Half the characters in the game (example: every “Classic” version) weren’t involved in Dark Reign. The game is only very loosely bound by Dark Reign. I’ll be surprised if we don’t see any of the Guardians (and I could easily see Thanos being the 4* introduced in Season 4, with the Guardians trickling in as 3*s around the same time).
I’ve been out of the comic book world for 20+ years, so I’m not familair with this Rocket Racoon, fellow. The Guardians of the Galaxy that I remember had Aleta and Starhawk/Stakar & Vance Astrovik.
I know both the old and the new incarnation of the Guardians, but I have to admit I prefer the new bunch. Would love to see some of them in this game. Preferably Rocket and Groot (can every ability be called I AM GROOT, for flavor?). Thanos and Nebula would be great additions to the villain roster.
The Dark Reign storyline is more of a theme than a set of handcuffs controlling every design decision they make. You know what else wasn’t in Dark Reign? ISO-8. So, uh, yeah.