Red Guardian: Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox comics character
{{Infobox comics character
| image          = Avengers-43.jpg
| image          = Avengers-43.jpg
| caption        = The Alexei Shostakov incarnation of Red Guardian as depicted in ''[[The Avengers (comic book)|The Avengers]]'' #43 (June 1967). Art by [[John Buscema]] and [[George Roussos]].
| caption        = The Alexei Shostakov incarnation of Red Guardian as depicted in ''[[The Avengers (comic book)|The Avengers]]'' #43 (August 1967). Art by [[John Buscema]] and [[George Roussos]].
| character_name = Red Guardian
| character_name = Red Guardian
| real_name      = {{ubl|Alexei Shostakov (Алексей Шостаков)|Dr. Tania Belinsky|Josef Petkus|Aleksey Lebedev|Krassno Granitsky|Abdul al-Rahma|Anton|Nikolai Krylenko|Alexei Shostakov L.M.D.}}
| real_name      = {{ubl|Alexei Shostakov (Алексей Шостаков)|Dr. Tania Belinsky|Josef Petkus|Aleksey Lebedev|Krassno Granitsky|Abdul al-Rahma|Anton|Nikolai Krylenko|Alexei Shostakov L.M.D.}}
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===Alexei Shostakov{{anchor|Alexei Andreevich Shostakov|Alexei|Andreevich|Shostakov}}===
===Alexei Shostakov{{anchor|Alexei Andreevich Shostakov|Alexei|Andreevich|Shostakov}}===
'''Alexei Andreevich Shostakov''' is the first version of the Red Guardian, and was created by [[Roy Thomas]] and [[John Buscema]], first appearing in ''[[The Avengers (comic book)|Avengers]]'' #43 (January 1967).
'''Alexei Andreevich Shostakov''' is the first version of the Red Guardian, and was created by [[Roy Thomas]] and [[John Buscema]], first appearing in ''[[The Avengers (comic book)|Avengers]]'' #43 (August 1967).


Alexei Shostakov was born in [[Moscow]], and was the husband<!--Please do not change; this section is about the comics, not the MCU.--> of Natasha Romanova. Both he and Romanova were agents of the Soviets: the latter as the [[Black Widow (Natasha Romanova)|Black Widow]] while the former became a test pilot and KGB agent and then trained as a Soviet counterpart to Captain America known as Red Guardian.{{Volume needed|c=y|date=July 2021}} While Black Widow becomes disillusioned with the KGB and defects to the United States, Red Guardian remains loyal to his country and becomes more ruthless and vindictive. He battles the [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]] on numerous occasions, with one seeing him become the third [[Ronin (Marvel Comics)|Ronin]].<ref>''[[The Avengers (comic book)|The Avengers]]'' #43–44 (August - September 1967)</ref><ref>''[[Daredevil (Marvel Comics series)|Daredevil]]'' (vol. 2) #64 (November 2004)</ref><ref>''[[Widowmaker (Marvel Comics)|Widowmaker]]'' #1-4 (February 2011)</ref>
Alexei Shostakov was born in [[Moscow]], and was the husband<!--Please do not change; this section is about the comics, not the MCU.--> of Natasha Romanova. Both he and Romanova were agents of the Soviets: the latter as the [[Black Widow (Natasha Romanova)|Black Widow]] while the former became a test pilot and KGB agent and then trained as a Soviet counterpart to Captain America known as Red Guardian.{{Volume needed|c=y|date=July 2021}}
 
During [[World War II]] on the [[Eastern Front (World War II)|Eastern Front]], Shostakov shot down a large number of [[Luftwaffe]] fighter planes in aerial battles and was credited for helping the [[Soviet Air Forces]] win air supremacy over the skies of [[Volgograd|Stalingrad]] and [[Kursk]]. Because of his skill, Shostakov was chosen for the most secret and dangerous tests and new aircraft for the Soviet Union. This included being the first pilot to test fly the [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15|MiG-15]]. The Soviet state controlled news media greatly publicized this and certain other missions of his such as his aerial battles against the [[U.S. Air Force]] over [[MiG Alley]] during the [[Korean War]]. As a result, Shostakov was decorated as a hero of the Soviet Union.
 
As the Cold War flared up in the 1950s, Soviet Premier [[Nikita Khrushchev]] realized that the Soviet Union needed its own equivalent to Captain America. Khrushchev chose Alexei Shostakov over [[Yuri Gagarin]], who would later become the first man in space. The KGB faked his death and trained him in secret, keeping his survival a secret from Natasha. He became a master of hand-to-hand combat and a highly skilled athlete. In addition, he carried a throwing disc on his belt which could be used against an opponent. Magnetic force returned the disc after throwing. The disc had the yellow hammer and sickle symbol on it and his costume was red with a star on his chest to symbolise the Soviet flag. While the Black Widow became disillusioned with KGB masters and defected to the United States, the Red Guardian remained loyal and became more ruthless and vindictive. The Red Guardian battles the [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]] with his Chinese ally Colonel Ling, to protect a Communist Chinese secret weapon located at a secret military base. Shostakov is shot and mortally wounded by Colonel Ling while saving the lives of Black Widow and Captain America.<ref>''[[The Avengers (comic book)|The Avengers]]'' #43–44 (August - September 1967)</ref>
 
Shostakov is later revealed to be alive and has risen to a high position of power in [[Bulgaria]]. He attempts to capture and try Natasha Romanoff for crimes as a Soviet super soldier, but his plan was foiled with the help of [[Daredevil (Marvel Comics character)|Daredevil]] and the Avengers.<ref>''[[Daredevil (Marvel Comics series)|Daredevil]]'' (vol. 2) #64 (November 2004)</ref>
 
Alexei resurfaces as the new [[Ronin (Marvel Comics)|Ronin]] and joins forces with the [[Gen'yōsha|Dark Ocean Society]] to instigate a war between [[Japan]] and [[Russia]] to restore the latter's former glory. He and the Society are defeated by [[Hawkeye (Clint Barton)|Hawkeye]], [[Mockingbird (Marvel Comics)|Mockingbird]] and Black Widow with the help of [[Fantasia (comics)|Fantasma]], and is taken into [[S.H.I.E.L.D.]] custody.<ref>''[[Widowmaker (Marvel Comics)|Widowmaker]]'' #1-4 (February 2011)</ref>
 
Shostakov is approached by a cadre of several of Black Widow's enemies, who implanted her with fake memories force her to live out a peaceful, simulated life as a married architect in [[San Francisco]]. Having already moved on from his hatred towards his ex-wife, Shostakov reluctantly joins the cadre and plans to usurp the group to rescue Natasha. When Black Widow regains her memories and the cadre decides to have her killed, Alexei saves Natasha by taking a bullet meant for her.<ref>''[[Black Widow (Marvel Comics)|Black Widow]]'' (vol. 8) #2-5 (December 2020 - April 2021)</ref>


