As in the movie version, Peter Quill aka Star-Lord listens to classic rock on his Walkman (and occasionally a song is played in an episode), each episode title is a plot-related pun from a classic 70s or 80s rock song: e.g., Take the Milano and Run (2015) is from the Steve Miller Band hit "Take the Money and Run".
A series of one-shots were released prior to the series premiere detailing the origins of several characters and events that occurred prior to Guardians of the Galaxy (2014).
This animated series takes place in the Earth-17628 version of the Marvel Comics multiverse, together with Spider-Man (2017) and the season five of Avengers Assemble (2012).
The series will take place after the film of the same name however director James Gunn claims the series isn't official MCU canon. The series will share several nods to the feature film and several references to the Marvel Cinematic Universe such as the presence of Thanos and Loki, a resurrected Ronan the Accuser and the return of the Collector. The mystery of Peter Quill's past will be explored in the series while his father's identity will still remain hidden, as he will soon be revealed in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017).
Peter Quill learns he's part Spartax. In the comics, he's the son of J'son of Spartax, Emperor of the Spartoi Empire.