Imperial Guard (comics)
The Imperial Guard is a team of fictional super-powered alien warriors in the Marvel Comics universe. They are Marvel's pastiche of DC Comics's Legion of Super-Heroes. The Imperial Guard serves the ruler of the Shi'ar Empire (currently Lilandra). There are dozens of known Guardsmen. The Guard is headed by Gladiator, a pastiche of Superboy. Most of the other members are direct equivalents in super-powers and have similar details of costume design to specific Legionnaires, but there are a number who differ greatly from their counterparts or who have no counterpart at all. The team first appeared in X-Men volume 1 #107, and its most notable appearance was at the conclusion of the Dark Phoenix Saga, where they defeated the X-Men in the Phoenix's trial by combat.Missing image
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Gladiator mimicing Superman's "super-breath" in X-men animated series
During Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely's run on New X-Men, a new version of the Imperial Guard was introduced: the Shi'ar Superguardian Elite. It is unknown what, if any, distinction exists between the Guard and the Elite, although many old Guardsmen were also members of the Elite. The Elite may have been intended as analogues for the post-reboot Legion of Super-Heroes specifically. Unlike the previous iteration of the Guard, all of the Elite could fly, thanks to a "superguardian flight patch" worn by each member (referencing the Legionnaires' flight rings).
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Membership
Early members (Uncanny X-Men #107-137)
- Astra can become intangible. She is an analogue of Phantom Girl. First appearance: X-Men volume 1 #107.
- Earthquake has rock-like skin and the ability to manipulate silicate matter. He has no direct counterpart Legionnaire, although he is visually similar to Blok, who he predates. First appearance: X-Men volume 1 #107.
- Electron is a Shi'ar with the ability to generate and control electricity. He is the counterpart of Lightning Lad or possibly Cosmic Boy. First appearance: X-Men volume 1 #107.
- Fang is a feral, agile warrior with uncanny senses and sharp canine teeth. He is the counterpart of Timber Wolf. First appearance: X-Men volume 1 #107. Fang was infected with the parasitic eggs of one of the Brood and consequently killed by Wolverine, who then took his costume and wore it for several issues. Subsequently, two new Fangs were seen, one female (Excalibur #69-70) and one male (Starjammers volume 1 #4), both of whom wore costumes identical to the first Fang. The female Fang was an assassin, and may not have been involved with the Guard, but the second male Fang was definitely a member.
- Gladiator (Kallark), a member of the Strontian race, is the Imperial Guard's leader. He is unflappably loyal to the ruler of the Shi'ar Empire, whoever that may be at the time. He has been romantically involved with Oracle (Lady Sibyl). He is an analogue of Superboy or Mon-El, and possesses a number of relevant powers (strength, endurance, flight, enhanced senses, and the ability to travel through space unaided), with one caveat: his powers are dependant on his self-image. If he believes that he can lose a fight, his powers become weaker, and he has been physically humbled by purely psychic assaults. He has a cousin named Xenith, who is a Supergirl analogue; she is not affiliated with the Imperial Guard and should not be confused with the Imperial Guardsman named Zenith. First appearance: X-Men volume 1 #107.
- Hobgoblin/Shapeshifter is a shapeshifter of the Chameleoid race. The exact limitations of his shapeshifting ability are unknown, although he has been seen to transform into large, non-humanoid creatures. He is an analogue of Chameleon Boy. His name was changed to avoid confusion with the Spider-Man foe Hobgoblin. First appearance: X-Men volume 1 #107. He was killed in Inhumans volume 3 #4.
- Hussar wields a whip that can generate electricity. It is unknown if she possesses any superhuman powers of her own. First appearance: X-Men volume 1 #137.
- Impulse/Pulsar is made of energy, and his form is only contained by his costume. He can release blasts of energy from his visor. He is an analogue of Wildfire. His name was changed from Impulse to Pulsar to avoid confuision with the Legionnaire named Impulse (Kent Shakespeare), who had been introduced since Impulse/Pulsar had debuted. First appearance: X-Men volume 1 #107.
- Manta possesses the powers of flight, darkness generation, and the ability to see in the dark. Her species experiences memory in a manner different from that of most other species. She has no direct counterpart Legionnaire, although her darkness-reated powers may be derived from Shadow Lass. First appearance: X-Men volume 1 #137.
- Magic/Magique can generate illusions. She may be a magician of undefined aptitude, or her illusion-casting may be her only power. She is an analogue of Projectra, and possibly of the White Witch as well. First appearance: X-Men volume 1 #107.
- Mentor is intelligent and a skilled tactician. He may be some kind of android or cyborg. He is an analogue to Brainiac 5. First appearance: X-Men volume 1 #107.
- Midget/Scintilla can shrink down to several inches in height. She is the counterpart to Shrinking Violet. The Official Handbook to the Marvel Universe named her "Midget", but she was not named in an actual appearance until Avengers West Coast #81, where she was called Scintilla. First appearance: X-Men volume 1 #107.
- Oracle (Lady Sibyl) possesses psychic powers, including but not limited to telepathy and precognition. She is a counterpart of Saturn Girl. She has been romantically linked with both Gladiator and Smasher. First appearance: X-Men volume 1 #107.
- Nightshade/Nightside can generate darkness. She is an analogue of Shadow Lass. Her name was changed to Nightside to avoid confusion with the DC/Charlton Comics character Nightshade or with Marvel's villainous Nightshade. First appearance: X-Men volume 1 #107.
