Who are the "Guardians of the Galaxy"?

If you first saw the trailer for Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy" and went 'who?', then you are not alone. Even among comic readers, this band of self-proclaimed protectors are not nearly as well-known as their terrestrial counterparts "The Avengers", but Marvel had decided to take a risk by introducing these misfits to be the tail-end of Phase 2 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We have to say, by the end of the trailer, we were excited to see these unlikely assortment aliens and humans fighting to save the universe.

"Guardians of the Galaxy" is not just a cooked up idea to rival "The Avengers", not when it has comics and plots that have spanned for more than 30 years and a range of characters that can fill a universe of itself. In fact, "Guardians of the Galaxy" is set to have the most number of named characters appearing or hinted in any Marvel movie thus far that only the most astute followers of the comic series would be able to recognise them.

So in anticipation for the "Guardians of the Galaxy", we thought we could help bring you up to light speed on the main characters that will appear in the third Marvel movie of the year!

Peter Quill a.ka. Star Lord

Originally part alien in the comics, Peter Quill is now a full-blooded human pilot, played by Chris Pratt, who gets caught up in space and becomes a free-roaming adventurer of sorts. Quill 'earned' the title of Star Lord when he stole it from another during the ceremony when the title was given.

As a space adventurer, Quill's travels in his trusty suit that lets him survive in space with a mask and boosters to maneuver around in vacuum. Aside from that, he is a distinguished marksman with his element blasters. The story will begin when Quill lays on his hands on a universal artifact that could destroy the galaxy, and will eventually lead him to be the leader of the "Guardians of the Galaxy".

Gamora

Gamora is the last surviving member of the Zen-Whoberi race and was adopted by the villain Thanos (as seen at the end of "The Avengers"), along with Nebula (Karen Gillian). Together they were trained to be assassins for Thanos, until Gamora learned of his true nature to destroy every living being and turned against him.

Brought to life by Zoe Saldana (with no CG used for her green skin), Gamora is a skillful martial artist with superhuman strength and speed that has given her the reputation as being The Most Dangerous Woman in the Universe.

Draxx the Destroyer

The body that is Draxx the Destroyer is actually a shell inhabited by a human soul named Arthur Sampson Douglas, who was killed by Thanos on Earth in the comics. Arthur's soul was then placed into the impervious body of Draxx by the cosmic being known as Kronos for the sole purpose of killing Thanos. After successfully doing so in the comics, Draxx suffered a psychic attack that damaged his intelligence.

WWE wrestler David Bautista will provide the hulking embodiment of invulnerability that can also absorb cosmic energies to survive in space, heal his wounds and have enough energy to even destroy meteors.

Rocket Raccoon

The product of a genetic experiment on a distant planet, Rocket Raccoon is the heart of "The Guardians of the Galaxy" for his wise cracks and rude attitude. Enemies should not take this pint size talking raccoon lightly, not when he is voiced by Bradley Cooper and heavy weaponry is his specialty.

Other than that though, he is just a talking raccoon...with guns. What's not to love?

Groot

Belonging to an alien race thought to be extinct, Groot is literally a walking and living tree. Having the toughness and vulnerabilities as one would expect from a tree, Groot is able to regenerate from any twig or branch of his, even if the main body is destroyed. Groot doesn't say much, even with the voice of Vin Diesel, but also displays the ability to communicate and command other plants around him.

Groot shares a special bond with Rocket Racoon, making them an unlikely duo that will certainly make them a favourite in the team. Look out for his fight against the Hulk in a future Marvel movie.

Korath the Pursuer

Korath the Pursuer is bounty hunter from the planet of Kree. While he may not be the most combat ready among the characters in the galaxy, Korath makes up for it with cyber-genetic enhancements that also allows him to trace his quarry through their brain patterns.

We have already seen Djimon Hounsou as Korath without his blue skin, but we have yet to see him use his trademark electrically-charged baton that is capable of incapacitating any enemy.

Nebula

Nebula is an assassin who was adopted and trained by Thanos alongside Gamora, making them sisters of sorts. An equal rival in skill and deadliness as Gamora, Nebula is also implanted with cybernetics in her goals of being the strongest in the universe. Played by a shaved Karen Gillian, Nebula is currently on a mission to cleanse the galaxy of the weak as the lieutenant of Ronan the Accuser.

Ronan the Accuser

From the planet Kree, Ronan the Accuser is a common enemy faced by the Fantastic Four in the comics. For "Guardians of the Galaxy", Ronan is a radical who seeks the complete annihilation of the Xandarians to end an ancient war that has been brewing between Kree and Xandar. To achieve his goal, Ronan has been promised by Thanos that if he is able to obtain a universal artifact for the mad Titan, Thanos will grant Ronan his wish. Thus, Ronan would not stop at any measure in taking what the Star Lord has in his possession. Lee Pace will wield the Universal Weapon that allows him to control cosmic time and space.