| Imperial Guard | |
|---|---|
 The cover ofImperial Guard #1 (Jan. 1997). Artwork by Chuck Wojtkiewicz and Ray Snyder. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | X-Men #107 (October1977) |
| Created by | Chris Claremont Dave Cockrum |
| In-story information | |
| Base(s) | Chandilar (Shi'ar throneworld) |
| Member(s) | Gladiator Oracle Starbolt Neutron Smasher Flashfire Warstar Electron Manta Mentor Titan Pulsar Hussar Nightside Fang |
| Roster | |
| See:Full roster | |
TheImperial Guard (the so-calledSuperguardians) is asuperhero team appearing in Americancomic books published byMarvel Comics. The Imperial Guard are a multi-ethnic group of alien beings who act as enforcers of the laws of theShi'ar Empire; the Superguardians are the personal guard of the leader of the Empire.
Created by writerChris Claremont and artistDave Cockrum, the original Imperial Guard characters were pastiches of prominent members of rival publisherDC Comics' superhero team theLegion of Super-Heroes.[1][2][3][4] Many other characters were later added to the roster, not all of whom are based on Legionnaires.
The Imperial Guard first appeared inTheUncanny X-Men #107 (October 1977). Since then, they have been featured periodically in the X-Men titles; crossed paths with theStarjammers, theKree, theSkrulls,Nova Corps, theInhumans, and theGuardians of the Galaxy; and been featured in a number oflimited series, includingImperial Guard (1997), theWar of Kingscrossover series (2009), andRealm of Kings: Imperial Guard (2010).[2]
More than 50 Imperial Guard Superguardians have appeared in Marvel Comics' titles; the core members number about 20, with the most notable beingGladiator,Oracle,Starbolt,Neutron,Smasher,Flashfire,Warstar,Electron,Manta,Mentor,Titan,Pulsar,[a]Hussar,Nightside, andFang.
The Imperial Guard numbers about 300 members, and is made up of elite soldiers from throughout the Empire.[5] The Imperial Guard is led by apraetor.
TheSuperguardians (who comprise the vast majority of the named characters) are the guards of theShi'ar leader.[4][6][7][8] Those closest to the leader are known as the Royal Elite.
The Guard academy trains replacements calledSubguardians for Superguardians who are killed or incapacitated.[9]
This is the Imperial Guard's oath of allegiance to the Shi'ar Empire:
I will not falter, and I will not swerve. From the rising of the suns to the setting of the stars. WithSharra andK'ythri to guide me, I will serve out the term of my duty with courage and conviction, for it is the greatest honor any being of any species can know to be allowed to guard the Imperium of the Shi'ar and stand, each of us, as a light in the darkness. So I make my oath of allegiance.[10]
AsX-Men creators Claremont and Cockrum were devising a team to battle the X-Men in the first part of thePhoenix Saga, Cockrum suggested modeling their powers and costumes after characters from DC'sLegion of Super-Heroes.[11] Cockrum previously had a two-year run as artist on theLegion of Super-Heroes backup feature in theSuperboy comic book.[12]
In a 2002 interview, Cockrum said that he showed the character designs toLegion writerPaul Levitz. Asked if he thought there might be trouble between the companies, Cockrum said, "Not really... I showed the designs to Paul Levitz, and he didn't say, 'You can't do that.' If anything, he said, 'Geez, these costumes are better than the ones the Legionnaires are wearing.' No, I don't think we ever once thought that we were going to get in trouble over it."[13]
The first Guardsmen introduced (with theirLegion of Super-Heroes analog in parentheses) wereGladiator (Superboy),[14][3][1]Astra (Phantom Girl),Electron (Cosmic Boy),Fang (Timber Wolf),[15][3][11][1]Hobgoblin[b] (Chameleon Boy),Impulse (Wildfire),Magic (Princess Projectra),Mentor[c] (Brainiac 5),[1]Midget (Shrinking Violet),Nightshade (Shadow Lass),Oracle (Saturn Girl),[1][3]Quasar[d] (Star Boy),Smasher (Ultra Boy),Starbolt (Sun Boy),[1]Tempest (Lightning Lad), andTitan (Colossal Boy).[1]
Over time, for various reasons, some of the members' code-names were changed: Nightshade toNightside,[16] Magic toMagique,[17] Midget toScintilla,[17] Quasar toNeutron,[17] Tempest toFlashfire,[18] and Impulse toPulsar.[9]
Many centuries ago, thePhoenix Force entity ends up inShi'ar space, where it bonds with a citizen of the Empire named Rook'shir. In conjunction with his blade, Rook'shir learns to control the Phoenix Force, but is ultimately overwhelmed by its power, becoming the first known host to succumb to and go insane from its destructive impulses. Becoming the firstDark Phoenix, Rook'shir rampages throughout the Empire, destroying many planets in the process.
