Herald of Galactus
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| 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 #74 (vol. 3, Nov. 1992) Art by Ron Lim. |
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| Publication information | |
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| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
The Heralds of Galactus are characters that exist within the fictional Marvel Universe and are empowered by the cosmic entity Galactus. The Herald concept was introduced in Fantastic Four #48 (Mar. 1966) - with the character the Silver Surfer - by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.
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[edit] History
The 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. [1]
This scenario resulted in the creation of what was at that time considered to be Galactus' first Herald, the Silver Surfer. [2] Galactus spares the planet Zenn-La when Norrin Radd offers in exchange his services as a Herald. Galactus transforms Norrin Radd into the Surfer. [3] Since Galactus' first encounter with Earth, he has had a total of eleven Heralds.
[edit] List of heralds
In the main continuity of the Marvel Universe:
- Fallen One - the first Herald. [4]
- Silver Surfer - the second Herald. [5]
- Gabriel the Air-Walker the third Herald. [6]
- Terrax the Tamer - the sixth Herald. [9]
- Nova (Frankie Raye) - the seventh Herald. [10]
- Morg the Executioner - the eighth Herald. [11]
- Johnny Storm, the Invisible Man - the tenth Herald and a temporary substitute. [13]
Note: In addition to heralds, Galactus also employs the Punisher Cyborgs.
The Spaceknight Rom the Spaceknight once led Galactus to the homeworld of the Dire Wraiths, but was not truly a Herald. Terrax was at this time the true Herald of Galactus. [15]
[edit] Alternate versions
- Dazzler - What If...? #33 (Jun. 1982).
- Golden Oldie - Marvel Team-Up #137 (Jan. 1984). Revealed to be a dream.
- Plasma - Fantastic Four #11 (vol. 2, Sep. 1997) Heroes Reborn version.
- Dark Angel - Cyberspace3000 #2 (Aug. 1993).
- Starglow - What If #37 (Feb. 1983). A recreated Shalla Bal.
- Ardina - The Silver Surfer TPB (1978). A clone of Shalla Bal.
- Dominas - Last Planet Standing #1 (Jul. 2006). A version for the MC2 universe.
- Kryptonian - Superman/Fantastic Four #1 (Apr. 1999).
- Sabretooth - Exiles #88 (Jan. 2007).
- Thor - What If? Featuring Thor (Dec. 2005). Becomes a herald after making a bargain with Galactus.
[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. [16]
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ Fantastic Four #257 (Aug. 1983)
- ^ The Fallen One is retrospectively introduced as Galactus' first Herald in Thanos #11, Aug. 2004
- ^ Silver Surfer #1 (vol. 1, Aug. 1968)
- ^ Revealed in Thanos #11, Aug. 2004
- ^ First appears in Fantastic Four #48 (vol. 1, Mar. 1966)
- ^ Android first appears in Fantastic Four #120 (vol. 1, Mar. 1972). Origin revealed in Thor #306 (vol. 1, Apr. 1981)
- ^ Thor #225 (vol. 1, Jul. 1974)
- ^ Given to Galactus in Thor #228 (vol. 1, Oct. 1974)
- ^ First appears Herald in Fantastic Four #211 (vol. 1, Oct. 1979)
- ^ First appears as Frankie Raye in Fantastic Four #164 (Nov. 1975), exhibited superpowers in Fantastic Four #238 (vol. 1, Jan. 1982) and transformed into Nova in Fantastic Four #244 (vol. 1, Jul. 1982)
- ^ Appears as a Herald in Silver Surfer #70 (vol. 3, Sep. 1992)
- ^ First appears in Galactus: the Devourer (Sept. 1999 - March 2000)
- ^ Fantastic Four #520-523 (vol. 1, 2005)
- ^ Stormbreaker: The Saga of Beta Ray Bill #1 - 6(2005)
- ^ Rom #26 - 27 (Jan. - Feb. 1982)
- ^ Fantastic Four #50 (vol. 1, May. 1966) and Fantastic Four #242 (vol. 1, May. 1982)
