Yondu Explained

Character Name:Yondu
Real Name:Yondu Udonta
Publisher:Marvel Comics
Debut:Marvel Super-Heroes #18 (January 1969)
Species:Centaurian
Alliances:Guardians of the Galaxy
Avengers
Ravagers
Powers:Expert archer
Empathic relationship with all life forms

Yondu Udonta, or simply Yondu, 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

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. 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

Earth-691

thumb|right|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

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

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.

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

Television

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.

Video games

Collected editions

!Title!Material collected!Published date!ISBN
Yondu: My Two YondusYondu #1-5July 2020

Notes and References

  1. Buttery . Jarrod . Explore the Marvel Universe of the 31st Century with... the Guardians of the Galaxy. . 65 . 24–35. TwoMorrows Publishing. July 2013. Raleigh, North Carolina.
  2. Web site: Marvel's Old Guardians Up To New Tricks in GUARDIANS 3000 . Newsarama.com . 2014-06-25 . 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. Guardians of the Galaxy #16. Marvel Comics.
  12. Guardians of the Galaxy #25. Marvel Comics.
  13. Guardians of the Galaxy Annual #2. Marvel Comics.
  14. [Humphries, Sam]
  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. Web site: Marvel Entertainment on Twitter: "The voice of #Yondu & #Cosmo has voiced The Leader, Spider-Man and Silver Surfer in series & games #GuardiansVoiceCast #GuardiansOfTheGalaxy" . . 2015-02-19 . 2016-08-01.
  19. Web site: Marvel Entertainment on Twitter: "James Arnold Taylor (@JATactor) will voice Yondu & Cosmo in #DisneyXD's #GuardiansOfTheGalaxy! #GuardiansVoiceCast " . . 2016-08-01.
  20. Web site: Michael Rooker Joins 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' . . April 16, 2013 . April 16, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130418080150/http://www.deadline.com/2013/04/michael-rooker-guardians-of-the-galaxy-casting-marvel-movie/ . April 18, 2013 . live .
  21. Web site: SDCC: Marvel Studios Reveals Latest Phase 3 Secrets. Ching. Albert. Comic Book Resources. July 23, 2016. July 24, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160725143033/http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/sdcc-marvel-studios-reveals-latest-phase-3-secrets. July 25, 2016. live.
  22. Web site: Hughes . William . Marvel just released an extremely intriguing cast list for Disney+'s animated What If…? . A.V. Club . 21 July 2019 . 21 July 2019 . 3 September 2019 . https://archive.today/20190903021342/https://news.avclub.com/marvel-just-released-an-extremely-intriguing-cast-list-1836569935 . live .
  23. Web site: Paige . Rachel . October 25, 2022 . Unwrap the 'The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special' Trailer . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221025203028/https://www.marvel.com/articles/tv-shows/guardians-of-the-galaxy-holiday-special-trailer . October 25, 2022 . October 25, 2022 . Marvel.com.
  24. Web site: Perry . Spencer . October 25, 2022 . Former Guardians of the Galaxy Star to Return in New Holiday Special . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221025215037/https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/guardians-of-the-galaxy-star-michael-rooker-yondu-return-holiday-special/ . October 25, 2022 . October 25, 2022 . ComicBook.com.
  25. Web site: Kelley . Aidan . May 5, 2023 . Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3': Every Cameo Explained . . May 5, 2023.
  26. Web site: Disney Infinity Marvel Super Heroes Announced. April 30, 2014. April 30, 2014. IGN.
  27. Web site: Behind the Voice Actors. Behindthevoiceactors.com. April 23, 2015.
  28. Web site: Netmarble Unveils Guardians of the Galaxy Update for 'Marvel Future Fight'. https://web.archive.org/web/20150613191500/http://marvel.com/news/video_games/24718/netmarble_unveils_guardians_of_the_galaxy_update_for_marvel_future_fight. dead. June 13, 2015. December 9, 2015. June 11, 2015. Marvel Entertainment.
  29. Web site: Yondu | Marvel: Avengers Alliance 2 . Marvelavengersalliance2.com . 2016-08-01.
  30. Web site: Classic Guardians of the Galaxy Character Pack Xbox. 2021-11-01. www.xbox.com.
  31. Web site: Yondu Voices (Guardians of the Galaxy) . December 12, 2017 . 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..
  32. Web site: CHAMPION SPOTLIGHT - YONDU. MARVEL CONTEST OF CHAMPIONS. 24 May 2017 .
  33. Web site: Piecing Together Marvel Puzzle Quest: Yondu. News - Marvel.com.

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