Yondu

Fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics

Comics character

Yondu

The two versions of Yondu on the variant cover for Yondu #2
Art by Alex Garner

Publication information
Publisher| Marvel Comics
First appearance| Marvel Super-Heroes #18 (January 1969)
Created by|

* Arnold Drake
* Gene Colan

In-story information
Alter ego| Yondu Udonta
Species| Centaurian
Team affiliations| Guardians of the Galaxy
Avengers
Ravagers
Abilities| Expert archer
Empathic relationship with all life forms

Yondu Udonta, or simply Yondu (/ˈjɒnduː/), is a character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The original version of the character is depicted as the last survivor of his species, a spiritual warrior who can control his arrows through sound waves, and a founding member of the original Guardians of the Galaxy from the 31st century of the alternate reality of Earth-691.

In other media, Yondu has appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, portrayed by Michael Rooker, and the Guardians of the Galaxy animated series, voiced by James Arnold Taylor. The former version is a cyborg and member of the Ravagers and was later incorporated into the comics continuity, depicted as the first Yondu's ancestor.

## Publication history

[edit]

The Earth-691 version of Yondu first appeared in Marvel Super-Heroes #18 (January 1969), written by Arnold Drake and penciled by Gene Colan. According to Roy Thomas, all of the original Guardians of the Galaxy were created in a conference between Drake and Stan Lee, but it remains uncertain whether each individual character was created by Drake, Lee, or both.[1] Writer Steve Gerber included the character when he revived the team in several Marvel titles: Marvel Two-In-One #4–5 (July–Sept. 1974), Giant Size Defenders #5, and Defenders #26–29 (July-Nov. 1975), and Marvel Presents #3–12 (Feb. 1976 – Aug. 1977).[1]

Yondu appeared along with the rest of the original Guardians of the Galaxy team in the 2014 series Guardians 3000. Writer Dan Abnett described him as "the instinct" of the team.[2]

The Earth-616 version of Yondu first appeared in Star-Lord #2 and was created by Sam Humphries and Javier Garron.

## Fictional character biography

[edit]

### Earth-691

[edit]

Yondu on the cover of Guardians of the Galaxy #44 (January 1994). Art by Steve Montano and Kevin West.

Yondu Udonta is a member of the Zatoan tribe and a Centaurian from Centauri IV. In 3006 A.D., Vance Astro, an astronaut from Earth, lands on Yondu's planet with an antiquated propulsion ship. Vance encounters Yondu during the latter's trial of manhood. Yondu attacks him, but is repelled by Vance's powers. Vance keeps this secret as Yondu's action was illegal. Yondu works with Vance when the Badoon, an alien race, overtakes the planet later that year. All the other Centaurians are believed to have been slaughtered. Vance and Yondu escape in his ship to fetch help but the Badoon capture them easily. The duo are taken to Earth which, by 3007 A.D., has also been conquered. When questioned, Vance pretends to be unfriendly with Yondu. They later escape and team up with Charlie-27 of the Jupiter colony and Martinex of the Pluto colony, forming the Guardians of the Galaxy to fight the Badoon.[3]

For the next seven years, the four survivors attack the Badoon's outposts in the Solar System. In 3014 A.D., the Guardians team with the time-traveling Thing, Captain America, and Sharon Carter to retake New York City from the Badoon forces.[4] In 3015 A.D., the Guardians time-travel to the 20th Century[5] and return to 3015 A.D. with the Defenders and later meet Starhawk.[6] After humanity defeats the Brotherhood of Badoon occupiers, the Sisterhood of Badoon arrive and remove the males from Earth.[7]

Yondu and the Guardians team with the time-traveling Thor, and battle Korvac and his Minions of Menace.[8] Yondu travels to the present alongside his fellow Guardians, and assists the Avengers against Korvac.[9] In 3017 A.D., Yondu and the Guardians go on a quest to find the lost shield of Captain America. They battle Taserface and the Stark, and defeat the Stark.[10] Yondu's right hand is later destroyed by Interface, and replaced by Martinex with a bionic appendage.[11] Yondu later leaves the team when it is revealed that a small enclave of his people have survived on Centauri IV.[12] These Kikaahe ("cave dwellers") escaped death at the hands of the Badoon because the walls of the cavern where they lived contained the mineral trillite ("yaka") which blocks radio waves, thereby shielding them from sensors. Since his newfound people will not accept his bionic hand, Yondu allows the Guardians to restore his hand with their technology. During their farewells, Vance apologizes for what he had thought was unacceptable treatment of Yondu during their earlier adventurers.[13]

