Guardians of the Galaxy Enter Bold New Era as Imperial Guardians

Marvel’s Cosmic Heroes Transform

The Guardians of the Galaxy are embarking on a groundbreaking new chapter as they evolve into the Imperial Guardians, marking one of the most significant transformations in the franchise’s history. This bold new evolution will see the team defend a newly formed and perilous cosmic landscape following the events of Jonathan Hickman’s Imperial storyline, with their space-faring missions launching in a new ongoing series in March 2026.

The Return of a Legendary Creator

Dan Abnett, the mastermind behind epics like Annihilation and the writer who redefined the Guardians into the icons known today, returns to helm the series. His previous work on the 2008 Guardians reboot helped shape the team that would later inspire the Marvel Cinematic Universe films. Joining him is acclaimed artist Marcelo Ferreira, known for his work on Predator vs. Spider-Man and Predator Kills the Marvel Universe.

A New Team With Fresh Dynamics

The Imperial Guardians roster represents a dramatic departure from previous lineups. Gamora, the Deadliest Woman in the Galaxy, takes on the role of team leader, marking her first time officially leading the Guardians despite being associated with the franchise since 2008. The team includes Captain Marvel as an iconic hero, the troubled anti-hero Darkhawk, Amadeus Cho in Hulkbuster armour, and the psychopathic Cosmic Ghost Rider as drill sergeant.

What It Means for Fans

Following the events of Imperial, the power structure of the Marvel cosmos has been shattered and reborn as the Galactic Union. This transformation sets the stage for complex storytelling that explores the consequences of victory and the compromises made to achieve it. Imperial Guardians #1 arrives 11 March 2026 from Marvel Comics, promising readers an exciting new era of cosmic adventures that will test whether this mismatched team can protect trillions of lives whilst navigating their differences.