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Winter Guard
Winter Guard
Winter Guard
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Winter Guard
Textless cover of
Darkstar and the Winter Guard #1 (June 2010).
Art by Clayton Henry
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceIron Man (vol. 2) #9 (October 1998)
Created byKurt Busiek
Sean Chen
In-story information
Member(s)Crimson Dynamo
Darkstar
Red Guardian
Ursa Major
Fantasma
Powersurge
Sibercat
Sputnik
Vanguard
Red Widow

The Winter Guard (Russian: Зимняя Гвардия, romanized: Zimnyaya Gvardiya) is a fictional team of Russian superheroes appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

The Winter Guard are noted for being "Russia's answer to the Avengers".[1] Several members of the group formerly belonged to the Soviet Super-Soldiers, the People's Protectorate, and the Supreme Soviets. Unlike those teams, which were often adversarial towards other costumed superheroes, the Winter Guard is much more heroic and representative in nature.

Unlike other superhero teams, the Winter Guard currently has a rotating pool of candidates to fill one of three roles on the team: Darkstar, Crimson Dynamo, and Red Guardian.[citation needed]

Publication history

[edit]

The Winter Guard first appeared during the Kurt Busiek run of Iron Man in (vol. 2) #9 (October 1998), where they had several guest appearances.[2] They would later appear in Busiek's stint on the Avengers.

The team made infrequent appearances in the Marvel Universe before being featured in Jeph Loeb's Hulk (vol. 2). The Winter Guard soon appeared in She-Hulk and War Machine: Weapon of S.H.I.E.L.D..

David Gallaher brought the team back in Hulk: Winter Guard which first appeared as a Marvel Digital Comic and was later reprinted as a comic book.[3] Gallaher returned to writing the team with a three-issue limited series called Darkstar and the Winter Guard in 2010.[4][5][6]

Fictional team history

[edit]

The Winter Guard were originally known as the Soviet Super Soldiers and appeared in various comics from the mid-1970s. That name lost meaning following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1992. The Winter Guard made their debut with that name in Iron Man (vol. 3) #9, and fought alongside the Avengers during the "Maximum Security" and "Kang Dynasty" events.[7]

Whilst investigating the murder of the Abomination, Doc Samson, She-Hulk, and Thunderbolt Ross encounter the revitalized Winter Guard, consisting of Ursa Major, Red Guardian, Darkstar, and Crimson Dynamo.[8]

After teaming up with War Machine to fight the Skrulls,[9] the team was later seen clashing with She-Hulk and the Lady Liberators – and again with The Presence and Igor Drenkov.[6] This version of the team uses an old Dire Wraith ship as a headquarters.[10] They were mentioned by Storm as possible back-up while Rachel Summers was investigating in Madripoor.[11] The Winter Guard are apparently killed by the Intelligencia, but are later revealed to have survived.[12]

The Winter Guard is later reassembled with Ursa Major, Crimson Dynamo, Red Guardian, Darkstar, Vostok, Perun, Chernobog, and Red Widow.[13]

During the "One World Under Doom" storyline, Winter Guard members Crimson Dynamo, Red Widow, Ursa Major, and Vanguard crash Tony Stark's meeting with Commander Hunyadi of the Latverian Patriotic Front where they plan to bring him to Doctor Doom. Hunyadi is told by Red Widow that Tony will betray him as Iron Man fights the Winter Guard. With help from Black Widow, Tony Stark gets away. Red Widow informs Hunyadi to leave Dagestan at once as she will not protect him if Doctor Doom plans to take vengeance on him.[14] The Winter Guard later captures Commander Hunyadi and Melinda May as Iron Man goes to rescue them. Black Widow and Bucky get to the Winter Guard first. Iron Man then arrives with Victorious and Vishte Taru where the Winter Guard is subdued. Victorios plans to take the Winter Guard to Doctor Doom.[15]

Members

[edit]

