Red Guardian
The Red Guardian is the name of several comic book superheroes in the Marvel Comics universe. The Red Guardian is an identity that was created as the Soviet equivalent of Captain America; since the fall of the Soviet Union, the name is no longer officially used, though at least two people have claimed the name.
Fictional character biography
Many people have taken up the mantle of Red Guardian:
Golden Age Red Guardian
A Golden Age version of the Red Guardian appeared first in Namor, The Sub-Mariner Annual # 1. Very little is known of him, but he fought along side Captain America (William Naslund) and the Sub-Mariner shortly after V-E Day. [1]
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Alexei Shostakov
Alexei Alanovich Shostakov was born in Moscow, and was the husband of Natasha Romanova. Both he and his wife became agents of the Soviets: she became the Black Widow, while he became the Red Guardian. He fought the Avengers, but was later thought to have died saving their lives. He first appeared in Avengers # 43 and was presumably killed in the next issue. Shostakov was much later revealed to be alive and had risen very high up in power within Bulgaria. He became responsible for a plot to capture his former wife, the Black Widow, and try her for her crimes as a Soviet super soldier. Natasha foiled his plan with the help of Daredevil and the Avengers.
This was the first character named Red Guardian, and was created by Roy Thomas and John Buscema.
Dr. Tania Belinsky
Dr. Tania Belinsky, a neurosurgeon from the USSR, later adopted the costumed identity of the Red Guardian and joined the Defenders. Created by Steve Gerber and Sal Buscema, she first appeared in Defenders # 35 (May 1976).
Josef Petkus
The next Red Guardian Josef Petkus, who appeared as a member of the militant Supreme Soviets (later called the People's Protectorate) in Captain America # 352. He later joined post-Soviet Russian super-team the Winter Guard, now calling himself the Steel Guardian.
Krassno Granitsky
Another Red Guardian, named Krassno Granitsky, appeared in Maverick # 10. He teamed up with the mercenary superhero Maverick to battle a crime lord.
The sixth Red Guardian
A Red Guardian appeared in the first issue of Ed Brubaker's Captain America, where he was executed by Aleksander Lukin. Note that he may not be actually the sixth Red Guardian -- there might have been further men using that identity between the first Guardian and Shostakov, or even between Shostakov and Petkus.
Ultimate Red Guardian
A version of the character appeared in the mini-series Ultimate Nightmare. This version of the character is a Russian super soldier, meant to be their Captain America. After a fight between the two, Captain America defeats him, by stabbing him with splintered wood that acts as a stake through the chest, declaring "Fighting is about winning". This version is certifiably insane and uses a makeshift shield created partially from human remains, and possesses superhuman strength and durability.
Powers and abilities
None of the Red Guardians have possessed superhuman powers or abilities, with the exception of Tania Belinsky after her mutation by the Presence. All are highly skilled athletes. All of the Guardians but Alexei and Tania have used a steel shield similar to that used by Captain America; Alexei and Tania used a throwing disc that was a part of their costume's belt buckle.
External links
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