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The long-awaited MCU debut of fan-favorite character Adam Warlock is finally close. The classic Marvel character has been highly anticipated since the beginning, and after much teasing, he is finally set to debut. He will appear in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 later this year and will be played by Will Poulter. The character may not be as well known to those outside of the Marvel comics loop, so here are ten Adam Warlock comics to read to prepare for his arrival.
10 Adam Warlock Comics to Read before Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3
10. Fantastic Four # 66
Adam Warlock made his first debut in an issue of Fantastic Four. He was created by a group of researchers known as The Enclave and was simply known as Him. This early version of Adam was artificially created in a cocoon, much like in the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 after-credits scene. He released his creators were evil and turned on them. Seeing as how he has been teased to go after the Guardians, the film will likely take influence from this comic and turn to the side of the heroes.
9. Strange Tales #178
Adam’s main nemesis is known as Magus, and he makes his debut in this comic. Magus is the evil side of Adam in physical form, and they fight often. In this comic, Adam actually has help from The Mad Titan himself, Thanos. Together, the two take down Magnus. While it is unlikely Magus will appear in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3, he will probably appear later on down the line in the MCU. This will be a good way for fans to brush up on the character before he is even announced.
8. Power of Warlock #10
This comic sees the first meeting of Adam and Thanos. These two characters often cross each other’s paths, usually as enemies. With variants and time travel being part of the MCU going forward, it is entirely possible Thanos will return at some point. Should the two meet on screen, this is a great way for fans to familiarize themselves with their relationship. Adam has many great solo runs, and this is a great place to start for new fans.
7. Guardians of the Galaxy (2008 run)
The 2008 run of the Guardians is important because it serves as a major basis for the MCU versions of the characters. One thing that makes this run important for Vol 3 preparations is that Adam Warlock actually joins the team. Adam making his debut in a Guardians movie heavily implies this will happen in the MCU. James Gunn has stated that the next movie will be the last for the team, as fans know them. This means there will be a shake-up in the team, leaving room for Adam to join them.
6. The Infinity Gauntlet
Avengers: Infinity War didn’t take most of its inspiration from the comic of the same name. It instead took it from the event Infinity Gauntlet. This story follows a similar plot to the movie. Thanos acquires the six Infinity Gems (called stones in the movies) and wipes out half the universe. This causes the Avengers to assemble in an attempt to take down Thanos and undo his terrible deed. In the comics, Adam was a huge player in the event. This will help fans see what he is capable of before they see him in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3.
5. Warlock and the Infinity Watch
Following the events of Infinity War, Adam forms a team of heroes known as the Infinity Watch. Each team member holds one of the Infinity Gems. What makes this so important moving forward is that two of the team members are former members of the Guardians. Gamora and Drax are both members of the team holding the Time and Power gems, respectively. It is possible some variation of this team will be seen, complete with Gamora and Drax
4. Silver Surfer Vol 3
While nothing official has been announced, fans are hoping Silver Surfer will make his MCU debut soon. The timing couldn’t be better, as Silver Surfer and Adam Warlock make quite the team in the comics. Silver Surfer Vol 3 is one of the best examples of this partnership. The story arc sees the duo face several of Marvel’s biggest baddies, including Thanos and Galactus. Galactus is another character fans hope to see in the MCU soon, meaning this comic could be essential reading.
3. Infinity Entity
Infinity Entity sees Adam thrust back in time with no memory. He gets thrown back so far, and he teams up with the original version of The Avengers. Should this comic be adapted, this would see Adam in the events of 2012’s The Avengers. While the MCU has already gone back to this movie in Endgame, things may need to be changed. The Guardians were part of this comic, so instead, Adam could be seen during the events of the first Guardians movie. Exploring the earlier movie from a different perspective could be a fun way for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 to wrap things up.
2. Warlock
While he had several great solo runs, many fans agree Adam’s best was simply titled Warlock. This series sees Adam fully realized. He faces some of his most dangerous foes, including Thanos and Magus. For fans who want to know all there is to know about the character, this is the best place to start. Warlock has some of the best stories to feature the character and will no doubt influence his MCU appearance.
1. Infinity War
The comic book version of Infinity War differs significantly from the movie version. The Infinity Gems and the gauntlet are still at the center, but Magus is the true bad guy. Following the events of Infinity Gauntlet, Magus wants to use the gems for himself. He poses such a threat, Adam Warlock takes drastic measures. Adam leads nearly every single Marvel hero in history in a battle against Magus. To this day, Infinity War marks one of the biggest crossovers in Marvel history. He even has help from Kang and Thanos, two huge baddies already in the MCU. This story is the follow-up to Thanos using the gems to wipe out half the universe. This means this story could very well appear in the MCU, albeit under a different name.
Before his debut in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3, you should try to enjoy this list of Adam Warlock Comics to read. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 is set to release later this year.