Current members

  • Ursa Major (Mikhail Ursus) – A mutant who can transform into a humanoid bear.
  • Crimson Dynamo (Dmitri Bukharin) – Russia's answer to the Iron Man armor. Bukharin is the current leader of the Winter Guard.[13]
  • Darkstar (Laynia Petrovna) – A mutant who can manipulate the Darkforce.
  • Red Guardian (Nikolai Krylenko) – Also known as Vanguard, Krylenko formerly led the Winter Guard as Red Guardian.[16] He is Darkstar's brother and possesses the mutant ability to generate force fields.
  • Vostok – A robot who can manipulate other machines. Also known as Sputnik.
  • Chernobog - The Slavic god of chaos and the night.
  • Perun - The Slavic god of thunder and lightning.
  • Red Widow - The product of the same Red Room as Black Widow, Red Widow is the team's contact with the Russian government and has been known to overrule Crimson Dynamo's leadership on this basis.

Previous members

[edit]
  • Darkstar (Sasha Roerich) – A short-lived replacement for Darkstar who was given her powers.
  • Darkstar (Reena Stancioff) – The third Darkstar, who was killed by a Dire Wraith.
  • Steel Guardian (Josef Petkus) – Russia's counterpart to Captain America.
  • Fantasma – A sorceress and illusion-caster. Also known as Fantasia. She is later revealed to be a Dire Wraith.
  • Powersurge (Illarion Ramskov) – A nuclear-fueled giant who sacrificed his life to destroy the Russian supervillain Presence.
  • Sibercat (Illich Lavrov) – A feline mutant.
  • Crimson Dynamo (Galina Nemirovsky) – The thirteenth Crimson Dynamo and a graduate of the Federal Dynamo program.
  • Crimson Dynamo (Boris Vadim)

Collected editions

[edit]
Title Material collected Published date ISBN
Darkstar and the Winter Guard Darkstar and the Winter Guard #1–3, Hulk: Winter Guard #1, X-Men Unlimited #28 November 2010 978-0785148678
Winter Guard: Operation Snowblind Winter Guard #1-4, Widowmakers: Red Guardian and Yelena Belova #1 January 2022 978-1302928759

In other media

[edit]

Television

[edit]

Video games

[edit]

The Winter Guard appear as playable characters in Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2.

Miscellaneous

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Winter Guard

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Winter Guard is a fictional team of Russian superheroes appearing in American comic books published by . The team, often described as "Russia's answer to the Avengers," consists of a rotating roster of government-sponsored heroes who protect Russian interests and combat threats both domestic and international. Created by writer and artist Sean Chen, the Winter Guard first appeared in (vol. 2) #9 (October 1998). It evolved from earlier Soviet-era teams such as the , the People's Protectorate, and the Supreme Soviets, forming in the post-Soviet era after the dissolution of the USSR in 1991. Key founding members include Darkstar (Laynia Petrovna), (Mikhail Ursus), and (various wearers of the armor), with roles like filled by candidates such as Anton Chernov. The team has undergone several iterations, incorporating members like , , and others in various storylines.

Creation and Concept

Development

The Winter Guard was created by writer and artist Sean Chen, debuting as a team in Iron Man (vol. 3) #9 in October 1998. This introduction marked the team's role in a storyline involving international intrigue, where they initially clashed with over a Mandarin-related threat. The group represents a post-Cold War evolution of earlier Soviet teams, rebranding the remnants of the into a modern Russian force. Conceived as Russia's direct counterpart to the Avengers, the was designed to embody national defense and sovereignty in the wake of the USSR's collapse, shifting from antagonism to a more nuanced global presence. The team's structure highlighted government sponsorship, with members operating under official Russian directives to protect state interests, reflecting real-world geopolitical transitions. This intent drew on Soviet-era archetypes, repurposing them for a democratic era while maintaining themes of collective heroism tied to . Key creative decisions incorporated Russian cultural symbolism to ground the team in heritage, such as including , whose bear transformation powers evoked the —a longstanding emblem of Russian strength and resilience since the . Ursa Major's motif, derived from the Russian name for the Great Bear constellation (Bol'shaya Medveditsa), reinforced the team's thematic ties to and national pride, while other members like paralleled Western icons like to underscore rivalry and equivalence. These elements ensured the Winter Guard served not only as antagonists or allies in narratives but as a culturally authentic extension of Marvel's international superhero landscape.