T'korr, Majestor of the Shi'ar Empire, creates the Imperial Guard to battle Rook'shir;[19] some of the first members areGladiator,Magic,Mentor, andQuasar.[20] Defeating Rook'shir, the Guard becomes the first line of defense of the Shi'ar Empire.[21]
InTheX-Men #107 (Oct. 1977),[22] the Shi'ar empire comes into conflict with theX-Men regarding thePhoenix entity, with the Guard battling them at the command of EmperorD'Ken and his sister, the Grand Admiral, PrincessLilandra Neramani.[23][24]
Some time later during "The Dark Phoenix Saga", the Guardsmen again come into conflict with the X-Men regardingDark Phoenix, this time at the behest of Lilandra.[25][23][26]
TheBorderers division is introduced — a group of Guardsman stationed on one of the Shi'ar's conquered worlds to help its governor enforce Shi'ar law. A renegade faction of the Imperial Guard — mainly made up of Borderers, but also includingFang,Hussar,Quasar, andWarstar — become traitors, deciding to serve Lord Samédàr,Deathbird, and theBrood in a conspiracy to overthrow Shi'ar Princess-Majestrix Lilandra. The renegades battle the Guardsman who remain loyal to Lilandra and the X-Men. After defeating the Brood and the renegades, Lilandra resumes her position as the head of the Shi'ar Empire. Despite many of the Imperial Guard having joined with Deathbird against Lilandra, most team members are pardoned for their actions,[27] although Quasar, Warstar, Hussar, and Webwing are later banished.[28][29]
Some time later,Deathbird stages a successful coup and becomes the new Shi'ar Empress.[30] She sends the Imperial Guard to Earth to battle the combined forces of theStarjammers and the superhero teamExcalibur, so that she can claim the power of thePhoenix Force for herself. The Guard are forced to retreat when Deathbird realizes the Starjammers are led by Lilandra.[31]
Later,War Skrulls impersonatingCharles Xavier and the Starjammers depose Deathbird and restore Lilandra to the throne. Deathbird cedes the empire back to Lilandra as she has grown bored of the bureaucracy.[32]
When the Shi'ar and the Kree wage an intergalactic war, the Imperial Guard are commissioned to lead the fight. The Guard steals the originalCaptain Marvel's Nega-Bands from his tomb.[33] Using Kree artifacts, including the Bands, the Sh'iar create a massive superweapon, the "Nega-Bomb." Ultimately, the Nega-Bomb device is successfully detonated, killing 98% of all Kree.[34] The Shi'ar annex the remnants of the Kree Empire, with Deathbird becomingviceroy of the Kree territories.[35]
Some time later, the Imperial Guard are informed about a hijacked Shi'ar craft, and join Quasar in a battle against a group of interplanetary marauders known as the Starblasters, who attempt to push the moon away from Earth's orbit.[36]
When many of Earth's heroes vanish (sent to thepocket universe[37] after defeatingOnslaught),[e] Lilandra orders the Imperial Guard to help protect Earth.[38]
Ronan the Accuser leads the Kree in a surprise attack against the Shi'ar, using theInhumans as an army to disrupt the Shi'ar control of the Kree. Ronan seizes control in a surprise attack. Threatening to destroy the Inhumans' home ofAttilan, he orders the Inhumans and their king,Black Bolt, to obey. Ronan compelsKarnak,Gorgon, andTriton to covertly join the Imperial Guard, while Black Bolt andMedusa attempt the assassination of the Shi'ar ruler Lilandra at a ceremony ratifying an alliance between the Shi'ar and the Spartoi. Black Bolt manages to defeat Ronan in personal combat;[39] the attempt on Lilandra's life fails because the Imperial GuardsmanHobgoblin dies in her place.[40]
