“Guardians of the Galaxy” blasts into theaters today. Unlike other comic book titles turned movies, “Guardians” is a tad obscure. It doesn’t have the same mainstream familiarity as “The Avengers” or “Batman”. Even a comic book afficionado like me never read it.

So who is Star Lord, the character played by a beefed up Chris Pratt of "Parks and Recreation"? Why is Groot, who only utters “I am Groot”, a tree? How did the “Guardians” come to protect the galaxy anyway?

I discovered this “Guardians of the Galaxy” 101 video produced by IGN, the entertainment and gaming company, that explains it all so that you and I can head to the cineplex prepared.