This August 2014, Disney is releasing a major feature film based on a comic published by its Marvel subsidiary, Guardians of the Galaxy. The spacefaring supergroup is a hodgepodge of characters coming from all over Marvel’s last five decades, and from many different artists and writers.

As these last are often denied proper credit, below we present an illustrated list of the main creators involved.
 
The Guardians

Groot was created by Jack Kirby, with Stan Lee (script) and Dick Ayers (inks) in Tales to Astonish 13.

cover art by Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko

 
Star Lord was created by Steve Englehart (script) and Steve Gan (art) in Marvel Preview 4.
 

cover art by Bob Larkin

 
Rocket Raccoon was created by Bill Mantlo (script) and Keith Giffen (pencils) with Rick Bryant (inks) in Marvel Preview 7.

art by Giffen and Bryant

 
Drax the Destroyer was created by Jim Starlin (pencils, concept) with Mike Friedrich (dialogue) and Mike Esposito (inks) in Iron Man 55.

cover by Jim Starlin and Joe Sinnott

 
Gamora was created by Jim Starlin in Strange Tales 180.

art by Jim Starlin and Steve Leialoha

 
Yondu was created by Arnold Drake (script), Gene Colan (pencils) and John Tartaglione (inks) in Marvel Super-Heroes 18.

cover by Gene Colan. Yondu is the archer character on the far right.

 
Other Characters

Ronan the Accuser was created by Jack Kirby, with Stan Lee (script) and Joe Sinnott (inks) in Fantastic Four 65.

Cover by Jack Kirby and Joe Sinnott

 
The Collector was created by Stan Lee (script) and Don Heck (pencils) in The Avengers 28.

Pencils by Don Heck

 
Rhomann Dey was created by Marv Wolfman (script) with John Buscema (pencils) and Joe Sinnott (inks) in Nova 1.

Left: John Reilly, who plays Rhomann Dey in the film; right , art by John Buscema and Joe Sinnott.

 
Nebula was created by Roger Stern (script) and John Buscema (pencils), with Tom Palmer (inks) in Avengers 257.

Cover art by Al Milgrom

 
Korath the Pursuer was created by Mark Gruenwald (script) and Greg Capullo (art) in Quasar 32.

There you have it, though other characters and concepts by Marvel-paid creators doubtless also figure in the film (which, from what I’ve seen, will be a very enjoyable romp.)

It would be good and ethical were the corporation behind it to reward these creators with some cash. But, given Marvel and Disney’s traditional attitudes of gratitude, I’m not holding my breath…