- Quasar/Neutron is a member of the Stygian race, and is superhumanly strong and durable. He is an analogue of Star Boy. His name was changed to Neutron when the character then known as Marvel Boy changed his name to Quasar. First appearance: X-Men volume 1 #107.
- Smasher (Vril Rokk) is superhumanly strong and durable, and can fly under his own power. He can "download" powers via the special goggles that he wears; so far he has been seen to obtain in this manner "penta-vision", which may be a form of clairvoyance or X-ray vision, and the ability to travel into hyperspace without a vehicle. He has been romantically linked with Plutonia. He is an analogue of Ultra Boy. First appearance: X-Men volume 1 #107.
- Starbolt, sometimes simply called Bolt, is covered with a flame-like energy at all times. He can project this energy from his hands. Starbolt can fly in space without requiring protection. First appearance: X-Men volume 1 #107.
- Tempest/Flashfire (Grannz) can generate bolts of lightning. He is the counterpart of Lightning Lad. His name was changed from Tempest to Flashfire to avoid confusion with DC Comics' Tempest (formerly Aqualad). First appearance: X-Men volume 1 #107.
- Titan can increase his size. He is an analogue of Colossal Boy. First appearance: X-Men volume 1 #107.
- Warstar is actually two aliens, a small one named B'nee who can generate electricity and a large one named C'cll who is immensely strong and durable. B'nee rides on C'cll's back. Both appear to have metallic hides or to be wearing body armor. They have no counterpart Legionnaires, but they are named for the puppets Beany and Cecil. First appearance: X-Men volume 1 #137.
Later members
- Black Light (possibly Shadow Lass)
- Blackthorn (no counterpart)
- Commando (M'Nell) (Mon-El)
- Delphos (Dream Girl)
- Glom (Matter-Eater Lad)
- Hardball (Bouncing Boy)
- Moondancer (Myla) (Dawnstar)
- N'rill'iree (no counterpart)
- Onslaught (Karate Kid)
- Solar Wind (no counterpart)
- Voyager (Divad) (similar powers to Gates, but Voyager predates him)
- Webwing (no counterpart)
- White Noise (no counterpart)
- Zenith (last name possibly Longknife) (no counterpart)
Imperial Superguardian Elite (New X-Men #117-126)
- Arc possesses the ability to genreate electricity, and may be physically composed of electricity. He is an analogue of Lightning Lad. He may be a renamed and recostumed Tempest/Flashfire. First appearance: New X-Men volume 1 #123.
- Blimp can inflate his body to become lighter than air. He is an analogue of Bouncing Boy. First appearance: New X-Men volume 1 #124.
- Cosmo is near-identical to Neutron, although the black and white star field design on his costume are reversed. Like Neutron, he is a Star Boy analogue. He and Neutron may be the same character. His name was never given in a comic book, only in interviews with Morrison. First appearance: New X-Men volume 1 #123.
- Fader can become invisible, and apparently automatically becomes visible when unconscious. He carried a light-based firearm. He is an analogue of Invisible Kid. First appearance: New X-Men volume 1 #124.
- Forunn had undefined powers; Smasher described her as having an "idea", so the name may have come from the word "forerunner", although this is uncertain. It has also been speculated that she might have speed-related powers. First appearance: New X-Men volume 1 #117. She was named and killed in #122.
- G-Type is a being made of solar plasma. His powers are unrevealed, but probably involve the generation or manipulation of energy. His brain is vulnerable to magnetic interference. He is a counterpart of Wildfire. First appearance: New X-Men volume 1 #124.
- Mammoth rsembles a humanoid mammoth. He has no counterpart Legionnaire. First appearance: New X-Men volume 1 #117. He was named and killed in #122.
- Monstra is a monstrous four-armed female with superhuman strength and durability, and may have limited intelligence. She is an analogue of Monstress. First appearance: New X-Men volume 1 #124.
- Neosaurus is a reptilian creature from a tropical environment. He presumably possesses mental powers, and shares his consciousness between several bodies, one of which was killed by Wolverine. He is an analogue of Brainiac 5. First appearance: New X-Men volume 1 #124.
- Plutonia can become intangible, and is involved in a relationship with Smasher. She is an analogue of Phantom Girl. First appearance: New X-Men volume 1 #124.
- Schism possesses the ability to split her body into two bodies. As one body, half of her body is white and the other half black; when split, each body is one color. She is an analogue of Duo Damsel. Her name was never given in a comic book, only in interviews with Morrison. First appearance: New X-Men volume 1 #124.
- Squorm has unknown powers, but may be a kind of hive entity or artificial intelligence. Squorm dwells within a suit of powered armor that carries a plasma-based firearm. It has no counterpart Legionnaire, but its apparent dependency on its suit bears a resemblance to Wildfire. First appearance: New X-Men volume 1 #124.
- Stuff is a shapeshifter whose natural form resembles a green, cyclopean amoeba. He is xenophobic towards non-shapeshifting species. He infiltrated the Xavier Institute as a student named "Kato", and manipulated one of Emma Frost's students, the "Stepford Cuckoos", into becoming romantically interested in him. He is an analogue of Chameleon Boy. First appearance: New X-Men volume 1 #123. In #126, his mind was wiped by the Stepford Cuckoos, and the mind of Cassandra Nova was transferred into his body. The re-educated Nova, still in this body, was later renamed "Ernst" and joined the Xavier Institute as a student.