Directed by Tim Story

Story by Mark Frost

Screenplay by Don Payne

The Silver Surfer

The Silver Surfer is a Marvel Comics comic book character who was first introduced in September, 1966. The Surfer appeared in issue #48 of the monthly Fantastic Four comic book series, where he came to Earth to investigate the planet’s potential for feeding his master, Galactus. Since this appearance, the Silver Surfer has appeared consistently in the Fantastic Four books, as well as headlining his own series, The Silver Surfer, which published 146 issues in distinct series over a thirty-year span.

The Surfer was born Norrin Radd on the planet Zenn-La, which came under threat by the world-eating being Galactus. Feeling he had a duty to protect his world, Norrin struck a deal to become the herald of Galactus: in exchange for sparing his home planet, Norrin would seek out other worlds which his new master could consume in order to sate his appetite. As part of the bargain, Norrin became the Silver Surfer, imbued with cosmic powers and a surfboard on which he can fly through the cosmos in search of these worlds.

The Silver Surfer is one of few characters whose name accurately describes his appearance and some of his powers. Although a Zenn-Lavian alien, he is humanoid in appearance. The only notable difference between the Surfer and humans is that he is covered in a silver, metallic substance which allows him to survive as he travels through space. He is always accompanied by his surfboard, which is made out of the same silver material and which he can command telepathically.

In his guest appearances in the pages of Fantastic Four, and in his own series, the Silver Surfer was often decieved or betrayed by characters who wanted to portray him as a monster or misuse his power to cause destruction and misfortune. This deceit often caused the Surfer to wonder about his support of the Earth and the humans living there; he became disgusted by the terrible crimes man committed against fellow man. However, his faith in humanity was restored by his acquaintances, Alicia Masters and the Fantastic Four.

Despite his valiant involvement in a number of struggles over the years, the Surfer has probably never dealt with a struggle as difficult as his separation from his longtime love from Zenn-La, Shalla Bal. Knowing that he was doomed to die beside her if he did not act when Galactus threatened their planet, nonetheless the Silver Surfer still loved her and experience great anguish at being separated from her. This pain and resentment was somewhat dulled by the suppression of his emotions by Galactus, but his feelings for her meant she was frequently used as a pawn by enemies who wanted to destroy the Silver Surfer. After the destruction of Zenn-La by Galactus in revenge for the defection of his herald, the Surfer transferred part of his ability to Shalla Bal for her to rebuild their planet. The Surfer’s voluntary role as a hero to his alternate ‘home’, Earth, and the rest of the cosmos, means that the pair may never fully be reunited.

Through the years, the Silver Surfer has battled alongside and against some of Marvel’s most famous characters, including the Fantastic Four and Doctor Doom, Spider-Man, the Avengers and the Defenders. As the herald of Galactus, the Silver Surfer first faced the Fantastic Four as a potential villain, but his compassion for the human beings he encountered on Earth lead to a strangely heroic path for the character. Since his first appearances, the Surfer has acted largely as a somewhat reluctant or confused, but noble, hero in the Marvel universe.

Most recently, the Silver Surfer has appeared in the limited series Annihilation, published in 2006, which featured a story set primarily in outer space featuring several of Marvel’s roster of space-related characters. During the events of the series, the Surfer and several other of Galactus’ former heralds are hunted and captured by Annihilus, who hopes to study their cosmic powers. Before Annihilus is defeated, the Silver Surfer chooses to return to his place as Galactus’ herald once more. At present, he is presumed to be travelling with Galactus, once again finding planets on which his former master can feed.