I remember getting a 1975 Marvel comic (”Astonishing Tales,” I believe), which spotlighted the said “Guardians of the Galaxy.” I liked sci-fi, and I liked the name, so I bought the comic. But I found it pretty wretched. In fact, it became something of a sore point with me, as I considered it the worst comic-book in my collection up to that point.
I never knew the title/group was revived for a later series. Don’t recall any raccoon.
This film is based on the 2008 GOTG team; it was “rebooted” by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning of Marvel Comics.
Basically, the 2008 team is the second team to operate under the Guardians of the Galaxy moniker.