In ''[[Thunderbolts (comic book)|Thunderbolts]]'' (vol. 5), [[Bucky Barnes]] recruits Shostakov into the [[Thunderbolts (comics)|eponymous team]].<ref>''[[Thunderbolts (comic book)|Thunderbolts]]'' (vol. 5) #1 (December 2023)</ref>
In ''[[Thunderbolts (comic book)|Thunderbolts]]'' (vol. 5), [[Bucky Barnes]] recruits Shostakov into the [[Thunderbolts (comics)|eponymous team]].<ref>''[[Thunderbolts (comic book)|Thunderbolts]]'' (vol. 5) #1 (December 2023)</ref>
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===Tania Belinsky{{anchor|Tania Belinsky|Tania|Belinsky}}===
===Tania Belinsky{{anchor|Tania Belinsky|Tania|Belinsky}}===
{{Main|Starlight (Marvel Comics)}}
{{Main|Starlight (Marvel Comics)}}
Tania Belinsky, a neurosurgeon from the USSR initially known as Starlight, later assumes the Red Guardian identity and joins the [[Defenders (comics)|Defenders]]. Created by [[Steve Gerber]] and [[Sal Buscema]], she first appeared in ''[[Defenders (comics)|The Defenders]]'' #35 (May 1976).
Tania Belinsky, a neurosurgeon from the USSR initially known as Starlight, later assumes the Red Guardian identity and joins the [[Defenders (comics)|Defenders]]. Created by [[Steve Gerber]] and [[Sal Buscema]], she first appeared in ''[[The Defenders (comic book)|The Defenders]]'' #35 (May 1976).


===Josef Petkus{{anchor|Josef|Petkus}}===
===Josef Petkus{{anchor|Josef|Petkus}}===
'''Josef Petkus''' is the fourth Red Guardian, first appearing in ''[[Captain America (comic book)|Captain America]]'' #352 (April 1989), and was created by writer [[Mark Gruenwald]] and artist [[Kieron Dwyer]]. The character subsequently appears in ''The Avengers'' #319–324 (July–October 1990), ''[[The Incredible Hulk (comic book)|The Incredible Hulk]]'' #393 (May 1992), and ''Soviet Super-Soldiers'' #1 (November 1992). The character subsequently appears as the '''Steel Guardian''' in ''Iron Man'' (vol. 2) #9 (October 1998). Petkus appeared as part of the "Supreme Soviets" entry in the ''[[Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe|Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Update '89]]'' #7.
'''Josef Petkus''' is the fourth Red Guardian, first appearing in ''[[Captain America (comic book)|Captain America]]'' #352 (April 1989), and was created by writer [[Mark Gruenwald]] and artist [[Kieron Dwyer]]. The character subsequently appears in ''The Avengers'' #319–324 (July–October 1990), ''[[The Incredible Hulk (comic book)|The Incredible Hulk]]'' #393 (May 1992), and ''Soviet Super-Soldiers'' #1 (November 1992). Petkus later appeared as the '''Steel Guardian''' in ''Iron Man'' (vol. 2) #9 (October 1998) and was included in the "Supreme Soviets" entry in the ''[[Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe|Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Update '89]]'' #7.
 
Josef Petkus is a special operative for the intelligence agencies of the Soviet Union and a member of the [[Soviet Super-Soldiers|Supreme Soviets]].<ref>''[[Captain America (comic book)|Captain America]]'' #352–353 (April - May 1989)</ref>
 
He later joins the [[Winter Guard]] and the Supreme Soviets splinter group the People's Protectorate, now calling himself the "Steel Guardian".<ref>''The Avengers'' #319–324 (July - October 1990)</ref><ref>''[[Iron Man (comic book)|Iron Man]]'' (vol. 3) #9 (October 1988)</ref>


In ''Darkstar and the Winter Guard'', Petkus is killed by [[Dire Wraith|Dire Wraiths]] while attempting to resurrect [[Vanguard (Marvel Comics)|Vanguard]]'s sister Lanyia.<ref>''Darkstar and the Winter Guard'' #2 (September 2010)</ref>
Josef Petkus is a special operative for the intelligence agencies of the Soviet Union and a member of the militant [[Soviet Super-Soldiers|Supreme Soviets]]. Alongside the Supreme Soviets, he attacks the [[Soviet Super-Soldiers]] for defecting from the Soviet Union. Alongside Captain America, he later battled a bear-like creature made of [[Darkforce]].<ref>''[[Captain America (comic book)|Captain America]]'' #352–353 (April - May 1989)</ref> The Supreme Soviets are later rebranded as a post-Soviet [[Russia]]n super-team called the [[Winter Guard]].<ref>''The Avengers'' #319–324 (July - October 1990)</ref> Petkus later joins a Winter Guard splinter group called the [[Soviet Super-Soldiers|People's Protectorate]], now calling himself the "Steel Guardian".<ref>''[[Iron Man (comic book)|Iron Man]]'' (vol. 3) #9 (October 1998)</ref> He and his team search for the timelord [[Immortus]], hoping to find a way to resurrect Vanguard's sister Lanyia. They agree to fight off [[Dire Wraith]]s invading Immortus' realm in exchange for this favor; Petkus is killed in the ensuing battle.<ref name="Darkstar-2-3">''Darkstar and the Winter Guard'' #2–3 (September - October 2010)</ref>


===Krassno Granitsky{{anchor|Krassno|Granitsky}}===
===Krassno Granitsky{{anchor|Krassno|Granitsky}}===
'''Krassno Granitsky''', the fifth Red Guardian, appeared in ''[[David North (character)|Maverick]]'' #10 (June 1998), and was created by writer Jorge Gonzales and artist Leo Fernandez. The name "Krassno Granitsky" comes from the [[James Bond]] novel ''[[From Russia, with Love (novel)|From Russia With Love]]''; it is the Russianized name of assassin Donovan Grant.{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}}
'''Krassno Granitsky''', the fifth Red Guardian, appeared in ''[[David North (character)|Maverick]]'' #10 (June 1998), and was created by writer Jorge Gonzales and artist Leo Fernandez. The name "Krassno Granitsky" comes from the [[James Bond]] novel ''[[From Russia, with Love (novel)|From Russia With Love]]''; it is the Russianized name of assassin Donovan Grant.{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}} He teamed up with the mercenary superhero [[David North (character)|Maverick]] to battle a crime lord. He also appears in [[Ed Brubaker]]'s ''[[Captain America (vol. 5)|Captain America]]'', where he is executed by [[Aleksander Lukin]].<ref>''Captain America'' (vol. 5) #1 (January 2005)</ref>
 
In ''Captain America'' (2004), Granitsky is killed by [[Aleksander Lukin]].<ref>''Captain America'' (vol. 5) #1 (January 2005)</ref>


