Imperial Guard ( marvel comics)

The Imperial Guard is a team of fictional super-powered alien warriors in the Marvel Comics universe. The Imperial Guard serves the rulers of the Shi'ar Empire, both by enforcing Shi'ar Imperial law on all planets within the Shi'ar Galaxy and as the Emperor or Empress's personal guard. Appearing primarily in comics relating to Marvel's X-Men titles, the Imperial Guard has been both allies and opponents of the X-Men many times over the years.- The Shi'ar empire decided to form an Imperial Guard, announcing that each race in their Imperium could send their finest warrior to join them.The members of the Imperial Guard are selected from various Shi'ar planets to enforce galactic law and to keep the peace across the Empire. Collectively, the members control every form of energy and matter known to exist. The Guard must carry out the directives of the Shi'ar ruler Emperor/Majestor or Empress/Majestrix. The members of the Guard go through vast training to develop superior fighting skills.The original Imperial Guard was formed to stop Rook'shir, a Shi'ar who became Phoenix from destroying the empire. An elite corps of the Guard, dubbed Superguardians, protected the ruling emperor (majestor) or empress (majestrix) and carried out their personal directives. The other divisions, the Borderers, aided the governors of conquered worlds in enforcing Shi'ar law. The original incarnation of the Imperial Guard was created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Dave Cockrum, and first appeared in Uncanny X-Men vol. 1 #107. Originally a homage to DC Comics' Legion of Super-Heroes, with its members all having similar costumes and powers to Legion members, the Imperial Guard has since come to include members who are not direct Legion counterparts.

Resemblances to DC Comics' Legion of Super-Heroes
The Imperial Guard has many intentional resemblances to DC Comics' Legion of Super-Heroes. The original members seen in Uncanny X-Men #107 were designed by artist Dave Cockrum, previously best known for his work on the LSH, and all had direct counterparts among the Legionnaires, with similar super-powers and costumes:
 * Oracle = Saturn Girl
 * Electron = Cosmic Boy
 * Mentor = Brainiac 5
 * Nightside = Shadow Lass
 * Smasher = Ultra Boy
 * Titan = Colossal Boy
 * Astra = Phantom Girl* Scintilla = Shrinking Violet
 * Starbolt = Sun Boy
 * Hobgoblin = Chameleon Boy
 * Fang = Timber Wolf
 * Magic (later renamed Magique) = Princess Projectra
 * Pulsar = Wildfire
 * Tempest (later renamed Flashfire) = Lightning Lad The Imperial Guard is headed by Gladiator, the analog to Superboy. In X-Men #137, the Imperial Guard begins to move away from being strictly a Legion pastiche, introducing characters with no Legionnaire counterparts. More Guardsmen corresponding to the LSH were not introduced until the Avengers crossover "Operation: Galactic Storm" in the 1990s. The real name of Kree Guardsman Commando [first appearance Imperial Guard #1 (1997)] is M-Nell; a nod to LSH member Mon-El.

History
===First and second appearances, Uncanny X-Men=== In their first appearance, the Imperial Guard battles the X-Men at the command of then-Shi'ar Emperor D'Ken. They appear again toward the end of "The Dark Phoenix Saga". Imperial Guard leader Gladiator and several members of the Guard fight the X-Men once more when new Shi'ar Empress Lilandra Neramani and Professor X agree to a trial by combat, the X-Men versus the Imperial Guard, to decide the fate of Phoenix.

Operation Galactic Storm
The Imperial Guard plays an important role in the Kree-Shi'ar War, beginning with Warstar's attempt to kidnap Rick Jones. He is thwarted by Captain America, however Jones is later captured by Oracle and other Guardsmen intent on recovering Kree artifacts to aid in constructing the Nega Bomb super-weapon. New Imperial Guardsmen are introduced: Onslaught, Hardball, Solar Wind, Moondancer, Voyager and Glom. Unlike earlier Guard members, these characters have no LSH counterparts. This group fights Quasar and Her, while Gladiator combats Thor, to distract them from stopping the Nega Bomb. Of the newly introduced Guardsmen, Onslaught, Hardball and Glom have never appeared again.

Starblast
=When a group of aliens calling themselves Starblasters tries to push the moon away from Earth’s orbit, Quasar recruits some of Earth’s most powerful heroes to stop them. The Imperial Guard, informed about a hijacked Shi'ar craft, later becomes involved. Learning that the Starblasters are working for The Stranger, Guard members Solar Wind, Voyager and Moondancer, who were once captured and caged by the Stranger years before, request of Imperial Guard leader Gladiator that they be allowed to help Quasar's team against the Stranger. Gladiator denies their request, but all three decide to help anyway, even though it means they will have to resign from active Guard duty. After helping Quasar, these three Guardsmen are never again seen serving the Shi'ar Imperial Guard, and their whereabouts are unknown.

Imperial Guard limited series
During the time when many Earth heroes are believed dead after a battle with the psionic being Onslaught, Lilandra dispatches a cadre of eight Guardsmen to help protect Earth: Gladiator, former Kree soldier Commando, Earthquake, Electron, Flashfire, Mentor, Nightside and Oracle. The Guardsmen uncover a plot by a militant Kree faction to exact revenge for Earth's involvement in the Kree/Shi'ar war. The Guard ultimately proves triumphant, but not before the Kree's leader, the Supreme Intelligence, is recreated. Soon after, the Guard foils an assassination attempt on Lilandra by the Kree Ronan and his unwilling agents, the Inhuman Royal Family.

Maximum Security
Four members of the Imperial Guard go rogue: Hussar, Warstar, Neutron and Webwing. They are placed on Earth which the Shi'ar, along with other alien races, has appointed as an interstellar prison. The four ex-Guardsmen help the entity 'Starhammer' attack the X-Men, particularly Jean Grey. Afterward, Warstar, Neutron and Hussar return to active duty with the Guard. The fate of Webwing is not made clear.

Cassandra Nova
During Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely's run on New X-Men, Lilandra comes under the mental possession of Cassandra Nova, the genetic twin of Charles Xavier who has usurped her brother's body. Lilandra is mentally coerced into dispatching the Guard to kill the X-Men, while Nova stays behind and ravages the Shi'ar Empire. After a pitched battle on the grounds of the X-Mansion, the X-Men are able to convince the Guard of the true threat. This is bolstered by Smasher, who is sent to earth as a warning when Lilandra temporarily has a clear mind. The Guard rallies to defeat Nova but fall early on under her telepathic assault. The X-Men, with the unwilling recruitment of the shape-changing Shi'ar spy 'Stuff', defeat Nova. During this storyline, the Guard is called the Shi'ar Superguardian Elite. It is unknown what, if any, distinction exists between the Guard and the Elite, although many old Guardsmen are shown as members of the Elite.

The Rise and Fall of the Shi'ar Empire
The Imperial Guard suffers heavy casualties in battle with Vulcan. Smasher, Impulse, Neutron, Hobgoblin and Cosmo are all killed. Gladiator, Scintilla, Warstar, Manta, Earthquake, Mentor, Electron, Astra, Starbolt and Flashfire survive - as do Titan, Nightside and Oracle, though receiving severe injuries these three eventually recover. The status of the rest of the Imperial Guard is as yet unknown.

Emperor Vulcan
The civil war between Vulcan's forces, including his own Imperial Guard, and those loyal the dethroned Lilandra rages on. Led by Havok and the Starjammers, Lilandra's forces gradually whittle away at Vulcan's forces, which are plagued by defections. The Shi'ar, contrary to Vulcan's expectations, are not happy to have an outsider as their ruler. Vulcan is discouraged by this, but Deathbird convinces him that they will come to accept him. Warned in advance of a rebel raid on Feather's Edge, Vulcan and his fleet ambush the Starjammers. However, in the middle of the battle, his ship, the Hammer, is destroyed by the Scy'ar Tal (translates as "Death to the Shi'ar"). Vulcan and Gladiator attack the leader of the Scy'ar Tal and are easily defeated, whereupon they retreat deeper into Shi'ar space. Marvel Girl makes contact with the Eldest Scy'ar Tal and discovers their true origin. The Scy'ar Tal were originally called the M'Kraan. Early in their history, the Shi'ar attacked them, killed a great number of their people, making the rest flee for their lives. Eventually, the Shi'ar settled on their planet, took the M'Kraan Crystal as their own, and passed down the legend of the M'Kraan Crystal as a sacred gift from their deities, Sharra & K'ythri. The M'Kraan then changed their named to Scy'ar Tal and devoted their culture and society to the destruction of the Shi'ar Empire. With their first attack, they destroyed Feather's Edge by transporting a star to obliterate it. Vulcan leads the fight from a Shi'ar vessel, accompanied by his brother Havok and Gladiator, Titan, Starbolt, Mentor, Warstar and Earthquake, while Oracle shields their ship from Marvel Girl. Gladiator assists Havok and Vulcan in fighting 'the Eldest', leader of the Scy'ar Tal and finally the three of them manage to win the battle. Afterward, Vulcan orders the guard to attack the Starjammers. Plutonia, Oracle, Flashfire, Manta and Electron are among the guardsmen who fight the Starjammers. Finally they capture Raza, Ch'od, Havok and Polaris. The remaining Starjammers and Lilandra escape.

