Origin Story: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3s Adam Warlock
Origin Story: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3s Adam Warlock
The Guardians of the Galaxy films have never shied away from taking some of the more niche and even confusing Marvel comic characters and turning them into megawatt movie stars. This is the franchise that made a talking tree one of the most recognizable characters on the planet. Even so, James Gunn and company might have their work cut out for them with Adam Warlock in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
Played by Will Poulter in the May 5, 2023-debuting film, the gold-skinned mystery man was teased at the end of the second Guardians film when we all got a look at that strange cocoon, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. With comic roots going back to the original Stan Lee and Jack Kirby run on Fantastic Four, Adam branched out as a solo character, a wielder of an Infinity Gem / Infinity Stone and the cornerstone of an entire alternate reality. So, while there will be plenty of material to mine for the film, some of it can lead to head-scratching. But we’re here to help walk you through the background of the man called Adam Warlock, who first started out as a man called… Him.
Who Is Him?
The being now known as Adam Warlock debuted in 1967’s Fantastic Four #66-67 thanks to a secret enclave of scientists known as the Enclave who had sequestered themselves in the Citadel of Science to build a perfect human race that would serve them without question or equal. They fostered one embryonic creature in a life-cell tank, exposing it to a variety of chemicals. However, when the experiment freed himself, he was too powerful, even throwing off a kind of blinding radiation so that none of them even knew what he looked like. The scientists brought in renowned sculptor Alicia Masters to make a statue based on him so they could figure out what he looked like, but left out some of the more nefarious details.
The being then only known as “Him” had entered into a cocoon that would allow him to evolve into his next form. He was scared, though, and Masters offered him comfort. Meanwhile, her boyfriend The Thing had rallied his pals in the Fantastic Four to save Masters, so they showed up and did exactly that, escaping before Him destroyed the compound and left for space. Given that we already saw Ayesha of the Sovereign possessing the Him cocoon in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, it’s clear the Marvel Cinematic Universe version will have a less Earth-bound origin, but it’s not like our planet has a stranglehold on mad scientists looking to further themselves.
James Gunn recently told Empire that the Adam Warlock we’ll meet in Guardians 3 is “Definitely not a good guy. What we’re seeing is the infant form of Warlock, newly out of the cocoon, and he does not understand life very well. He’s basically a baby.” This certainly brings to mind his early depiction in the comics, though presumably it will be up to someone we know from the Guardians world, not Alicia Masters — who hasn’t popped up in the MCU just yet — to potentially help guide him more towards that “good guy” definition.
Counter Evolutionary
After facing off against the thunder god in Thor #165-166 in 1969, Him floated around space until 1972’s Marvel Premiere #1-2 when his cocoon was recovered by the High Evolutionary, who had also left Earth after an appearance in Thor. The super-scientist planned on creating a Counter-Earth that revolved around the sun exactly opposite of the original. He intended to make an exact copy of his home planet, but without the presence of evil. However, Man-Beast corrupted the formula and Counter-Earth wound up just as screwy as the original. When Him agreed to help keep the new place safe, the High Evolutionary granted him a Soul Gem and a name, Warlock (Adam came from a kid he saved). The unique being began to cut his teeth as a hero for a time in his own title Warlock.
As you probably know, the High Evolutionary appears in Guardians 3. From what we can see in the film’s trailer, the Guardians visits a place that looks like Earth filled with humanoid animals, a specialty of the Evolutionary. Could this be a different take on Counter-Earth? Another major question revolves around the relationship between these two characters, which was almost parent-child in the comics for a time.
The Starlin Saga
Though he was created by Lee and Kirby, Adam Warlock was really honed by Jim Starlin, who began writing and drawing Warlock with issue #9 of his solo series. Starlin would not just go on to guide Adam on his many journeys, but many of space-based Marvel cosmic stories, including most of Thanos’ most important tales, for the next few decades, making him a hugely influential comics creator. Heck, he even shows up in a cameo in Avengers: Endgame!