Inspirations and Parallels

The Winter Guard's creation draws heavily from -era geopolitical tensions, serving as a Soviet and later Russian counterpart to American superhero teams like the Avengers, embodying ideological rivalries between East and West. Originally conceived as the , the team was positioned to mirror and challenge Western heroic ensembles, reflecting the era's superpower standoffs and mutual suspicions. This inspiration extended to aesthetics, with narratives influenced by spy thrillers that emphasized covert operations and imperatives. Parallels to Russian and are evident in the inclusion of mythological figures, such as , the Slavic god of thunder, and Chernobog, the deity of darkness and chaos, who join the team as embodiments of ancient cultural archetypes. These elements infuse the with a sense of mythic heritage, drawing from Slavic pantheons to symbolize enduring Russian identity and supernatural prowess in modern conflicts. The team shares conceptual similarities with other international superhero groups, such as Canada's , which likewise defends national sovereignty against global threats, highlighting Marvel's pattern of localized heroic analogs. Core members like further echo this by serving as direct nods to , underscoring the Winter Guard's role in a broader tapestry of rivalrous patriotism. Post-Soviet revivals of the reflect evolving Russian politics, with the team's rebranding and government sponsorship emphasizing national pride and state interests in an era of renewed geopolitical assertion. This shift underscores how the group adapted to symbolize Russia's transition from communist legacy to contemporary , often portraying members as loyal defenders of the federation's agenda.

Publication History

Debut and Early Stories

The Winter Guard made their first appearance in Iron Man (vol. 3) #9 (October 1998), written by with art by Sean Chen. The team was introduced as a newly formed Russian superhuman unit, created by merging the government-backed People's with the formerly rogue Siberforce following the post-Soviet Union's political shifts and a government pardon for the latter group. This debut emphasized the team's role as operatives of the Russian state, tasked with national defense and projecting power amid global uncertainties after the . The initial roster comprised (Josef Petkus) and Vostok from the People's , alongside , Darkstar (Laynia Petrovna), , Sibercat, Fantasma, and Powersurge from Siberforce. In their introductory storyline, the battled an army of mercenaries led by the Mandarin in , showcasing their coordinated abilities against a foreign threat. , investigating ' connections to the conflict, joined the fray and helped repel the invaders, only to face an initial misunderstanding where the team attacked him, suspecting his involvement with the mercenaries due to his American ties. This clash in Iron Man (vol. 3) #9–10 highlighted tensions in international dynamics, portraying the Winter Guard as patriotic enforcers wary of Western intervention, yet capable of swift alliance once cleared. The narrative in these issues underscored untapped potential for cross-border collaborations, as the team's resolution with Iron Man hinted at future cooperative efforts beyond isolated national skirmishes. By the early 2000s, the Winter Guard expanded their role in larger crossovers, allying with American heroes against extraterrestrial dangers. In the "Maximum Security" event (2000–2001), they assisted the Avengers and other global teams in combating a invasion that quarantined Earth, demonstrating their strategic value in planetary defense. Their involvement peaked during the "" storyline in Avengers (vol. 3) #41–56 (2001), where they joined forces with the Avengers to thwart Kang the Conqueror's temporal conquests, fighting alongside international allies like against multidimensional threats including the Combine and Starblasters. These arcs solidified the team's portrayal as reliable government operatives evolving from potential adversaries to key players in multinational crises, fostering themes of post-Cold War unity in Marvel's interconnected universe.