X-Men: Kingbreaker
Vulcan decides to expand the Shi'ar Empire. All Imperial Guard members are occupied in fulfilling his battle wishes somewhere around the borders of Shi'ar space. Some of the Death Commandos seem to have been killed over time (off panel, but mentioned by Oracle). Oracle seems to be operating as Vulcan's adviser during this period in time. A new Imperial Guard has appeared in this mini-series, which consists of assassins who are being held prisoners by the Shi'ar. The new Imperial Guard consists of a Symbiote, an Uncreated, the Pn'zo and a Hodinn. Vulcan then chooses a Strontian woman—the same race as Kallark aka Gladiator—to lead the team. Meanwhile Gladiator was approached by Lilandra for information and  Marvel Girl read his mind while Lilandra tried to seduce him. As soon as the required information was gathered, both women escaped. It was not made clear, however, whether Lilandra faked her affection or not. The new Imperial Guard arrived on Clench Worlds, which was a temporary hiding place for the Starjammers. The Strontian targets Korvus and his Phoenix Blade, causing Rachel to fly off to help him. Meanwhile the Symbiote enters the Starjammer to attack Lilandra. Rachel attacks the Strontian and takes her away from Korvus. The Symbiote attempts to attach itself to Lilandra, but after finding out it is sensitive to electricity Lilandra breaks a cable and stabs it with it. Outside on the platform the Pz'no attacks Korvus with electricity but Korvus throws him away before the Uncreated attacks him. While Rachel battles the Strontian, the Hodinn finally makes an appearance and decides to burn it all, unlocking his armor and allowing his scorching body to send a huge heat wave that destroys the planet, but not before the Starjammers and the rest of the Guard escape.

War of Kings
Vulcan then embarks on an ambitious plan to conquer the rest of the universe. Serving under Emperor Vulcan for the Imperial Guard of the Shi'ar Empire, Gladiator led the assault against the Inhumans. As Crystal of the Inhuman Royal Family was about to marry Ronan the Accuser in order to unite the Inhumans with the Kree, they were attacked by Gladiator and the guard. Gladiator took on Black Bolt and was able to defeat him with some help from White Noise. The guard also captured Princess Lilandra who was with the Kree and Inhumans. Ronan also fell as he tried to help Crystal but was double teamed and taken out. Gladiator said that they have made their statement, and the Imperial Guard left. As they left, Medusa shouted that the Shi'ar would pay for what they have done, with their blood. After having captured Lilandra, Gladiator and the Imperial Guard faced off against the new batch of Nova Centurions whom they quickly defeated when his cousin, Xenith, showed up informing him that the Emperor ordered him to return to present Lilandra to him when she was to face him. Gladiator quickly left though clearly showing his dislike for his cousin and her presence. Gladiator shows more internal conflict and walks a fine line in doing his duty for the Emperor he personally dislikes while still protecting Lilandra from the Emperor's wrath. Later when the Starjammers accompanied by the a faction of the Guardians of the Galaxy attacked his ship to extract Lilandra he was taken out of the fight by Rocket Raccoon aided by Marvel Girl until he saw through their trick. He quickly defeats the rest of their team and captures Lilandra before she can escape. She pleads with him again but another Imperial Guard interjects her plea and demands that Gladiator does as the Emperor ordered: to kill Lilandra and the others. After battling Lilandra's allies the Starjammers and the 616 universe's 21st century incarnation of the Guardians of the Galaxy, Gladiator is swayed by Lilandra's argument against Vulcan and kills a member of the Imperial Guard loyal to the Emperor. Guardian of the Galaxy member Adam Warlock fights with Emperor Vulcan in Gardians of the Galaxy #15. Later some Imperial Guardsmen, including Magique, are helping Vulcan out. Magique is ordered by Mentor to attack Adam Warlock and after a short but heavy fight Magique seemed to have lost the battle and Warlock escapes. However, not all was lost. Magique was able to put a 'witchmark' on Adam, without him knowing. Adam was followed by the Imperial Guard (via Magique's 'witchmark' on Adam). The Imperial Guards attack the Guardians of the Galaxy while Magique follows Adam Warlock, who somehow is able to transport the 'witchmark' back on her and therefore the Shi'ar soldiers shoot her instead of Adam Warlock. At one point Lilandra is murdered by Talon and Blackbolt and Vulcan kill each other in a major blast. As a result of this Medusa became the new ruler of the Kree/Inhumans alliance and Gladiator was begged by the Shi'ar to become their new Majestor.

Realm of Kings
The "War of Kings" ended due to Black Bolt's T-Bomb, killing both himself and the Shi'ar leader Vulcan. As a result of this blast, a giant time-space tear called 'the Fault' had been created. Gladiator, now Majestor of the Shi'ar sends out a squad of Imperial Guardsmen and Starjammers Ch'od and Raza to investigate the fault. This squad was formed with Oracle, Starbolt, Fang, Neutron, Flashfire, Plutonia, Manta and yet another new Smasher. During this trip one of the longest serving guardsmen, Starbolt, was killed by creatures from The Fault. To save their fellow guardsmen, Mentor and Plutonia offered themselves to serve the Fraternity of Raptors. IMPERIAL GUARD

Membership: Arc, Astra, Binder, Blackthorn, Blimp, Chakar, Commando, Cosmo, Delphos, Earthquake, Electron, Fader, Fang, Flashfire/Tempest, G-Type, Gladiator, Glom, Hardball, Hobgoblin/Shapeshifter, Hussar, Impulse, Kwill, Mammoth, Manta, Mentor, Monstra,Moondancer, Neosaurus, Neutron, Nightside, N'rill'iree, Onslaught, Oracle/Sybil, Plutonia, Peter Quill (Star-Lord), Schism, Scintilla/Midget, Smasher, Solar Wind, Squorm, Starbolt, Stuff, Titan, Voltor, Voyager, Warstar, Warstars, Webwing, White Noise, Zenith, others

Former Members: Black Light (deceased), Magic/Magique (deceased), Mentor, Neutron/Quasar (deceased), Plutonia (N'zyr), Praetorians (Hodinn (deceased), Pn'zo (deceased), Strontian (Xenith), Symbiote, Uncreated, others), Smasher (Vril Rokk, deceased),Smasher (Salac Tuur, deceased), Smasher (deceased), Smasher (MIA, probably deceased), Starbolt (deceased), Voltar (deceased), Warstar (deceased), countless others

Purpose: To serve the needs and protect the interests of the Shi'ar Empire

Affiliations: Araki, Avengers (Black Widow (Natasha Romanova), Hercules, Quicksilver), Captain Marvel, Deathbird, D'ken, Hulk (Bruce Banner), Rick Jones, Ka'ardum, K'tor, K'rk N'kzaii, Pantheon, Samédàr, Davan Shakari, Shi'ar Death Commandos (Blackcloak,Colony, Devo, Flaw, Hypernova, Krait, Offset, Sega, Shell, Warshot), Spaceknights (Rom, Scanner, Seeker, Trapper), Spider-Man (Peter Parker), Starjammers (Ch'od, Raza), Una, Vulcan, Ya'lont, Yon-Rogg; formerly the Fraternity of Raptors (Talon)