===Anton{{anchor|Anton|Ivanov}}===
===Anton{{anchor|Anton|Ivanov}}===
'''Anton''', the sixth Red Guardian,<ref>''[[She-Hulk]]'' (vol. 2) #35 (January 2009)</ref> debuted in ''[[Hulk]]'' (vol. 2) as a member of the Winter Guard.<ref>''[[The Incredible Hulk (comic book)|Hulk]]'' (vol. 2) #1 (January 2008)</ref>
'''Anton''', the sixth Red Guardian, first appears in [[Jeph Loeb]]'s ''[[Hulk]]'' series as a member of the Winter Guard.<ref>''[[The Incredible Hulk (comic book)|Hulk]]'' (vol. 2) #1 (January 2008)</ref> Anton claims to be an engineer and a former pilot of the [[Crimson Dynamo]] armor, and is later revealed to be a human who transferred his mind into a [[Life Model Decoy]].<ref>''Hulk: Winter Guard'' #1 (December 2009)</ref> He is decapitated by a Dire Wraith, although his head survives and is kept in storage.<ref name="Darkstar-2-3" />
 
Anton claims to be an engineer and a former pilot of the [[Crimson Dynamo]] armor, and is later revealed to be a human who transferred his mind into a [[Life Model Decoy]].<ref>''Hulk: Winter Guard'' #1 (December 2009)</ref>
 
He is decapitated by a Dire Wraith, although his head survives and is kept in storage.<ref name="Darkstar-2-3">''Darkstar and the Winter Guard'' #2–3 (September - October 2010)</ref>


===Nikolai Krylenko{{anchor|Nikolai|Krylenko}}===
===Nikolai Krylenko{{anchor|Nikolai|Krylenko}}===
{{Main|Vanguard (Marvel Comics)}}
{{Main|Vanguard (Marvel Comics)}}
'''Nikolai Krylenko''' (also known as Vanguard) is the seventh version of the Red Guardian, and leads the Winter Guard.<ref name="Darkstar-2-3" /> Created by [[Bill Mantlo]] and [[Carmine Infantino]] for ''[[Iron Man (comic book)|Iron Man]]'' #109 (April 1978), he was redeveloped as the Red Guardian by [[David Gallaher]] and [[Steve Ellis (comics)|Steve Ellis]] from ''Darkstar and the Winter Guard'' #2 (July 2010) onward.<ref name="Darkstar-2-3" />
 
'''Nikolai Krylenko''' (also known as Vanguard) is the seventh version of the Red Guardian, and leads the Winter Guard. Created by [[Bill Mantlo]] and [[Carmine Infantino]] for ''[[Iron Man (comic book)|Iron Man]]'' #109 (April 1978), he was redeveloped as the Red Guardian by [[David Gallaher]] and [[Steve Ellis (comics)|Steve Ellis]] from ''Darkstar and the Winter Guard'' #2 (July 2010) onward.<ref name="Darkstar-2-3" />


==Powers and abilities==
==Powers and abilities==
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All the Guardians but Tania have used a steel shield similar to that used by Captain America. Alexei and Tania used a "belt-buckle" disc, a hurling weapon which magnetically returned to the wearer's hand when thrown, and was a part of their costume's [[Buckle|belt buckle]]. The fourth Red Guardian, Josef Petkus, often employed an energized sword as a secondary weapon alongside his shield.<ref>''The Incredible Hulk'' #393 (May 1992)</ref> The sixth Red Guardian was an LMD named Anton Ivanov, whose powers are cybernetic based. His falsified backstory was that he was an expert engineer and former Crimson Dynamo pilot; his real strength lies in his moderate degree of enhanced cybernetic physicality.  
All the Guardians but Tania have used a steel shield similar to that used by Captain America. Alexei and Tania used a "belt-buckle" disc, a hurling weapon which magnetically returned to the wearer's hand when thrown, and was a part of their costume's [[Buckle|belt buckle]]. The fourth Red Guardian, Josef Petkus, often employed an energized sword as a secondary weapon alongside his shield.<ref>''The Incredible Hulk'' #393 (May 1992)</ref> The sixth Red Guardian was an LMD named Anton Ivanov, whose powers are cybernetic based. His falsified backstory was that he was an expert engineer and former Crimson Dynamo pilot; his real strength lies in his moderate degree of enhanced cybernetic physicality.  


The latest Red Guardian is Nikolai Krylenko/Vanguard, brother to Laynia Petrovna, whose powers are derived from his mutation.<ref>''Soviet Super Soldiers'' #1 (November 1992)</ref> which stems to a fullbody force field that repels electromagnetic and kinetic energy, forces he can best guide and direct through a medium like the technically advanced [[vibranium]] shield supplied to him by the Executive Security Committee.<ref name="Darkstar-2-3" /> He also directs this force against the earth itself to obtain flight. Nikolai wears a more advanced suit than previous Red Guardians, which is lined with circuitry that works in conjunction with the compact computer on his shield, not only enabling the guided flight and return through their digital connection, but the amplification of the effects of his own energy field.<ref>''[[Age of Heroes (comics)|Age of Heroes]]'' #3 (September 2010)</ref>
Nikolai Krylenko/Vanguard is a mutant who possesses a full-body force field that repels electromagnetic and kinetic energy.<ref>''Soviet Super Soldiers'' #1 (November 1992)</ref> He is able to direct his field through the technically advanced [[vibranium]] shield supplied to him by the Executive Security Committee.<ref name="Darkstar-2-3" /> He also directs this force against the earth itself to achieve flight. Nikolai wears a more advanced suit than previous Red Guardians, which is lined with circuitry that works in conjunction with the compact computer on his shield, not only enabling the guided flight and return through their digital connection, but the amplification of his energy field.<ref>''[[Age of Heroes (comics)|Age of Heroes]]'' #3 (September 2010)</ref>


==Other versions==
==Other versions==
===''Bullet Points''===
===''Bullet Points''===
An alternate universe variant of Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian from Earth-70105 makes a minor appearance in ''[[Bullet Points (comics)|Bullet Points]]'' #5 as one of many heroes who battle [[Galactus]].<ref>''[[Bullet Points (comics)|Bullet Points]]'' #5 (May 2007)</ref>
An alternate universe version of Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian from Earth-70105 makes a minor appearance in ''[[Bullet Points (comics)|Bullet Points]]'' #5 as one of many heroes who battle [[Galactus]].<ref>''[[Bullet Points (comics)|Bullet Points]]'' #5 (May 2007)</ref>


===''Civil War: House of M''===
===''Civil War: House of M''===
An unidentified alternate universe variant of Red Guardian from Earth-58163 appears in ''[[Civil War: House of M]]'' #2 as a member of the Soviet Super Soldiers.<ref>''[[Civil War: House of M]]'' #2 (December 2008)</ref>
An unidentified alternate universe version of Red Guardian from Earth-58163 appears in ''[[Civil War: House of M]]'' #2 as a member of the Soviet Super Soldiers.<ref>''[[Civil War: House of M]]'' #2 (December 2008)</ref>


===''Exiles''===
===''Exiles''===
An alternate universe variant of Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian from Earth-3470 appears in ''[[Exiles (comic book)|Exiles]]'' #84.<ref>''[[Exiles (comic book)|Exiles]]'' #84 (September 2006)</ref>
An alternate universe version of Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian from Earth-3470 appears in ''[[Exiles (comic book)|Exiles]]'' #84.<ref>''[[Exiles (comic book)|Exiles]]'' #84 (September 2006)</ref>