Expansion and Revivals

The Winter Guard was revived in the 2009 one-shot Hulk: Winter Guard #1, written by David Gallaher and illustrated by Steve Ellis, which reintroduced the team with a refreshed roster including (formerly Vanguard), the new Darkstar (Laynia Petrovna), (Galina Nemirovsky), and , while exploring new team dynamics centered on Russian national interests amid global threats. This issue depicted the Guard clashing with the Pantheon and the gamma-irradiated Igor Drenkov, emphasizing their role as Russia's elite strike force in a post-Cold War context. Building on this momentum, the 2010 three-issue Darkstar and the Winter Guard, also by Gallaher and , further expanded the team's narrative by pitting them against the Intelligencia—a cabal of superhuman intellectuals—and , who was investigating a Hulk-like entity in . The story highlighted internal tensions, such as suspicions of betrayal within the ranks, and reinforced the Guard's espionage-oriented missions, including confrontations that propelled members into space. These tales solidified the team's expansion beyond isolated adventures, integrating them into broader Marvel conflicts involving gamma threats and international intrigue. In the post-2020 era, the team featured prominently in the 2021 four-issue limited series Winter Guard: Operation Snowblind, written by with art by Michele Bandini and others, which was collected in a 2022 trade paperback. This arc centered on (Alexei Shostakov) and White Widow (Yelena Belova) racing across to uncover secrets of the covert "Operation Snowblind" project, drawing in other Guard members like and tying into themes of Russian espionage and experimental programs akin to the Red Room. While no major standalone arcs emerged in 2023-2025, the Winter Guard has been referenced in larger Marvel events, such as crossovers in Avengers titles and Iron Man (2024) #6, where they enforce Doctor Doom's global regime, clashing with Tony Stark as he opposes it, underscoring their growing integration into the wider universe of geopolitical superhuman operations. As of November 2025, the team has continued to appear in supporting roles in Marvel events without new solo series.

Fictional History

Formation and Early Missions

The Winter Guard was established in the late 1990s by the Russian government in the aftermath of the Soviet Union's collapse, reorganizing superhuman operatives into a unified national defense force. As successors to earlier teams like the Soviet Super-Soldiers, the group emerged from a merger of the government-backed People's Protectorate and the mutant collective Siberforce, following a presidential pardon that integrated former dissidents into official service. Sponsored directly by Russian authorities, the Winter Guard operated under strict oversight to safeguard national sovereignty and promote patriotic values, functioning as Russia's equivalent to Western superhero teams. The team's initial roster was led by (Josef Petkus), a stalwart captain embodying Soviet-era heroism, alongside core members including (Nicolai Krylenko), Darkstar (Laynia Petrovna), and (Mikhail Ursus), with additional recruits like Sibercat, Powersurge, Vostok, and Fantasma rounding out the lineup. Dynamics within the group were strained by ideological divides; for instance, Darkstar's prior collaborations with American heroes created friction with more rigidly loyal members such as (Dimitri Bukharin), who joined sporadically but often clashed over mission priorities and autonomy. This internal tension underscored the Winter Guard's core mandate of unwavering allegiance to the state, where deviations risked severe repercussions like treason charges. Early operations focused on defending Russian interests from perceived foreign encroachments, including skirmishes with Western superheroes whom the team viewed as threats to . Their debut mission involved aiding Russian forces against mercenaries hired by the Mandarin, resulting in a confrontation with that highlighted their role in countering international intrigue. A pivotal early engagement came during the 2001 "Maximum Security" crisis, when the Winter Guard repelled alien invaders like the Starblasters in , protecting Earth from extraterrestrial forces amid a galactic imposed on the planet. These missions echoed rivalries, positioning the team as a bulwark against both terrestrial and cosmic adversaries.

Major Conflicts and Evolutions

In 2009, during the events leading to , the —comprising , , , and Darkstar—investigated monstrous incursions in following the Abomination's defeat by , clashing with who was pursuing the same leads, highlighting their role as Russia's frontline defenders against superhuman chaos. Subsequent major conflicts positioned the Winter Guard against larger-scale invasions and international tensions. During the "Kang Dynasty" event, the team allied with the Avengers to repel Kang the Conqueror's forces, including Atlantean and Deviant armies threatening Earth, marking an early instance of cross-national cooperation despite underlying rivalries. Later, in the 2010s, they engaged in direct clashes with , particularly when internal disputes between members escalated into a brawl with the Avengers in , where Vostok attempted to apprehend her following widespread destruction alongside . Espionage operations further defined their adversarial stance, as orchestrated a covert plot to demolish and frame , aiming to stoke global conflict while undermining Western agencies like S.H.I.E.L.D. Team evolutions reflected Russia's strategic adaptations, with roster expansions in 2018 incorporating and Chernobog—Slavic deities granting thunder and darkness powers, respectively—to bolster capabilities amid rising tensions with the Avengers. Darkstar has had multiple iterations, with the original Laynia Petrovna later joining and reportedly slain. This period saw the Guard transition from outright antagonists, often viewing American heroes as imperial threats, to occasional allies or "frenemies," collaborating on mutual perils like extraterrestrial incursions while maintaining nationalistic priorities. As of November 2025, the remains active, initially enforcing policies under Doctor Doom's global influence but allying with and to oppose him during conflicts in Iron Man (2024) #6, maintaining ties to Russian espionage networks, including Red Room operatives through members like .

