Who is Adam in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3?

The trailer for James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 just dropped, and a lot of exciting things were revealed. One in particular has been a long-awaited appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Adam, the mysterious golden stranger played by Will Poulter. But who is Adam in Guardians of the Galaxy? What was he like in the comics?

Strap yourselves in, because you're about to dive into one of the most convoluted histories in Marvel.

JUST "HIM"

Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, Adam first appeared in 1967's Fantastic Four #66-67. Originally known as Him (yeah, just..."Him!"), this golden man was created by a group of crazy scientists calling themselves the Enclave, who wanted to create the perfect human for their evil schemes. Bursting from his iconic cocoon, Him escapes his creators with the help of the Fantastic Four and travels into space. There he eventually meets the High Evolutionary, who gifts him the new name Warlock and the Soul Jewel -- the first appearance of an Infinity Gem in comics!

It's fitting then that the Guardians will face off against the High Evolutionary (played by Chukwudi Iwuji) in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, as he and Adam Warlock share major history together!

COUNTING TO INFINITY

Adam Warlock has been part of many key points in Marvel Universe history, most notably in The Infinity Gauntlet saga by Jim Starlin, George Perez, and Ron Lim. He was instrumental in the climactic battle for the gauntlet, and at one point Adam Warlock became one of the most powerful beings in the universe by wielding all six Infinity Gems!

Many fans were excited when Adam Warlock's cocoon appeared in the post-credits scene in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, especially since Avengers: Infinity War was in the horizon that time. Of course, we now know Adam didn't make an appearance in any of the Avengers films despite his innate connection to Thanos and the whole Infinity Gauntlet saga in the comics, but that just means his mystery is about to be revealed in Vol. 3!

TOWARDS ANNIHILATION 

Adam makes another comic appearance in 2008's Annihilation: Conquest storyline, where Moondragon and Phyla-Vell find discover Adam regenerating in a cocoon. Emerging from its casing dazed and confused, Adam eventually finds his inner hero and helps defeat the story's big bad, the Phalanx. Afterwards, Adam joins Star-Lord's newly formed team: the new Guardians of the Galaxy!

Looks like James Gunn mined this era for ideas for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3! Will Adam be the savior of the galaxy just like he was in the comics?

Enigmatic, confusing, but altogether powerful, Adam is a cosmically awesome addition to the MCU. It's still up in the air what Adam's role is in the movie, but I'm excited to find out when Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 premieres on May 5, 2023!