A Strong Friendship In Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 3 Is Made Possible, Thanks To An Avengers: Infinity War’s Tragedy
Released in 2018, Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War is easily one of the most epic, yet devastating titles in the MCU history. In the movie, the Avengers put up a fight against Thanos, one of Marvel’s greatest villains, who is after the powerful Infinity Stones to restore the balance of the world at his will. However, in the end, they fail to stop the Mad Titan, and the snap he made has turned half the universe’s population – and the Avengers’ squad, into dust.
The Guardians of the Galaxy, barring Gamora’s prior death, also suffer the same faith, with Star-Lord, Drax, Mantis, and Groot all disintegrated to nothingness, leaving only Rocket and Nebula behind. However, the tragic events have allowed the both of them to grow a closer bond for five years before Hulk’s snap brings everyone back in Endgame. Let’s see how Rocket and Nebula’s relationship grows over the years, especially in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 through this article.
#1. From enemies to friends.
Source: Marvel
Originally an assassin under Thanos’ command, Nebula had been holding grudges against her adoptive sister, Gamora, who bested her in every fight when they were young. The result is brutal, as each time Nebula lost, she became the subject of the Mad Titan’s gruesome and ruthless experiments, and even had her eyes and limbs gauged out at some point.
However, after finally defeating Gamora on Ego’s planet, the two manage to reconcile, and Nebula becomes a part of the Guardians afterward. She then has been following them into countless battles, from the events of Infinity War and Endgame to the encounter against the High Evolutionary in Volume 3 of the franchise.
#2. Nebula and Rocket care a lot about each other, and here’s why.
Source: Marvel
After the events of Infinity War, with more than half of the squad reduced to soot, Nebula and Rocket are the only members left from the Guardians who survive the Blip. The raccoon, who is emotionally devastated when Groot is gone, is in need of a companion, and Nebula provides just that. While the remnants of the Avengers still provide them shelter on Earth, the two basically only have each other to rely on for five years, so it’s no surprise that they share a strong bond over time.
#3. The two’s relationship is highlighted in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3.
Source: Marvel
Rocket and Nebula’s close relationship after Infinity War continues to show in Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3, especially after the former got shot by Adam Warlock in the beginning, which triggers the kill switch in his body. Nebula is the first to come to his aid and gathers the crew to operate the heist to save him by infiltrating Orgocorp. She also stays by his side, and even remarks how the High Evolutionary’s experiments on him are even more brutal than anything Thanos has ever done to her.
And I’m sure we all shed a tear or two at the theater when we saw how Nebula choked up and silently cried when she heard about Rocket’s revival, showing how much she truly cares about him as a friend and comrade.
#4. Their bond was already hinted at way before Volume 3.
Source: Marvel
Even before Volume 3’s events, there have been some subtle hints about how the two of them care about each other. In the Holiday Special episode, the two exchange Christmas gift, with Nebula giving Rocket what looks like the Winter Soldier’s vibranium arm (which the latter has shown interest in before). Rocket is extremely touched by the gift, and later builds her a brand-new nanotech arm full of upgrades. This detail is confirmed by director James Gunn, and it further shows how the two’s relationship has gone a long way.
#5. Nebula has really grown as a person during her time with the Guardians of the Galaxy.
Source: Marvel
From being one of their greatest enemies, Nebula is now a pivotal part of the team, and she is more than capable to fill in the space that Gamora left behind. During the Blip and the after events, from a stoic and ruthless warrior figure, the Luphomoid has gradually grown to care and show sympathy to others, especially to her new comrades, like how she cares for Rocket, or how she attends to Quill when he’s still grieving the loss of his love.
While somewhat foul-mouthed, Nebula also proves herself to be the voice of reason for the team. Her grounded and reasonable demeanor has helped the Guardians greatly in dire situations, and she’s a very capable leader to boot. She also learns to accept each member of the team for who they are, and how to be more compassionate with others. To sum up, the Guardians couldn’t have done it without Nebula in Volume 3, which shows how important she is to the team now.
What do you think about Nebula’s relationship with Rockets and the other Guardians’ members? Let us know in the comments below.