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The Winter Guard () is a fictional team of Russian people appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
The Winter Guard are noted for being "Russia's answer to the Avengers". She-Hulk (vol. 2) #34 (December 2008) Several members of the group formerly belonged to the Soviet Super-Soldiers, the People's Protectorate, and the Supreme Soviets. Unlike those teams, which were often adversarial towards other costumed superheroes, the Winter Guard is much more heroic and representative in nature.
Unlike other superhero teams, the Winter Guard currently has a rotating pool of candidates to fill one of three roles on the team: Darkstar, Crimson Dynamo, and Red Guardian.
The team made infrequent appearances in the Marvel Universe before being featured in Jeph Loeb's Hulk (vol. 2). The Winter Guard soon appeared in She-Hulk and War Machine: Weapon of S.H.I.E.L.D..
David Gallaher brought the team back in Hulk: Winter Guard which first appeared as a Marvel Digital Comic and was later reprinted as a comic book. Gallaher returned to writing the team with a three-issue limited series called Darkstar and the Winter Guard in 2010.
Whilst investigating the murder of the Abomination, Doc Samson, She-Hulk, and Thunderbolt Ross encounter the revitalized Winter Guard, consisting of Ursa Major, Red Guardian, Darkstar, and Crimson Dynamo. Hulk (vol. 2) #1 (March 2008). Marvel Comics.
After teaming up with War Machine to fight the , Iron Man: Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. #34 (December 2008) the team was later seen clashing with She-Hulk and the Lady Liberators – and again with The Presence and Igor Drenkov. This version of the team uses an old Dire Wraith ship as a headquarters. Darkstar and the Winter Guard #1 (August 2010). Marvel Comics. They were mentioned by Storm as possible back-up while Rachel Summers was investigating in Madripoor. Wolverine and the X-Men #27 (May 2013). Marvel Comics. The Winter Guard are apparently killed by the Intelligencia, but are later revealed to have survived. Amazing Spider-Man #676 (February 2012). Marvel Comics.
The Winter Guard is later reassembled with Ursa Major, Crimson Dynamo, Red Guardian, Darkstar, Vostok, Perun, Chernobog, and Red Widow. Avengers (vol. 8) #10 (January 2019). Marvel Comics.
During the "One World Under Doom" storyline, Winter Guard members Crimson Dynamo, Red Widow, Ursa Major, and Vanguard crash Tony Stark's meeting with Commander Hunyadi of the Latverian Patriotic Front where they plan to bring him to Doctor Doom. Hunyadi is told by Red Widow that Tony will betray him as Iron Man fights the Winter Guard. With help from Black Widow, Tony Stark gets away. Red Widow informs Hunyadi to leave Dagestan at once as she will not protect him if Doctor Doom plans to take vengeance on him. Iron Man Vol. 7 #6. Marvel Comics. The Winter Guard later captures Commander Hunyadi and Melinda May as Iron Man goes to rescue them. Black Widow and Bucky get to the Winter Guard first. Iron Man then arrives with Victorious and Vishte Taru where the Winter Guard is subdued. Victorios plans to take the Winter Guard to Doctor Doom. Iron Man Vol. 7 #8-9. Marvel Comics.
| Darkstar and the Winter Guard | Darkstar and the Winter Guard #1–3, Hulk: Winter Guard #1, X-Men Unlimited #28 | November 2010 | |
| Winter Guard: Operation Snowblind | Winter Guard #1-4, Widowmakers: Red Guardian and Yelena Belova #1 | January 2022 |
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