### Earth-616

[edit]

The Earth-616 version of Yondu is a distant ancestor of the 31st-century Yondu and the leader of the Ravagers who takes in Peter Quill after discovering him stranded in space.[14][15] He is initially skeptical of the idea, but relents after learning that Peter is an orphan.[16][17]

## Powers and abilities

[edit]

As a Centaurian, Yondu possesses a sixth sense that gives him the ability to track and empathically communicate with others. Additionally, he can heal himself by drawing on natural energy.

Yondu is an expert hunter and wields arrows composed of yaka, a special sound-sensitive metal found only on Centauri IV. He can control their trajectory via high-octave whistling.[volume & issue needed]

Yondu's right hand is replaced for a time by a bionic device called a weapons concealment appendage, a metal cup replacing his right hand.[11] Thus, he could no longer practice archery nor perform functions requiring him to grasp with his right hand. The device can release from within itself a number of weapons, including a mace, a hatchet, a scythe, a barbed spear, and others; when not in use the weapons are concealed within the appendage at a reduced size, until enlarged by Pym particles. Yondu's bionic weapon-hand is later replaced with a duplicate of his original hand.[13]

## In other media

[edit]

### Television

[edit]

* Yondu, based on the MCU incarnation (see below), appears in Guardians of the Galaxy (2015), voiced by James Arnold Taylor.[18][19][20]
* Yondu appears in Lego Marvel Super Heroes - Guardians of the Galaxy: The Thanos Threat, voiced again by James Arnold Taylor.[20]

### Marvel Cinematic Universe

[edit]

Michael Rooker as Yondu at the 2016 San Diego Comic-Con.

See also: Yondu Udonta (Marvel Cinematic Universe)

Yondu Udonta appears in media set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), portrayed by Michael Rooker. This version is a cyborg space pirate whose Yaka arrow is controlled by a head-mounted fin in addition to whistling. Additionally, he is the leader of one of several Ravager factions.

* Udonta first appears in the live-action film Guardians of the Galaxy (2014).[21] In 1988, he kidnaps a young Peter Quill on behalf of the latter's father, Ego, but chooses to raise him as a Ravager instead.
* In the live-action film Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,[22] the greater Ravager community exile Udonta and his faction after discovering they broke the Ravager code by trafficking children. Following this, Ayesha of the Sovereign hire Udonta to track down the Guardians of the Galaxy in retaliation for Rocket stealing their amulax batteries. Udonta and his Ravagers capture Rocket and Groot. However, when he announces his intent to renege on the deal, Taserface launches a mutiny, captures him, and executes all of Udonta's loyalists while Nebula destroys his control fin. With Rocket, Groot, and Kraglin Obfonteri's help, Udonta secures a prototype fin to kill the mutineers before escaping to help Quill and the other Guardians defeat Ego. Amidst this, Udonta sacrifices himself to save Quill, having grown to see him as a son. At Udonta's funeral, Quill declares him his real father while Rocket informs the other Ravagers of Udonta's redemption and Kraglin inherits the Yaka arrow.
* Alternate timeline variants of Udonta appear in the Disney+ animated series What If...?.[23][20]
* Udonta appears in animated flashback sequences in the live-action television special The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special.[24][25][20]
* A vision of Udonta makes a cameo appearance in the live-action film Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.[26]

### Video games

[edit]

