This article contains major spoilers for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.Six years after he was first teased in a mid-credits scene of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Adam Warlock has finally made his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, in theaters now. Played by Will Poulter of Midsommar, Revenant, and We’re the Millers fame, Adam Warlock serves as one of the many adversaries faced by the Guardians on their latest adventure.
However, the Adam Warlock who appears in the MCU may not resemble his comic counterpart as much as fans had hoped. True to form for writer-director James Gunn, he puts a more lighthearted spin on the character that may disappoint comic readers who prefer more serious depictions of Adam. However, if one peels back the surface and takes a look at how the character develops throughout the film, it may soon become evident that Will Poulter’s Adam Warlock is much more comic-accurate than he first seems.
How the MCU Changed Adam Warlock
James Gunn tends to view the superhero genre through the lens of his comedy background, whether he’s working in the Marvel or DC Universe. And while his offbeat sense of humor is a key component of his films’ success, Gunn’s style has also earned its fair share of detractors. Some comic fans have taken issue with his portrayal of characters like Star-Lord or Drax — more serious heroes in the source material, who have been transformed into comical, sometimes bumbling figures.
Such is the case with Gunn’s interpretation of Adam Warlock in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. While his introduction attacking the Guardians on Knowhere depicts him as the kind of deadly cosmic powerhouse that fans would expect from the character, any menace he holds quickly disappears after the film’s opening act. Underneath his facade as a mighty warrior, he’s dimwitted and naive, with his childlike antics serving as a source of comic relief.
The Adam Warlock found in the pages of Marvel Comics is a clever, philosophical figure, capable of both immense compassion and incredible ruthlessness. Meanwhile, his MCU counterpart is a proud warrior whose vast power and good intent are undermined by his foolishness. The Adam of the comics is a cunning sage. The Adam of the movies is, to borrow an internet colloquialism, a himbo. At first, this may seem like a betrayal of the character — adapting only the most basic of surface elements, while completely altering his personality for the sake of comedy. However, there’s much more to Adam Warlock’s comic book story than his personality.
Adam Warlock’s Character Arc in the Comics
Adam Warlock made his comic debut in 1967 with Fantastic Four #66 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Created by a group of mad scientists known as the Enclave, Adam — known simply as Him in his introductory story — was engineered to be the first in a new species of genetically perfect superhumans, who would conquer the world in the Enclave’s name. But after emerging from his cocoon, Him destroys his creators, choosing to leave Earth behind rather than become a weapon of evil.
Him next appears in 1969 with Thor #166, seeking a companion to end his loneliness. He decides to kidnap Lady Sif, causing Him and Thor to come to blows. In this story, Him displays a callous, self-serving attitude and a condescending disgust towards humanity, serving as a foil to Thor’s love for mortals. However, 1972’s Marvel Premiere #1 by Roy Thomas and Gil Kane would see Him go from antagonist to protagonist, undergoing a major shift in characterization — not to mention a name change to Adam Warlock.
After his previous defeat by Thor, Him’s cocoon is found floating in space by the High Evolutionary: a name that will be very familiar to anyone who’s seen Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Aboard his ship, the High Evolutionary shows Adam his latest experiment: Counter-Earth, an artificially-created replica of 20th century Earth. While Counter-Earth was intended to be a perfect society free from evil and suffering, it instead inherited all the real Earth’s ills — as such, the High Evolutionary deems it a failed experiment, and plans to destroy it. However, Him finds beauty in Counter-Earth, and decides to prove to the High Evolutionary that its people are worthy of life.
Taking the name “Adam Warlock”, he becomes the protector of Counter-Earth, setting in motion a series of epic cosmic adventures. In the following decades, Adam becomes the wielder of the Soul Gem, forms a rivalry with Thanos, battles his own evil future self, and eventually becomes a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy under Star-Lord’s leadership. Despite never truly gaining popularity as a solo hero, Adam Warlock is nevertheless a major figure in the Marvel Universe.
What Guardians 3 Got Right About Adam
Despite his more comedic characterization, the Adam Warlock of GOTG Vol. 3 undergoes a very similar character arc to that of his comic counterpart. He begins as a prideful, antagonistic figure created by an evil organization — the alien Sovereign, rather than the human Enclave — as a living weapon. However, his entire world is turned upside-down on Counter-Earth, where he witnesses the cruelty of the High Evolutionary firsthand. Soon, he’s filled with compassion for the mortals he once looked down on, and chooses to become a hero.
While the MCU’s Adam Warlock may not have the wisdom of his comic self, they’re still alike in many ways. In both mediums, Adam goes from a pompous ubermensch to a kind defender of the weak. Even the film’s use of the High Evolutionary and Counter-Earth in Adam’s arc is lifted straight from the source material. In fact, the movie arguably improves on the comics by giving Adam more personal reasons to turn against the High Evolutionary.
Granted, it’s undeniable that Adam Warlock feels a bit underdeveloped, especially considering how far in advance his inclusion was set up. But even so, the development he does get is effective — not to mention a perfect mirror to the character arc of his comic counterpart. They may seem like polar opposites on the outside, but deep down, the Adam Warlock found in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is a faithful adaptation of the comics.