Cassandra Nova, inCharles Xavier's body, contacts Majestrix Lilandra, Xavier's lover. Cassandra drives Lilandra insane and uses her to make the Shi'ar fleet destroy the empire. Cassandra forces Lilandra to send the Shi'ar Superguardians to sterilize the entirety of mutantkind, starting with the X-Men.[41] After a battle with the X-Men, the Imperial Guard come to realize Cassandra's treachery and the danger she poses.Jean Grey, using Xavier's consciousness, and with the help of the Imperial Guard, is able to force Cassandra out of Xavier's body and imprison her.[42]
The Imperial Guard's loyalties are tested whenVulcan, a powerful mutant intent on conquering the Shi'ar Empire, comes on the scene at the start of the "Emperor Vulcan" storyline. He fights the Guard, killing and wounding a number of them, before he is defeated byGladiator, who puts out his left eye.[43][44]
Ultimately, however, Vulcan returns and assumes the Shi'ar throne, and the Imperial Guard are honor-bound to do his bidding.[45][46] Emperor Vulcan and his fleet battle the Scy'ar Tal, who have devoted their culture and society to the destruction of the Shi'ar Empire. After many battles, including Vulcan fighting his brotherHavok and theStarjammers, the Shi'ar prevail. Vulcan declares that he will return the Shi'ar Empire to its former glory.[47]
Emperor Majestor Vulcan begins to expand the empire,[46] leading to awar with the Kree.[48] Things start off well for the Imperial Guard when they slaughter a cadre of new recruits to theNova Corps.[49][50] The Guard follows this by attacking and hospitalizingRonan the Accuser on his wedding day.[51] The Kree's retaliation leads to the deaths of a number of Guardsmen.[52][53] Two newSmashers, recruited from the ranks of the Subguardians, die,[51][54] as does Warstar.[55]
When ordered to kill Lilandra Neramani, Gladiator abandons his post to protect her.[56] Nonetheless, during an attempt to return her to the throne, Lilandra is assassinated.[57][58]
Vulcan is seemingly killed during a battle withBlack Bolt.[59] With no one in line to inherit the throne, civil war threatens the Shi'ar empire. To avoid further conflict, the Imperial Guard's praetor,Gladiator, accepts the offer to become Emperor; Mentor becomes praetor in his place.[60]
During the "Realm of Kings" storyline, the Shi'ar team up with the Starjammers to investigate "The Fault," a space-time anomaly that not only threatens Shi'ar space but all of reality. This crisis leads to another spate of Imperial Guard deaths:Starbolt is killed by a group of mutants from theCancerverse,[27] and Black Light, Neutron, andTitan are killed in a later battle.[10] The storyline ends with the GuardsmenMentor and Plutonia choosing to bond with Raptor amulets; Mentor is taken over byStrel and Plutonia becomes the RaptorKyte; both vanish.[10]
During the "Infinity" storyline, a fourth Smasher is recruited by the Imperial Guard: a human member ofthe Avengers namedIzzy Kane.[7][61][9] Receiving an all-points distress signal on Earth, she comes with the Avengers to assist the Shi'ar in fighting off a new threat: theBuilders. The Builders threaten all the galactic civilizations, leading the Shi'ar to join forces with the Kree, Skrulls, Spartoi, Brood, andAnnihilus' Annihilation Wave to resist them.[62]
After many battles and losses — including the death ofEarthquake[63] — the Avengers and Imperial Guard earn a convincing victory against the main Builders' fleet.Mentor helps take command of a Builder World Killer and turn it against the Builders. The Imperial Guard and the Avengers proceed to free the occupied worlds — including Earth, which has fallen toThanos in their absence. The Imperial Guard helps retake the Peak, theS.W.O.R.D. space station headquarters.[64]
