With Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer only days away we thought we’d give you a little back-story on the Sentinel of the Spaceways and also take a look at some of the best Silver Surfer books and graphic novels out there. 

Created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee, the Silver Surfer was an attempt to elevate the genre to new heights.  Those who don’t believe comics can be more than Hulk Smash should take time to examine one of the most insightful characters ever to grace a comic panel.

So in honor of his big screen debut here’s a quick primer on who the Surfer is, where he has been, and some suggested further reading for those intrigued by his story.

Enjoy!

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Born on the distant planet of Zenn-La, Norrin Radd wished only to travel the stars and learn more about the universe.  When his planet was targeted for destruction by the planet-eater Galactus, Norrin Radd took it on himself to save his world at the cost of his life and his love Shalla Bal.  For his sparring Zen-La Norrin Radd agreed to become the herald of Galactus and search out new worlds to satisfy his unending hunger.  Radd was endowed with the power cosmic and transformed into the Silver Surfer.

Though he had saved his love and home the Surfer left and searched out new worlds for his master.  Eventually his travels through the stars brought him to a small world called Earth, and there with the help of foursome of heroes the Surfer reclaimed his humanity by helping to prevent Galactus from destroying the planet.

For his betrayal the Surfer was confined to Earth and denied the stars.  For years he traveled his adopted home, and prison, where he became enthralled with the planet’s beauty and enraged at the cruelty and devastation of humanity.  Eventually the barrier between the Surfer and the rest of the universe was breached and he returned to the galaxy facing new threats and old enemies, and surfing the stars once more.

Part philosopher, part poet, part super-hero, the Silver Surfer was the first of his kind.  Created as an after-thought by Jack Kirby, and given voice by Stan Lee, the Surfer is perhaps the most noble comic creation of all time in an attempt to elevate the super-hero genre by creating a contemplative and unselfish hero, a fallen angel and observer of human folly.  The tale of this noble and tragic hero resounded with audiences as did his deep compassion and thoughtful introspeciton about himself, Earth, and the universe.  Stan Lee considered the Surfer to be one of his all-time favorites and for years he would not allow any other writer to create his dialogue.

Graphic Novels:

Silver Surfer Omnibus Vol. 1 – Oversized hardcover edition capturing all eighteen issues of the original Silver Age Silver Surfer run by Stan Lee and John Buscema (and Jack Kirby, who drew the final issue).  Exiled to Earth and denied the stars for turning on his master Galactus, the Surfer travels the planet in his struggle to understand humanity.  If you don’t like the heavy price [$74.99] you can try the black and white trade paperback versions of Essential Silver Surfer Vol. 1 and Essential Silver Surfer Vol. 2 for $16.99 a piece, or see if you can find the Marvel Masterworks Volumes originally priced at $50.00 a piece.

Rebirth of Thanos and The Infinity Gauntlet – The first collects the Thanos Quest with Silver Surfer issues #34-38 as the Surfrer tries to prevent the mad Titan from acquiring all of the Infinity Gems and putting the universe in peril.  In The Infinity Gauntlet the Surfer and the rest of the universe deal with an omnipotent Thanos with control over time, space, power, reality, mind, and soul. [$24.99 each]

Silver Surfer: Parable – In the late 1978 Stan Lee and Jack Kirby joined forces to create a a graphic novel of the Silver Surfer.  About ten years later a new version of the events, scripted by Lee and drawn by Moebius, re-telling the Silver Surfer, Galactus, their histories and their arrival on Earth was created in two parts under the title “Parable.”  Although it contains inconsistencies with the other works (so much so that it is now considered from an alternate reality) it does present an interesting look at the character.  It’s not easy to find, but worth a look if you can get your hands on it.

Silver Surfer Communion – Collecting the six-issue mini-series the story focuses on the abduction of children from all over the world and evidence leading to the Silver Surfer’s involvement. [$14.99]

Silver Surfer: Homecoming – Long out-of-print, this trade paperback focused on the Surfer’s return to Zenn-La only to find it missing as it has been removed and made a part of a collection of planets by a mysterious force known as “The Great One.”  In struggling to save his homeworld once again the Surfer only finds more tragedy.  Hard to find, but worth a look! [$12.95]

Annihilation Book 2 – When Annihilation Wave targets the former heralds of Galactus the Surfer must try to band together the wielders of the power cosmic to save themselves and the galaxy in this hardcover collection collecting the first four issues of each of the recently newly launched titles Super Skrull, Ronan and the latest relaunch of Silver Surfer. [$29.99]

 

Novels:

Ultimate Silver Surfer – Not related to Marvel’s Ultimate line in any way, this trade paperback is a collection of fifteen short stories from various writers including Tom DeFalco, Craig Shaw Gardner, and Christopher Golden among others telling tales of the Surfer’s origins, imprisonment on Earth, and his surfing through the stars.  It also contains an introduction by Stan Lee and a dedication to Jack Kirby.  Worth a look, if you can find it. [$12.00]

Fantastic Four: Redemption of the Silver Surfer – The Sufrer goes with the FF into the Negative Zone and discovers a chance to redeem himself by serving the life-giving entity known as Prodigion.  It also includes appearances from Blastaar and Annihilus.  The writing isn’t the quality of other entries on this list, but it’s a quick read and young adults and fans of the Surfer will find something to enjoy here. [$6.50]

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Sufer – The new film, which focuses on the Silver Surfer’s arrival on Earth, finds itself translated into book form in this mass market paperback adaptation. [$7.99]