Guardians of the Globe

Fictional superhero group

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Guardians of the Globe

Publication information
Publisher| Image Comics
First appearance| Invincible #7 (December 2003)
Created by| Robert Kirkman
Cory Walker
In-story information
Member(s)| Black Samson
Bulletproof
Cast Iron
Pegasus
Monster Girl
Japandroid
Robot
Kid Thor
Shapesmith
Knockout
Le Brusier
Best Tiger
Yeti
Kaboomerang
Outrun
Ms. Popper
El Chupacabra
Brit

The Guardians of the Globe is a superhero team in American comic books published by Image Comics. They appear primarily in the comic book series Invincible and its television series adaptation, as well as the Image Universe comic book series Brit, Noble Causes, Dynamo 5, and Guarding the Globe. The original team was a parody of DC Comics' Justice League of America.[1]

## Fictional team history

[edit]

### Guardians of the Globe I

[edit]

In Image Comics, the original Guardians of the Globe are a private organization funded by War Woman and Darkwing, appearing in Invincible and Capes. This version of the Guardians was written as a pastiche of DC Comics' Justice League of America (JLA), with most of the Guardians having an obvious JLA analog. Robert Kirkman, in his author notes for Invincible: The Ultimate Collection, Volume 1, explains that he went with these archetypes because he had only 18 pages to get the reader to care for the characters before their brutal deaths.[citation needed]

The team included Darkwing (based on Batman); the Immortal (based on Superman along with elements of Vandal Savage); War Woman (based on Wonder Woman, with elements of Thor); Red Rush (based on the Flash); Aquarus, the King of Atlantis (based on Aquaman); Martian Man (based on the Martian Manhunter); and the Green Ghost (based on Green Lantern). Omni-Man was a trusted associate of the Guardians, although he was never an official member of the team. Eventually, Omni-Man betrays and murders the Guardians after calling them to their headquarters on an emergency.[2] The only member of the Guardians to survive the massacre was Black Samson, who was not an active member at that time.

The original Guardians of the Globe appear again later in the story when Invincible is temporarily sent back in time. In this alternate history, Invincible is able to warn the Guardians about Omni-Man's betrayal, allowing them to successfully subdue Omni-Man long enough for him to come to his senses and realise he doesn't actually want to kill his friends.[3]

### Guardians of the Globe II

[edit]

After the massacre of the original team, the United States government re-established the Guardians of the Globe under the supervision of the fictional Global Defense Agency. This new team is initially led by former Teen Team leader Robot under the direct supervision of Donald, the government's superhuman liaison. In addition to Robot, the original roster for the new team includes Dupli-Kate, Rex Splode, Monster Girl, Shrinking Rae, and Black Samson.

Bulletproof is eventually added to the team's roster as is the newly resurrected Immortal, who eventually replaces Robot as team leader. Although not members, Invincible and Atom Eve often help the team in dire circumstances.

Following the supposed demise of Shrinking Ray and Dupli-Kate at the hands of Komodo Dragon, the Immortal resigns from the Guardians.

### Parody team and miniseries

[edit]

Further information: Guarding the Globe: Under Siege / Guarding the Globe: Hard to Kill

In March 2010, Image began releasing teaser posters, announcing members of a new Guardians of the Globe team as a parody of Marvel's advertisements for the line-ups of their revamped Avengers, New Avengers, Secret Avengers and Avengers Academy books. In order of appearance, the released posters were:

* Invincible from Invincible[4]
* Spawn from Spawn [5]
* Rick Grimes from The Walking Dead [6]
* U.S. President Barack Obama from Bomb Queen[7]
* Gary Potter, a parody of Harry Potter[8]

In an interview with Comic Book Resources in March 2010, Kirkman explained that although the later images were deliberately farcical, the campaign was intended to announce a six-issue miniseries spinning out of Invincible. The miniseries, he said, would deal with the earthbound characters of the Invincible universe, while that title focused on "The Viltrumite War", an eight-issue storyline that would be set solely in space. The six-issue series, named Guarding the Globe (subtitled Under Siege on its trade paperback release), was launched on August 25, 2010. The Parody Team was featured in a one-page backup in all issues of the first issue.[9][10]

Image released teaser images of the team's real members done in the same style as the parody images. In order appearance, This set of posters were:

* Brit from Brit [11]
* Outrun [12]
* Kaboomerang [13]
* Yeti [14]
* Bulletproof / Invincible II[15]

Outrun, Kaboomerang, and Yeti are all new characters created for the series. Issue three of the new bimonthly miniseries also introduced El Chupacabra from Mexico, a washed-up superhero who is an alcoholic with razor-sharp claws and other abilities. In issue four, seven additional new characters are added.

