The Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special gives the cosmic team a rare respite from their adventures, though not for long. Epic comic book storylines from the last twenty years and beyond provide a blueprint for how the team may evolve on screen in the years ahead as well as which powerful Marvel villains they might face.
The most powerful villains in the Marvel Universe challenge the Guardians of the Galaxy in Marvel Comics, including characters like Annihilus who fans can expect to see in the MCU in the future. The team squares off against The High Evolutionary in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, a significant villain with ties to many iconic characters in Marvel Comics.
10/10 Badoon
The Badoon remain off-screen in the MCU, despite their prominence in Guardians’ history. This alien race first appeared in Silver Surfer #2 in 1968 and brandish truly cosmic power. The Badoon Exfulgence rivals the Kree and Skrull empires in size, scope, and might, and they’ve invaded and conquered numerous worlds.
Comic book fans know the Guardians of the Galaxy formed due to a Badoon invasion. The original team existed in an alternate timeline set in the far future, though the Badoon also fought the modern team in the Marvel Universe’s present.
9/10 Thane
Thane kills people with a touch, or even simply being around them. He also wields the power to trap people in amber, a terrifying ability that he initially couldn’t control. Thanos’ son also inherits his father’s Titan physiology, giving him superhuman strength, speed, and endurance.
Thanos sought to kill Thane, roping the Guardians into his galactic scheme. Thane’s importance in modern Guardians storylines could inspire the MCU if he appears in live-action.
8/10 Gamora
Gamora counts among the most powerful Guardians of the Galaxy members, but she also has been their worst enemy. During the 2018 Infinity Wars storyline, Gamora used her genetically enhanced strength and speed, along with her exceptional martial artistry, to acquire the Infinity Stones to change reality.
With the Infinity Stones, Gamora warped reality, fusing countless characters into unusual but fun new amalgamations. Comic book fans know Groot fused with Star-Lord into Peet.
7/10 Devondra
Gamora turned on her friends and colleagues thanks to Devondra. This powerful villain resided inside the Soul World, contained within the Soul Gem. Devondra, an ancient cosmic being with similarities to the Old Ones from H.P. Lovecraft’s mythology, warped reality to such a degree she created a new universe.
Devondra’s vampiric nature forced Gamora to try and rebalance the Soul World with the Infinity Stones, an event that possibly informs her MCU future if the franchise returns to the mystical realm.
6/10 Korvac
The original Guardians team traveled from the 30th century back to the present to fight Korvac, a cyborg with unlimited capacity to learn. Korvac attained virtual godhood by interfacing with Galactus’ ship and obtaining the Power Cosmic, making him omnipotent and invulnerable.
The Korvac Saga ranks among the best Avengers comic book storylines ever, drawing together a large cast from across space and time in a way that seems perfect for the MCU to adapt.
5/10 The High Evolutionary
The High Evolutionary arguably counts as the most brilliant person in the Marvel Universe. His experiments on himself increased his mental capacity beyond limits. He primarily uses this to evolve animals and humans into what he considers higher beings, with debatable results. He also gained extraordinary abilities, including effective immortality, thanks to using his Evolutionary Accelerator on himself.
The High Evolutionary looms large in several Marvel icon’s backstories. He claims to be responsible for Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch’s extraordinary powers. When he appears in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, fans may discover he played a role in Rocket Raccoon’s mysterious origins.
4/10 Annihilus
The Guardians fought against Annihilus in Annihilation, an epic comic book crossover from the early 2000s that brought together the modern Guardians team. This powerful insectoid villain from The Negative Zone invaded the Marvel Universe with the Annihilation Wave, an overwhelming army that obliterated worlds.
He gained superhuman abilities from the Cosmic Control Rod. The Cosmic Control Rod warps reality, matter, and energy to an incredible extent. Annihilus first appeared in Fantastic Four Annual #5 and his significance in the comics ensures his eventual live-action debut.
3/10 Adam Warlock
Adam Warlock stands with the most powerful Marvel Comics cosmic characters. Warlock gained significant power from the High Evolutionary, but his talents extend far beyond those thanks to his connection to the Soul Stone. He bonded with the Stone, becoming its avatar and protector. Thanks to this, he wields control over life and death.
Warlock possesses cosmic awareness akin to the greatest celestial powers in the comics. He manipulates matter, energy, and even magic on cosmic scales, making him a powerhouse the Guardians fought with and sometimes alongside in the comics. Whether he’ll be a villain or ally when he appears in the upcoming movie remains an open question.
2/10 Galactus
Galactus devours entire worlds, consuming their inherent energy to sustain his eternal life. This immortal being possesses the Power Cosmic, which allows him omniscience, omnipotence, and power to rival virtually any character in the Marvel pantheon. His control over matter and energy makes him a god for all intents and purposes.
Galactus predates the Marvel Universe, existing from before time. Few beings in the comics reach his power, though Rachel Summers did defeat him with the Phoenix Force in Excalibur #61.
1/10 Thanos
Thanos wields superhuman strength enough to challenge the Hulk and the strongest Avengers. On his own, he presents a challenge for any hero, but armed with the Infinity Gauntlet, Thanos becomes a god. He famously erased half of all living beings from existence with a single snap in The Infinity Gauntlet event.
His ruthless ambition, determination, and willingness to use absolute power make him not only the most powerful villain the Guardians of the Galaxy ever faced, but also the worst.
