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DRAXTHE DESTROYER
Created for one purpose: to destroy Thanos. Arthur Douglas was a human whose family was killed by the Mad Titan, and the cosmic entity Kronos resurrected him as Drax the Destroyer. Now a core member of the Guardians of the Galaxy, Drax combines raw physical power with an unexpectedly literal worldview that makes him both fearsome warrior and comedic relief.
CARD
#032
DEBUT
1973
FIRST
IM #55
DEMAND
HIGH
Card Gallery
2025 TOPPS MARVEL MINT
This premium trading card is part of the 2025 Topps Marvel Mint collection. Each card showcases Marvel's greatest heroes and villains with exceptional artwork and collectible value.
Born to Destroy Thanos
Drax first appeared in Iron Man #55 (February 1973), created by Jim Starlin in the same issue that introduced Thanos. Arthur Douglas was a real estate agent driving through the Mojave Desert with his family when Thanos's ship passed overhead. Thanos destroyed their car to eliminate witnesses, killing Arthur and his wife (their daughter Heather survived and would become Moondragon).
The cosmic entity Kronos, Thanos's grandfather, captured Arthur's spirit and placed it in a powerful new body specifically designed to destroy Thanos. This origin tied Drax inextricably to the Mad Titan—his entire existence was defined by vengeance. For decades in the comics, Drax was a cosmically powerful being with energy projection abilities.
The 2000s brought a dramatic reinvention. After being killed and resurrected again, Drax emerged with reduced cosmic powers but enhanced physical abilities and combat skills. This "savage" version—green-skinned, covered in red tattoos, wielding twin knives—became the template for the MCU adaptation and modern comics.
Powers and Abilities
PHYSICAL POWERS
- Superhuman strength (class 50+)
- Enhanced durability and stamina
- Accelerated healing factor
COMBAT SKILLS
- Master hand-to-hand combatant
- Expert with bladed weapons
- Thanos-detection ability (comics)
MCU: Dave Bautista's Drax
Dave Bautista portrayed Drax across all three Guardians of the Galaxy films (2014, 2017, 2023) plus Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. His performance transformed Drax from a revenge-driven warrior into one of the MCU's most beloved characters, known for his literal interpretation of language and unexpected emotional depth.
Bautista's Drax differs significantly from the comics—he's an alien whose family was killed by Ronan (working for Thanos) rather than a resurrected human. This simplified origin worked perfectly for the films while maintaining the core motivation. His "invisible" standing still joke became iconic, and his friendship with Mantis added surprising tenderness.
INVESTMENT ALERT: Iron Man #55 (first Drax and Thanos) is one of the most important Bronze Age keys. Drax cards benefit from his beloved MCU portrayal and Guardians legacy. While Bautista has retired from the role, the character's popularity ensures lasting collector interest.
Team Affiliations
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY
Core founding member
INFINITY WATCH
Wielded the Power Gem
AVENGERS
Allied during Infinity War
2025 Marvel Mint Collector Analysis
Card #032 Drax offers strong Bronze tier value with established MCU legacy. Dave Bautista's beloved portrayal and the Guardians franchise success ensure lasting collector appeal. His distinctive green skin and red tattoos make for visually striking card art across all variants.
PARALLEL CHASE
Green and Red parallels match his iconic appearance
INVESTMENT RATING
HIGH - Beloved Guardian with completed MCU arc