Membership

Current Members

The Winter Guard's current roster, as of 2025, comprises a diverse array of Russian superhumans blending abilities, advanced , super-soldier enhancements, and divine powers to serve national interests. This team configuration emphasizes strategic versatility, with members' capabilities complementing one another—such as Darkstar's Darkforce energy manipulation enhancing 's armored assaults by providing shadowy cover and teleportation support for coordinated strikes. Led primarily by , the group operates under government oversight while navigating internal tensions, particularly between the Slavic gods Chernobog and . Crimson Dynamo, worn by Dimitri Bukharin, serves as the team's field leader and primary armored powerhouse. Bukharin, the fifth individual to don the , received it as a Soviet operative and has a history of clashing with Western heroes like due to its advanced weaponry. The armor grants , flight capabilities, and energy projection blasts, making it ideal for frontline combat and aerial superiority within the Winter Guard's operations. Bukharin's tactical experience ensures the team's technological edge synergizes with mystical elements, such as directing Perun's lightning strikes through the suit's targeting systems. Red Guardian, currently Nikolai Kyrylenko (formerly known as ), acts as the patriotic melee specialist and symbolic leader, embodying Russia's resilience in close-quarters battle. Enhanced with , agility, and expert shield-based combat training, Kyrylenko transitioned from his prior role to this position, drawing parallels to in team dynamics. His abilities shine in defensive formations, where he can shield allies like during berserker charges or coordinate with Red Widow's espionage for ambush setups. Darkstar, embodied by Laynia Petrovna, provides energy-based offense and mobility through her mastery of Darkforce manipulation, creating solid constructs, blasts, and portals for short-range . As the original bearer of these powers, Petrovna's return bolsters the team's transport and evasion tactics, allowing seamless integration with Vostok's phasing for infiltration missions. Her Darkforce abilities particularly complement Crimson Dynamo's energy weapons by enveloping them in darkness to amplify surprise attacks. Ursa Major, Mikhail Ursus, functions as the team's brute-force tank and founding member, leveraging his mutant physiology to transform into a massive humanoid bear with enhanced strength, speed, durability, and regenerative healing. Ursus, one of the earliest Soviet mutants to survive state-sanctioned experiments that harnessed his powers for , escaped childhood protocols through . In the , his raw power pairs effectively with Red Guardian's precision strikes, enabling devastating combined assaults while his resilience absorbs damage for more vulnerable members like . Red Widow contributes espionage and covert operations expertise, enhanced by a variant of the Super-Soldier Serum that boosts her strength, agility, and endurance alongside specialized gadgets for infiltration and . As a Red Room graduate with unwavering loyalty to the Russian state, she often operates as the team's hidden strategist, monitoring missions and manipulating outcomes from the shadows. Her skills synergize with Darkstar's for stealth insertions, allowing the group to outmaneuver technologically superior foes. Vostok (Anatoly), a Soviet converted into a synthezoid through fusion with alien-derived rocket technology, offers technological disruption and adaptive mobility, enabling rocket-powered flight, phasing through solids, and reformation for shape-shifting. This cybernetic integration enforces compliance within Russian ranks, though it renders him vulnerable to EMP disruptions. Vostok's flight capabilities extend the team's aerial reach beyond , often scouting ahead to interface with enemy systems in support of Chernobog's chaotic assaults. Chernobog, the Slavic god of chaos and darkness, delivers supernatural offense through soul absorption, demonic projection, and Darkforce-like manipulations that sow and in battle. Invoked as a divine enforcer, his powers introduce an unpredictable mystical element to the , clashing occasionally with but amplifying group efforts against otherworldly threats. Chernobog's blasts align with Darkstar's for overwhelming dark-matter barrages, enhancing the team's ability to counter magical adversaries. Perun, the Slavic god of thunder, rounds out the roster as a weather-controlling with god-like strength, generation, and axe-wielding prowess for storm-summoning devastation. His reckless nature fuels high-impact aerial and elemental attacks, akin to Thor, but his with Chernobog demands Crimson Dynamo's mediation. Perun's weather manipulation provides battlefield control, such as creating diversions with blizzards to cover Ursa Major's advances or empowering Vostok's flight through wind currents.