===Ultimate Marvel===
===Ultimate Marvel===
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}}
}}
'''Colonel Abdul al-Rahman''' is an [[Azerbaijan|Azerbaijani]] teenager and the leader of the [[Masters of Evil|Liberators]] who was transformed into a super-soldier by Russian scientists and wields a [[lightsaber]]-like weapon. As a member of the Liberators, al-Rahman operates as the '''Colonel'''. He is later killed by Captain America and [[Hulk (Ultimate Marvel character)|Hulk]].<ref>''[[The Ultimates 2]]'' #7–12 (September 2005 - August 2006)</ref>
'''Colonel Abdul al-Rahman''' is an [[Azerbaijan|Azerbaijani]] teenager and the leader of the [[Masters of Evil|Liberators]] who was transformed into a super-soldier by Russian scientists and wields a [[lightsaber]]-like weapon. As a member of the Liberators, al-Rahman operates as the '''Colonel'''. He is later killed by Captain America and [[Hulk (Ultimate Marvel character)|Hulk]].<ref>''[[The Ultimates 2]]'' #7–12 (September 2005 - August 2006)</ref>
===Ultimate Universe===
An alternate universe version of Alexei Shostakov from Earth-6160, simply known as Guardian, appears in ''[[Ultimate Wolverine]]'' as a member of the Opposition, a resistance against the Rasputin family.<ref>''[[Ultimate Wolverine]]'' #7 (September 2025)</ref>


