Yondu

{{short description|Fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics}}

{{Infobox comics character

| character_name = Yondu

| image = Yondu2cover.png

| caption = The two versions of Yondu on the variant cover for Yondu #2
Art by Alex Garner

| real_name = Yondu Udonta

| publisher = Marvel Comics

| debut =Marvel Super-Heroes #18 (January 1969)

| creators={{ubl|Arnold Drake|Gene Colan}}

| species = Centaurian

| alliances = Guardians of the Galaxy
Avengers
Ravagers

| aliases =

| powers = Expert archer
Empathic relationship with all life forms

}}

Yondu Udonta, or simply Yondu ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|j|ɒ|n|d|uː}}), is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The original version of the character is depicted as the last survivor of his species, a spiritual warrior who can control his arrows through sound waves, and a founding member of the original Guardians of the Galaxy from the 31st century of the alternate reality of Earth-691.

In other media, Yondu has appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, portrayed by Michael Rooker, and the Guardians of the Galaxy animated series, voiced by James Arnold Taylor. The former version is a cyborg and member of the Ravagers and was later incorporated into the comics continuity, depicted as the first Yondu's ancestor.

Publication history

The Earth-691 version of Yondu first appeared in Marvel Super-Heroes #18 (January 1969), written by Arnold Drake and penciled by Gene Colan. According to Roy Thomas, all of the original Guardians of the Galaxy were created in a conference between Drake and Stan Lee, but it remains uncertain whether each individual character was created by Drake, Lee, or both. Writer Steve Gerber included the character when he revived the team in several Marvel titles: Marvel Two-In-One #4–5 (July–Sept. 1974), Giant Size Defenders #5, and Defenders #26–29 (July-Nov. 1975), and Marvel Presents #3–12 (Feb. 1976 – Aug. 1977).{{cite journal|last=Buttery |first=Jarrod |title=Explore the Marvel Universe of the 31st Century with... the Guardians of the Galaxy|journal=Back Issue! |issue=65 |pages=24–35|publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing|date=July 2013|location=Raleigh, North Carolina}}

Yondu appeared along with the rest of the original Guardians of the Galaxy team in the 2014 series Guardians 3000. Writer Dan Abnett described him as "the instinct" of the team.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsarama.com/21436-marvels-old-guardians-up-to-new-tricks-in-guardians-3000.html |title=Marvel's Old Guardians Up To New Tricks in GUARDIANS 3000 |website=Newsarama.com |date=2014-06-25 |access-date=2016-08-01}}

The Earth-616 version of Yondu first appeared in Star-Lord #2 and was created by Sam Humphries and Javier Garron.

Fictional character biography

=Earth-691=

file:Guardians of the Galaxy 44.jpg #44 (January 1994). Art by Steve Montano and Kevin West.]]

Yondu Udonta is a member of the Zatoan tribe and a Centaurian from Centauri IV. In 3006 A.D., Vance Astro, an astronaut from Earth, lands on Yondu's planet with an antiquated propulsion ship. Vance encounters Yondu during the latter's trial of manhood. Yondu attacks him, but is repelled by Vance's powers. Vance keeps this secret as Yondu's action was illegal. Yondu works with Vance when the Badoon, an alien race, overtakes the planet later that year. All the other Centaurians are believed to have been slaughtered. Vance and Yondu escape in his ship to fetch help but the Badoon capture them easily. The duo are taken to Earth which, by 3007 A.D., has also been conquered. When questioned, Vance pretends to be unfriendly with Yondu. They later escape and team up with Charlie-27 of the Jupiter colony and Martinex of the Pluto colony, forming the Guardians of the Galaxy to fight the Badoon.Marvel Super-Heroes #18. Marvel Comics.

For the next seven years, the four survivors attack the Badoon's outposts in the Solar System. In 3014 A.D., the Guardians team with the time-traveling Thing, Captain America, and Sharon Carter to retake New York City from the Badoon forces.Marvel Two-in-One #5. Marvel Comics. In 3015 A.D., the Guardians time-travel to the 20th CenturyGiant-Size Defenders #5. Marvel Comics. and return to 3015 A.D. with the Defenders and later meet Starhawk.Defenders #26-29 After humanity defeats the Brotherhood of Badoon occupiers, the Sisterhood of Badoon arrive and remove the males from Earth.Marvel Presents #3. Marvel Comics.

Yondu and the Guardians team with the time-traveling Thor, and battle Korvac and his Minions of Menace.Thor Annual #6. Marvel Comics. Yondu travels to the present alongside his fellow Guardians, and assists the Avengers against Korvac.Avengers #167-168, 170, 173, 175-177. Marvel Comics. In 3017 A.D., Yondu and the Guardians go on a quest to find the lost shield of Captain America. They battle Taserface and the Stark, and defeat the Stark.Guardians of the Galaxy #1-4. Marvel Comics. Yondu's right hand is later destroyed by Interface, and replaced by Martinex with a bionic appendage.Guardians of the Galaxy #16. Marvel Comics. Yondu later leaves the team when it is revealed that a small enclave of his people have survived on Centauri IV.Guardians of the Galaxy #25. Marvel Comics. These Kikaahe ("cave dwellers") escaped death at the hands of the Badoon because the walls of the cavern where they lived contained the mineral trillite ("yaka") which blocks radio waves, thereby shielding them from sensors. Since his newfound people will not accept his bionic hand, Yondu allows the Guardians to restore his hand with their technology. During their farewells, Vance apologizes for what he had thought was unacceptable treatment of Yondu during their earlier adventurers.Guardians of the Galaxy Annual #2. Marvel Comics.

