The Marvel Universe is filled with iconic superhero teams. Whether it’s the Avengers, X-Men, or Guardians of the Galaxy, readers love seeing their favorite characters band together to fight world-threatening dangers.
However, hidden beneath these more famous groups is a team that has never gotten the attention it deserves: the Annihilators. The team comprises some of the most powerful cosmic beings in Marvel’s history, formed to face dangers that no ordinary superhero team could handle. Here’s why they are so powerful and yet underappreciated.
The Annihilators Were Forged In A Cosmic Crisis
The Annihilators came together after the devastating Annihilation and Thanos Imperative events. These events caused cosmic threats that could bring the entire universe to the brink of destruction. These storylines introduced massive threats.
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During The Thanos Imperative, Nova and Star-Lord heroically sacrifice themselves to stop Thanos and save the universe, seemingly dying in the process. In the aftermath of these events, Cosmo, the telepathic space dog, acts on Star-Lord’s final wish.
Star Lord believed that only a team of the most powerful cosmic beings could protect the galaxy from future annihilation-level threats. So, Cosmo scoured the universe to assemble a group of cosmic heroes whose powers dwarfed most traditional superheroes. Thus, the Annihilators were born.
The Annihilators’ Lineup
Unlike other superhero teams that rely on a mix of strength, intellect, and teamwork, the Annihilators are built purely on raw power. Each member of the team is capable of wiping out entire armies on their own. Moreover, the original lineup of the Annihilators included: Silver Surfer, Quasar, Ronan, Gladiator, and Beta Ray Bill.
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The former herald of Galactus, Silver Surfer wields the Power Cosmic, which grants him nearly limitless energy manipulation, matter transformation, and superhuman strength. His cosmic awareness also gives him unparalleled insight into the workings of the universe.
Additionally, as the protector of the universe and wielder of the Quantum Bands, Quasar has control over all forms of energy. This allows him to create energy constructs, teleport, and manipulate matter on a cosmic scale. In addition to Ronan, whose strength, loyalty, and tactical mind make him a formidable warrior.
Then there’s Gladiator. As the leader of the Shi’ar Imperial Guard, Gladiator has strength, speed, and invulnerability that rival the most powerful beings in the universe. His abilities are linked to his confidence, making him nearly unbeatable when his will is strong. Finally, Beta Ray Bill possesses powers on par with Thor after being deemed worthy to wield the mystical hammer, Stormbreaker.
Why The Annihilators Matter
In their debut mission, the Annihilators faced off against Blastaar, a warlord threatening the Inhuman city of Attilan. The team proved its worth almost immediately and took down Blastaar. However, this was just the beginning of their journey. The team’s most memorable battle came during their Annihilators limited series.
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In the series, they traveled to the planet Galador to stop the Black Sun from going supernova. This prevented the total destruction of the planet. The Annihilators also faced Doctor Dredd, who unleashed a powerful enemy known as the Wraith Queen upon Galador.
In their follow-up series, ‘Annihilators: Earthfall’, the team was dispatched to Earth after learning of a plot to burn a thousand worlds. This story saw the Annihilators clash with the Avengers, as the two teams briefly fought before joining forces.
They then together defeated a reborn Magus, one of Marvel’s most sinister cosmic villains. Unfortunately, despite their success, the Annihilators disbanded after only a handful of missions. Moreover, the reasons for their split were never fully explored.
While the Annihilators haven’t had a major storyline in years, there’s no reason to believe they won’t make a return. As Star-Lord once said, the Annihilators are what the Guardians of the Galaxy were meant to be. They are the ultimate line of defense against universe-shattering dangers.
