guard steals the original Captain Marvel's Nega-Bands from his tomb.Quasar #32–33 (Apr.–May 1992). Using Kree artifacts, including the Bands, the Sh'iar create a massive superweapon, the "Nega-Bomb." Ultimately, the Nega-Bomb device is successfully detonated, killing 98% of all Kree.Wonder Man #9 (May 1992). The Shi'ar annex the remnants of the Kree Empire, with Deathbird becoming viceroy of the Kree territories.The Avengers #347 (May 1992).
Some time later, the Imperial Guard are informed about a hijacked Shi'ar craft, and join Quasar in a battle against a group of interplanetary marauders known as the Starblasters, who attempt to push the moon away from Earth's orbit.Starblast #1–4 (Jan.-Apr. 1994).
When many of Earth's heroes vanish (sent to the pocket universeHeroes Reborn: The Return #4 (Dec. 1997). after defeating Onslaught), Lilandra orders the Imperial Guard to help protect Earth.Imperial Guard #1-3 (Jan.- Mar. 1997).
Ronan the Accuser leads the Kree in a surprise attack against the Shi'ar, using the Inhumans as an army to disrupt the Shi'ar control of the Kree. Ronan seizes control in a surprise attack. Threatening to destroy the Inhumans' home of Attilan, he orders the Inhumans and their king, Black Bolt, to obey. Ronan compels Karnak, Gorgon, and Triton to covertly join the Imperial Guard, while Black Bolt and Medusa attempt to assassinate Lilandra at a ceremony ratifying an alliance between the Shi'ar and the Spartoi. Black Bolt manages to defeat Ronan in personal combat;The Inhumans vol. 3 #1–4 (June–Oct. 2000). the attempt on Lilandra's life fails because the Imperial Guardsman Hobgoblin dies in her place.Inhumans vol. 3 #4 (Oct. 2000).
Cassandra Nova, in Charles Xavier's body, contacts Majestrix Lilandra, Xavier's lover. Cassandra drives Lilandra insane and uses her to make the Shi'ar fleet destroy the empire. Cassandra forces Lilandra to send the Shi'ar Superguardians to sterilize the entirety of mutantkind, starting with the X-Men.New X-Men #123 (Apr. 2002). After a battle with the X-Men, the Imperial Guard come to realize Cassandra's treachery and the danger she poses. Jean Grey, using Xavier's consciousness, and with the help of the Imperial Guard, is able to force Cassandra out of Xavier's body and imprison her.New X-Men #124–126 (May–July 2002).
The Imperial Guard's loyalties are tested when Vulcan, a powerful mutant intent on conquering the Shi'ar empire, comes on the scene at the start of the "Emperor Vulcan" storyline. He fights the Guard, killing and wounding a number of them, before he is defeated by Gladiator, who puts out his left eye.The Uncanny X-Men #480 (Jan. 2007).Allan, Scott. "X-Men: 10 Storylines Featuring The Starjammers Fans Should Read," CBR (Oct. 13, 2020).
Ultimately, however, Vulcan returns and assumes the Shi'ar throne, and the Imperial Guard are honor-bound to do his bidding.X-Mem: Emperor Vulcan #1–5 (Nov. 2007–Mar. 2008).X-Men: Kingbreaker #1–4 (Feb.–May 2009). Emperor Vulcan and his fleet battle the Scy'ar Tal, who have devoted their culture and society to the destruction of the Shi'ar empire. After many battles, including Vulcan fighting his brother Havok and the Starjammers, the Shi'ar prevail. Vulcan declares that he will return the Shi'ar empire to its former glory.X-Men: Emperor Vulcan #5 (Mar. 2008).