Former Members

The Winter Guard has seen numerous roster changes over the years, with several early members departing due to death, defection, retirement, or dismissal amid political shifts in Russia. Among the most notable former members are the various individuals who have assumed the mantle of Darkstar, harnessing Darkforce energies for the team. Laynia Petrovna, the original Darkstar, served as a founding operative in the team's precursor groups before her apparent death during a confrontation with Weapon Plus experiments in the Channel Tunnel, though her essence later resurfaced through the Darkforce amulet in subsequent revivals. Reena Stancioff briefly took up the role as the third Darkstar during the 2010 Atlantean conflicts detailed in Darkstar and the Winter Guard, where she wielded the amulet's powers but ultimately stepped away for solo endeavors after the mission's resolution, leaving the mantle to successors like Sasha Roerich. Galina Nemirovsky, the thirteenth , joined the in 2009 for a short tenure marked by her advanced armor suit's energy projection capabilities. Recruited through the Federal program, she participated in operations against threats like the Presence but was fired for after clashing with team leadership, prompting the of new variants to fill the void. This departure highlighted ongoing tensions within the Russian superhuman program, influencing later team dynamics and the emphasis on disciplined recruits. Other key former members include Fantasma, a Dire Wraith sorceress with illusion-casting abilities who defected from the team during the post-Soviet restructuring, citing ideological differences with the Russian government after serving in both the People's Protectorate and . Powersurge (Illarion Ramskov), a Chernobyl-mutated energy absorber, was during the events of the Darkstar and the Winter Guard miniseries (2010) when his containment suit tore open in a battle against the Presence (Sergei Krylov), resulting in a fatal explosion. Sibercat (Illich Lavrov), known for his enhanced feline agility and claws, retired following injuries sustained in early missions, transitioning to a advisory role outside active duty. Finally, Steel Guardian (Josef Petkus), the armored leader who rebranded from , was , stabbed by a Dire Wraith during a mission, effectively ending his frontline involvement and paving the way for new leadership structures. These departures, often tied to government purges post-USSR dissolution or fatal encounters like those in the Darkstar and the saga, significantly shaped the 's revivals by necessitating fresh recruits and emphasizing resilience in the face of loss. For instance, Nemirovsky's dismissal accelerated the cycle of iterations, ensuring the team's armored expertise persisted through successors.

Collected Editions

Key Trade Paperbacks

The key trade paperbacks featuring stories compile significant runs and crossovers from the team's appearances in , providing accessible entry points for readers into their espionage and superhero narratives. Darkstar and the (November 2010, Marvel Comics) collects the three-issue miniseries Darkstar and the Winter Guard (2010) #1-3, the one-shot : Winter Guard (2009), and material from X-Men Unlimited (1993-2003 1st Series) #28. Written by David Gallaher with art by Steve Ellis, this 160-page volume focuses on the team's formation and battles against Atlantean threats and -related foes, marking a revival of the Russian superteam in the . It received positive user reception, averaging 3.5 out of 5 stars on based on 64 ratings, highlighting its role in expanding the team's lore for new audiences. Winter Guard: Operation Snowblind (January 2022, Marvel Comics) gathers Winter Guard (2021) #1-4 and Widowmakers: Red Guardian and Yelena Belova (2020) #1 into a 133-page edition. Written by Ryan Cady and , with art by Jan Bazaldua, Michele Bandini, and others, the storyline centers on the team's pursuit of Soviet-era secrets amid conflicts involving and Yelena Belova (White Widow), emphasizing high-stakes action across . This collection earned a 3.4 out of 5 stars average on from 126 ratings, praised for its ties to broader Marvel espionage arcs. Winter Guard's debut appearances are also reprinted in broader crossover volumes, such as Avengers/X-Men: Maximum Security (November 2010, Marvel Comics), which includes Maximum Security #1-3 (2000-2001) featuring the team's early involvement in interstellar threats. This 368-page trade paperback, written by and others, contextualizes the Winter Guard within a larger Avengers and X-Men event, offering essential background on their initial formation. Digital editions of these trade paperbacks are available through platforms like for subscribers seeking non-physical formats.