=Earth-616=

The Earth-616 version of Yondu is a distant ancestor of the 31st-century Yondu and the leader of the Ravagers who takes in Peter Quill after discovering him stranded in space.Humphries, Sam (w), Garron, Javier (a). Star-Lord #1. Marvel Comics.Richards, Dave (October 22, 2015). [http://www.cbr.com/humphries-garron-chronicle-the-legendary-rise-of-star-lord/ "Humphries & Garron Chronicle the Legendary Rise of 'Star-Lord'"]. CBR.com He is initially skeptical of the idea, but relents after learning that Peter is an orphan.Humphries, Sam (w), Garron, Javier (a). Star-Lord #2. Marvel Comics.Star-Lord #3. Marvel Comics.

Powers and abilities

As a Centaurian, Yondu possesses a sixth sense that gives him the ability to track and empathically communicate with others. Additionally, he can heal himself by drawing on natural energy.

Yondu is an expert hunter and wields arrows composed of yaka, a special sound-sensitive metal found only on Centauri IV. He can control their trajectory via high-octave whistling.{{Volume needed|c=y|date=August 2014}}

Yondu's right hand is replaced for a time by a bionic device called a weapons concealment appendage, a metal cup replacing his right hand. Thus, he could no longer practice archery nor perform functions requiring him to grasp with his right hand. The device can release from within itself a number of weapons, including a mace, a hatchet, a scythe, a barbed spear, and others; when not in use the weapons are concealed within the appendage at a reduced size, until enlarged by Pym particles. Yondu's bionic weapon-hand is later replaced with a duplicate of his original hand.

In other media

=Television=

Yondu, based on the MCU incarnation (see below), appears in Guardians of the Galaxy (2015), voiced by James Arnold Taylor.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Marvel/status/568500511491690497 |title=Marvel Entertainment on Twitter: "The voice of #Yondu & #Cosmo has voiced The Leader, Spider-Man and Silver Surfer in series & games #GuardiansVoiceCast #GuardiansOfTheGalaxy" |publisher=Twitter |date=2015-02-19 |access-date=2016-08-01}}{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Marvel/status/568507822784163840 |title=Marvel Entertainment on Twitter: "James Arnold Taylor (@JATactor) will voice Yondu & Cosmo in #DisneyXD's #GuardiansOfTheGalaxy! #GuardiansVoiceCast " |publisher=Twitter |access-date=2016-08-01}}
Yondu appears in Lego Marvel Super Heroes - Guardians of the Galaxy: The Thanos Threat, voiced again by James Arnold Taylor.

=Marvel Cinematic Universe=

File:Michael Rooker by Gage Skidmore 2.jpg.]]

Yondu Udonta appears in media set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), portrayed by Michael Rooker. This version is a cyborg space pirate whose Yaka arrow is controlled by a head-mounted fin in addition to whistling. Additionally, he is the leader of one of several Ravager factions.