Enemies: Araki imposter, Atlas, Avengers (Captain America (Steve Rogers), Captain Marvel (Monica Rambeau), Dr. Pym, Falcon, Gilgamesh, Hawkeye (Clint Barton), Iron Man (Tony Stark), Living Lightning, Mockingbird, Quasar (Wendell Vaughn), Scarlet Witch, She-Hulk, Spider-Woman (Julia Carpenter), Starfox, Thor (Eric Masterson), USAgent, Wasp, Wonder Man), Binary, Brood, Darkhawk (Chris Powell), Doc Samson, Elamron the Changeling, Eson, Excalibur (Captain Britain (Brian Braddock), Lockheed, Meggan, Nightcrawler, Phoenix (Rachel Summers), Shadowcat, Widget), Fraternity of Raptos (Talon), Guardians of the Galaxy (Drax, Gamora, Groot, Jack Flag, Major Victory, Mantis, Martyr, Moondragon, Rocket Raccoon, Star-Lord, Adam Warlock), Her, Hodinn, Hulk (Bruce Banner), Inhumans (Black Bolt, Crystal, Gorgon, Karnak, Lockjaw, Medusa, Triton), Izumbard, Janus, Jason of Sparta, Kree, Kree Sentry#372, Liberator, Lunatic Legion, Maker, Minerva, Cassandra Nova, Nova Corps (Josh, Lindy Nolan, Nova Prime (Richard Rider), Tre Owens, Robert Rider, Suki Yumiko, others), Orbus, People's Militia (Primus, others), Ravenous, Rook'shir, Skornn, Skrulls, Starforce (Korath the Pursuer, Ronan the Accuser, Shatterax, Supremor, Ultimus), Starjammers (Corsair, Cr+eee, Hepzibah, Korvus, Marvel Girl (Rachel Summers), Lilandra Neramani, Professor X, Sikorsky, Waldo), Stepford Cuckoos, Stranger, Supernova, Thanos, Uncreated, Warskrulls, X-Men (Angel (Warren Worthington), Banshee, Beast (Henry McCoy), Colossus, Cyclops, Darwin, Havok, Marvel Girl (Rachel Grey), Nightcrawler, Phoenix (Jean Grey), Polaris, Professor X, Sprite/Shadowcat, Storm, Warpath, White Queen (Emma Frost), Wolverine), X-Men (xenoform); Formerly Rick Jones, Ka'ardum, Starjammers (Ch'od, Raza), Vulcan, Z'Nox

Base of Operations: Shi'ar Empire

First Appearance: X-Men I#107 (October, 1977)

History:

(War of Kings: Warriors#1/1 (fb)) - The Shi'ar empire decided to form an Imperial Guard, announcing that each race in their Imperium could send their finest warrior to join them.

(Marvel Encyclopedia: X-Men) - The members of the Imperial Guard are selected from various Shi'ar planets to enforce galactic law and to keep the peace across the Empire. Collectively, the members control every form of energy and matter known to exist. The Guard must carry out the directives of the Shi'ar ruler (Emperor/Majestor or Empress/Majestrix). The members of the Guard go through vast training to develop superior fighting skills.

(Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Teams 2005) - Certain members of the Guard are appointed to protect and serve the Shi'ar ruler in the Superguardians. Factions of the Guard enforce law on the fringe worlds, and are called Borderers. Each division of the Guard is led by a praetor, and all Guard members that cannot fly under their own power are equipped with anti-gravity devices. Guard members who perish are often replaced by another member of their race of origin.

(Uncanny X-Men#479 (fb) - BTS) - The first Imperial Guard was formed centuries ago to fight Rook'shir, possessor of the Phoenix force (also called the Phal'kon). Among its first members were Gladiator, Magic, Mentor, and Quasar.

(Uncanny X-Men#479 (fb)) - The Guard apprehended Rook'shir, and Gladiator beheaded him.

(Untold Tales of Captain Marvel#2 (fb) - BTS) - Deathbird lead a small group of the Guard into Kree space to track down a Brood ship. Guard members in this mission included: Fang, Oracle, Smasher, and Starbolt.

(Untold Tales of Captain Marvel#1) - The Guard's ship was attacked by dozens of Skrulls, and they fought them off, protecting Deathbird. Some Kree, including Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell) aided them. Fang was shocked when a massive gunblock went off, and he emphasized to Captain Marvel that Deathbird must be protected.

(Untold Tales of Captain Marvel#2) - The Guard, contained by the Kree, sought to fight their way free in order to be at Deathbird's side, Fang leaping on Marvel and getting knocked aside, but Deathbird ordered them to stand down. They revealed the nature of their mission to the Kree.

(Untold Tales of Captain Marvel#3 - BTS) - Weeks later, they saved a few surviving Kree (Mar-Vell, Una, and Yon-Rogg) after the Kree had fought the Brood.

(X-Men I#107/Classic X-Men#14) - The Imperial Guard was assembled at the M'kraan Crystal, where D'ken and Davan Shakari held Lilandra captive. When the X-Men (Banshee, Colossus, Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Phoenix, Storm, Wolverine) attacked, the Guard was sent against them and nearly defeated them. However, the Starjammers (Ch'od, Corsair, Hepzibah, Raza) turned the tide against the Guard just before the Crystal opened up and all reality blinked momentarily.

(X-Men I#108/Classic X-Men#15) - The Guard lay unconscious as the battle resolved.

(X-Men I#109 (fb)) - Lilandra ordered the Imperial Guard to stand down, as D'Ken had been driven incurably insane.

(Uncanny X-Men#137) - Lilandra sent the Imperial Guard against the X-Men (Angel (Warren Worthington), Beast (Henry McCoy), Colossus, Cyclops, Phoenix, Storm, Wolverine) on the moon to give the Shi'ar rights to slay the Phoenix. If the X-Men won, the Shi'ar would leave the Phoenix to them. A massive battle broke out and the Imperial Guard soon won. Guard members in this mission: Earthquake, Gladiator, Hussar, Manta, Oracle, Smasher, Starbolt, and Warstar.

(Uncanny X-Men#155) - Members of the Guard were assigned to assist Lord Samédàr in attacking the Earth. Gladiator, N'rill'iree, and Starbolt looked on as Araki and Samédàr delivered their ultimatum to the X-Men, keeping Nightcrawler and Sprite captive on board the ship.

(Uncanny X-Men#157) - Members of the Guard were assigned to assist Lord Samédàr in attacking the Earth. Nightcrawler and Shadowcat convinced Gladiator, N'rill'iree, Oracle, and Starbolt that Dark Phoenix was attacking the ship, then had Oracle read their minds to prove that Samédàr was acting against Lilandra's orders. Other members of the Guard loyal to Samédàr attacked and a fight ensued until a Brood weapon attached to B'nee (of the Warstar duo) knocked them all unconscious. Samédàr prepared to destroy the Earth with the four guard members, two X-Men, and Captain K'rk watching, but Lilandra revealed herself and stopped him. Guard members in this mission included: Blackthorn, Fang, Gladiator, Hussar, N'rill'iree, Oracle, Quasar, Starbolt, Warstar, Webwing, and others.

(Rom Annual#4) - In far space, Guard members Binder, Chakar, Kwill, and Voltor were killed by the maddened Spaceknight Pulsar. Former Shi'ar ally Dr. Tyreseus donned Pulsar's armor and, calling himself Liberator, began slaying Shi'ar ships. Members of the Guard were sent to investigate, and battled other Spaceknights, Rom, Scanner, Seeker, and Trapper. Gladiator ended up aiding the Spaceknights in destroying the Liberator. Guard members in this mission: Electron, Gladiator, Magic, Manta, Oracle, Tempest, and Warstar.

(X-Men: Spotlight on Starjammers#2) - Members of the Imperial Guard participated in an initial assault on the Starjammers (Binary, Ch'od, Corsair, Cr+eee, Hepzibah, Raza) at Deathbird's orders. When Binary blew a hole through the ship's wall, they briefly tried to save the Shi'ar on board, but Deathbird ordered them to teleport away, leaving the soldiers to their fate. They battled with the Starjammers and Zenith was killed during the battle. At Deathbird's orders, a large group of the Guard attacked the Starjammers and Excalibur (Captain Britain (Brian Braddock), Lockheed, Meggan, Nightcrawler, Shadowcat, Phoenix (Rachel Summers), Widget) on Earth at Deathbird's orders, but they were ordered to retreat when Deathbird was put at risk. Guard members who participated in the initial assault: Hussar, Manta, Quasar, Warstar, and Zenith. Guard members who participated in later assault: Astra, Black Light, Blackthorn, Earthquake, Electron, Gladiator, Hobgoblin, Impulse, Magik, Mentor, Midget, Nightside, Oracle, Smasher, Starbolt, Tempest, Titan, and White Noise.

(Uncanny X-Men#275) - The Imperial Guard was attacked by a group of Warskrulls posing as the Starjammers. The Guard seemed to be winning until the X-Men (Forge, Gambit, Jubilee, Psylocke, Storm) joined the fight against them, and the Guard was quickly overwhelmed. Guard members in this mission: Bolt, Earthquake, Gladiator, Mentor, Oracle, Smasher, Tempest, Titan, and Warstar.

(New Warriors I#42) - Gladiator led a contingent of the Guard to oppose Supernova.

(Avengers West Coast#80 (fb) - BTS) - Members of the Imperial Guard were sent to Earth to retrieve the Nega-Bands of Captain Marvel and a component of the Kree Psyche-Magnetron, and were ordered to capture Rick Jones to learn their whereabouts.

