Marvel Comics: 10 Best Cosmic Teams

While the Earth is full of notable super-powered teams, there are other teams of super-powered beings throughout the greater Marvel Universe.

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Despite most Marvel Comics primarily focusing on the earth-based exploits of their heroes and villains, the Marvel Universe is exactly that: a universe. While the Earth is an undeniably important location full of super-powered beings and teams, there are other teams of super-powered beings scattered throughout the sprawling greater Marvel Universe.

From loyal and organized enforcers of imperial laws to ragtag bands of space pirates, each of Marvel’s cosmic teams has its own unique roster and motivations. They may not always be central to the ongoing dramas of the universe’s earthly heroes, but Marvel’s cosmic teams are no less iconic.

Space Knights

The Space Knights were originally created to flesh out the backstory of the character Rom, a toy created by Parker Brothers that Marvel had licensed the comic rights to. When these rights lapsed, Rom was quietly removed from the Marvel Universe. The planet Galador, from which Rom originated, as well as its protectors, the heroic Space Knights, however, remained under Marvel’s ownership.

The Space Knights are immensely powerful humanoid cyborgs, containing the brains and central nervous systems of some of Galador’s greatest warriors. Each Space Knight wields their own unique weapon and armor attuned to their personal biology, making each a unique and unpredictable opponent in combat.

The Black Order

The Black Order made their on-screen debut in 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War, a mere five years after their comic book debut. Because of their status as one of the more recent additions to Marvel’s cosmic pantheon, Thanos’ elite soldiers have not all been fully fleshed out in either medium but devoted Marvel comic readers are aware of the Black Order’s threat.

In both comics and film, they are an incredibly dangerous cosmic team willing to die in servitude of the Mad Titan. In Thanos’ name, they have defeated multiple Marvel heroes in combat, including Doctor Strange, the X-Men, and Namor, and once battled Ego the Living Planet to a stalemate.

Warbound

A group of alien refugees of various species, the Warbound were liberated by the Incredible Hulk when he overthrew the rulers of the planet Sakaar, where he had been forced to battle in gladiatorial tournaments for the entertainment of the masses in the acclaimed Planet Hulk saga. Many of the Warbound had previously fought in the arena with the Hulk, and the combined might of the team assembled represents one of the strongest in the history of comics.

Following Planet Hulk, the Warbound followed the Hulk to earth, where they laid siege to the planet, defeating many of the world’s mightiest heroes, including the Avengers and Fantastic Four in the World War Hulk crossover event.

Infinity Watch

Following Marvel Comics’ Infinity Gauntlet event, which the film Avengers: Infinity War was heavily inspired by, the Infinity Gems were dispersed amongst a collection of space-faring Marvel characters with the intention was that they never be used in conjunction again. Adam Warlock, who will make his on-screen debut in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, had defeated Thanos and secured the Gauntlet, keeping the Soul Gem.

He granted the Space Gem to Pip the Troll, the Power Gem to Drax, the Time Gem to Gamora, and the Mind Gem to Moondragon. He then secretly bestowed the reality gem upon Thanos. Though not an official “team” in the traditional sense, the Infinity Watch were united in their common mission of protecting the Gems, and each individual member was incredibly powerful while possessing one.

Nova Corps

Essentially Marvel’s Green Lantern Corps, the Nova Corps are the space militia of the planet Xandar, patrolling and protecting the Andromeda Galaxy as well as the earth. Notable members of the Nova Corps are the former Heralds of Galactus Firelord and Air-Walker, as well as the humans Richard Rider and Sam Alexander, who have served amongst teams such as the New Warriors and Champions respectively.

With over 500 operatives, the Nova Corps membership varies in rank from Corpsman to Centurion, to the leadership role of Centurion Prime. They are powered by the nearly limitless energy generated by the Xandarian Worldmind, which disperses its energies amongst the Corps at varying degrees according to rank. While one member of the Nova Corps alone is capable of vast amounts of energy manipulation, combined, they are one of the most powerful peacekeeping forces in the known universe.

