*Marvel: In the year 3007, the countries of the world are brought together in the United Lands of Earth, spreading the Terran empire throughout the known galaxy – when interplanetary harmony is disrupted by the arrival of the voracious Badoon, who overcome Earth and her dominions, leaving only a few scattered freedom fighters to battle on – the Guardians of the Galaxy! Such was the premise of the original story created by Arnold Drake (writer of the Doom Patrol, another popular band of outcasts) and Gene Colan in issue #18 of Marvel Super-Heroes, January 1969. A powerful and moving story, it lay dormant for some years, until revived by Steve Gerber in the Seventies, whereupon the Guardians became a regular, if infrequent, part of the Marvel Universe, before the recent movie (featuring, it must be said, an entirely different cast) catapulted the title into public consciousness. This copy is an attractive Fine+, pence stamped, at £125, with only minimal edge & corner wear, but unbroken cover colour and gloss despite a soft crease across the bottom right corner, and excellent interior page quality. Harder to find in any condition, and sure to become scarcer yet as Guardians of the Galaxy II heads toward your local multiplex!