Peter Quill is an interstellar war hero, better known to his friends and enemies as the legendary Star-Lord. A human-alien hybrid, Peter is the son of emperor J'Son of Spartax and Meredith Quill, a human. When Peter was ten years of age, he lost his mother to an alien attack on his home in Colorado because of his birthright. Swearing revenge, Peter flew off to space as a young adult, where he was mentored by the pirates known as the Ravagers, led by Yondu Udonta. Eventually, Peter swore off their criminal ways and the path of vengeance, becoming Star-Lord. He finally met his father, but refused to become prince to his kingdom due to his evil nature.

Partnerning with the sentient vehicle Ship, Star-Lord became a legend throughout the galaxy, and his heroic actions in the wars against Annihilus and the Phalanx, led him to form the Guardians of the Galaxy, with Rocket Raccoon, Gamora, Groot, and Drax the Destroyer, among many others. During their adventures, Peter met his long-lost sister Victoria and dated Kitty Pryde, with the two becoming engaged, but ultimately breaking up. Later, Quill became the Master of the Sun, and with the Galactic Council officially recognizing the Guardians as the Super Heroes of Space, they guarded the galaxy from threats like Dormammu and Grootfall.

Recently, Quill ascended to the Spartax throne due to the poisoning of his sister and the assassination of his father. This, along with other political assassinations, led to the destablization of the Galactic Council and the creation of the new Galactic Union. Feeling obligated to see this through, Quill became the first head of the organization, although this came at the cost of his long friendship with Nova.