* Yondu appears as a playable character in Disney Infinity 2.0,[27] voiced by Chris Edgerly.[28]
* Yondu appears as a playable character in Marvel: Future Fight.[29]
* Yondu appears in Marvel Avengers Alliance 2.[30]
* Yondu, based on the MCU incarnation, appears in Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2. Additionally, his mainstream comics counterpart appears as part of the "Classic Guardians of the Galaxy" DLC pack.[31]
* Yondu appears in Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series, voiced by Mark Barbolak.[20] This version has history with Peter Quill and Rocket Raccoon. In a flashback in episode one, Quill recalls Yondu claiming that his mother told the latter to watch over him. If Quill trusts Yondu, he agrees to go with him. If Quill does not, Yondu will forcibly drag the former to his new home. In episode two, the Guardians of the Galaxy enlist Yondu to help repair their starship, the Milano. If the player chooses not to join Rocket in traveling to Halfworld, the latter will steal Yondu's ship, leading to Yondu accompanying the Guardians.
* Yondu appears as a playable character in Marvel Contest of Champions.[32]
* Yondu appears as a playable character in Marvel Puzzle Quest.[33]

## Collected editions

[edit]

Title  | Material collected  | Published date  | ISBN

|
|
|

Yondu: My Two Yondus | Yondu #1-5  | July 2020  | 978-1302921095

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Buttery, Jarrod (July 2013). "Explore the Marvel Universe of the 31st Century with... the Guardians of the Galaxy". Back Issue! (65). Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing: 24–35.
2. ^ "Marvel's Old Guardians Up To New Tricks in GUARDIANS 3000". Newsarama.com. 2014-06-25. Retrieved 2016-08-01.
3. ^ Marvel Super-Heroes #18. Marvel Comics.
4. ^ Marvel Two-in-One #5. Marvel Comics.
5. ^ Giant-Size Defenders #5. Marvel Comics.
6. ^ Defenders #26-29
7. ^ Marvel Presents #3. Marvel Comics.
8. ^ Thor Annual #6. Marvel Comics.
9. ^ Avengers #167-168, 170, 173, 175-177. Marvel Comics.
10. ^ Guardians of the Galaxy #1-4. Marvel Comics.
11. ^ a b Guardians of the Galaxy #16. Marvel Comics.
12. ^ Guardians of the Galaxy #25. Marvel Comics.
13. ^ a b Guardians of the Galaxy Annual #2. Marvel Comics.
14. ^ Humphries, Sam (w), Garron, Javier (a). Star-Lord #1. Marvel Comics.
15. ^ Richards, Dave (October 22, 2015). "Humphries & Garron Chronicle the Legendary Rise of 'Star-Lord'". CBR.com
16. ^ Humphries, Sam (w), Garron, Javier (a). Star-Lord #2. Marvel Comics.
17. ^ Star-Lord #3. Marvel Comics.
18. ^ "Marvel Entertainment on Twitter: "The voice of #Yondu & #Cosmo has voiced The Leader, Spider-Man and Silver Surfer in series & games #GuardiansVoiceCast #GuardiansOfTheGalaxy"". Twitter. 2015-02-19. Retrieved 2016-08-01.
19. ^ "Marvel Entertainment on Twitter: "James Arnold Taylor (@JATactor) will voice Yondu & Cosmo in #DisneyXD's #GuardiansOfTheGalaxy! #GuardiansVoiceCast "". Twitter. Retrieved 2016-08-01.
20. ^ a b c d e "Yondu Voices (Guardians of the Galaxy)". Behind The Voice Actors (A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information). Retrieved December 12, 2017.
21. ^ "Michael Rooker Joins 'Guardians Of The Galaxy'". Deadline Hollywood. April 16, 2013. Archived from the original on April 18, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
22. ^ Ching, Albert (July 23, 2016). "SDCC: Marvel Studios Reveals Latest Phase 3 Secrets". Comic Book Resources. Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on July 25, 2016. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
23. ^ Hughes, William (21 July 2019). "Marvel just released an extremely intriguing cast list for Disney+'s animated What If…?". A.V. Club. Archived from the original on 3 September 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
24. ^ Paige, Rachel (October 25, 2022). "Unwrap the 'The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special' Trailer". Marvel.com. Archived from the original on October 25, 2022. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
25. ^ Perry, Spencer (October 25, 2022). "Former Guardians of the Galaxy Star to Return in New Holiday Special". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on October 25, 2022. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
26. ^ Kelley, Aidan (May 5, 2023). "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3': Every Cameo Explained". Collider. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
27. ^ "Disney Infinity Marvel Super Heroes Announced". IGN. April 30, 2014. Retrieved April 30, 2014.
28. ^ "Behind the Voice Actors". Behindthevoiceactors.com. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
29. ^ "Netmarble Unveils Guardians of the Galaxy Update for 'Marvel Future Fight'". Marvel Entertainment. June 11, 2015. Archived from the original on June 13, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
30. ^ "Yondu | Marvel: Avengers Alliance 2". Marvelavengersalliance2.com. Retrieved 2016-08-01.
31. ^ "Classic Guardians of the Galaxy Character Pack | Xbox". www.xbox.com. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
32. ^ "CHAMPION SPOTLIGHT - YONDU". MARVEL CONTEST OF CHAMPIONS. 24 May 2017.
33. ^ "Piecing Together Marvel Puzzle Quest: Yondu". News - Marvel.com.