(Captain America I#398) - Warstar fought Captain America on Earth while Electron, Oracle, and Tempest grabbed Jones.

(Avengers West Coast#80) - Oracle got the information they needed, and they returned to the Kree base and retrieved the machinery. As they were rejoined by Warstar, Kree Sentry 372 attacked and the Avengers (Captain America (Steve Rogers), Hawkeye (Clint Barton), Iron Man (Tony Stark), Living Lightning, Mockingbird, Scarlet Witch, Spider-Woman (Julia Carpenter), USAgent, Wonder Man) and battle ensued, but the Guard escaped to their ship and returned to Shi'ar space.

(Thor I#445) - Gladiator responded to a Shi'ar distress call and battled Thor (Eric Masterson), who left him stranded in far space.

(Quasar#32) - Members of the Imperial Guard attacked Quasar and Her when the heroes neared the Guard ship. He boarded their ship and the Guard agreed to release Atlas to him so as not to damage the ship. Quasar quickly departed before they could pursue him. Guard members in this mission: Electron, Hobgoblin, Manta, Neutron, Nightside, Oracle, Scintilla, Starbolt, Tempest, and Warstar. In a different part of space, Quasar restrained Binary and was attacked by more members of the Guard. They retrieved Atlas and stranded Quasar in far space. Guard members in this mission: Glom, Moondancer, Onslaught, Solar Wind, and Voyager.

(Avengers West Coast#81) - The captured Shi'ar, Kree, and Warstar were moved to Project: PEGASUS in their miniature states and watched over by more Avengers (Dr. Pym, Wasp, Spider-Woman, Gilgamesh, She-Hulk, USAgent, Mockingbird, Falcon). Nightside and Scintilla restored the captive Shi'ar and Warstar to their real sizes, unintentionally freeing the two Kree as well. The Shi'ar, Nightside, and Warstar were recaptured while Atlas and Minerva flew away in a ship, pulled on the Guard ship by a tractor beam where "Minerva" revealed herself to be Hobgoblin of the Guard. They took the Nega-bands from Atlas and held him captive. The Shi'ar craft then made for the stargate again, and Quasar and Her fought Neutron and Starbolt while the ship escaped through the gate.

(Quasar#33) - Impulse, Manta, and Magique fought Quasar, Minerva, Atlas, and Starfox on one of Saturn's moons in order to retrieve the Nega-Bands, but they were defeated and captured.

(Thor I#446) - Members of the Imperial Guard tended to Lilandra on Chandilar, standing guard as she met a delegation of Avengers (Captain Marvel (Monica Rambeau), Living Lightning, Scarlet Witch, Starfox, Thor (Eric Masterson), Wonder Man). The Kree Starforce (Korath the Pursuer, Ronan the Accuser, Shatterax, Supremor, Ultimus) attacked and the Guard teamed with the Avengers to defeat them.

(Avengers West Coast#82) - When the Avengers resisted Lilandra's edicts, the Guard attacked them. The battle ended when Araki was exposed as a Skrull imposter. Lilandra rescinded her orders and called the Nega-Bomb back. Members of the Guard in this (and the prior) mission: Astra, Earthquake, Hardball, Hussar, Smasher, and Titan.

(Avengers I#347) - Members of the Imperial Guard accompanied Lilandra and Araki to claim Hala and the Kree Empire as part of Shi'ar territory. Guard members in this mission: Impulse, Oracle, Tempest, and others.

(Quasar#46) - Glom, Moondancer, and Voyager were sent to Earth to retrieve Neutron.

(Spider-Man Drakes Cakes Mini Comics Series II#1 - BTS) - After a prison break Imperial Guardsmen Gladiator and Starbolt were sent after Galen-Kor and other fugitives. Meanwhile Galen-Kor and his fellow prisoners took over the Imperial Palace.

(Spider-Man Drakes Cakes Mini Comics Series II#2) - After three fugitive ships hit Earth's atmosphere they broke formation to separately pursue three identified sites of extremely destructive weapons to take back to Hala. Dylon-Cir's ship landed on a rooftop in New York City, where they encountered Spider-Man. Dylon-Cir told Spider-Man that his beloved homeworld was under attack and he and his companions Tazer and Dekker were trying to contact the Avengers to seek their help in their fight. Spider-Man distrusted the story, but before he could do anything Gladiator and Starbolt arrived to bring Dylon-Cir's crew back into custody. Caught between Gladiator's warning/threat to leave and Dekker's plea to not allow the Guardsmen to take them, Spidey tried to get everyone to sit down and talk it out. When Gladiator refused and realized that Spidey was not going to leave, Gladiator attacked Spidey, much to the amusement of the watching criminals. After throwing Spidey hard through a nearby building Gladiator turned his attention to the three criminals, with Tazer using his cybernetic coils and his bio-electricity to ensnare and fry Starbolt in an attempt to get Gladiator to surrender and leave them alone. While Gladiator was refusing Spidey returned to the scene. Realizing that innocents would suffer if the battle continued on, Spidey used his webs to blind Tazer long enough for him to drop Starbolt, who then used his powers to knock Tazer down. When Dylon-Cir and Dekker drew their guns to fire on the two Guardsmen, Spidey used his webbing to clog up the guns, effectively disarming the two criminals and ending the battle. Gladiator apologized to Spidey for attacking him, calling him a true warrior, while all Spidey wanted right then was an aspirin for his aching head. Meanwhile another of the fugitive ships lands in plains of New Mexico, seeking another cache of weapons hidden there.

(Spider-Man Drakes Cakes Mini Comics Series II#2 - BTS) - Gladiator and Starbolt took Dylon-Cir, Tazer and Dekker back to Hala as prisoners. The two Guardsmen then returned to Earth to catch the other fugitives.

(Spider-Man Drakes Cakes Mini Comics Series II#3) - Lunatic Legion member Kona-Lor and her allies Yeti and Skreamer were stopped by Hulk and Pantheon members Ulysses and Hector when they attempted to steal weapons from the Mount. The aliens were brought back to Hala by Imperial Guardsmen Gladiator and Starbolt.

(Starblast#2) - Gladiator ordered the humans aboard the battle-cruiser (Binary, Black Bolt, Captain Marvel (Monica Rambeau), Darkstar, Ikaris, Lockjaw, Perun, Quasar (Wendell Vaughn), Vanguard) to leave, but they refused. After some brief explanations by Gladiator, more of the Imperial Guard teleported aboard to investigate. After a deadly battle, during which Neutron traded blows with Perun, the humans agreed to surrender the ship if the Shi'ar would help the humans pursue the Black Fleet. Guard members in this mission included: Gladiator, Manta, Moondanacer, Neutron, Nightside, Smasher, Solar Wind, Starbolt, and Voyager.

(Quasar#55) - The Shi'ar ship got safely through the stargate, and the Guard parted ways with the Earthlings when they investigated the Stranger. Moondancer, Solar Wind, and Voyager chose to leave the Guard to get revenge on the Stranger. Guard members: Gladiator, Manta, Neutron, Smasher, and Starbolt.

(Starjammers I#4) - Lilandra gathered many of the Guard to battle the Uncreated, but the aliens were defeated by the Starjammers first.

(Imperial Guard#1 (fb)) - Lilandra sent eight of the Guard to Earth to watch out for Kree militants and to protect the planet in the absence of its heroes (many of whom had been seemingly killed by Onslaught, a composite entity of Professor X and Magneto). Members on this mission included: Commando, Earthquake, Electron, Flashfire, Gladiator, Mentor, Nightside, and Oracle. They aided the Avengers (Black Widow (Natasha Romanova), Hercules, Quicksilver) against Primus and his People's Underground Militia.

(Uncanny X-Men#341) - Gladiator sent the X-Men to aid Lilandra in Shi'ar space.

(Imperial Guard#1) - After some down time, the Guard battled the Militia again, but were defeated this time.

(Imperial Guard#2) - The Guard escaped, and discovered the Militia were Kree operatives. They fought the villains again, and helped authorities clean up after the villains escaped.

(Imperial Guard#3) - While tracking the Militia again, the Guard discovered that the Kree planned to detonate a Nega-Bomb. After a deadly battle, they managed to stop the bomb from going off and defeated the Militia. They allied with Rick Jones (who'd been powered by the Supreme Intelligence) and learned the Supreme Intelligence was on Earth.

(Incredible Hulk Annual 1997) - While practicing the use of her powers to cast mental illusions, Oracle suddenly sensed the presence on Earth of an old Shi'ar enemy, Elamron the Changeling. She mentally contacted Gladiator and they tracked down Elamron's new form, that of the small boy David Banner, claiming to be the son of the Hulk. They explained what the boy was and stated he must be destroyed, but Hulk refused and attacked. While Oracle held the boy, Janus (who'd tried harming Oracle), and Leonard Samson to the side with her powers, Gladiator fought the Hulk. Elamron, seeing the Hulk's destructive potential, fled and abandoned his form. Oracle and Gladiator could no longer sense him.

