Herald of Galactus
| Heralds of Galactus | |
|---|---|
 (clockwise from bottom) The Silver Surfer; Terrax; Gabriel the Air-Walker; Firelord and Nova (Frankie Raye) feature on the cover of Silver Surfer vol. 3, #74 (Nov. 1992). Art by Ron Lim. |
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
The Heralds of Galactus are fictional characters appearing in publications from Marvel Comics. The Herald concept was introduced in Fantastic Four #48 (March 1966) - with the character the Silver Surfer - by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.
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[edit] Publication history
The Heralds existing in the main continuity of the Marvel Universe include the Fallen One, retroactively revealed to be the first Herald in Thanos #11 (Aug. 2004); the Silver Surfer in Fantastic Four #48 (March 1966); Gabriel the Air-Walker in Fantastic Four #120 (March 1972) (revealed to be an android copy of the original in Thor #305 - 306 (March - April 1981); Firelord;[1] the Destroyer (a temporary substitute);[2] Terrax the Tamer;[3] Nova (Frankie Raye);[4] Morg the Executioner;[5] Red Shift;[6] Johnny Storm[7], Stardust,[8] and Praetor.[9]
[edit] Biography
The cosmic entity Galactus maintains his existence by devouring planets that have the potential for supporting life, and as such utilizes a Herald to scour the universe in search of suitable worlds. Upon pinpointing the requisite planetary body, the Herald signals Galactus, resulting in his arrival on the world's surface followed by the deployment of the Elemental Converter — a colossal machine capable of draining all life energy from the planet within minutes. If the world in question supports a sentient civilization, the Herald will often be forced into battle with inhabitants who attempt to drive Galactus away.[10]
Prior to the revelation that the prototype Herald the Fallen One exists, Norrin Radd was considered to be Galactus' first Herald,[11] offering his services in exchange for sparing his planet, Zenn-La. Galactus accepts, transforming Radd into the Silver Surfer.[12]
[edit] Powers and abilities
Galactus bestows the Power Cosmic on each Herald, which grants them a range of abilities, including extremely high levels of super strength, stamina, and durability (totally impervious to the rigors of space); enhanced reflexes; energy manipulation; molecular transmutation; a degree of "cosmic awareness" (ability to perceive the happenings of the universe); flight and the ability to travel at superluminal velocities in space.
As the Heralds are indirectly responsible for the destruction of many worlds and in turn extinction of many species, Galactus suppresses all feelings of guilt and remorse in those of his Heralds who have a conscience. Despite this, some of Galactus' Heralds - such as the Silver Surfer and Nova - have rebelled and left their master.[13]
[edit] Other versions
A number of other versions exist, almost all of which are alternate universe characters that exist outside of mainstream Marvel continuity. These include Dazzler;[14] Golden Oldie (a dream sequence);[15] "Plasma";[16] Dark Angel;[17] "Starglow";[18] Dominas the Wavemaster;[19] Kryptonian (Superman);[20] Sabretooth;[21] Thor[22] and The World Breaker.[23] The Heroes Reborn story arc used a new variant: instead of a single herald, Galactus used many heralds simultaneously.
[edit] In other media
[edit] Television
- In the Season 1 of the 1990s Fantastic Four animated series, the Silver Surfer, Firelord, and Terrax fight the Fantastic Four while Galactus attempts to feed on Earth. In Season 2, all but the presence of Silver Surfer in that battle is ignored as Terrax is seen again and referred to as being the replacement for the Silver Surfer. In the episode "When Calls Galactus", Terrax is killed/turned into a worm and Nova becomes the new herald.
- In the Silver Surfer animated series, the Silver Surfer is the herald for a very short time (episode wise). He is replaced by Nova (Frankie Raye) after the young girl somehow teleports onto his ship after Galactus and Silver Surfer part ways. Both heralds have regular appearances on the show and even team up at times.
- Besides Silver Surfer, several of the Heralds (Firelord, Terrax and Stardust) appear in The Super Hero Squad Show episode "Last Exit Before Doomsday" and "This Al Dente Earth".
[edit] Video games
- In Marvel vs Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds, Galactus is the final boss, and as part of the first phase of the battle, the player must fight two out of a selection of Albert Wesker, Dormammu, Akuma and Doctor Doom, who have been turned into Galactus' Heralds.
- In Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3, an update to the Marvel vs Capcom 3, a new game mode called Heroes and Heralds has players choosing to either play as the playable characters defending Earth or as a Herald version of the playable characters (all of which have the Silver Surfer-like coloring) seeking to attack it for Galactus.
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ Thor #225 July 1974)
- ^ Thor #228 (Oct. 1974)
- ^ Fantastic Four #211 (Oct. 1979)
- ^ Fantastic Four #244 (Jul. 1982)
- ^ Silver Surfer vol. 3, #70 (Sep. 1992)
- ^ Galactus: the Devourer (Sept. 1999 - March 2000)
- ^ Fantastic Four #520 (Jan. 2005)
- ^ Stormbreaker: The Saga of Beta Ray Bill #1 - 6 (March - Aug. 2005)
- ^ The Mighty Thor #6 (Sept 2011)
- ^ Fantastic Four #257 (Aug. 1983)
- ^ Thanos #11 (Aug. 2004)
- ^ Silver Surfer #1 (Aug. 1968)
- ^ Fantastic Four #50 (May 1966) and Fantastic Four #242 (May 1982)
- ^ What If? #33 (June 1982)
- ^ Marvel Team-Up #137 (Jan. 1984)
- ^ Fantastic Four vol. 2, #11 (Sep. 1997)
- ^ Cyberspace 3000 #2 (Aug. 1993)
- ^ What If #37 (Feb. 1983)
- ^ Last Planet Standing #1 (July 2006)
- ^ Superman/Fantastic Four #1 (April 1999)
- ^ Exiles #88 (Jan. 2007)
- ^ What If? Featuring Thor (Dec. 2005)
- ^ What If World War Hulk #1 (Feb. 2010)
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Heralds of Galactus at Marvel.com
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