Warning: contains spoilers for Guardians of the Galaxy #18!
Recently, Al Ewing's tenure on Guardians of the Galaxy has massively expanded the team's roster; readers saw new faces such as Hulkling and Wiccan join veterans Rocket and Gamora, as well as the return of cosmic heroes like Nova and Quasar. Ewing has expressed interest in swelling the ranks even further, and in Guardians of the Galaxy #18, on sale now in print and digital, readers see potential new members. The issue is the last of the current series, but some may join the team when it inevitably returns.
The Guardians of the Galaxy have spent most of their time together in an uneasy relationship with galactic law enforcement. However, due to the crumbling galactic infrastructure, exacerbated by a collapsing economy and a stretched-too-thin Nova Corps, the Galactic Council deputized the Guardians of the Galaxy, making them an official law enforcement body. In addition to a new status, the team was given new uniforms, as well as a new headquarters. The team's membership expanded too; among the new faces were the aforementioned Hulkling and Wiccan, along with the Super-Skrull and Doctor Doom. Not only were the crooks now the cops, they were also an army. No sooner did the new Guardians organize than the dread Dormammu attacked the galaxy, possessing Ego the Living Planet and launching a campaign of terror. The Guardians, along with every major galactic power, banded together and stopped Dormammu. Now it is time for the Guardians to celebrate - and a few new faces drop by to help. Guardians of the Galaxy #18 is written by Al Ewing, with art by Juan Frigeri, colors by Federico Blee and letters by Cory Petit.
The issue's final page shows the regular Guardians team (without Doctor Doom, who left after completing his agenda) celebrating their victory and talking about the possibilities of taking a vacation. In addition to the standard team, readers can see Storm, who is now the regent of Arakko (the terraformed Mars), M'Baku, the regent of the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda, Abigail Brand and Manifold from S.W.O.R.D, Blackjack O'Hare, an associate of Rocket's, as well as the Prince of Power (the Infinity-Stone powered He-Man pastiche) and former Knight of the Infinite Mur-G'nn.
When Guardians of the Galaxy inevitably returns in future, might readers see some of the new faces on the team? Adding Storm, Manifold and the Prince of Power would give the Guardians a definite upgrade in terms of powers; Manifold could function as the team's teleporter if mutantkind can spare him, while the Prince of Power provides incredible brawn at the cost of inexperience. Other members provide the Guardians with a strategic advantage as well - Storm and M'Baku are both interstellar leaders, and the new regent of the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda is a lesser-known character whose aim of redeeming his infamous name could be aided by joining the team. Side-by-side with Hulkling and Wiccan, they would send a message to the rest of the galaxy that its major powers are now in full support of the Guardians of the Galaxy, not to mention M'Baku's experience toppling planet-spanning regimes.
Each one of these characters has something to offer the Guardians of the Galaxy, from Mur-G'nn's magic to Blackjack O'Hare's willingness to do what others won't (especially now Rocket has matured into his role as a hero.) The book is over for now, but the team's ambitious new status quo remains, especially in the wake of their immense victory against Dormammu. Perhaps readers can see some of these new faces join the Guardians of the Galaxy soon, and perhaps even earn a spot in the MCU.