Soon afterward, Gladiator kidnaps the time-displaced incarnation ofJean Grey, placing her on trial for the destruction done by thePhoenix Forceyears earlier. TheAll-New X-Men team up with theGuardians of the Galaxy to rescue Jean from the Shi'ar homeworld, but Jean ends up awakening a new power, enabling her to absorb massive amounts of psionic energy and combine her telepathy and telekinesis, which she uses to defeat Gladiator and the Imperial Guard.[65][66]
When the Shi'ar find out that the reason for the "decay of the universe" is on Earth, they decide to destroy the planet.[67] TheGuardians of the Galaxy,Sunspot,A.I.M., andS.H.I.E.L.D.'s Avengers fight back, planning to use a Planetkiller against the Shi'ar. The Planetkiller, however, overheats and explodes, destroyed byAnnihilus'Annihilation Wave. The Avengers are ready to meet their end, but theIlluminati intervenes, using the controller disk of a rogue planet that shares the same space with Earth, whileIron Man uses Sol's Hammer to destroy the Shi'ar fleet, including the Imperial Guards.[68]
The Guard are resurrected, along with the rest of the universe, as part of theAll-New, All-Different Marvel relaunch.[citation needed]
| Code Name (Original name) | Legion of Super-Heroes analog | Powers and abilities | Species | First appearance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astra | Phantom Girl | Phasing | Unidentified extraterrestrial race | The Uncanny X-Men #107 (Oct. 1977) | Founding member of the Imperial Guard |
| Earthquake | — | Geokinesis (psionically create tremors and small quakes on the surface of a planet)[6] | Unidentified extraterrestrial race | The Uncanny X-Men #137 (Sept. 1980) | Killed inAvengers vol. 5 #21 (Dec. 2013) |
| Earthquake II | Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 5 #1 (Dec. 2012) | ||||
| Electron | Cosmic Boy | Magnetism manipulation, projection of bolts of electrical energy | Shi'ar | The Uncanny X-Men #107 (Oct. 1977) | |
| Fang | Timber Wolf | Superhuman senses, strength, speed, stamina, durability, agility, and reflexes; claws and fangs; teleportation; flight; energy projection/matter manipulation | Lupak | The Uncanny X-Men #107 (Oct. 1977) | Member of the Royal Elite; transformed into one of the Brood and then killed byWolverine inThe Uncanny X-Men #162 (Oct. 1982) |
| Fang II | Starjammers #4 (Jan. 1996) | Alter-ego is Nev-Darr | |||
| Flashfire (Tempest) | Lightning Lad[1] | Generate and fire bursts of light and electricity | Unidentified extraterrestrial race | The Uncanny X-Men #107 (Oct. 1977) | At one point engaged to marry fellow Guardsman Oracle[69] (an analog ofSaturn Girl, to whom Lightning Lad was also romantically linked); alter-ego is Grannz[70] (Lightning Lad's alter-ego is Garth Ranzz); renamed Flashfire because of the DC Comics characterJoshua Clay (Tempest) |
| Gladiator | Superboy (orMon-El) | Superhuman strength, speed, stamina, agility, reflexes, and durability; psionic abilities; flight[6] | Strontian | The Uncanny X-Men #107 (Oct. 1977) | Commander (praetor) of the Imperial Guard; alter-ego is Kallark |
| Hobgoblin | Chameleon Boy[1] | Shapeshifting | Chameloid | The Uncanny X-Men #107 (Oct. 1977) | Killed posing asLilandra Neramani inInhumans vol. 3 #4 (Oct. 2000) |
| Hussar | — | Channeling ofbioelectricity into other living beings to shock and paralyze | Unidentified extraterrestrial race | The Uncanny X-Men #137 (Sept. 1980) | |
| Magique (Magic) | Princess Projectra | Ability to create realistic illusions | Shi'ar | The Uncanny X-Men #107 (Oct. 1977) | Killed inGuardians of the Galaxy vol. 2 #15 (June 2009) |
| Magique II | Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 5 #1 (Dec. 2012) | Replaced the original Magique, who died inGuardians of the Galaxy vol. 2 #15 | |||
| Manta | — | Infrared and ultraviolet vision,photokinesis | Unidentified extraterrestrial race | The Uncanny X-Men #137 (Sept. 1980) | |