(Inhumans IV#3) - The Shi'ar Empire decided to join in alliance with the massive Spartoi Empire. Religious ceremonies were to be held on the neutral planet, Kritnah. Lilandra arrived with the Guard flanking her. Guard members in this mission: Astra, Gladiator, Hussar, Neutron, and Oracle.

(Inhumans IV#4) - Lilandra represented the Shi'ar Empire on the planet Kritnah in the marriage ceremony with Emperor Eson of the Spartoi while the Imperial Guard stood by. Black Bolt moved to attack Lilandra, who set up a shield and activated the Guard against the Inhumans. Black Bolt screamed, seemingly slaying Lilandra. The Guard moved in at full force. Astra appealed to the Inhumans, asking them if they knew what they'd done and what the consequences for the universe would be. The Inhumans teleported away, escaping. Lilandra's form was revealed to be Hobgoblin, who appeared to be dead. Lilandra, as a hologram, revealed herself and told the Spartoi that the union was off due to their atrocities. Jason of Spartax was blamed for being behind it. Members of the Guard in this mission: Astra, Delphos, Earthquake, Fang, Flashfire, Gladiator, Hobgoblin, Hussar, Mentor, Neutron, Nightside, Oracle, Smasher, Starbolt, Titan, Warstar, others

(Thanos#10 (fb)) - Gladiator led Electron, Oracle and Quasar (Neutron) to investigate the sudden disappearance of the entire Shi'ar settlement of Eru-7. There, they discovered that the Maker (formerly the Beyonder) had wiped out 64,000 people, and Oracle contained the threat.

(New X-Men I#117) - Lilandra and Gladiator, Smasher, Mammoth, Jorrsk, and Forunn of the Imperial Guard, traveled to Earth to pick up Professor X for a stay in the Shi'ar galaxy. They bid farewell to the X-Men, not knowing that Professor X had been possessed by Cassandra Nova.

(New X-Men I#122) - While Gladiator was absent from the ship, Nova took over Professor X's form and wreaked havoc, slaying shipman Immundra as well as Forunn, Jorrsk, and Mammoth. Smasher fled to Earth to find the X-Men just before the ship exploded and Lilandra nearly died.

(New X-Men I#124 (fb) - BTS) - Lilandra, maddened under Nova's influence, sent Guardian, Stuff, and Squorm to Earth to wipe out the X-Men, convincing them that they had contracted a virus that would be deadly to all live in the galaxy. She sent Arc on a separate mission.

(New X-Men I#123) - Gladiator, though regretting it, moved to Earth, reciting a vow of destruction on his way. He initiated the lifeform sterilization procedure with Stuff, and asked for forgiveness as the grounds around the X-Mansion started on fire.

(New X-Men I#124) - More members of the Guard were sent to aid Gladiator in the attack. Gladiator rushed to Monstra's aid, and approached the X-Men (Beast, Phoenix, White Queen, Wolverine) and their students (Stepford Cuckoos), stating that their actions proved they were unstable. He then swiftly defeated Beast and Wolverine, then burst through a massive wall to find Phoenix and several reporters. Plutonia then entered with Smasher, who relayed Nova's possession of Professor X to Gladiator. Members of the Guard in this mission included Arc, Blimp, Cosmo, Fader, Gladiator, G-Type, Manta, Monstra, Neosaurus, Oracle, Plutonia, Schism, Squorm, and Stuff.

(New X-Men I#125) - Repentant and realizing they'd been duped, Gladiator used his micro-vision to confirm for the X-Men that they had nano-Sentinels in their bodies, placed there by Nova. He gathered Manta, Smasher, and Plutonia around him and they prepared for final battle against Nova. They went outside and were all quickly defeated by Nova.

(New X-Men I#126) - Nova taunted Gladiator, stating he was useless and unable to stop her. The X-Men later defeated Nova, who died. Professor X's mind was restored to his body.

(X-Men: Kingbreaker#2 (fb) - BTS) - Years ago, the Shi'ar apprehended a Symbiote and sought to understand it. D'ken ordered it kept alive for study. One of the Uncreated survived the deadly battle with the Shi'ar and was imprisoned, killing any it could get his hands on, demanding to find their gods and kill them. The Shi'ar captured the alien Pn'zo when it sought to rob a bank. The Shi'ar imprisoned a psychotic Hodinn, who only sought to burn all it sought. In addition, a female Strontian was imprisoned for unknown reasons.

(New X-Men I#133) - Gladiator, N'rill'iree, and Starbolt accompanied Lilandra on a private mission to Earth, and she annulled her marriage to Professor X.

(Marvel Universe: The End#5-6) - Members of the Imperial Guard were briefly summoned alongside dozens of Earth heroes to battle the powerful Thanos. Members of the Guard included: Gladiator, Manta, and Starbolt.

(JLA/Avengers#1) - The Imperial Guard fought Lobo. Members of the Guard in this mission: Astra, Fang, Electron, Flashfire, Hobgoblin, Hussar, Impulse, Magique, Manta, Mentor, Neutron, Nightside, Oracle, Scintilla, Smasher, Starbolt, Titan, Warstar.

(Thanos#12) - Earthquake and Astra picked up Gladiator and new recruit Peter Quill from the Kyln. Earthquake was put off by Quill's strange attitude and humor, and thought recruiting him was a mistake. Earthquake later helped evacuate the sector of space that was in danger from the battle between the Fallen One and Thanos.

(X-Force II#5) - Gladiator, Oracle, Smasher, and Fang stopped a band of Skrull insurgents who'd tried smuggling proton bombs into Shi'ar territory. They soon received word that an ancient Shi'ar enemy, the Skornn, had manifested on Earth. Gladiator wondered why they didn't just burn Earth long ago for all the trouble it caused the Shi'ar. He ordered the entire Imperial Guard to be on alert and the three hundred member Imperium Congress be called. He and Admiral Ya'lont discussed the legality of intervening on Earth yet again. They departed for Earth, planning on getting Lilandra's permission on their way.

(X-Force II#6) - Gladiator, Starbolt, and Ya'lont received word that the terrans had managed to defeat the Skornn.

(Uncanny X-Men#477) - The Imperial Guard was dispatched to defeat Vulcan, who'd been destroying ships in Shi'ar space. Gladiator, Impulse, Smasher, and Starbolt flew ahead of the attack ship.

(Uncanny X-Men#480) - The Guard finally defeated Vulcan (keeping him alive at the orders of K'tor) after a deadly battle which left some Guard members, including Cosmo, Impulse, Smasher, and Titan, seemingly slain. Guard members in this mission: Astra, Cosmo, Electron, Gladiator, Hobgoblin, Impulse, Manta, Mentor, Neutron, Nightside, Oracle, Plutonia, Scintilla, Smasher, Starbolt, and Titan.

(Uncanny X-Men#485) - Members of the Guard stood guard at the wedding of Deathbird to Vulcan, D'ken acting as new emperor having ordered it. The X-Men (Darwin, Havok, Marvel Girl (Rachel Grey), Polaris, Warpath), Starjammers (Ch'od, Corsair, Cr+eee, Hepzibah, Raza), Korvus, Lilandra, and the armies of General Ka'ardum attacked, and the Guard fought against them. Vulcan then assassinated D'ken.

(Uncanny X-Men#486) - Vulcan murdered Corsair and proclaimed himself emperor. Deathbird ordered the Guard to follow Vulcan's orders, and they were soon ordered to retreat. Guard members in this mission (and last): Earthquake, Electron, Gladiator, Magique, Mentor, Nightside, Starbolt, and Warstar.

(X-Men: Emperor Vulcan#1 (fb) - BTS) - The allegiances of the Imperial Guard still to Vulcan, the Imperial Guard spent the following weeks helping Vulcan and Deathbird enforce their rule.

(X-Men: Emperor Vulcan#1 - BTS) - Vulcan learned that the Starjammers (Ch'od, Havok, Marvel Girl (Rachel Grey), Polaris, Raza), Ka'ardum, Lilandra and their forces would be attacking the planet Feather's Edge. He led his forces, including the Imperial Guard, to trap them there. Taunting Gladiator, Vulcan wondered if he should kill them all before a third force, the Scy'ar Tal, destroyed Vulcan's ship.

