Yondu

Yondu
Yondu on the cover of Guardians of the Galaxy #44 (January 1994). Art by Steve Montano and Kevin West.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Marvel Super-Heroes (vol. 1) #18 (January 1969)
Created by	Arnold Drake (writer) Gene Colan (artist)
In-story information
Alter ego	Yondu Udonta
Species	Centaurian
Team affiliations	Guardians of the Galaxy Avengers
Abilities	Expert archer Empathic relationship with all life forms

Yondu Udonta, or simply Yondu, 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 in the 31st century, and a founding member of the original Guardians of the Galaxy team from the Marvel Multiverse alternate reality known as Earth-691. A second Yondu was introduced later on on present day Earth-616, the main Marvel reality where he is the leader of a group of space pirates known as the Ravagers.

The Earth-691 Yondu is depicted as a blue skinned male with a large red fin protruding from the back of his head and back, a spiritual warrior who can control his arrows via sound waves, most commonly by whistling. Yondu joined Vance Astro and a number of survivors of the Badoon attack on earth's solar system in the 31st Century to become known as the Guardians of the Galaxy. As part of the Guardians Yondu traveled to present day earth and became an honorary member of the Avengers. The original Yondu never starred as a solo character in any Marvel Comic books but was a core member of the team in the Guardians of the Galaxy comic book that ran from 1990 to 1995.

A second version of Yondu was first introduced into the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the 2014 Marvel Studios film Guardians of the Galaxy, portrayed by Michael Rooker, where the character is instead depicted as a space pirate living in the present. He will also appear in the film's 2017 sequel, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. After the release of the first film, Marvel Comics introduced a comic book version of that character to the Earth-616 comic book continuity, where he is a space pirate leading a group of pirates known as "The Ravagers". The present day Yondu character has appeared both in the Guardians of the Galaxy animated show as well as being a playable character in Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes.