TOP 7 SILVER SURFER STORIES
SILVER SURFER: BLACK by Donny Cates and Tradd Moore has hit the library, and it’s shaping up to be a pivotal chapter in cosmic lore! On the shoulders of decades of storylines, its tone and voice homages several series starring the Sentinel of the Spaceways! Check out our Top 7 series and arcs that have influenced SILVER SURFER: BLACK!
Norrin Radd’s Rad Tales
“The Coming of Galactus”!
In Fantastic Four (1961) #48
Read through #50! The Silver Surfer’s first appearance marks one of the greatest collaborations between Fantastic Four co-creators Jack Kirby and Stan Lee. The world-devouring Galactus has fixed their eyes on Earth for their next colossal snack. The arrivals of cosmic entity The Watcher and the Silver Surfer portend the End of Days.
Zenn-La’s Fate
In Silver Surfer (1982) #1
In this mega-sized space opera, we learn how Silver Surfer, AKA Norrin Radd, came to possess his board and the Power Cosmic, both part of a bargain to save his pacifist planet, Zenn-La. In unsavory fashion, Galactus pulls off a bait and switch, later claiming that their “herald” has broken a contract. Here, we see just how lonesome it is to be Radd, a being doomed to live in a body so removed from his humanoid self…
Parable
In Silver Surfer: Parable (1988)
Silver Surfer co-creator Stan Lee pens this tale about false gods and those foolish enough to worship them. Partnered with French artist Moebius, this dreamy fable lands the cosmic wanderer on Earth, whose population is now completely in Galactus’ thrall. Moebius’ otherworldly style appears boundless.
Infinity Gauntlet Crossover
In Silver Surfer (1987) #50
Read through issue #59! Zenn-La’s “perfect” state is undone, then shattered, in this double-sized origin that revisits Surfer’s first encounter with Galactus. Keep reading to see the galaxy torn asunder by Thanos, and for Surfer’s pivotal role in the Infinity Gauntlet, (see: our Infinity Trilogy Reading List)!
Requiem
In Silver Surfer: Requiem (2007) #1
Please, whatever you do, don’t miss this one. Artist Esad Ribic’s painterly style is a perfect fit for J. Michael Straczynski’s script, depicting the final days of the Silver Surfer. With death looming, Surfer returns to Earth with one final gift for humanity… Poetic, and with interior art that’s worthy of being framed.
The Most Important Person in the Universe
In Silver Surfer (2014) #1
A human companion joins Silver Surfer’s galactic quest! Norrin Radd is no longer sentenced to solitude as he travels with Earth girl Dawn Greenwood! These two explore the darkness between stars, witness the rise and fall of vast civilizations… and have an all-around great time. Read the Eisner-winning #11 to be fully turned around. Original, and bursting with imagination.
The Final Gauntlet
In Guardians of the Galaxy (2019) #1
The prelude to Silver Surfer: Black! In the aftermath of the Infinity Wars, Thanos is dead. Silver Surfer joins Beta Ray Bill, Moon Dragon, Cosmic Ghost Rider and quite a few others, to address this power vacuum as the most ragtag Guardians yet. From Donny Cates and Geoff Shaw, the creative team behind “Thanos Wins”!