Warning! Spoilers ahead for Guardians of the Galaxy #12
The newest member of the Guardians of the Galaxy, the Prince of Power, has revealed the true origin of his namesake. When he was introduced as a would-be assassin sent to kill Rocket Raccoon, he originally claimed his powers were thanks to magic, but in Guardians of the Galaxy #12 he is forced to admit that his powers were gained by literally ingesting a powerful cosmic weapon, specifically an Infinity Stone.
Created by Al Ewing and Juan Cabal in Guardians of the Galaxy #3 (2020), the vain and seemingly not-too-intelligent Prince of Power was originally Prince Otherone of Noblor, who decided to use his muscles and might for Blackjack O’Hare Black Bunny Solutions. He hase been hired along with Gamora’s team of Guardians to kill Rocket Racoon, eventually coming into conflict with the demigod Hercules, who is surprised to learn that Otherone has been carrying his old superhero title. Although the boy has the strength, tools, and talent, his inexperience is no match for Hercules’ centuries of experience and he is easily defeated, much to his chagrin. After Gamora and the others decide not to go through with the contract, Prince sticks around, adding extra muscle to their missions although many of the Guardians consider him to be an idiot.
Guardians of the Galaxy #12 by Al Ewing and Juann Cabal concludes the Guardians’ conflict with the Dark Olympians. The reunited Guardians of the Galaxy combine their might to fight the freed gods seeking revenge against Star-Lord for imprisoning the Dark Olympians in another dimension. With their numbers dwindling, Rocket attempts a Hail Mary by looking for a stunned Prince of Power lying in the middle of the crater he was pummeled into earlier. Denying his assistance in reviving the fallen Groot, Rocket reveals that he knows that Prince Otherone’s claims that he acquired his powers through a wizard are a lie. Rocket knows that the Prince’s power is more than just strength and muscles, but that he is the living embodiment of power. “That’s what happens when you swallow an Infinity Stone,” Rocket says, which shakes the arrogant grin right off the Prince’s face.
Rocket’s blackmail not only reveals that he knows more about Prince of Power than even he’d like the others to know, but that the Infinity Stone he has swallowed, the Power Stone, is one the Guardians are well acquainted with. In the Guardians of the Galaxy film, it was the Power Stone that helps to unite the Guardians as a team, and their combined might helps Peter Quill overcome its awesome power and use it against their common enemy Ronan the Accuser. While the Power Stone is a pivotal plot point for the Guardians’ involvement in the Infinity Wars, Prince Otherone’s use of it to gain superpowers makes him come off as desperate as someone buying powers to become a supervillain. Unlike the previous Prince of Power, who chose to use his God-given powers for heroic deeds, Otherone has somehow acquired this highly coveted cosmic artifact and has used it for his own fortune and glory. It’s no wonder Hercules bests him so easily during their fight, the Prince is simply a shallow contender with no real heart for what it means to really be a hero.
Although he only does it to earn Rocket’s silence, the Prince of Power uses his Infinity Stone-given talent to revive the fallen Groot who proves to be crucial in the team’s victory over the Dark Olympians. It’s amusing to see a character who clearly emulates Hercules’ previous time as the Prince of Power and yet couldn’t be more different, especially considering the inevitable trouble that awaits once others learn the truth as well. Although he has a long way to go, the Guardians of the Galaxy have made a hero out of far worse and given their recent promotion, he may get his chance to prove himself sooner rather than later.