Udonta first appears in the live-action film Guardians of the Galaxy (2014).{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2013/04/michael-rooker-guardians-of-the-galaxy-casting-marvel-movie-476033/ |title=Michael Rooker Joins 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=April 16, 2013 |access-date=April 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130418080150/http://www.deadline.com/2013/04/michael-rooker-guardians-of-the-galaxy-casting-marvel-movie/ |archive-date=April 18, 2013 |url-status=live }} In 1988, he kidnaps a young Peter Quill on behalf of the latter's father, Ego, but chooses to raise him as a Ravager instead.
In the live-action film Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,{{cite web|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/sdcc-marvel-studios-reveals-latest-phase-3-secrets|title=SDCC: Marvel Studios Reveals Latest Phase 3 Secrets|last=Ching|first=Albert|work=Comic Book Resources |publisher=Comic Book Resources|date=July 23, 2016|access-date=July 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160725143033/http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/sdcc-marvel-studios-reveals-latest-phase-3-secrets|archive-date=July 25, 2016|url-status=live}} the greater Ravager community exile Udonta and his faction after discovering they broke the Ravager code by trafficking children. Following this, Ayesha of the Sovereign hire Udonta to track down the Guardians of the Galaxy in retaliation for Rocket stealing their amulax batteries. Udonta and his Ravagers capture Rocket and Groot. However, when he announces his intent to renege on the deal, Taserface launches a mutiny, captures him, and executes all of Udonta's loyalists while Nebula destroys his control fin. With Rocket, Groot, and Kraglin Obfonteri's help, Udonta secures a prototype fin to kill the mutineers before escaping to help Quill and the other Guardians defeat Ego. Amidst this, Udonta sacrifices himself to save Quill, having grown to see him as a son. At Udonta's funeral, Quill declares him his real father while Rocket informs the other Ravagers of Udonta's redemption and Kraglin inherits the Yaka arrow.
Alternate timeline variants of Udonta appear in the Disney+ animated series What If...?.{{cite web |last1=Hughes |first1=William |title=Marvel just released an extremely intriguing cast list for Disney+'s animated What If…? |url=https://www.avclub.com/marvel-just-released-an-extremely-intriguing-cast-list-1836569935 |website=A.V. Club |date=21 July 2019 |access-date=21 July 2019 |archive-date=3 September 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190903021342/https://news.avclub.com/marvel-just-released-an-extremely-intriguing-cast-list-1836569935 |url-status=live }}
Udonta appears in animated flashback sequences in the live-action television special The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special.{{Cite web |last=Paige |first=Rachel |date=October 25, 2022 |title=Unwrap the 'The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special' Trailer |url=https://www.marvel.com/articles/tv-shows/guardians-of-the-galaxy-holiday-special-trailer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025203028/https://www.marvel.com/articles/tv-shows/guardians-of-the-galaxy-holiday-special-trailer |archive-date=October 25, 2022 |access-date=October 25, 2022 |website=Marvel.com}}{{Cite web |last=Perry |first=Spencer |date=October 25, 2022 |title=Former Guardians of the Galaxy Star to Return in New Holiday Special |url=https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/guardians-of-the-galaxy-star-michael-rooker-yondu-return-holiday-special/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025215037/https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/guardians-of-the-galaxy-star-michael-rooker-yondu-return-holiday-special/ |archive-date=October 25, 2022 |access-date=October 25, 2022 |website=ComicBook.com}}
A vision of Udonta makes a cameo appearance in the live-action film Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.{{Cite web |last=Kelley |first=Aidan |date=May 5, 2023 |title=Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3': Every Cameo Explained |url=https://collider.com/guardians-of-the-galaxy-3-cameos-explained/ |website=Collider |access-date=May 5, 2023}}

=Video games=

Yondu appears as a playable character in Disney Infinity 2.0,{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/04/30/disney-infinity-marvel-super-heroes-announced|title=Disney Infinity Marvel Super Heroes Announced|access-date=April 30, 2014|date=April 30, 2014|publisher=IGN}} voiced by Chris Edgerly.{{cite web|url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Chris-Edgerly/|title=Behind the Voice Actors|website=Behindthevoiceactors.com|access-date=April 23, 2015}}
Yondu appears as a playable character in Marvel: Future Fight.{{cite web|url=http://marvel.com/news/video_games/24718/netmarble_unveils_guardians_of_the_galaxy_update_for_marvel_future_fight|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150613191500/http://marvel.com/news/video_games/24718/netmarble_unveils_guardians_of_the_galaxy_update_for_marvel_future_fight|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 13, 2015|title=Netmarble Unveils Guardians of the Galaxy Update for 'Marvel Future Fight'|access-date=December 9, 2015|date=June 11, 2015|publisher=Marvel Entertainment}}
Yondu appears in Marvel Avengers Alliance 2.{{cite web|url=https://marvelavengersalliance2.com/aa2_characters/yondu/ |title=Yondu | Marvel: Avengers Alliance 2 |website=Marvelavengersalliance2.com |access-date=2016-08-01}}
Yondu, based on the MCU incarnation, appears in Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2. Additionally, his mainstream comics counterpart appears as part of the "Classic Guardians of the Galaxy" DLC pack.{{Cite web|title=Classic Guardians of the Galaxy Character Pack {{!}} Xbox|url=https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/Classic-Guardians-of-the-Galaxy-Character-Pack/BST1S1VC091W|access-date=2021-11-01|website=www.xbox.com}}
Yondu appears in Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series, voiced by Mark Barbolak.{{cite web |title=Yondu Voices (Guardians of the Galaxy) |url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Guardians-of-the-Galaxy/Yondu/ |access-date=December 12, 2017 |work=Behind The Voice Actors |type= A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information}} This version has history with Peter Quill and Rocket Raccoon. In a flashback in episode one, Quill recalls Yondu claiming that his mother told the latter to watch over him. If Quill trusts Yondu, he agrees to go with him. If Quill does not, Yondu will forcibly drag the former to his new home. In episode two, the Guardians of the Galaxy enlist Yondu to help repair their starship, the Milano. If the player chooses not to join Rocket in traveling to Halfworld, the latter will steal Yondu's ship, leading to Yondu accompanying the Guardians.
Yondu appears as a playable character in Marvel Contest of Champions.{{cite web|url=https://playcontestofchampions.com/champion-spotlight-yondu/|title=CHAMPION SPOTLIGHT - YONDU|website=MARVEL CONTEST OF CHAMPIONS|date=24 May 2017 }}
Yondu appears as a playable character in Marvel Puzzle Quest.{{cite web|url=https://news.marvel.com/games/71039/piecing-together-marvel-puzzle-quest-yondu/|title=Piecing Together Marvel Puzzle Quest: Yondu|website=News - Marvel.com}}