| Mentor | Brainiac 5 | Instantaneous processing of vast amounts of information | Unidentified extraterrestrial race | The Uncanny X-Men #107 (Oct. 1977) | Becomes praetor inWar of Kings: Who Will Ruleone-shot;[60] taken over by Strel and vanishes at the end ofRealm of Kings: Imperial Guard |
| Neutron (Quasar) | Star Boy | Superhuman strength, stamina, and durability; capable of increasing the mass, density or gravity of an object[6] | Stygian | The Uncanny X-Men #107 (Oct. 1977) | Killed in battle inRealm of Kings: Imperial Guard #5 (May 2010) |
| Nightside (Nightshade) | Shadow Lass | Ability to tap into theDarkforce dimension, giving her the ability to conjure absolute darkness within a radius around her or her enemies; displace projectile attacks against her person by opening small apertures into the Darkforce[6] | Unidentified extraterrestrial race | The Uncanny X-Men #107 (Oct. 1977) | Killed inWar of Kings #1 (May 2009) |
| Nightside II | Avengers vol. 5 #35 (Sept. 2014) | Recruited from the Subguardians to replace the original Nightside, who was killed inWar of Kings #1 | |||
| Oracle | Saturn Girl | Telepathy, mind control, psychic energy projection,psychometry[6] | Shi'ar | The Uncanny X-Men #107 (Oct. 1977) | Long-time member; part of the Royal Elite;[citation needed] alter-ego is Lady Sybil; originally romantically linked with Starbolt;[22] later engaged to marry Tempest/Flashfire[69] |
| Plutonia | — | Phasing | Unidentified extraterrestrial race | New X-Men #124 (May 2002) | Alter-ego is N'zyr; romantically linked with fellow Guardsman Smasher, then romantically linked with fellow Guardsman Mentor; chose to bond with Raptor amulet at cost of her free will, becoming the Raptor Kyte;[10] current whereabouts unknown |
| Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #5 (May 2010) | Added to Imperial Guard after N'zyr became the Raptor Kyte and vanished | ||||
| Pulsar (Impulse) | Wildfire | Energy being: flight, projection of energy blasts | Unidentified extraterrestrial race | The Uncanny X-Men #107 (Oct. 1977) | Seemingly killed byVulcan inThe Uncanny X-Men #480 (Jan. 2007), but reappears later |
| Scintilla (Midget) | Shrinking Violet | Shrinking from normal size to five percent of her normal size (and any size in between) | Unidentified extraterrestrial race | The Uncanny X-Men #107 (Oct. 1977) | |
| Smasher | Ultra Boy | Superhuman strength via cosmic radiation absorption, ability to download additional powers (one at a time) via "Exospex," flight via anti-gravity "flight patches"[6] | Unidentified extraterrestrial race | The Uncanny X-Men #107 (Oct. 1977) | Romantically linked with fellow Guardsman Plutonia; alter-ego isVril Rokk; killed byVulcan inThe Uncanny X-Men #480 (Jan. 2007) |
| War of Kings #1 (Mar. 2009) | Alter-ego isSalac Tuur; killed byKarnak inWar of Kings #1 (May 2009) | ||||
| War of Kings #3 (July 2009) | Killed byGladiator inWar of Kings #3 (July 2009) | ||||
| Human | Avengers vol. 5 #1 (Feb. 2013) | Alter-ego isIzzy Kane; left the Imperial Guard to return to the Avengers | |||
| Unidentified extraterrestrial race | All-New X-Men #23 (Apr. 2014) | Replaced Izzy Kane in the Imperial Guard | |||
| Starbolt | Sun Boy orWildfire | Energy protection[6] | Unidentified extraterrestrial race | X-Men #107 (Oct. 1977) | Originally romantically linked with Oracle;[22] killed inRealm of Kings: Imperial Guard #4 (Apr. 2010) |
| Titan | Colossal Boy | Expand his body to giant size, superhuman strength and mass | Unidentified extraterrestrial race | The Uncanny X-Men #107 (Oct. 1977) | Killed by a swarm of mutated bugs inRealm of Kings: Imperial Guard #5 (May 2010) |
| Titan II | TK (sometime during the "Infinity" storyline) | Replaced the first Titan who was killed inRealm of Kings: Imperial Guard #5 | |||