(X-Men: Emperor Vulcan#2) - The Scy'ar Tal waged war on the Shi'ar and destroyed the planet Feather's Edge. Vulcan, with Deathbird and the Imperial Guard (Gladiator, Manta, Nightside, Oracle, Starbolt, Titan, Warstar) teleported aboard the Starjammers' ship.

(X-Men: Emperor Vulcan#3) - Vulcan held off Havok's energy attack while Oracle blocked Marvel Girl's telepathy. Vulcan offered an alliance against the Scy'ar Tal, claiming that they were the bigger threat, then left with his allies to let the Starjammers think things over. Vulcan, Deathbird, and the Imperial Guard (joined by Scintilla) greeted the Starjammers, who agreed to the alliance. Deathbird had reservations, but Vulcan quelled them. Soon, Araki entered with his private guard, the Shi'ar Death Commandos (Blackcloak, Colony, Devo, Flaw, Hypernova, Krait, Offset, Sega, Shell, Warshot). Marvel Girl grew furious and lashed out in a powerful attack, sending the Commandos scattering and threatening Araki's life, even accusing him of running the secret order of the Shi'ar and ordering the death of her family, until Polaris stopped her. After the Commandos left, they started a planning session and Havok insisted they destroy the Finality weapon, which had destroyed Feather's Edge, first. Vulcan ordered the Starjammers and Imperial Guard to go after the weapon while Ka'ardum lead the fleet to defend the M'kraan Crystal. They soon arrived at the Finality, where they found dozens of stars ready to be used as weapons.

(X-Men: Emperor Vulcan#4) - While the Starjammers were engaged the Scy'ar Tal ships, Gladiator, Oracle, Nightside, and Mentor of the Guard narrowly saved the Starjammers from being shot down. Vulcan summoned the Imperial Guard (Earthquake, Gladiator, Starbolt, Titan, Warstar) to defend him against the Eldest. The Eldest chided the Guard for serving their Shi'ar enslavers and easily defeated most of them until Havok suggested that he, Gladiator, and Vulcan focus their energy attacks on Eldest simultaneously. The Eldest fell dead, but another of the Scy'ar Tal turned into the new Eldest. Finally, thanks to Havok, Vulcan realized that the Eldest was drawing his powers from the energies of his people, so he manipulated those energies and cut off the hive mind of the Scy'ar Tal. The battle quickly turned to the Shi'ar's favor. Vulcan slew the rest of the Scy'ar present, captured Havok with a blast, and vowed to kill the others. Meanwhile, Electron, Manta, Plutonia, and Flashfire gathered in on the remaining Starjammers.

(X-Men: Emperor Vulcan#5) - With Earthquake seemingly dead, Mentor analyzed the Finality weapon and determined its capabilities and superior functioning. Vulcan ordered that it be used on the remaining Scy'ar Tal. Meanwhile, Electron's group attacked the Starjammers. Plutonia phased a hand through Raza while Manta blinded Marvel Girl and Electron was punched aside by Ch'od. Korvus held off Flashfire and Marvel Girl held off Plutonia. Polaris ordered Marvel Girl and Korvus on another mission as she wrapped Manta and Electron in metal coverings. Gladiator was ordered after Marvel Girl and Korvus, but Marvel Girl successfully held him off. Plutonia phased through Raza again, then was defeated by a blast from Polaris, then Ch'od knocked Flashfire out with a blow to the head. The Scy'ar Tal were finally destroyed after Mentor activated the weapon, even though Havok managed to destroy the Finality weapon. Deathbird lead the rest of the Imperial Guard and defeated the Starjammers, then teleported back to save Vulcan from Havok. The Imperial Guard (Electron, Flashfire, Gladiator, Manta, Mentor, Nightside, Oracle, Plutonia, Scintilla, Titan, Warstar) stood by Deathbird, Araki, and Ka'ardum as the Shi'ar cheered on Vulcan. The Starjammers (Ch'od, Havok, Polaris, Raza) lay captive.

(War of Kings#1 (fb) - BTS) - A new Smasher (Salac Tuur) was recruited to take the place of the deceased Vril Rokk.

(X-Men: Kingbreaker#1 (fb) - BTS) - When Vulcan focused on expanding the Shi'ar empire via conquest, he put the Imperial Guard on the front lines along with the Shi'ar Death Commandos, though many were reported killed in battle with Marvel Girl.

(X-Men: Kingbreaker#1) - Gladiator and Titan led the Shi'ar expansion against the Z'nox, at Vulcan's side. Oracle and Nightside stood by while Vulcan checked the status of the captive Starjammers, Havok, Polaris, Ch'od, and Raza. Oracle soon notified Vulcan of the liberation of the Starjammer by the rogue Starjammers. He furiously demanded their capture, and Oracle reminded him that the Imperial Guard, the Death Commandos, and the empire itself were already stretched. Vulcan announced his intentions to create a new Guard of villains, then.

(X-Men: Kingbreaker#2) - Oracle was horrified when Vulcan ordered the Hodinn, Pn'zo, Symbiote, and Uncreated to be freed and placed on the Guard. He then freed the deadly Strontian to lead them. Gladiator was awakened by Lilandra attempting to recruit him, but he refused, but Marvel Girl still managed to learn the location of the captive Starjammers from his mind before they rushed away, though Gladiator didn't pursue them. The new Guard attacked the rogues on a Clench world. Korvus barely held off an energy attack from the Strontian before Marvel Girl broke up the fight. The Symbiote attacked the ship and Lilandra managed to hold it off with an electric burst from an exposed wire. Korvus was electrocuted by the Pn'zo, who charged his sword, before toppling Pn'zo only to be hit by a telepathic attack from the Uncreated, who demanded to know the location of the Phoenix, his god. As the battle continued, the Hodinn charged up a massive energy blast. The Starjammers narrowly escaped, tossing the Symbiote from their ship as the Hodinn exploded, killing most the planet, but leaving the Guard alive. The Uncreated, following Korvus' thoughts, revealed their destination to be the prison, Kr'kn, from which they'd all been released. The Guard followed, leaving the Hodinn behind.

(X-Men: Kingbreaker#3) - Oracle reported that the Hodinn had destroyed the Clench worlds, shocked that there was potentially a Hodinn still left alive as G-Type had been the only one not hunted down. Vulcan seemed indifferent to this news, though, and ordered the Guard to find the Starjammers. Guard members present: Electron, Flashfire, Gladiator, Manta, Mentor, Nightside, Oracle, Plutonia, Scintilla, Starbolt, Titan, and Warstar. Vulcan shockingly ordered the Hodinn to be returned to him. Pn'zo, the Strontian, the Symbiote, and the Uncreated returned to Kr'kn, where they found Korvus and Lilandra with the escaped Starjammers (Ch'od, Havok, Polaris, and Raza). Soon, the Hodinn attacked, striking Marvel Girl aside as he approached Kr'kn. The Uncreated immediately leapt at Korvus again, getting into his thoughts once more. Ch'od held off Pn'zo while Raza narrowly saved Havok from the Symbiote. The Strontian easily defeated Polaris as the Symbiote took on Raza as a new host. Vulcan and Deathbird soon arrived with Gladiator, Oracle, Starbolt, Titan, and Warstar to settle accounts.

(X-Men: Kingbreaker#4) - The Hodinn and Marvel Girl went plummeting down to Kr'kn, where Manta, Smasher, and Mentor had joined the others in battle. Gladiator slammed Havok into the wall, but backed off when he saw the Strontian, who he'd once helped imprison. Horrified, Gladiator attacked her as the rest of the Guard launched into action. As Raza struggled to free himself from the Symbiote, the Guard easily overwhelmed the Starjammers until Polaris knocked them aside with a metallic attack. When the Hodinn crashed among them, Havok easily drained the being of all his excess power, glorying in his newly restored cosmic energies that restored Havok to full power. As the horrified Guard rushed forward to kill the weakened Hodinn, Vulcan was hit by a massive energy blast from Havok. Marvel Girl held off Starbolt while Warstar attacked Ch'od. Gladiator finally stopped battling the Strontian at Deathbird's orders. The Starjammers suffered a tremendous setback when the Phoenix Force abruptly left both Marvel Girl and Korvus. Struggling to even raise his blade, Korvus chopped Pn'zo in half after Marvel Girl was stabbed through the shoulder. Deathbird launched herself at Lilandra, who stabbed her sister through the abdomen with a large blade, putting Deathbird into a coma. Overwhelmed, Lilandra quickly had the Starjammers teleported away to safety, leaving a furious Vulcan behind. Oracle, Mentor, and the Strontian stood by Ka'ardum and Vulcan later as Deathbird received medical treatment. Vulcan ordered the Strontian and Ka'ardum to oversee the expansion efforts and the Imperial Guard to join Vulcan himself.

