By Ian W. Wilson
Rating: G (suitable for all audiences)
Word Count: 371
Summary: a brief biography of Marvel Comics’ Silver Surfer
Good morning ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to another installment of Superhero Sundays. I’m Ian Wilson, Fellowship and Fairydust’s comic and superhero expert. Today, I’d like to touch on a character who is beloved by comic book fans everywhere, but very little known and understood by people outside the Marvel fandom. I speak of the Silver Surfer.
The Silver Surfer was born Norrin Radd on the distant planet Zen-la. He was a very intellectual youth, but also very restless. Zen-la had eliminated poverty, war and disease, so there was very little left to discover and explore. Until one day, when Galactus invaded. Galactus is an ancient, gigantic, and highly intelligent being of virtually unlimited power. Galactus lives on the energy of planets. Galactus’ insatiable appetite keeps him on a constant search for new planets to devour. Next on the menu was Zen-la. Norrin Radd, however was able to make a deal with Galactus; he would search the universe for planets for Galactus, and in exchange, Galactus would spare Zen-la. Galactus imbued Norrin Radd with cosmic energy, transforming him into the Silver Surfer.
The Silver Surfer aided Galactus for many years, until one day, when he arrived at one particular planet; ours. He saw humanity for the first time and realized that we have the potential in us for greatness. Galactus was going to devour the earth anyway, but the Silver Surfer used his cosmic powers to defend the humans. Galactus realized that could not dissuade the Silver Surfer, so he punished him. The Silver Surfer was bound by Earth’s atmosphere, never to leave again. This was a severe punishment, as the Silver Surfer loved nothing more than travelling the universe.
The Silver Surfer is the philosopher of the Marvel universe. He thinks and feels very deeply. He often questions why humans go to war, or hoard resources. He’s a very interesting and intellectual character. When he got his own comic series, it was initially a failure, simply because of the fact that he is so intellectual. He was really only popular with philosophy majors.
The Silver Surfer was created by the great writer/artist team, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, and first appeared in Fantastic Four #48 back in 1966.