At the same time, the run that Starlin went on added a great deal of material to Warlock’s bio that might be hard to wrap your head around. In it, Adam encountered an evil version of himself from the future called Magus who was nearly unbeatable. Working with Gamora, Thanos and Pip the Troll (who made his MCU debut with Starfox durin
Origin Story of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’s Adam Warlock
Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) fans are salivating over the prospect of the famous Adam Warlock character being featured prominently in the third installment of Guardians of the Galaxy. Adam Warlock has a rich comic book history and offers a unique mix of spiritual, cosmic and scientific story elements, making him stand out amongst other characters in the Marvel Universe. With Adam Warlock’s addition, the MCU could be entering new territory by introducing the concept of the Infinity Stones and their locations in the multiverse.
Adam Warlock History
Adam Warlock is a character created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby as part of their popular series “Fantastic Four.” The character first appeared in Marvel’s “Strange Tales” #179 in 1967. He was initially known as “Him” and later adopted the name Adam Warlock. He was created as a perfect human by a group of scientists, prompting them to name him “Adam.”
Although he appears to be human, Adam Warlock’s special powers come from his alien origin. He possesses superhuman strength and agility, near-impenetrable skin, great speed and reflexes, and the ability to manipulate cosmic energy. Additionally, he holds an affinity for the Infinity Stones, powerful relics capable of manipulating the universe.
Adam Warlock and the Infinity Stones
Adam Warlock is a core part of the Marvel cosmic timeline, which sets him up to be a key player in the MCU’s upcoming series “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.” In the comics, Adam Warlock is the key to unlocking the hidden power of the Infinity Stones and preventing their abuse by intergalactic villains. Considering Marvel’s trend of introducing major characters in sequels, it’s likely Adam could make his MCU debut in the upcoming installment.
In the comics, Warlock often embarks on spiritual journeys in pursuit of a higher purpose. During these quests, he encounters other Marvel characters (such as Thanos), cosmic entities, and powerful cosmic artifacts, including the Infinity Stones. It remains to be seen whether the MCU will adapt this route or take a different approach with Adam Warlock’s character arc.
Adam Warlock’s Potential Impact
If Adam Warlock is set to make an appearance in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, it would be the first time one of his characters has appeared in a Marvel MCU film. It could open up possibilities for other cosmic characters to be introduced in the MCU, while also providing interesting opportunities to explore the Infinity Stones in greater detail.
Adam Warlock’s presence could also give the MCU its first religious-based superhero story. Throughout his comic book arc, Warlock bases his entire quest on spiritual and cosmic principles, often invoking a strong sense of faith and morality into his decisions. His character displays an awareness of powerful cosmic forces and realities, making him a uniquely interesting protagonist in the MCU.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Adam Warlock?
Adam Warlock is a character created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby for their series Fantastic Four. He first appeared in Marvel’s Strange Tales #179 in 1967. He is an alien with superhuman strength, agility, and the ability to manipulate cosmic energy.
2. What is Adam Warlock’s role in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3?
At this point, it is not yet known whether Adam Warlock will appear in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. However, his comic book history and his connection to the Infinity Stones could make him an important character in the upcoming series.
3. What is the significance of the Infinity Stones in the MCU?
The Infinity Stones are powerful relics capable of manipulating the universe. In the comics, Adam Warlock is the key to unlocking the hidden power of the Infinity Stones and preventing their abuse. In the MCU, the Infinity Stones have been used to create various powerful objects, notably in the storylines of The Avengers, Captain America: Civil War, and The Avengers: Infinity War.
Summary
Adam Warlock is a comic book character created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby first debuting in Marvel’s Strange Tales in 1967. He has superhuman strength and agility, an affinity for the Infinity Stones, and potentially a role in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe film Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. His presence in the MCU could bring a new cosmic and spiritual flavor to the superhero franchise and possibly open doors to other characters and storylines. Additionally, it could give MCU its first religious-based superhero story, as Adam Warlock bases his entire quest on spiritual and cosmic principles. Fans eagerly await to find out what’s in store for Adam Warlock and the Guardians of the Galaxy.