Digital and Other Collections

offers subscribers comprehensive digital access to Winter Guard stories spanning from their early appearances in the late 1990s, such as in Iron Man (vol. 3) #9 (1998), through to the 2021 limited series and select crossovers, including historical events like the "Kang Dynasty" (2001-2002) where they allied with the Avengers against Kang's forces, up to more recent appearances as of 2022. This platform has significantly enhanced accessibility to the team's material, particularly post-2020 revivals like the 2021 miniseries, which explores the Winter Guard's pursuit of and White Widow amid Russian state secrets. While no dedicated omnibus or standalone premium editions exist for as of 2025, their stories are occasionally bundled in broader digital compilations of international Avengers teams within Marvel Unlimited's library, providing context for the group's evolution alongside global superhero narratives. In addition to comic issues, Marvel.com hosts curated digital content compiling history, such as the March 2025 feature article "Meet the Winter Guard, Russia's National Super Hero Team," which details their formation, key members, and significant missions while directing readers to related digital reads on . These online resources address previous gaps in post-2020 visibility, making the team's lore more approachable without requiring physical collections.

In Other Media

Television Appearances

The made their sole animated television appearance in the 2015 episode "" from the second season of Avengers Assemble, which aired on on May 10, 2015. In this episode, the team is depicted as a group of Russian superheroes tasked with safeguarding a powerful energy source in , leading to an initial confrontation with the —comprising , Black Widow, , and —who are ordered by S.H.I.E.L.D. to retrieve it due to its potential as a global threat. The consists of (leader), Darkstar, , , and Radioactive Man, all portrayed as antagonists who prioritize national sovereignty over international cooperation. Unlike their origins as a heroic counterpart to the Avengers, the in this adaptation is characterized more villainously, emphasizing territorial defensiveness and suspicion toward Western interference, which escalates the clash into a battle amid a Siberian storm. This portrayal draws brief inspiration from their comic debut in Incredible Hulk #258 (1981), where they similarly represent Russian interests, but amplifies Cold War-era tensions by having the teams briefly ally against a mutual foe only after significant conflict. The episode highlights the Guard's powers—such as Darkstar's darkforce manipulation and Crimson Dynamo's armored weaponry—in high-stakes action sequences, underscoring themes of geopolitical rivalry. appears in a non-speaking role, transforming into his bear form during the fight without . Voice acting for the features as , delivering lines with a pronounced Russian accent to evoke Soviet-era bravado; as Darkstar, blending her role with Black Widow's voice work for ironic duality; as , providing a gravelly, mechanized tone; and as Radioactive Man, infusing energy blasts with accented threats. These performances emphasize Russian accents across the team, reinforcing the episode's vibes through dialogue laced with patriotic rhetoric and distrust of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s motives. Production notes from the episode's direction by Jeff Allen and Tim Eldred highlight a focus on international dynamics, with the 's base designed as a fortified Russian outpost to visually amplify isolationist themes. Since this 2015 appearance, the Winter Guard has not featured in any subsequent animated television episodes or series, marking a notable gap in their media adaptations despite ongoing comic relevance.