| Warstar | — | B'nee: electricity generation; C’cil: gigantic, superhuman strength and durability[6] | Two symbiotically linked sentient mechanoids[6] | The Uncanny X-Men #137 (Sept. 1980) | Alter-egos are B'nee and C'cil; their names are an homage to the 1960s animated television programBeany and Cecil; killed (along with the entire Shi'ar fleet) byIron Man using Sol's Hammer inAvengers vol. 5 #44 (June 2015), resurrected (along with the rest of the universe) inThe Ultimates vol. 2 #3 (Mar. 2017) |
| Code Name | Legion of Super-Heroes analog | Powers and abilities | Species | First appearance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arc | — | Bio-electrokinesis | Unidentified extraterrestrial race | New X-Men #123 (Apr. 2002) | |
| Binder | — | Binding objects | Unidentified extraterrestrial race | Rom Annual #4 (Dec. 1985) | Killed by disintegration inRom Annual #4 (Dec. 1985) |
| Black Light | — | Dark energy blasts | Shi'ar (mutated) | X-Men: Spotlight on... Starjammers #2 (June 1990) | Twin brother of White Noise;[31] killed inRealm of Kings: Imperial Guard #5 (May 2010) |
| Blackthorn | — | Botanopathy (Communication with and command of plant life like himself) | Extraterrestrial sentient humanoid plant | The Uncanny X-Men #157 (May 1982) | Member of the Borderers division |
| Blimp | Bouncing Boy | Bio-helium body contained within a specially constructed space suit | Unidentified extraterrestrial race | New X-Men #124 (May 2002) | |
| Chakar | — | Flight, superhuman strength and durability | Shi'ar | Rom Annual #4 (Dec. 1985) | Praetor of the Imperial Guard; killed inRom Annual #4 (Dec. 1985) |
| Commando | — | Nega-Radiation that gives him superhuman strength, durability, and intellect | Kree | Imperial Guard #1 (Jan. 1997) | Alter-ego is M'Nell[18] |
| Cosmo | — | Flight, superhuman strength and durability | Stygian | New X-Men #123 (Apr. 2002) | Killed byVulcan inThe Uncanny X-Men #480 (Jan. 2007) |
| Delphos | Dream Girl | Precognition | Unidentified extraterrestrial race | Inhumans vol. 3 #3 (Aug. 2000) | |
| Fader | Invisible Kid | Invisibility | Unidentified extraterrestrial race | New X-Men #124 (May 2002) | |
| Glom | Matter-Eater Lad | Giant jaws with the ability to bite through and consume all forms of matter | Unidentified extraterrestrial race | Quasar #33 (Apr. 1992) | |
| God-Killer | — | Telepathy, claws, quills, superhuman strength and durability | The Uncreated | X-Men: Kingbreaker #2 (Mar. 2009) | Recruited byVulcan to his Praetorians faction of the Imperial Guard;[71] later imprisoned by theNova Corps for war crimes, and finally transferred to Zan Philo's Corps starshipResolute Duty |
| G-Type | — | Project body's intense energy through wrist-mounted flamethrowers | Hodinn | New X-Men #124 (May 2002) | |
| Hardball | Bouncing Boy | Rubbery body which gives him superhuman durability and leaping power | Unidentified extraterrestrial race | Thor #446 (Apr. 1992) | |
| Kwill | — | Projection of stun rays | Unidentified extraterrestrial race | Rom Annual #4 (Dec. 1985) | Killed by Tyreseus inRom Annual #4 (Dec. 1985) |
| Mammoth | — | Superhuman strength and durability | Unidentifiedmammoth-like extraterrestrial race | New X-Men #117 (Oct. 2001) | Killed in battle withCassandra Nova inNew X-Men #122 (March 2002) |
| Monstra | Monstress | Superhuman strength and durability | Unidentified extraterrestrial race | New X-Men #123 (Apr. 2002) | |
| Moondancer | Dawnstar | Flight, long-range tracking | Unidentified extraterrestrial race | Quasar #33 (Apr. 1992) | Alter-ego is Myla; forced to resign from the Imperial Guard inQuasar #57 (Apr. 1994) |
| Neosaurus | — | Projection of consciousness from one exo-body form to another | Unidentified extraterrestrial race | New X-Men #124 (May 2002) | |
