Anna Daniels
Obviously, Groot did not remain a monster who stomps across the Earth, looking for specimens and promising to “doom all who dare to oppose Groot.” It’s a little difficult to imagine that guy on grade-schoolers’ backpacks, after all. No, Groot changed — but it came long before 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy.
Groot’s story was retconned when he was exhumed from the dustbin of Marvel’s history, beginning with his part in 2007’s Annihilation: Conquest. No longer a dispassionate monster eager to poke and prod humans for the sake of alien science, Groot became an empathetic royal from a planet of stately trees.
According to the 2013 Guardians of the Galaxy comic, Groot comes from an “ennobled sap-line” destined for great power and position. However, he is not a match for the culture of Planet X, ruled by the “Arbor Masters” who imbue all Flora colossi with their accumulated knowledge. They hold no qualms with kidnapping and experimentation, but Groot disagrees. Ultimately, Groot is exiled when he defends one of the “maintenance mammals” looked down upon by his brethren and their masters. Thus begins his journey throughout space, and ultimately, to the Guardians of the Galaxy.
Written by: Looper