==In other media==
==In other media==
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[[File:David Harbour by Gage Skidmore 2.jpg|thumb|upright|185px|[[David Harbour]] promoting ''[[Black Widow (2021 film)|Black Widow]]'' at the 2019 [[San Diego Comic-Con]].]]
[[File:David Harbour by Gage Skidmore 2.jpg|thumb|upright|185px|[[David Harbour]] promoting ''[[Black Widow (2021 film)|Black Widow]]'' at the 2019 [[San Diego Comic-Con]].]]
Characters based on the Red Guardian appear in media set in the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] (MCU):
Characters based on the Red Guardian appear in media set in the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] (MCU):
* Anton Ivanov appears in the [[Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 4|fourth]] and [[Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 5|fifth seasons]] of ''[[Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.]]'' (2016–2018), portrayed by [[Zach McGowan]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Blossom|first=Aaron|date=March 1, 2020|title=''Black Widow'': Which ''Red Guardian'' Comics Marvel Fans Should Read|url=https://screenrant.com/marvel-red-guardian-comics-black-widow|access-date=March 1, 2020|website=[[Screen Rant]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEhzXp6-wDI|title=''The MCU's Other M.O.D.O.K.''|date=February 17, 2023|author=Pillar of Garbage|access-date=February 17, 2023|via=[[YouTube]]|work=Pillar of Garbage}}</ref> This version is a reclusive Russian industrialist known as "The Superior" who believes [[Inhumans (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Inhumans]] to be monsters. He works with the [[Watchdogs (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Watchdogs]], their benefactor Senator [[Ellen Nadeer]], and later [[Holden Radcliffe (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Holden Radcliffe]] to fight [[S.H.I.E.L.D. (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|S.H.I.E.L.D.]] until he is crippled by [[Daisy Johnson (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Daisy Johnson]]. Following this, Ivanov is decapitated by [[Aida (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|AIDA]], who keeps him alive as a [[brain in a vat]] and gives him a series of [[Life Model Decoy|Life-Model Decoys Designed Only for Killing]] (L-MODOKs) for his mind to remotely control. Series producers [[Jed Whedon]], [[Maurissa Tancharoen]], and [[Jeffrey Bell]] introduced Ivanov with the intention of turning him into [[MODOK]],<ref name="Gowan" /> before [[Marvel Studios]] retracted access to the latter for use in the ''[[New Warriors (TV pilot)|New Warriors]]'' pilot (2018) and the film ''[[Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania]]'' (2023).<ref name="Gowan">{{cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2020/08/18/agents-of-shield-almost-introduced-modok|title=Yep, ''Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'' Was Going to Introduce Crazy-Looking M.O.D.O.K.|last=Mitovich|first=Matt Webb|work=[[TVLine]]|date=August 18, 2020|access-date=August 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818171647/https://tvline.com/2020/08/18/agents-of-shield-almost-introduced-modok/|archive-date=August 18, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/the-agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-showrunners-reveal-the-plan-1844694196|title=The ''Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.'' showrunners reveal the plan behind that grand series finale|last=McLevy|first=Alex|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=August 12, 2020|access-date=August 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813193807/https://tv.avclub.com/the-agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-showrunners-reveal-the-plan-1844694196|archive-date=August 13, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/modok-mcu-ant-man-quantumania|title=MODOK's Long Road to the MCU|last=Fink|first=Richard|work=[[MovieWeb]]|date=January 11, 2023|access-date=January 11, 2023}}</ref>
* Anton Ivanov appears in the [[Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 4|fourth]] and [[Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 5|fifth seasons]] of ''[[Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.]]'' (2016–2018), portrayed by [[Zach McGowan]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blossom |first=Aaron |date=March 1, 2020 |title=Black Widow: Which Red Guardian Comics Marvel Fans Should Read |url=https://screenrant.com/marvel-red-guardian-comics-black-widow |access-date=March 1, 2020 |website=[[Screen Rant]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEhzXp6-wDI|title=''The MCU's Other M.O.D.O.K.''|date=February 17, 2023|author=Pillar of Garbage|access-date=February 17, 2023|via=[[YouTube]]|work=Pillar of Garbage}}</ref> This version is a reclusive Russian industrialist known as "The Superior" who believes [[Inhumans (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Inhumans]] to be monsters. He works with the [[Watchdogs (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Watchdogs]], their benefactor Senator [[Ellen Nadeer]], and later [[Holden Radcliffe (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Holden Radcliffe]] to fight [[S.H.I.E.L.D. (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|S.H.I.E.L.D.]] until he is crippled by [[Daisy Johnson (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Daisy Johnson]]. Following this, Ivanov is decapitated by [[Aida (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|AIDA]], who keeps him alive as a [[brain in a vat]] and gives him a series of [[Life Model Decoy|Life-Model Decoys Designed Only for Killing]] (L-MODOKs) for his mind to remotely control. Series producers [[Jed Whedon]], [[Maurissa Tancharoen]], and [[Jeffrey Bell]] introduced Ivanov with the intention of turning him into [[MODOK]],<ref name="Gowan" /> before [[Marvel Studios]] retracted access to the latter for use in the ''[[New Warriors (TV pilot)|New Warriors]]'' pilot (2018) and the film ''[[Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania]]'' (2023).<ref name="Gowan">{{cite web |last=Mitovich |first=Matt Webb |date=August 18, 2020 |title=Yep, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Was Going to Introduce Crazy-Looking M.O.D.O.K. |url=https://tvline.com/2020/08/18/agents-of-shield-almost-introduced-modok |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818171647/https://tvline.com/2020/08/18/agents-of-shield-almost-introduced-modok/ |archive-date=August 18, 2020 |access-date=August 18, 2020 |work=[[TVLine]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=McLevy |first=Alex |date=August 12, 2020 |title=The Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. showrunners reveal the plan behind that grand series finale |url=https://www.avclub.com/the-agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-showrunners-reveal-the-plan-1844694196 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813193807/https://tv.avclub.com/the-agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-showrunners-reveal-the-plan-1844694196 |archive-date=August 13, 2020 |access-date=August 13, 2020 |work=[[The A.V. Club]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/modok-mcu-ant-man-quantumania|title=MODOK's Long Road to the MCU|last=Fink|first=Richard|work=[[MovieWeb]]|date=January 11, 2023|access-date=January 11, 2023}}</ref>
* The Alexei Shostakov incarnation of the Red Guardian appears in ''[[Black Widow (2021 film)|Black Widow]]'' (2021), portrayed by [[David Harbour]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/red-guardian-black-widow-explained|title=Red Guardian: David Harbour's ''Black Widow'' movie role, Explained|work=[[Comic Book Resources]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722164511/https://www.cbr.com/red-guardian-black-widow-explained/|archive-date=July 22, 2019|url-status=live|date=July 21, 2019|access-date=August 24, 2019|last=Hayes|first=Jackson}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|author=[[Nerdist|Nerdist Staff]]|url=https://nerdist.com/article/everything-we-know-about-black-widow|title=Everything We Know About ''Black Widow''|website=[[Nerdist]]|access-date=March 23, 2021|date=March 23, 2021}}</ref> This version is the adoptive father of [[Natasha Romanoff (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Natasha Romanoff]] and [[Yelena Belova (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Yelena Belova]].<ref name="SDCCDetails">{{Cite magazine|last=Coggan|first=Devan|date=July 20, 2019|title=''Black Widow'' hits Comic-Con with first details of Scarlett Johansson film|url=https://ew.com/comic-con/2019/07/20/black-widow-movie-first-look-scarlett-johansson|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721020135/https://ew.com/comic-con/2019/07/20/black-widow-movie-first-look-scarlett-johansson/|archive-date=July 21, 2019|access-date=July 20, 2019|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref><ref name="Harbour">{{Cite web|last=N'Duka|first=Amanda|date=April 3, 2019|title=David Harbour Set For Disney/Marvel {{'}}''Black Widow''{{'}} Standalone|url=https://deadline.com/2019/04/david-harbour-disney-marvel-black-widow-movie-1202587737|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403183112/https://deadline.com/2019/04/david-harbour-disney-marvel-black-widow-movie-1202587737/|archive-date=April 3, 2019|access-date=April 3, 2019|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref> Harbour said Shostakov has "tons of cracks all over him. And he's not the heroic, noble man that [people] want him to be. He both comically and tragically has a lot of flaws".<ref name="HarbourWrap">{{Cite web|last1=Gonzales|first1=Umberto|last2=Mass|first2=Jennifer|date=January 12, 2020|title=David Harbour Says Red Guardian in {{'}}''Black Widow''{{'}} 'Was the Captain America of His Day for Russia'|url=https://www.thewrap.com/david-harbour-says-red-guardian-in-black-widow-was-the-captain-america-of-his-day-for-russia|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111010002/https://www.thewrap.com/david-harbour-says-red-guardian-in-black-widow-was-the-captain-america-of-his-day-for-russia/|archive-date=January 11, 2020|access-date=January 12, 2020|website=[[TheWrap]]}}</ref> For Harbour's portrayal, he and ''Black Widow'' director [[Cate Shortland]] discussed [[Ricky Gervais]]' performance in ''[[The Office (British TV series)|The Office]]'' and [[Philip Seymour Hoffman]]'s in ''[[The Savages (film)|The Savages]]'', "comedy that comes out of real domestic need".<ref name="EmpireMagazineMay2020">{{Cite magazine |last=O'Hara |first=Helen |title=Against the Odds |magazine=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] |location=United Kingdom |publisher=[[Bauer Media Group]] |issue=May 2020 |pages=58–65}}</ref>