(War of Kings: Warriors#1/1) - Gladiator accompanied Vulcan in the conquest of the planet Thrnn, saving him from a sniper while he was there.

(War of Kings#1) - Vulcan surveyed, with Gladiator, the assembled Imperial Guard, taking special notice of Neutron, Plutonia, Manta, the new Smasher, Squorm, and Starbolt. Mentor reported they were all battle ready and Vulcan announced his intentions to attack the Kree as the Guard, including Astra and Hussar, listened. Shapeshifter soon posed as the Aakon delegate Gohmen Ahuud in order to get close to the Kree's spire. He seemingly killed himself as he let off an explosive that destroyed the spire, allowing the rest of the Guard access. As Electron, Black Light, Manta, and Warstar led a charge against the Kree and Inhuman soldiers, Nightside was shot down. Karnak hit Smasher with a savage blow to the head while Earthquake unleashed his powers on a Sentry. Korvus held off Starbolt and Fang with his heavy sword. Black Bolt leapt at Gladiator, but he was momentarily held back by a sonic dampening blast from White Noise, allowing Gladiator to defeat Black Bolt. Impulse then severed one of Gorgon's legs with a power blast. Mentor took down Lilandra with a nerve pinch and Voyager escaped with her through a portal, which sliced of Ch'od's hand. Starbolt hit Crystal with an energy attack before Ronan knocked him down with the Universal Weapon, which Electron then shattered as Hussar hit Ronan in the back with her whip; after Electron hit Ronan again, Titan smashed Ronan under a giant hand. Gladiator then authorized the Guard to teleport out. Members of the Guard in this mission: Astra, Black Light, Earthquake, Electron, Fang, Flashfire, Gladiator, Hussar, Impulse, Magique, Manta, Mentor, Neutron, Nightside, Plutonia, Schism, Scintilla, Shapeshifter, Smasher, Squorm, Starbolt, Titan, Voyager, Warstar, and White Noise.

(War of Kings#2) - Ka'ardum stood by with Gladiator and Mentor when Vulcan confronted the captured Lilandra. Ka'ardum soon reported to Vulcan that a fleet had been destroyed. Vulcan furiously promised to kill every enemy, starting with Lilandra.

(War of Kings#3) - Ka'ardum, with Gladiator's help, narrowly convinced Vulcan not to make Lilandra a martyr, but to hold a trial for her instead. Electron, Plutonia, and the new Smasher stood by with Gladiator while Lilandra was transported. Havok, firing a major blast against Gladiator, attacked along with Polaris, Korvus, Marvel Girl, and Groot, Drax, Rocket Raccoon, and Major Victory of the Guardians of the Galaxy. Using a bluff and a telepathic attack, Rocket and Marvel Girl held Gladiator down while Electron held off Korvus by charging his sword, though Groot then defeated Korvus with a blow. Plutonia phased through Major Victory, but the coldness in his suit disarmed her. Smasher accessed hyper-speed from his exo-specs, but Drax easily beat him unconscious. Gladiator woke up from the ruse and nearly defeated the Starjammers and the Guardians before Lilandra convinced him to join her side. He killed Smasher and announced his new allegiance.

(Nova IV#24) - The Imperial Guard (Earthquake, Electron, Flashfire, Gladiator, Impulse, Manta, Warstar) attacked a faction of the Nova Corps on a Shi'ar fringeworld, killing many. The Nova Prime, Malik Tarcel, battled Gladiator directly until the rest, including Suki Yumiko and Josh, surrendered. Strontian and the Praetorians came to take over, then, killing all but Tarcel, who was taken in for interrogation.

(Guardians of the Galaxy II#14) - As Warlock battled Vulcan, the Imperial Guard (Fang, Mentor, Oracle, Scintilla) rushed to help, seeking Magique for aid when they realized Warlock wielded magic. They attacked, with Neutron and Hussar joining them, and Magique put Warlock in a glamour snare, but he easily dispelled it and painfully drained her glamours from her. Vulcan was furious with them when Warlock escaped, but Oracle sensed Magique had marked him with a witch-mark, with which they could track him. They followed to Knowhere, using Voyager to transport them, and found a battle breaking out between the Guardians of the Galaxy (Gamora, Jack Flag, Mantis, Martyr, Moondragon, Star-Lord, Warlock) and the Inhumans (Black Bolt, Crystal, Gorgon, Karnak).

(Guardians of the Galaxy II#15) - The Imperial Guard (Fang, Hussar, Magique, Mentor, Oracle, Scintilla, Voyager) landed on Knowhere, where the Inhumans and Guardians of the Galaxy were already battling. As Fang was hit by a mental blast from Cosmo the telepathic dog, Mentor ordered the Guard to kill Black Bolt. After Oracle knocked back Cosmo's telekinetic barrier, Black Bolt knocked them back with a small scream and the Inhumans teleported off-site through Lockjaw. Mentor ordered the Guard, with their Shi'ar operatives, to separate and find Warlock and the others, knowing Voyager's needed time to recuperate before seizing reinforcements. Intending to seize Knowhere for the Shi'ar, Mentor examined Knowhere's technology while Hussar kept him appraised of the battles with the Guardians. Magique led a group of soldiers, whose guns she ensorcelled to aim true for the witch-mark, after Warlock, who took on traits of his evil self the Magus, moved the witch-mark back to her body, and let her be killed by her own soldiers' guns. As Mentor prepared to teleport in reinforcements through Knowhere, a group of Guardians attacked him, and Rocket Raccoon leapt on his face, slashing it. As Drax violently defeated Fang, more Guardians arrived as backup. Hussar ordered Voyager to aid them in retreat, even as Mentor informed Rocket that Lilandra had been assassinated, a message he'd heard through intel-feed.

(Nova IV#25) - Mentor tortured Tarcel, taunting him though he continued refusing to give any information. Vulcan stepped in and increased the torture.

(War of Kings#4) - Ka'ardum shared his concerns with Vulcan that the Empire was overextending itself in the war and that the Shi'ar spirit was failing. As Titan, Mentor, Fang, and Hussar stood by, Vulcan tried checking in with Araki, but communications continued failing after the recent Nega-bomb usage. As Ka'ardum suggested calling a cease-fire with the Kree, a Sentry attacked their ship, but it was stopped by Talon, one of the Fraternity of Raptors who sought an alliance with Vulcan. They later successfully assassinated Lilandra.

(War of Kings: Savage World of Skaar#1) - While on a scouting mission, Starbolt battled Gorgon on the foreign planet of Sakaar. He reported back to Vulcan about the Old Power of that planet.

(War of Kings: Ascension#4) - When two of the Fraternity of Raptors, Darkhawk and Talon, battled on Vulcan's ship, Hussar and two Warstars attacked, but the battle was taken outside quickly.

(Nova IV#26) - Warstar led a group of Shi'ar against members of the Nova Corps (including Tre Owens and Lindy Nolan) on a devastated Kree world, but the Nova Prime (Richard Rider) slew Warstar. Meanwhile, Strontian attacked Lord Ravenous, taking him down in a series of blows and slaying his aide Orbus. Just as she was about to kill Ravenous, Nova Centurion Robert Rider held her off with a gravity blast.

(War of Kings#6) - The Shi'ar on Chandilar, decimated in the war, began hailing Gladiator as their new Majestor. Vulcan, meanwhile, was seemingly killed in battle and the Shi'ar surrendered to the Kree.

(Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard#4 (fb) - BTS) - After joining with Deathbird against Lilandra, all the members of the Guard received official pardons.

(Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard#1) - When the planet of Izumbard refused to create more warships for the Shi'ar, the Imperial Guard (Earthquake, Electron, Flashfire, Neutron, Plutonia, Titan, Voltar, Warstar) were sent to quell the riots, but Voltar was killed in the following battle. The new praetor, Mentor, surveyed the fights across the world, and let Gladiator know that he had things under control. Another branch of the Guard (Commando, Fang, Hussar, Manta, Starbolt) were sent to stop the Izumbard from launching attack ships at the Shi'ar. Later, Mentor stood by while Gladiator was chastised by his chancellor for entering battle himself. Later, at their barracks, they proposed a toast, and Manta recognized the loss of Voltar, and a fight broke out. Mentor, Smasher, and Oracle interrupted the fight, and Mentor told them that they'd just volunteered for a special strike force mission due to their bad behavior. The next day, they learned they'd be going for recon into the Fault, the rip in time and space, alongside Ch'od and Raza of the Starjammers.

(Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard#2) - After being briefed by Gladiator, the Imperial Guard (Fang, Flashfire, Hussar, Manta, Neutron, Oracle, Plutonia, Smasher, Starbolt, Warstar) were sent into the Fault to investigate if Vulcan was still alive or not, with Ch'od and Raza among them. The ship was soon under attack by energy leeches and the crew struggled to stay in the air. When one breached the ship, Mentor ordered Warstar not to fire on it, but to instead trap it in a force field, in which the creature fed upon itself. Mentor recommended the ship run on silent so as not to attract more leeches, and Ch'od reluctantly agreed. Within minutes, a giant ship approached, and they prepared the Starjammer for battle. The ship, bio-organic in nature, fired on them, and then caught them in a tractor beam, pulling it inside. As they battled off biological monsters, Oracle surmised they were aboard a rotting corpse that was seeking to use its enzymes to kill them.

(Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard#3) - Over the following six hours, as the dead ship grew around the Starjammer, the Guard worked to repair their ship. Oracle soon discovered the ship had been killed while running from something else. As enzymes attacked them, they realized they need to rush away before they were digested, and they narrowly escaped. They soon came across a massive field of debris. They followed an energy signature, hoping to find Vulcan, when Warstar and Neutron were hit by a massive energy burst. When the air cleared, they saw Quasar (Wendell Vaughn) there, with a massive biological entity pursuing him.

(Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard#4) - Oracle managed to send a telepathic call for help through Quasar's quantum powers into the M'Kraan Crystal, reaching Gladiator. The Guard hid themselves in the debris zone and worked to lay mines on the surrounding debris. Many of the members shared a final toast before the alien beings arrived aboard their massive ship and began moving through the mines. On the ship, Ch'od realized someone had sabotaged their ship, and Mentor realized it must be the new Smasher, who was soon revealed as Talon of the Fraternity of Raptors. Talon had retrieved two amulets of power from the Fault and claimed he could use them to give the team greater firepower for the coming battle. Outside the xenoform beings attacked in the form of the X-Men and Starbolt was quickly killed in battle. Gladiator then arrived to aid them.

(Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard#5 (fb)) - Gladiator had more of the Guard (Arc, Black Light, Commando, Electron, G-Type, Moondancer, Titan, Voyager, White Noise) assembled at his order, to rescue the stranded team (Fang, Flashfire, Hussar, Manta, Mentor, Neutron, Oracle, Plutonia, Warstar), with Ch'od, Raza, Talon (previously thought to be Smasher), and Quasar, from within the Fault. Voyager, with great strain, opened a gateway to within the Fault, then stayed behind while Moondancer used her powers to guide them through the debris and to the ship, which was surrounded by bizarre and deadly xenoform beings patterned after the X-Men.

(Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard#5) - The two sides of the Guard savagely attacked the aliens, killing them swiftly and decisively. Mentor soon reported to Gladiator that "an abominable universe of reciprocal otherness" was upon them from the other side of the Fault, full of cancerous aggression and new physical laws. Talon then ensured them that using his amulets would allow them to create two more Raptor beings, and Mentor and Plutonia volunteered, becoming Strel and Kyte respectively. During the battle, Black Light and Neutron were killed. The combined Guard narrowly escaped a savage telepathic attack when Ch'od and Raza launched the Symbiote (formerly of the Praetorians) at the Xavier being the attack had originated from. After they successfully escaped, Gladiator reported their success to the Inhumans, and announced the pending war with the Fault universe. While honoring their newly dead (joining the ranks of thousands of others) on the mausoleum world of Elysialla VII, the Guard stood with newly appointed members in the roles of Mentor, Neutron, Plutonia, Smasher, and Starbolt. Fang recited the Guard's oath. "I will not falter, and I will not swerve. From the rising of the suns to the setting of the stars. With Sharra and K'ythri to guide me, I will serve out the term of my duty with courage and conviction for it is the greatest honor any being of any species can know to be allowed to guard the Imperium of the Shi'ar and stand, each of us, as a light in the darkness. So I make my oath of allegiance."

(Thanos Imperative#1) - Gladiator, Warstar, Hussar, and the new Smasher fought valiantly against the deadly Cancer-beings coming into the universe from the Fault.

Comments: Created by Chris Claremont, Dave Cockrum and Dan Green.

Thanks to Elf with a Gun for the Spider-Man Drake Cakes appearances.

The Imperial Guard received entries in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe I#5, Deluxe Edition#6, Teams 2005 and in the X-Men Encyclopedia.

''    The Imperial Guard members are generally based on the Legion of Super-Heroes. Hobgoblin=Chameleon, Fang=Lone Wolf/Timber Wolf (Timber Wolf even had the Wolverine haircut before Logan did) et al. Also, there seems to be some indication that Hobgoblin is in fact a Skrull, as acknowledged by his Master Edition entry. This occurs due to a scene in Avengers I#345. --Per Degaton Check out Fantastic Four III#51. He looks to be part of the Chameleoid race. There really should be some discussion of his origins in the comments, b/c there's also that one time when he's either shown as a Skrull or impersonated by one. --Snood.''

''We don't have any idea why the Imperial Guard attacked Lobo, do we other than the fact they possibly saw him as an invader. While JLA/Avengers isn't specific, I'd expect he found himself on a strange planet and attacked first. --Will U''

''The Imperial Guard was also active in the novel X-Men: Empire's End by Diane Duane (see below). It has to be seen if this story is canon.

Interesting backstory in this novel about the Shi'ar The Majestor Arakh adopted a policy of succession to the throne whereby his clones would succeed him, and in turn the clones produced from his clone. Finally, one clone decided to have his brain or soul directly implanted into a cloned body, in a process similar to that of the Elan, Kang, Maelstrom, the Red Skull, the Hate-Monger, Arnim Zola et al.

It is also stated that the Shi'ar believe that their royal family traces descent from Sharra and Kythri. This on pages 147-148. --Per Degaton''

(X-Men: Empire's End) - Years ago, a research team including Avend and Irdin discovered an irregularity in nearby galaxies. Avend demanded this situation come to D'Ken's attention, but the Imperial Science Council handled it.

(X-Men: Empire's End) - The star-devouring irregularity Avend noted once again came to Shi'ar attention, this time in the Sorosh Galaxy. Lilandra summoned Gladiator, Electron, Flashfire, Sibyl, Nightside, Mentor, and Commando to set up a firebreak (similar to how rangers will start a controlled fire to stop a raging forest fire) with a machine that would tamper with a star's carbon-carbon fusion cycle. Later, Mentor joined Lilandra in a virtual conference with Xavier. They refused to contact Reed Richards, despite Xavier's suggestion, sore memories of the trial of Galactus fiasco still coming to mind. Quake and Flashfire were also called in to serve in the mission at least at this point.

Profile by Chadman. ==Members== ==Collective list of titles==* Avengers vol. 1 #345* Avengers West Coast #80-82* Captain America vol. 1 #398* Classic X-Men #14* Excalibur vol. 1 #69-70* Exiles #3-4, 87-88* Imperial Guard #1-3* Inhumans vol. 3 #3-4* New X-Men vol. 1 #117, 122-126, 133* Quasar #32-33, 54-56* Rom Annual #4* Starblast #1-4* Starjammers #4* Thor vol. 1 #445-446* Uncanny X-Men #107-109, 136-137, 155, 157-158, 162, 275-277, 341, 467-468, 477, 480, 482-483* War of Kings #1-#6* What If? #55-56* X-Men Spotlight on ... Starjammers #2* X-Men: Emperor Vulcan # 1 - 5 ==Other versions== ===JLA/Avengers===In the series JLA/Avengers'', the Imperial Guard makes a brief appearance being attacked by the DC Comics villain Lobo. ==In other media== ===Television===* The Imperial Guard appears in the 1990s X-Men TV series. Present in the series are Gladiator, Starbolt, Flashfire, Oracle, Smasher, Titan, Hobgoblin, Warstar, Earthquake, Hussar, Astra, and Manta. ===Video games===* Gladiator, Neutron, Hussar, Starbolt, and Warstar of the Imperial Guard appear in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance as enemies. Apparently, some of the guards turned traitor and helped Deathbird take the throne from her sister Lilandra (although Gladiator only serves Deathbird as he is loyal to the throne rather than a person). It was mentioned that an Imperial Guard member named Guardian was still loyal to Lilandra. At the same time, the player's team comes to obtain a shard of the M'Kraan Crystal, and defeat the traitorous guards, Shi'ar soldiers, and Deathbird. ===Novels===* Certain members of the Imperial Guard appear in Watchers on the Walls by Christopher L. Bennett, those members being Smasher, Manta, Flashfire, Astra, Nightside, Magique, Blackthorn, N'rill'iree, and a brief appearance of Empress Lilandra. ==References== ==External links==* * Imperial Guard at Uncannyxmen.net*