Japandroid
An android from Japan who resembles a young girl.
Cast Iron
Milos Stojakovic. A metal-skinned man from Yugoslavia.
Knockout
Sarah. A heroine from the United States of America with enchanted gloves that provide her superhuman agility, stamina, and strength. Formerly a Capes, Inc. character. Married to Kid Thor.
Best Tiger
A blindfolded marksman with genius-level intellect from the People's Republic of China. Assumed to be blind, he actually wears the blindfold for the challenge.
Le Brusier
A French bulldog from France with super-strength, superhuman durability, and super-speed.
Kid Thor
Mason. A mallet-wielding strongman from Canada, also formerly from Capes, Inc. Married to Knockout.
Pegasus
Mariya Antonov. A winged woman from Russia with superhuman sight. Only member to interpret Le Brusier's barks.

This team was featured in the following set of series: Guarding the Globe Vol 1 #1-6: Under Siege, Guarding the Globe Vol 2 #1-6: Hard to Kill and Invincible Universe #1-12: On Deadly Ground and Above The Law. All three series were later collected together with Invincible Presents: Atom Eve and Invincible Presents: Atom Eve & Rex Splode in Invincible Universe Compendium.

When Robot began establishing a secret world dictatorship under his control in the main Invincible series, he sought to eliminate the Guardians. In Robot's initial attack, Black Samson, Knockout, and Kid Thor were killed. Brit, Outrun, Kaboomarang, Le Brusier, Pegasus and Yeti were all later captured by Robot's drones following Bulletproof's betrayal of the remaining Guardians in exchange for his freedom. Of the Guardians present, only Best Tiger escaped while The Immortal and Dupli-Kate went into hiding. By the end of Invincible's run, Monax and Kid Invincible joined the team, overseen by the redeemed Robot's brain.

## In other media

[edit]

Both incarnations of the Guardians of the Globe appear in the Invincible streaming television series adaptations, with the characters voiced by the following actors:

* Immortal, Aquarus, and Rudy voiced by Ross Marquand
* War Woman voiced by Lauren Cohan
* Alana / Green Ghost and her unnamed predecessor voiced by Sonequa Martin-Green and Chris Diamantopoulos respectively
* Martian Man voiced by Chad L. Coleman
* Red Rush voiced by Michael Cudlitz
* Darkwing voiced by Lennie James
* Robot voiced by Zachary Quinto
* Rex Splode voiced by Jason Mantzoukas
* Kate Cha / Dupli-Kate voiced by Malese Jow
* Rachel / Shrinking Rae and Monster Girl's human form voiced by Grey DeLisle
* Monster Girl's ogre form voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson
* Black Samson voiced by Khary Payton
* Bulletproof voiced by Jay Pharoah
* Shapesmith voiced by Ben Schwartz
* Nightboy / Darkwing II voiced by Cleveland Berto

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Drakes, Kyshaun (2021-05-20). "Invincible: The Original Guardians Of The Globe & Their DC Counterparts". Screen Rant. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
2. ^ Invincible #7. Image Comics.
3. ^ Invincible #124-126. Image Comics.
4. ^ Invincible says, 'I'm a member of the Guardians of the Globe', Comic Book Resources, March 15, 2010
5. ^ Spawn is a member of the Guardians of the Globe, too, Comic Book Resources, March 16, 2010
6. ^ Rick from Walking Dead is ... wait, what?, Comic Book Resources, March 17, 2010
7. ^ President Obama to fight sagging approval rating by joining the Guardians of the Globe, Comic Book Resources, March 18, 2010
8. ^ New Image GUARDIANS Teaser: "Gary" Potter Tests IP Law, Newsarama, March 19, 2010
9. ^ Kirkman Defends The Guardians of the Globe, Comic Book Resources, March 19th, 2010
10. ^ In Stores the week of August 25, 2010 Archived June 14, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Image Comics
11. ^ Brit is a Guardian of the Globe, Comic Book Resources, March 21, 2010
12. ^ Outrun Joins the Guardians of the Globe, Comic Book Resources, March 22, 2010
13. ^ The Latest Guardian of the Globe - Kaboomerang, Comic Book Resources, March 24, 2010
14. ^ Guardians of the Globe Introduces Yeti, Comic Book Resources, March 25, 2010
15. ^ Bulletproof Remains A Guardian of the Globe, Comic Book Resources, March 26, 2010

* v
* t
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Invincible

* Created by Robert Kirkman, Cory Walker, and Ryan Ottley

Characters|

| Original|

* Invincible
* Omni-Man
* Atom Eve
* Guardians of the Globe
* Brit
* Tech Jacket
* Wolf-Man

|

Image|

* The Pact
* ShadowHawk
* Firebreather
* Zephyr Noble
* Savage Dragon
* SuperPatriot
* Captain Dynamo
* Dynamo 5
* Bomb Queen
* Spawn
* Supreme

Comics|

* Tech Jacket
* Brit
* The Pact
* Dynamo 5
* The Astounding Wolf-Man
* Guarding the Globe
* Battle Beast

TV series|

* Season 2
* "I Thought You Were Stronger"
* Season 3
* "All I Can Say Is I'm Sorry"
* "What Have I Done?"

