Who Is Martinex: Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3's Mysterious Crystal Alien?
James Gunn is known for two things: working with the people he loves and bringing obscure comic book characters to the big screen. His work on the "Guardians of the Galaxy" trilogy is no different, bringing in many of his friends to play characters in the MCU. One such friend is Michael Rosenbaum, who plays Martinex, the alien covered in crystals in Starhawk's (Sylvester Stallone) Ravagers gang in "Vol. 2" and "Vol. 3."
In the comics, Martinex is an alien scientist born on Pluto in the 31st Century, although his ancestors are from Africa. After the Badoon wipes out his species, he is the last surviving Pluvian, joining Yondu, Starhawk, and others to form the first Guardians of the Galaxy and fight back against the Badoon. Martinex and the Guardians then became space-and-time-traveling heroes, arriving in the 20th Century a few times — including once to help defeat the Badoon for good. He's fought alongside Captain America, Thor, and many other Avengers. At times he's been the leader of the Guardians, leaving at one point to form a new team, the Galactic Guardians.
The crystals covering Martinex's body were genetically engineered for Pluvians, allowing them to withstand Pluto's extreme conditions. He has enhanced strength and can shoot hot and cold energy beams from his hands. Of course, his crystallized outer layer lets him withstand plenty of damage, and he also has a wealth of 31st-century knowledge.
Martinex's journey in the MCU
Although Martinex (Michael Rosenbaum) wasn't the star of the "Guardians of the Galaxy" trilogy, James Gunn paid homage to him and the original team's comic-book lineup by including them in the sequels.
First appearing in "Vol. 2," Martinex is part of the Ravagers gang led by Stakar Ogord/Starhawk (Sylvester Stallone). While we don't know much about their previous adventures, the movie tells us that Martinex, Stakar, Yondu (Michael Rooker), and others used to be a team — Gunn's homage to the original comic book Guardian team — but that they disbanded after Yondu's exile from the Ravagers. Martinex stayed loyal to Stakar, remaining as his right-hand man. They both attended Yondu's funeral, saluting their former teammate and reuniting with the rest of their team.
In "Vol. 3," Martinex remains with Stakar and the Ravagers, now joined by the new Gamora (Zoe Saldaña). Although they aren't around for long, the group helps the Guardians break into Orgocorp, and they reunite with Gamora, whose new family is the Ravagers, by the end of the movie.
In a radio interview with My 105.3, Rosenbaum praised his time on the "Guardians" set, saying, "It was a treat. Everyone on the 'Guardians' set was so awesome to work with. I wish I had got to, you know, be a bigger part of that, but just to be a part of it was awesome."