| N'rill'irēē | — | Superhuman strength and durability; claws and teeth | Unidentified extraterrestrial race | The Uncanny X-Men #155 (Mar. 1982) | Member of the Borderers division |
| Onslaught | Karate Kid | Skilled martial artist, superhuman strength[6] | Unidentified extraterrestrial race | Quasar #33 (Apr. 1992) | |
| Schism | Duo Damsel | Ability to divide into two bodies | Unidentified extraterrestrial race | New X-Men #124 (May 2002) | |
| Sea Spine | — | Pheromones contained in her upper epidermis that can stun, poison, or incapacitate her opponents | Unidentified extraterrestrial race | The Uncanny X-Men #157 (May 1982) | Member of the Borderers division |
| Solar Wind | — | Projection of energy blast from chest | Unidentified extraterrestrial race | Quasar #33 (Apr. 1992) | Forced to resign from the Imperial Guard inQuasar #57 (Apr. 1994) |
| Sp'yxx | — | Large creature with three heads; superhuman strength | Unidentified extraterrestrial race | The Uncanny X-Men #157 (May 1982) | Member of the Borderers division |
| Squorm | — | Flight | Hive of thousands of vastly intelligent tiny worm-like creatures | New X-Men #123 (Apr. 2002) | |
| Stuff | — | Shapeshifting | Extraterrestrial bio-computer | New X-Men #123 (Apr. 2002) | |
| Trypthe | — | Enormous tripod creature with superhuman strength | Unidentified extraterrestrial race | The Uncanny X-Men #157 (May 1982) | Member of the Borderers division |
| Voltar | — | Razor-sharp blades (possibly replacing hands) with the ability to electrify | Unidentified extraterrestrial race | Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard #1 (Nov. 2009) | Killed while retaking the Imperial shipyards after the war with theKree inRealm of Kings: Imperial Guard #1 (Nov. 2009) |
| Voltor | — | Projection of electrical blasts from hands | Unidentified extraterrestrial race | Rom Annual #4 (Dec. 1985) | Killed by Tyreseus inRom Annual #4 (Dec. 1985) |
| Voyager | — | Teleportation | Unidentified extraterrestrial race | Quasar #33 (Apr. 1992) | Alter-ego is Divad; forced to resign from the Imperial Guard inQuasar #57 (Apr. 1994) |
| Webwing | — | Tentacles with sedative excretion, can capture others in body, flight | Unidentified extraterrestrial race | The Uncanny X-Men #157 (May 1982) | Member of the Borderers division |
| White Noise | — | Sound wave projection and manipulation | Shi'ar | X-Men: Spotlight on... Starjammers #2 (June 1990) | Twin sister of Black Light[31] |
| Zenith | — | Capability to access and utilize the maximum potential of an energy-wielder's power[6] | Unidentified extraterrestrial race | X-Men: Spotlight on... Starjammers #2 (June 1990) | Brother ofRaza Longknife from theStarjammers; killed inX-Men: Spotlight on... Starjammers #2 (June 1990) |
In an alternate reality depicted in the miniseries,Age of Apocalypse, Lilandra became the Admiral of the Shi'ar Grand Fleet and leader of the Imperial Guard. However, she was killed by her brother D'ken before she could stop him from taking control of theM'Kraan Crystal.[72]
In an alternate reality depicted in the miniseries "Heroes Reborn", the Imperial Guard is associated withHyperion and most of its members were infected by theBrood.[73][74]
An older, alternate reality version of the original Lilandra appears inMC2 miniseries,Last Planet Standing, escaping the Shi'ar Empire after it is attacked and devoured byGalactus.[volume & issue needed]
Nick Hemming ofLooper described the Imperial Guard as perhaps "the most interesting facet of the Shi'ar," describing them as "an elite team of super soldiers who enforce the law within the empire. The Guard has played both friend and foe to Earth's favorite heroes over time, boasting a diverse roster of various species."[7]