* The Alexei Shostakov incarnation of the Red Guardian appears in ''[[Black Widow (2021 film)|Black Widow]]'' (2021), portrayed by [[David Harbour]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Hayes |first=Jackson |date=July 21, 2019 |title=Red Guardian: David Harbour's Black Widow movie role, Explained |url=https://www.cbr.com/red-guardian-black-widow-explained |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722164511/https://www.cbr.com/red-guardian-black-widow-explained/ |archive-date=July 22, 2019 |access-date=August 24, 2019 |work=[[Comic Book Resources]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=[[Nerdist|Nerdist Staff]] |date=March 23, 2021 |title=Everything We Know About Black Widow |url=https://nerdist.com/article/everything-we-know-about-black-widow |access-date=March 23, 2021 |website=[[Nerdist]]}}</ref> This version is the adoptive father of [[Natasha Romanoff (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Natasha Romanoff]] and [[Yelena Belova (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Yelena Belova]].<ref name="SDCCDetails">{{Cite magazine |last=Coggan |first=Devan |date=July 20, 2019 |title=Black Widow hits Comic-Con with first details of Scarlett Johansson film |url=https://ew.com/comic-con/2019/07/20/black-widow-movie-first-look-scarlett-johansson |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721020135/https://ew.com/comic-con/2019/07/20/black-widow-movie-first-look-scarlett-johansson/ |archive-date=July 21, 2019 |access-date=July 20, 2019 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref><ref name="Harbour">{{Cite web|last=N'Duka|first=Amanda|date=April 3, 2019|title=David Harbour Set For Disney/Marvel {{'}}''Black Widow''{{'}} Standalone|url=https://deadline.com/2019/04/david-harbour-disney-marvel-black-widow-movie-1202587737|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403183112/https://deadline.com/2019/04/david-harbour-disney-marvel-black-widow-movie-1202587737/|archive-date=April 3, 2019|access-date=April 3, 2019|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref> Harbour said Shostakov has "tons of cracks all over him. And he's not the heroic, noble man that [people] want him to be. He both comically and tragically has a lot of flaws".<ref name="HarbourWrap">{{Cite web |last1=Gonzales |first1=Umberto |last2=Mass |first2=Jennifer |date=January 12, 2020 |title=David Harbour Says Red Guardian in 'Black Widow' 'Was the Captain America of His Day for Russia' |url=https://www.thewrap.com/david-harbour-says-red-guardian-in-black-widow-was-the-captain-america-of-his-day-for-russia |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111010002/https://www.thewrap.com/david-harbour-says-red-guardian-in-black-widow-was-the-captain-america-of-his-day-for-russia/ |archive-date=January 11, 2020 |access-date=January 12, 2020 |website=[[TheWrap]]}}</ref> For Harbour's portrayal, he and ''Black Widow'' director [[Cate Shortland]] discussed [[Ricky Gervais]]' performance in ''[[The Office (British TV series)|The Office]]'' and [[Philip Seymour Hoffman]]'s in ''[[The Savages (film)|The Savages]]'', "comedy that comes out of real domestic need".<ref name="EmpireMagazineMay2020">{{Cite magazine |last=O'Hara |first=Helen |title=Against the Odds |magazine=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] |location=United Kingdom |publisher=[[Bauer Media Group]] |issue=May 2020 |pages=58–65}}</ref>
** In ''Black Widow'', years prior to the film's main events, Shostakov allies with General [[Dreykov (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Dreykov]] of the [[Red Room (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Red Room]], who sends him on an undercover mission to the United States alongside [[Melina Vostokoff (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Melina Vostokoff]], Romanoff, and Belova. After concluding the mission however, Dreykov has Shostakov incarcerated in the Seventh Circle Prison. In the present, Romanoff and Belova free Shostakov to help them and Vostokoff destroy the Red Room.<ref name="EmpireMagazineMay2020" />
** In ''Black Widow'', years prior to the film's main events, Shostakov allies with General [[Dreykov (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Dreykov]] of the [[Red Room (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Red Room]], who sends him on an undercover mission to the United States alongside [[Melina Vostokoff (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Melina Vostokoff]], Romanoff, and Belova. After concluding the mission however, Dreykov has Shostakov incarcerated in the Seventh Circle Prison. In the present, Romanoff and Belova free Shostakov to help them and Vostokoff destroy the Red Room.<ref name="EmpireMagazineMay2020" />
** Alternate timeline variants of Shostakov appear in the [[What If...? season 3|third season]] of ''[[What If...? (TV series)|What If...?]]'' (2024), voiced by Harbour.<ref name="btva2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dick |first=Jeremy |date=December 29, 2023 |title=What If...? Season 3 Gets First Look Trailer From Marvel |url=https://www.cbr.com/what-if-season-3-first-clip/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230001737/https://www.cbr.com/what-if-season-3-first-clip/ |archive-date=December 30, 2023 |access-date=December 29, 2023 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Amin |first=Arezou |date=December 23, 2024 |title='What If...?' Season 3 Episode 1 Recap: Invasion of the Hulkzillas |url=https://collider.com/what-if-season-3-episode-1-recap/ |url-status= |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=December 23, 2024 |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Amin |first=Arezou |date=December 24, 2024 |title='What If...?' Season 3 Episode 3 Recap: Bucky and Alexei's Excellent Adventure |url=https://collider.com/what-if-season-3-episode-3-recap/ |url-status= |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=December 24, 2024 |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]}}</ref>
** Alternate timeline variants of Shostakov appear in the [[What If...? season 3|third season]] of ''[[What If...? (TV series)|What If...?]]'' (2024), voiced by Harbour.<ref name="btva2" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dick |first=Jeremy |date=December 29, 2023 |title=What If...? Season 3 Gets First Look Trailer From Marvel |url=https://www.cbr.com/what-if-season-3-first-clip/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230001737/https://www.cbr.com/what-if-season-3-first-clip/ |archive-date=December 30, 2023 |access-date=December 29, 2023 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Amin |first=Arezou |date=December 23, 2024 |title='What If...?' Season 3 Episode 1 Recap: Invasion of the Hulkzillas |url=https://collider.com/what-if-season-3-episode-1-recap/ |url-status= |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=December 23, 2024 |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Amin |first=Arezou |date=December 24, 2024 |title='What If...?' Season 3 Episode 3 Recap: Bucky and Alexei's Excellent Adventure |url=https://collider.com/what-if-season-3-episode-3-recap/ |url-status= |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=December 24, 2024 |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]}}</ref>
** Shostakov appears in ''[[Thunderbolts*]]'' (2025). While having not contacted Yelena for a year, Shostakov has started a limousine service. He would later come to the aid of Yelena, [[U.S. Agent]], and [[Ava Starr|Ghost]]. Red Guardian becomes a founding member of the [[Thunderbolts (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|titular team]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/thunderbolts-cast-florence-pugh-julia-louis-dreyfus-1235364635|title= Marvel's {{'}}''Thunderbolts''{{'}} Recruits Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, David Harbour, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and More|last=Panaligan|first=EJ|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=September 10, 2022|access-date=September 10, 2022}}</ref> which is later rebranded as the [[New Avengers (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|New Avengers]] by [[Valentina Allegra de Fontaine]] following Void's defeat.
** Shostakov appears in ''[[Thunderbolts*]]'' (2025). Having lost contact with Belova a year prior, Shostakov started a limousine service before helping her and others found the [[Thunderbolts (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|titular team]],<ref>{{cite web |last=Panaligan |first=EJ |date=September 10, 2022 |title=Marvel's 'Thunderbolts' Recruits Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, David Harbour, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and More |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/thunderbolts-cast-florence-pugh-julia-louis-dreyfus-1235364635 |access-date=September 10, 2022 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> which is later rebranded as the [[New Avengers (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|New Avengers]] by [[Valentina Allegra de Fontaine]].
** A separate variant of Shostakov will appear in ''[[Marvel Zombies (miniseries)|Marvel Zombies]]'' (2025).<ref name="UpcomingAnimation">{{Cite web|last=Nolan|first=Liam|date=July 22, 2022|title=SDCC Live: Marvel Studios Animation Panel Reveals Future of ''X-Men '97'', ''What If'' and ''Marvel Zombies''|url=https://www.cbr.com/marvel-studios-animation-x-men-what-if-zombies-sdcc|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220722212921/https://www.cbr.com/marvel-studios-animation-x-men-what-if-zombies-sdcc/|archive-date=July 22, 2022|access-date=July 22, 2022|website=[[Comic Book Resources]]}}</ref>
** An alternate universe variant of Shostakov appears in ''[[Marvel Zombies (miniseries)|Marvel Zombies]]'' (2025).<ref name="UpcomingAnimation">{{Cite web|last=Nolan|first=Liam|date=July 22, 2022|title=SDCC Live: Marvel Studios Animation Panel Reveals Future of ''X-Men '97'', ''What If'' and ''Marvel Zombies''|url=https://www.cbr.com/marvel-studios-animation-x-men-what-if-zombies-sdcc|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220722212921/https://www.cbr.com/marvel-studios-animation-x-men-what-if-zombies-sdcc/|archive-date=July 22, 2022|access-date=July 22, 2022|website=[[Comic Book Resources]]}}</ref> He is a survivor of the zombie apocalypse who ends up joining [[Kamala Khan (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Kamala Khan]] and [[Blade (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Blade Knight]] in their quest for a ship to take them to space, although Shostakov becomes devastated with the loss of Melina and Yelena to the zombies. In the third episode, he dines with Asgardians in New Asgard, only to learn the food is actually zombie remains disguised by [[Wanda Maximoff (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Wanda Maximoff]], for which Shostakov ends up becoming a zombie.
** Harbour will reprise his role as Shostakov in ''[[Avengers: Doomsday]]'' (2026).<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Couch |first1=Aaron |last2=Kit |first2=Borys |date=March 26, 2025 |title=Marvel Unveils 'Avengers: Doomsday' Cast with MCU Mainstays and 'X-Men', 'Fantastic Four' Stars |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/avengers-doomsday-cast-announced-1236172556/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250326205542/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/avengers-doomsday-cast-announced-1236172556/ |archive-date=March 26, 2025 |access-date=March 26, 2025 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref>
** Harbour will reprise his role as Shostakov in ''[[Avengers: Doomsday]]'' (2026).<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Couch |first1=Aaron |last2=Kit |first2=Borys |date=March 26, 2025 |title=Marvel Unveils 'Avengers: Doomsday' Cast with MCU Mainstays and 'X-Men', 'Fantastic Four' Stars |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/avengers-doomsday-cast-announced-1236172556/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250326205542/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/avengers-doomsday-cast-announced-1236172556/ |archive-date=March 26, 2025 |access-date=March 26, 2025 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref>


