After the first two Guardians of the Galaxy movies focused on a modern incarnation of the team, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 ended with a mid-credits scene revealing the original comic book incarnation of the team reforming to embark on new adventures across the cosmos. One of these these classic characters was Aleta Ogord, portrayed by Michelle Yeoh in her Marvel Cinematic Universe debut. While only on screen briefly in the film, the character has an extensive history in the comic book Marvel Universe.
Here's a quick history of the character, including her origin story, her surprising connection to Starhawk and her subsequent appearance in the MCU.
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WHO IS ALETA OGORD?
Created by Steve Gerber, Sal Buscema, and Vince Colletta in 1975's Defenders #29, Aleta was introduced as the adopted sister of Stakar Ogord, who born on Arcturus IV in the alternate timeline of the original Guardians of the Galaxy. Thanks to an alien energy device, she could physically merge with Stakar to form the composite being Starhawk. Aleta resented her physically weaker adopted brother for the periods she spent in limbo while he was in control of the Starhawk body. She eventually fell in love with him and had three children with him when they were finally separated by the Hawk God.
After their children were killed by their villainous father, Aleta and Stakar became estranged as they traveled the cosmos. Starhawk would assist the Defenders and Guardians of the Galaxy, joining the latter team in their continuing fight against the Badoon. Traveling to the main Marvel Universe with the other Guardians on several occasions, Aleta and Stakar would eventually separate for good, with Aleta leaving Stakar with the mantle of Starhawk to avoid being associated with it while forming a romantic relationship with Vance Astro. She eventually resumed the Starhawk mantle in the Guardians 3000 series.
HOW STRONG IS ALETA OGORD?
Aleta is able to focus photons to form hard light constructs which she uses defensively and offensively in combat. As her mastery of the Arcturan technique grew, so did the complexity of her constructs, and she even used them to help her fly through space unaided. Because of her Arcturan physiology, Aleta possesses superhuman strength, speed, and endurance, including an incredibly long lifespan and immunity to different viral and bacterial threats across the cosmos.
After merging with Stakar to form Starhawk, Aleta gained a variety of new abilities including the ability to fly at high speeds without the aid of her light constructs, the ability to phase through solid objects, read energy patterns and a degree of precognition. The merging also boosted her own natural abilities, leading her to be able to manipulate photons further through energy blasts and force fields while her enhanced endurance allowed her to survive unaided in the vacuum of outer space. After separating from Stakar, Aleta eventually discovered that her power upgrades were still permanent without him.
ALETA IN THE MCU'S GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY
Aleta Ogord doesn't show up until the very end of Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2, reimagined as leading her own faction of Ravagers. Portrayed by Michelle Yeoh, she arrives at the funeral of Yondu Udonta after he sacrifices his life to destroy the evil Celestial Ego. In a mid-credits scene for the film, she is seen reuniting with of her fellow original Guardians of the Galaxy led by Stakar Ogord to go on new adventures.
The exact nature of Aleta's powers and background in the MCU are still unknown, including her history with Stakar. Filmmaker James Gunn and Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige have both confirmed that there are additional plans for the original Guardians of the Galaxy team in the MCU's future, hinting at further adventures for Aleta Ogord and her teammates.