Guardians 3000

Long before the modern incarnation made famous by the MCU, the original Guardians of the Galaxy were introduced in 1969’s Marvel Superheroes #18. Further adventures in Marvel’s anthology series of the ’70s and ’80s would eventually lead to a successful title of their own when Guardians of the Galaxy was launched in 1990, written and drawn by future Image Comics founder Jim Valentino. This original version of the Guardians existed in a possible alternate future of the Marvel Universe, in the 31st century.

Assembled to battle the alien Badoon, who were attempting to conquer much of the known universe, this team of Guardians consisted of some of the most powerful beings of their time and was one of Marvel’s best multiversal variant teams. Time travel shenanigans would frequently bring them into team-ups with the heroes of the modern-day Marvel Universe, with one such occasion leading to the inspiration for the name of Star-Lord’s more famous incarnation.

Starjammers

Led by Corsair, the long-lost father of X-Men Cyclops and Havok, the Starjammers were a team of outlaw space pirates comprised of escaped Shi’ar prisoners dedicated to the deposing of the “Mad Emperor” D’Ken. Following D’Ken’s defeat, the Starjammers alternatively fought both alongside and against the Shi’ar, depending upon who was in charge of the turbulent monarchy. When the previously unknown third Summers brother, Vulcan, eventually seized control of the Shi’ar Empire, Corsair seemingly perished, but the Starjammers found a new leader in his son Havok.

Reorganized under Havok’s leadership, the new mission of the Starjammers became the defeat of his brother, leading to some of the greatest X-Men-related space stories of the modern era. As death in comics is rarely permanent, Corsair has since been resurrected and the Starjammers returned to their classic roster after Havok’s team disbanded.

Guardians Of The Galaxy

Thanks to their prominent role in the MCU and the success of their films, the modern-era Guardians of the Galaxy are one of Marvel’s most popular teams, from Earth or beyond. Assembled following the first Annihilation event, they began as a ragtag group of adventurers from throughout the Marvel Universe banded together to prevent future cataclysms. While the members of the Guardians were all pre-existing Marvel characters, most had rarely featured as members of teams, but the unrelated strangers eventually evolved into a close-knit family unit.

The Guardians of the Galaxy membership has fluctuated over the years, adding and subtracting some notable Marvel heroes such as Venom and the Thing of Fantastic Four fame. Regardless of who’s on their roster, the Guardians of the Galaxy today are Marvel’s most recognizable cosmic team and their prominence amongst the larger Marvel pantheon has only continued to grow.

Annihilators

Organized to combat only the most dangerous cosmic threats, the Annihilators are unquestionably the most powerful cosmic team ever assembled in Marvel Comics. With membership including former herald of Galactus Silver Surfer, enchanted hammer wielder Beta Ray Bill, and Imperial Guard leader Gladiator, the Annihilators only assemble when absolutely necessary, but possess the raw strength and firepower to be more than a match for most opponents.

While the Annihilators are comprised of representatives from worlds who have frequently been at war with each other, they nonetheless unite when necessary, temporarily putting their differences aside for the sake of galactic preservation.

Imperial Guard

Inspired by DC’s Legion of Super-Heroes, the Imperial Guard are the Shi’ar Empire’s elite enforcers of imperial law. Collected from the greatest champions of various species existing under Shi’ar rule, their ranks consist of some of Marvel’s most powerful galactic beings.

Led by the nearly indestructible Superman analog, Gladiator, the Imperial Guard are unwaveringly loyal to the ruling majesty of the Shi’ar empire, regardless of who that may be. Because of this, they have fought both against and alongside earth’s heroes at various points, most often the X-Men, whose founder, Charles Xavier has had a long-standing on and off romance with occasional Shi’ar empress Lilandra.

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