How Marvel Has Already Changed Adam Warlock's Story

Due to the introduction of the Sovereign, Adam Warlock’s MCU story is already set to be different from the comics when he debuts in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. The Sovereign were a gold-skinned race of aliens that crossed paths with Star-Lord’s team in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2. In the movie, they were led by Ayesha, who is actually Adam Warlock’s female counterpart in the comics.

A post-credits scene in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 laid the groundwork for the MCU's Adam Warlock by revealing his cocoon. Based on comments made by Ayesha, their plans for “Adam” include getting revenge on the Guardians. To many, this felt like a clear setup for an Adam Warlock story in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, but the movie’s director, James Gunn, pushed back on this, arguing that the point was only to ensure that his debut would happen eventually. Now, it’s been confirmed that the Golden Gladiator is indeed joining the MCU. Played by Will Poulter, Adam Warlock will appear in some capacity in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3.

Outside of the tease pertaining to his first mission, no details have been revealed about what his role will be or how he’ll compare to the comic character. However, the addition of the Sovereign promises at least one change to his MCU story. Warlock’s Sovereign race is original to the MCU, whereas the comic book Warlock was initially a one-of-a-kind lifeform genetically engineered by human scientists. It wasn’t until years later that a second member of his species – Ayesha – was created. The two don’t belong to an established civilization or race in the comics. Being totally alone without there be anyone else that he could relate to was an important aspect of his character, particularly in the early years of Adam Warlock’s comics. At least to some degree, the existence of the Sovereign will alter that perception a bit.

With him being a member of an actual alien race, Marvel may struggle to give the MCU Adam Warlock the same outsider status that he has in the comics. While Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 implied that Warlock will be superior to the rest of the Sovereign, he’ll still be one of them and not quite the enigma that the comic character was. That’s why it’s likely that instead of being a one-off genetic experiment, the MCU’s take on Adam Warlock will be an exile. If he rejects (or fails) the task given to him by his masters, they could banish him from their world, forcing him to wander around on his own in outer space.

Marvel may have altered the beginning of Adam Warlock’s story by bringing in Ayesha and the Sovereign, but Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 can still put him on the right course. If Warlock is cast out and left with no place in the world, it’ll be relatively easy for the MCU to align him with the misfit theme of the Guardians of the Galaxy movies. It’s possible that with them, he’ll find acceptance and a new purpose in life.

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