## External links

[edit]

* Yondu at Marvel.com
* Yondu on Marvel Database, a Marvel Comics wiki
* Yondu at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)

* v
* t
* e

Marvel Comics' Earth-691

Titles|

* Cyberspace 3000
* Guardians of the Galaxy

Characters|

* Aleta
* Charlie-27
* Killraven
* Korvac
* Martinex
* Nikki
* Starhawk
* Talon
* Vance Astro
* Yondu

Related articles|

* Badoon
* List of Guardians of the Galaxy members

* v
* t
* e

Guardians of the Galaxy

* Stan Lee
* Arnold Drake
* Roy Thomas
* Dan Abnett
* Andy Lanning

Members|

| 1969 team members|

* Aleta Ogord
* Charlie-27
* Martinex
* Nikki
* Starhawk
* Vance Astro
* Yondu

|

2008 team members|

* Adam Warlock
* Agent Venom
* Angela
* Bug
* Cosmo the Spacedog
* Drax the Destroyer
* Gamora
* Groot
* Hulkling
* Jack Flag
* Mantis
* Marvel Boy
* Moondragon
* Nebula
* Nova (Richard Rider)
* Quasar (Phyla-Vell)
* Rocket Raccoon
* Star-Lord
* Wiccan

Supporting
characters|

* Annihilators
* Beta Ray Bill
* Gladiator
* Quasar
* Silver Surfer
* Avengers
* Captain Marvel
* Iron Man
* Thor
* Cosmic Ghost Rider
* Fantastic Four
* Thing
* Fin Fang Foom
* Howard the Duck
* Inhumans
* Kismet
* Kree
* Nova Corps
* Richard Rider
* Sam Alexander
* Quasar (Wendell Vaughn)
* Shi'ar
* Imperial Guard
* Skrulls
* Starjammers
* Symbiote
* Uatu the Watcher
* X-Men
* Kitty Pryde

Antagonists|

* Annihilus
* Ayesha
* Badoon
* Black Order
* Blastaar
* Blood Brothers
* Brood
* Celestials
* Chitauri
* Collector
* Doctor Doom
* Ego the Living Planet
* Elders of the Universe
* Fin Fang Foom
* Galactus
* Grandmaster
* Hala the Accuser
* High Evolutionary
* J'son
* Knull
* Korath the Pursuer
* Korvac
* Kree
* Nebula
* Ronan the Accuser
* Shi'ar Empire
* Vulcan
* Skrulls
* Supreme Intelligence
* Thanos
* Titus
* Universal Church of Truth

Storylines|

* Annihilation
* Annihilation: Conquest
* War of Kings
* Realm of Kings
* The Thanos Imperative
* The Black Vortex

In other media|

| Marvel Cinematic Universe|

* Guardians of the Galaxy
* soundtrack
* accolades
* Vol. 2
* soundtrack
* I Am Groot
* Holiday Special
* soundtrack
* Vol. 3
* soundtrack

| Characters|

* Drax
* Gamora
* Groot
* Mantis
* Nebula
* Peter Quill
* Rocket

|

* Guardians of the Galaxy (animated series)
* Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series
* Marvel's Wastelanders
* Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy (2021 video game)

Related|

* Old Man Quill
* Asgardians of the Galaxy
* Knowhere
* Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout!
* Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
* Alien races
* Guardians of the Galaxy (New Guard)

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