Video game|

* Invincible Presents: Atom Eve

Crossovers|

* Image Universe
* Crossover
* Marvel Team-Up
* Mortal Kombat 1
* Funko Fusion

* Category

* v
* t
* e

Image Comics

Key people|

| Founders|

* Erik Larsen
* Jim Lee
* Rob Liefeld
* Todd McFarlane
* Whilce Portacio
* Marc Silvestri
* Jim Valentino

|

Other|

* Robert Kirkman
* Eric Stephenson

Imprints|

| Current|

* Shadowline
* Skybound Entertainment
* Top Cow Productions

|

Former|

* America's Best Comics
* Gorilla Comics
* WildStorm

Publications|

| Original|

* 1963
* '68
* The Astounding Wolf-Man
* Astro City
* Birthright
* The Bone Orchard Mythos
* Brit
* Cyblade
* Clone
* Cyber Force
* The Creech
* Codename: Strykeforce
* Deadly Class
* Die
* Channel Zero
* Firebreather
* Hack/Slash
* Hunter-Killer
* I Hate Fairyland
* Invincible
* Invisible Republic
* Local Man
* M. Rex
* Nailbiter
* Outcast
* Paper Girls
* Paradigm
* Saga
* Tech Jacket
* Velocity
* The Walking Dead
* Youngblood

| Massive-Verse|

* Radiant Black

|

Millarworld|

* Hit-Girl & Kick-Ass
* Hit-Girl
* The Dave Lizewski Years
* Kingsman
* Wanted

Savage Dragon|

* Ant
* G-Man
* Savage Dragon

Spawn|

* Angela
* Curse of the Spawn
* Haunt
* Hellspawn
* Godslayer
* Sam and Twitch
* Shadows of Spawn
* Violator

Witchblade|

* The Darkness
* Magdalena
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Licensed|

* Battle Chasers
* The Crow
* Kiss
* Micronauts
* Street Fighter
* Summoners War: Sky Arena

Crossover|

* Crossover
* Darker Image
* Deathmate
* EVO
* Image United
* Mindhunter
* The Pact
* Spawn/Batman
* Batman/Spawn: War Devil
* Spawn/WildC.A.T.S.
* WildC.A.T.s/Aliens
* WildC.A.T.s/X-Men

Other media|

| Films|

* Firebreather
* The Old Guard
* Spawn
* Wanted
* Witchblade

|

TV series|

* Generator Rex
* Invincible
* Outcast
* Todd McFarlane's Spawn
* The Savage Dragon
* The Walking Dead
* Fear the Walking Dead
* World Beyond
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* Witchblade (anime)

Video games|

| The Darkness|

* The Darkness
* The Darkness II

|

Spawn|

* Todd McFarlane's Spawn: The Video Game
* Spawn: The Eternal
* Spawn: In the Demon's Hand
* Spawn (1999)
* Soulcalibur II
* Spawn: Armageddon
* Mortal Kombat 11

The Walking Dead|

* Telltale Games series
* Season One

Wanted|

* Wanted: Weapons of Fate

Invincible|

* Mortal Kombat 1

See also|

* Image Universe
* McFarlane Toys

* v
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* e

Skybound Entertainment

Founder|

* David Alpert
* Robert Kirkman

Owner|

* Image Comics
* Robert Kirkman, LLC.

Publications|

| Original|

* Birthright
* Clone
* Crude
* Dead Body Road
* The Electric State
* Invincible
* The Astounding Wolf-Man
* Tech Jacket
* Atom Eve
* Guarding the Globe
* Thief of Thieves
* Oblivion Song
* Outcast
* Super Dinosaur
* The Walking Dead
* Void Rivals
* Witch Doctor

|

Licensed|

* G.I. Joe
* A Real American Hero
* Summoners War: Sky Arena
* Transformers
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Crossover|

* The Pact

Other media|

| Films|

* Air
* The Electric State
* Renfield

|

TV and web series|

* Invincible
* Outcast
* Scare PewDiePie
* Super Dinosaur
* The Walking Dead
* The Walking Dead
* Fear the Walking Dead
* World Beyond
* Dead City
* Daryl Dixon
* The Ones Who Live

Video games|

* The Walking Dead (Telltale Games series)
* Season One
* The Final Season
* Renfield: Bring Your Own Blood
* Invincible Presents: Atom Eve

See also|

* Energon Universe

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