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Latest revision as of 20:46, 16 November 2025

Template:Short description Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters". The Red Guardian (Russian: Красный страж, Krasnyy Strazh) is the name of several fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics: Aleksey Lebedev, Alexei Shostakov, Tania Belinsky, Josef Petkus, Krassno Granitsky, Anton Ivanov, and Nikolai Krylenko, as well as a villainous Life Model Decoy of Shostakov. The Red Guardian is an identity created as the Soviet equivalent to Captain America, although its use has continued in post-Soviet Russia. In the Ultimate Marvel continuity, the Red Guardian is adapted as two separate characters: Captain Russia and Colonel Abdul al-Rahma.

Characters based on the Red Guardian have made scattered appearances in animated media and video games; Anton Ivanov and Alexei Shostakov feature in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) franchise, portrayed by Zach McGowan and David Harbour, respectively.

Fictional character biography

Aleksey LebedevScript error: No such module "anchor".

Aleksey Lebedev (Russian: Алексей Лебедев), the Golden Age version of the Red Guardian, first appeared in Namor, The Sub-Mariner Annual #1 (June 1991) as a retcon of the history of the Red Guardian identity, establishing a version who appeared prior to the version first seen in 1967, created by writers Dana Moreshead and Mike Thomas, and artist Phil Hester. Very little is known of him, but he fought alongside Captain America (William Naslund) and the Sub-Mariner at the Potsdam Conference, in July 1945.[1]

He began his career during World War II, and met the All-Winners Squad (formerly the Invaders) on only one recorded occasion, clashing with them shortly after the war's end where he taunted Captain America (secretly the Patriot) that he was 'slowing down' after he was able to catch Captain America's shield.[2] Like the other crusaders of the same name, he was created as a Soviet counterpart to Captain America.Template:Volume needed He was later apparently killed during the purges of the 1950s, opposing the brutal experiments that would later create his successor.[3]

Alexei ShostakovScript error: No such module "anchor".

Alexei Andreevich Shostakov is the first version of the Red Guardian, and was created by Roy Thomas and John Buscema, first appearing in Avengers #43 (August 1967).

Alexei Shostakov was born in Moscow, and was the husband of Natasha Romanova. Both he and Romanova were agents of the Soviets: the latter as the Black Widow while the former became a test pilot and KGB agent and then trained as a Soviet counterpart to Captain America known as Red Guardian.Template:Volume needed

During World War II on the Eastern Front, Shostakov shot down a large number of Luftwaffe fighter planes in aerial battles and was credited for helping the Soviet Air Forces win air supremacy over the skies of Stalingrad and Kursk. Because of his skill, Shostakov was chosen for the most secret and dangerous tests and new aircraft for the Soviet Union. This included being the first pilot to test fly the MiG-15. The Soviet state controlled news media greatly publicized this and certain other missions of his such as his aerial battles against the U.S. Air Force over MiG Alley during the Korean War. As a result, Shostakov was decorated as a hero of the Soviet Union.

As the Cold War flared up in the 1950s, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev realized that the Soviet Union needed its own equivalent to Captain America. Khrushchev chose Alexei Shostakov over Yuri Gagarin, who would later become the first man in space. The KGB faked his death and trained him in secret, keeping his survival a secret from Natasha. He became a master of hand-to-hand combat and a highly skilled athlete. In addition, he carried a throwing disc on his belt which could be used against an opponent. Magnetic force returned the disc after throwing. The disc had the yellow hammer and sickle symbol on it and his costume was red with a star on his chest to symbolise the Soviet flag. While the Black Widow became disillusioned with KGB masters and defected to the United States, the Red Guardian remained loyal and became more ruthless and vindictive. The Red Guardian battles the Avengers with his Chinese ally Colonel Ling, to protect a Communist Chinese secret weapon located at a secret military base. Shostakov is shot and mortally wounded by Colonel Ling while saving the lives of Black Widow and Captain America.[4]

Shostakov is later revealed to be alive and has risen to a high position of power in Bulgaria. He attempts to capture and try Natasha Romanoff for crimes as a Soviet super soldier, but his plan was foiled with the help of Daredevil and the Avengers.[5]

Alexei resurfaces as the new Ronin and joins forces with the Dark Ocean Society to instigate a war between Japan and Russia to restore the latter's former glory. He and the Society are defeated by Hawkeye, Mockingbird and Black Widow with the help of Fantasma, and is taken into S.H.I.E.L.D. custody.[6]

Shostakov is approached by a cadre of several of Black Widow's enemies, who implanted her with fake memories force her to live out a peaceful, simulated life as a married architect in San Francisco. Having already moved on from his hatred towards his ex-wife, Shostakov reluctantly joins the cadre and plans to usurp the group to rescue Natasha. When Black Widow regains her memories and the cadre decides to have her killed, Alexei saves Natasha by taking a bullet meant for her.[7]

In Thunderbolts (vol. 5), Bucky Barnes recruits Shostakov into the eponymous team.[8]

Tania BelinskyScript error: No such module "anchor".

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". Tania Belinsky, a neurosurgeon from the USSR initially known as Starlight, later assumes the Red Guardian identity and joins the Defenders. Created by Steve Gerber and Sal Buscema, she first appeared in The Defenders #35 (May 1976).

Josef PetkusScript error: No such module "anchor".

Josef Petkus is the fourth Red Guardian, first appearing in Captain America #352 (April 1989), and was created by writer Mark Gruenwald and artist Kieron Dwyer. The character subsequently appears in The Avengers #319–324 (July–October 1990), The Incredible Hulk #393 (May 1992), and Soviet Super-Soldiers #1 (November 1992). Petkus later appeared as the Steel Guardian in Iron Man (vol. 2) #9 (October 1998) and was included in the "Supreme Soviets" entry in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Update '89 #7.

Josef Petkus is a special operative for the intelligence agencies of the Soviet Union and a member of the militant Supreme Soviets. Alongside the Supreme Soviets, he attacks the Soviet Super-Soldiers for defecting from the Soviet Union. Alongside Captain America, he later battled a bear-like creature made of Darkforce.[9] The Supreme Soviets are later rebranded as a post-Soviet Russian super-team called the Winter Guard.[10] Petkus later joins a Winter Guard splinter group called the People's Protectorate, now calling himself the "Steel Guardian".[11] He and his team search for the timelord Immortus, hoping to find a way to resurrect Vanguard's sister Lanyia. They agree to fight off Dire Wraiths invading Immortus' realm in exchange for this favor; Petkus is killed in the ensuing battle.[12]

Krassno GranitskyScript error: No such module "anchor".

