LEGO Guardians of the Galaxy
Despite being a lesser-known cosmic team in Marvel comics, the Guardians of the Galaxy have been propelled to prominence thanks to their MCU debut in the 2014 film 'Guardians of the Galaxy'. On paper, the coming together of a human sounds , walking tree, talking raccoon, a warrior alien and the adoptive daughter of Mad Titan not like it would work, but it did! Now the Guardians are as well known and loved as many popular superheroes
They have also served as inspiration for a surprising number of LEGO sets. But their first Minifigure appearance was actually in game form.
Guardians of the Galaxy movie
To coincide with the release of the Guardians of the Galaxy movie, three LEGO playsets were released. They were based on the movies and they are MCU characters. Sets include one of the Nova Corps Starblaster ships, with another based on the Knowhere, the severed head of a fallen Celestial. But most impressive was a stone-built recreation of the Milano ship. The three sets allowed you to collect the Guardians, including a brick-built Groot and a unique Rocket minifigure.
- LEGO 76019 Starblaser Showdown
- LEGO 76020 Knowhere Escape Mission
- LEGO 76021 Milano Spaceship
That same year, the Guardians were the inspiration for some exclusive Comic-Con goodies. These include a Collector Minifigure and a Rocket's Warbird ship set. Both were available in limited quantities at San Diego Comic-Con 2014 and are the most elusive of all the Guardians of the Galaxy products.
When the Guardians returned for Volume 2 in 2017, the film's release was once again supported by three more LEGO playsets. These helped expand the team to include Mantis, Nebula, and Yondu, as well as another unique version of Groot, now in his child form. The striking set once again featured a new version of the Milano.
- LEGO 76079 Ravager Attack
- LEGO 76080 Ayesha's Revenge
- LEGO 76081 The Milano vs. the Abilisk
In 2018, the Guardians also appeared in a few Infinity War sets. These saw Rocket and Groot team up with Thor. This introduced another unique version of Groot. It was accompanied by the Guardians' new ship, the Benatar. This was used by the Avengers to enter space before being commandeered by the Guardians.
- LEGO 76102 Thor's Weapon Quest
- LEGO 76107 Thanos: The Ultimate Showdown
Earlier this year, a new version of the same ship was released. This version of the Benatar is much more detailed than the original version and introduces a new style of Star-lord and a lighter variant of Minifigure Groot. With the Guardians returning in 2023, I'm sure we'll be getting many more sets inspired by the characters, ships and locations from Vol.3. I also have a feeling that the LEGO Guardians could get a festive makeover in 2022. If we get a second LEGO Marvel's Avengers Advent Calendar next year, it will be available around the same time as the Disney+ Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. So in the same way as the 2020 Star Wars calendar, it could take inspiration from the special.
