Guardians of the Galaxy #15 1991 VF+

Guardians of the Galaxy #15 August 1991 (Volume 1) is a key issue titled "The Power of Protégé." It is notable for being the first appearance of Protégé, a powerful entity capable of mimicking any superhuman ability or power. 

The Guardians of the Galaxy—the original 31st-century team on Earth-691—face a chaotic series of events across different fronts:

• The Protégé Emerges: The issue introduces Protégé, the child-god of the Universal Church of Truth, who possesses a dangerous ability to learn and replicate any power he witnesses.
• Mephisto's Plan: The demonic Mephisto is revealed to have an overarching scheme involving his daughter, Malevolence, and the mercenary team known as Force.
• Replica's Secret: The character Replica, who recently joined the team, has her shape-changing origin further explored and confirmed as being connected to the Skrull race.
• Internal Conflicts: The Guardians must deal with multiple simultaneous threats from Force members like Broadside, Scanner, and Tachyon, while the relationship between Aleta and Starhawk remains strained following the loss of their children. 

• First Appearance: Protégé and Jiltrin.
• The Team: Vance Astro, Charlie-27, Martinex, Yondu, Nikki, Aleta, Starhawk, and Replica.
• Villains: Mephisto, Malevolence, and the Force (Interface, Broadside, Eighty-Five, Tachyon, Photon, and Scanner). 

• Writer: Jim Valentino.
• Artists: Jim Valentino and Steve Montano.
• Cover Artist: Jim Starlin (noted for his work on the cosmic "Infinity" sagas)