Krassno Granitsky, the fifth Red Guardian, appeared in Maverick #10 (June 1998), and was created by writer Jorge Gonzales and artist Leo Fernandez. The name "Krassno Granitsky" comes from the James Bond novel From Russia With Love; it is the Russianized name of assassin Donovan Grant.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". He teamed up with the mercenary superhero Maverick to battle a crime lord. He also appears in Ed Brubaker's Captain America, where he is executed by Aleksander Lukin.[13]

AntonScript error: No such module "anchor".

Anton, the sixth Red Guardian, first appears in Jeph Loeb's Hulk series as a member of the Winter Guard.[14] Anton claims to be an engineer and a former pilot of the Crimson Dynamo armor, and is later revealed to be a human who transferred his mind into a Life Model Decoy.[15] He is decapitated by a Dire Wraith, although his head survives and is kept in storage.[12]

Nikolai KrylenkoScript error: No such module "anchor".

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Nikolai Krylenko (also known as Vanguard) is the seventh version of the Red Guardian, and leads the Winter Guard. Created by Bill Mantlo and Carmine Infantino for Iron Man #109 (April 1978), he was redeveloped as the Red Guardian by David Gallaher and Steve Ellis from Darkstar and the Winter Guard #2 (July 2010) onward.[12]

Powers and abilities

None of the Red Guardian's various identity users have been revealed to possess superhuman powers or abilities, with the exception of Tania Belinsky after her mutation by the Presence, Ultimate Marvel versions, Krylenko, the seventh Red Guardian, and adaptations of the character to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). All are highly skilled athletes. Shostakov was an expert pilot, a master hand-to-hand combatant, and was trained in espionage techniques by the KGB.[16]

All the Guardians but Tania have used a steel shield similar to that used by Captain America. Alexei and Tania used a "belt-buckle" disc, a hurling weapon which magnetically returned to the wearer's hand when thrown, and was a part of their costume's belt buckle. The fourth Red Guardian, Josef Petkus, often employed an energized sword as a secondary weapon alongside his shield.[17] The sixth Red Guardian was an LMD named Anton Ivanov, whose powers are cybernetic based. His falsified backstory was that he was an expert engineer and former Crimson Dynamo pilot; his real strength lies in his moderate degree of enhanced cybernetic physicality.

Nikolai Krylenko/Vanguard is a mutant who possesses a full-body force field that repels electromagnetic and kinetic energy.[18] He is able to direct his field through the technically advanced vibranium shield supplied to him by the Executive Security Committee.[12] He also directs this force against the earth itself to achieve flight. Nikolai wears a more advanced suit than previous Red Guardians, which is lined with circuitry that works in conjunction with the compact computer on his shield, not only enabling the guided flight and return through their digital connection, but the amplification of his energy field.[19]

Other versions

Bullet Points

An alternate universe version of Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian from Earth-70105 makes a minor appearance in Bullet Points #5 as one of many heroes who battle Galactus.[20]

Civil War: House of M

An unidentified alternate universe version of Red Guardian from Earth-58163 appears in Civil War: House of M #2 as a member of the Soviet Super Soldiers.[21]

Exiles

An alternate universe version of Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian from Earth-3470 appears in Exiles #84.[22]

Ultimate Marvel

Two original incarnations of Red Guardian from Earth-1610 appear in the Ultimate Marvel imprint:

Captain Russia

Captain Russia is a Russian super-soldier based on Alexei Shostakov who possesses superhuman strength and durability and wields a makeshift shield created partially from human remains. Captain Russia battles Captain America, who kills him by stabbing him through the chest.[23]

Colonel Abdul al-RahmanScript error: No such module "anchor".

Template:Comics character list header Colonel Abdul al-Rahman is an Azerbaijani teenager and the leader of the Liberators who was transformed into a super-soldier by Russian scientists and wields a lightsaber-like weapon. As a member of the Liberators, al-Rahman operates as the Colonel. He is later killed by Captain America and Hulk.[24]

Ultimate Universe

An alternate universe version of Alexei Shostakov from Earth-6160, simply known as Guardian, appears in Ultimate Wolverine as a member of the Opposition, a resistance against the Rasputin family.[25]

In other media

Television

Marvel Cinematic Universe

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File:Zach McGowan by Gage Skidmore.jpg
Zach McGowan promoting the fifth season of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. at the 2018 WonderCon.
File:David Harbour by Gage Skidmore 2.jpg
David Harbour promoting Black Widow at the 2019 San Diego Comic-Con.

Characters based on the Red Guardian appear in media set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU):

Video games

  • The Alexei Shostakov incarnation of the Red Guardian appears in Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
  • The MCU incarnation of Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian appears as a playable character in Marvel: Future Fight as part of the Black Widow film tie-in update.[44]
  • The MCU incarnation of Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian appears as a playable character in Marvel Puzzle Quest.[45]
  • The MCU incarnation of Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian appears as a playable character in Marvel Strike Force.[46]

References

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  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ Captain America: Patriot #2 (November 2010)
  3. ↑ The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A–Z Update 2010 #4 (December 2010)
  4. ↑ The Avengers #43–44 (August - September 1967)
  5. ↑ Daredevil (vol. 2) #64 (November 2004)
  6. ↑ Widowmaker #1-4 (February 2011)
  7. ↑ Black Widow (vol. 8) #2-5 (December 2020 - April 2021)
  8. ↑ Thunderbolts (vol. 5) #1 (December 2023)
  9. ↑ Captain America #352–353 (April - May 1989)
  10. ↑ The Avengers #319–324 (July - October 1990)
  11. ↑ Iron Man (vol. 3) #9 (October 1998)
  12. ↑ a b c d Darkstar and the Winter Guard #2–3 (September - October 2010)
  13. ↑ Captain America (vol. 5) #1 (January 2005)
  14. ↑ Hulk (vol. 2) #1 (January 2008)
  15. ↑ Hulk: Winter Guard #1 (December 2009)
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ The Incredible Hulk #393 (May 1992)
  18. ↑ Soviet Super Soldiers #1 (November 1992)
  19. ↑ Age of Heroes #3 (September 2010)
  20. ↑ Bullet Points #5 (May 2007)
  21. ↑ Civil War: House of M #2 (December 2008)
  22. ↑ Exiles #84 (September 2006)
  23. ↑ Ultimate Nightmare #1–4 (October 2004 - January 2005)
  24. ↑ The Ultimates 2 #7–12 (September 2005 - August 2006)
  25. ↑ Ultimate Wolverine #7 (September 2025)
  26. ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". 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.
  27. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  28. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  29. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  30. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  31. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  32. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  33. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  34. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  35. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  36. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  37. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  38. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  39. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  40. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  41. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  42. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  43. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  44. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  45. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  46. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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External links

Template:Winter Guard Template:Black Widow Template:Thunderbolts

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