Annihilators (Marvel Comics) Explained

Publisher:Marvel Comics
Group:y
Debut:The Thanos Imperative

Devastation

Debutmo:Jan
Debutyr:2011
Creators:Dan Abnett
Andy Lanning
Miguel Angel Sepulveda
Team:y
Members:Quasar
Silver Surfer
Ronan the Accuser
Beta Ray Bill
Gladiator
Ikon (Spaceknight)
Cosmo
Annihilators
Limited:y
Scifi:first
Superhero:y
Multigenre:y
1Stishhead:Annihilators
1Stishyr:2011
1Stishmo:March
Endishyr:2011
Endishmo:June
1Stishhead1:Annihilators: Earthfall
1Stishyr1:2011
1Stishmo1:September
Endishyr1:2011
Endishmo1:December
Writers:Dan Abnett
Andy Lanning
Pencillers:Annihilators
Tan Eng Huat
Inkers:Annihilators
Victor Olazaba
Creative Team Month:Annihilators
Bill Rosemann
John Denning
Tpb:Volume 1
Isbn:978-0-7851-6040-3
Tpb1:Volume 2
Isbn1:0785159045
Cat:teams
Subcat:Marvel Comics
Hero:y
Sortkey:Annihilators

The Annihilators are a fictional team appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. They are a group of powerful space-based characters from various alien races. They act as a deterrent to galactic war.

Publication history

The team first assembled in The Thanos Imperative: Devastation one-shot (Jan 2011).[1] They starred in a four-issue eponymous limited series,[2] with a backup featuring Groot and Rocket Raccoon,[3] which was previously announced as a separate limited series.[4]

A second four-issue limited series, Annihilators: Earthfall, ran from September to December 2011.[5] [6]

In August 2014, the team appeared in the original graphic novel Thanos: The Infinity Revelation by Jim Starlin.

Fictional team history

After a string of galactic-level threats (the Annihilation Wave, the Phalanx's conquest of the Kree, the War of Kings, and the Cancerverse invasion), Cosmo tries to fulfill the dream of his deceased friend and former Guardian of the Galaxy Star-Lord by assembling a proactive team to stop threats before the universe is in danger. He recruits the most powerful individuals he knows: the human Quasar, the Kree Ronan the Accuser, the Shi'ar Gladiator, the Korbinite Beta Ray Bill, and Herald of Galactus Silver Surfer. Each of them is initially resistant to the idea, but agree to join after they work together to defend Kree territory from Blastaar.[7]

They are joined by the Galadorian Spaceknight Ikon, who needs their assistance protecting her planet from Doctor Dredd.[8] After fending off Dire Wraiths[9] and Immortus,[10] they ultimately reveal Doctor Dredd to be a Skrull imposter.[11]

Later, while trying to end a conflict between two factions of the Universal Church of Truth, the Annihilators learn of a plot to revive the Magus.[12] They travel to Earth where the resurrection is happening but are unable to prevent it due to a conflict with the Avengers, who mistake the Annihilators for an invasion force. Quasar, Ikon, and Spider-Man discover the Magus has emerged from his cocoon in the form of a young boy.[13] The Magus attempts to possess other humans on Earth,[14] but Gladiator, Quasar, Ronan, and Iron Man are able to trick him back into his cocoon. The Annihilators take custody of the cocoon.[15]

Collected editions

Annihilators has been collected in:

Title Material collected ISBN
AnnihilatorsAnnihilators #1–4
Annihilators: EarthfallAnnihilators: Earthfall #1–4
Guardians of the Galaxy by Abnett & Lanning OmnibusGuardians of the Galaxy (vol. 2) #1–25; Thanos Imperative: Ignition #1; Thanos Imperative #1–6; Thanos Imperative: Devastation #1; material from Annihilators #1–4 and Annihilators: Earthfall #1–4
War of Kings Aftermath: Realm of KingsRealm of Kings #1; Realm of Kings: Inhumans #1–5; Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #1–5; Realm of Kings: Son of Hulk #1–4; Nova (2007) #29–36; Guardians of the Galaxy (2008) #20–25; Thanos Imperative #1–6, Ignition, Devastation and Annihilators #1–4; Annihilators: Earthfall #1–4; Thanos Sourcebook; material from I Am an Avenger #3

Notes and References

  1. Book: DeFalco . Tom . Sanderson . Peter . Brevoort . Tom . Teitelbaum . Michael . Wallace . Daniel . Darling . Andrew . Forbeck . Matt . Cowsill . Alan . Bray . Adam . The Marvel Encyclopedia . 2019 . DK Publishing . 978-1-4654-7890-0 . 19.
  2. Web site: Dave . Richards . Abnett Makes Things Dire for the "Annihilators" . . December 24, 2010 . September 1, 2011 .
    Web site: Albert . Ching . Abnett and Lanning Round Up the ANNIHILATORS . . January 18, 2011 . September 1, 2011 .
  3. Web site: Matt . Adler . Interview: Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning on Annihilators . iFanboy . February 28, 2011 . September 1, 2011 . As a second feature in this series, we'll also be getting the eagerly awaited Rocket Raccoon/Groot story. .
  4. Web site: Dave . Richards . CCI: DnA Script All-Out Anthropomorphic Action In "Rocket Raccoon & Groot" . . July 23, 2010 . September 1, 2011 .
    Web site: Albert . Ching . SDCC 2010: Abnett and Lanning on ROCKET RACOON & GROOT . . July 23, 2011 . September 1, 2011 .
  5. Web site: Jim . Beard . Annihilators: Earthfall . . June 10, 2011 . September 1, 2011 .
  6. Web site: Dave . Richards . DnA Put Our Planet on the Brink of Annihilation in "Earthfall" . . September 1, 2011 . September 1, 2011 .
  7. The Thanos Imperative: Devastation (Feb 2011)
  8. Annihilators #1 (May 2011)
  9. Annihilators #2 (June 2011)
  10. Annihilators #3 (July 2011)
  11. Annihilators #4 (August 2011)
  12. Annihilators: Earthfall #1 (Sept 2011)
  13. Annihilators: Earthfall #2 (Oct 2011)
  14. Annihilators: Earthfall #3 (Nov 2011)
  15. Annihilation: Earthfall #4 (Dec 2011)