Video Games and Toys

The Winter Guard has appeared in video games as playable characters in , released in 2017 by and published by Interactive Entertainment. In the game, team members including , Darkstar, , and are unlockable, allowing players to access them for missions set in Russian-themed environments like . Gameplay mechanics for the Winter Guard emphasize their unique abilities, such as 's super strength for combo attacks to smash obstacles and 's flight and energy blasts for aerial combat and puzzle-solving. These features integrate the team into the game's open-world exploration and time-travel narrative, where players assemble heroes from various eras to battle . In the realm of toys and merchandise, the Winter Guard has been represented through the action figure line by , with individual figures released across waves starting in 2021. Notable examples include Darkstar from the 2021 Build-a-Figure wave, featuring 20 points of articulation, interchangeable hands, and energy effect accessories to depict her darkforce manipulation powers. The Build-a-Figure wave from 2021 included as a deluxe figure with multiple accessories like a and , enabling collectors to assemble the armored villain as a centerpiece, while highlighting the team's Soviet-era roots. , released in the same wave, offers detailed bear transformation elements with poseable limbs and fabric mane for dynamic display. More recently, the 2024 Zabu Build-a-Figure wave introduced , a 6-inch figure with premium articulation, three interchangeable hands, and weapon accessories including knives and a , capturing her assassin heritage as a newer member. These figures collectively form the core modern lineup, with high articulation (typically 20+ points) allowing for versatile posing in team scenarios. This merchandise expansion aligns with Marvel's 2025 emphasis on international teams, positioning the as Russia's official national heroes in ongoing like Iron Man (2024), thereby boosting their visibility in global pop culture through collectible formats.

References

  1. https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Winter_Guard_(Earth-616)
  2. https://www.marvel.com/comics/issue/37857/iron_man_1998_9
  3. https://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=247460
  4. https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/meet-the-winter-guard-russia-national-super-hero-team
  5. https://www.marvel.com/teams-and-groups/winter-guard
  6. https://uncannyxmen.net/groups/winter-guard
  7. https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/exclusive-red-guardian-white-widow-marvel-new-comic-winter-guard
  8. https://uncannyxmen.net/comics/issue/iron-man-3rd-series-9
  9. https://www.cbr.com/iron-man-winter-guard-returns/
  10. https://www.marvel.com/comics/issue/25408/hulk_winter_guard_2009_1
  11. https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Hulk:_Winter_Guard_Vol_1_1
  12. https://www.marvel.com/comics/series/9886/darkstar_and_the_winter_guard_2010
  13. https://www.marvel.com/comics/issue/32688/darkstar_and_the_winter_guard_2010_1
  14. https://www.marvel.com/comics/collection/92303/winter_guard_operation_snowblind_trade_paperback
  15. https://www.marvel.com/comics/series/31572/winter_guard_operation_snowblind_2021
  16. https://www.marvel.com/teams-and-groups/soviet-super-soldiers
  17. https://www.writeups.org/winter-guard-marvel-comics-russia-team/
  18. https://www.marvel.com/comics/issue/62514/incredible_hulk_2000_600
  19. https://www.marvel.com/comics/issue/67767/avengers_2018_10
  20. https://www.marvel.com/comics/issue/114939/iron_man_2024_6
  21. https://www.marvel.com/characters/ursa-major
  22. https://www.marvel.com/characters/darkstar-laynia-petrovna
  23. https://www.marvel.com/characters/fantasma
  24. https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Darkstar_and_the_Winter_Guard_Vol_1_1
  25. https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Josef_Petkus_(Earth-616)
  26. https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/SEP100712
  27. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9608936-darkstar-and-the-winter-guard
  28. https://www.comicbookherald.com/the-complete-marvel-reading-order-guide/maximum-security/
  29. https://www.marvel.com/comics/series/31571/winter_guard_2021
  30. http://marvelcrossovers.blogspot.com/2021/04/the-kang-dynasty-2001-2002.html
  31. https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/white-widow-red-guardian-winter-guard
  32. https://www.marvel.com/comics/series
  33. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4649456/
  34. https://biffbampop.com/2015/05/11/avengers-assemble-s02-e18-secret-avengers/
  35. https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/Avengers-Assemble/Darkstar/
  36. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4649456/fullcredits
  37. https://www.ign.com/wikis/lego-marvel-super-heroes-2/Walkthrough
  38. https://lylesmoviefiles.com/2021/08/07/marvel-legends-darkstar-review-baf-ursa-major-wave/
  39. https://www.actionfigure411.com/marvel/marvel-legends-crimson-dynamo-red-guardian-1354.php
  40. https://www.hasbropulse.com/uk/product/marvel-legends-series-red-widow/F90765X00
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