Herald of Galactus
Encyclopedia
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
.
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; the Destroyer
(a temporary substitute); Terrax the Tamer
; Nova (Frankie Raye); Morg the Executioner
; Red Shift
; Johnny Storm
, Stardust
, and Praetor.
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.
Prior to the revelation that the prototype Herald the Fallen One
exists, Norrin Radd was considered to be Galactus' first Herald, offering his services in exchange for sparing his planet, Zenn-La
. Galactus accepts, transforming Radd into the Silver Surfer
.
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.
characters that exist outside of mainstream Marvel continuity. These include Dazzler
; Golden Oldie (a dream sequence); "Plasma";
Dark Angel; "Starglow"; Dominas the Wavemaster
; Kryptonian (Superman)
; Sabretooth; Thor
and The World Breaker
. The Heroes Reborn
story arc used a new variant: instead of a single herald, Galactus used many heralds simultaneously.
Galactus
Galactus is a fictional character appearing in comic books and other publications published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist and co-plotter Jack Kirby, the character debuted in Fantastic Four #48 , the first of a three-issue story later known as "The Galactus...
are fictional characters appearing in publications from Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
. The Herald concept was introduced in Fantastic Four
Fantastic Four
The Fantastic Four is a fictional superhero team appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The group debuted in The Fantastic Four #1 , which helped to usher in a new level of realism in the medium...
#48 (March 1966) - with the character the Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer
The Silver Surfer is a Marvel Comics superhero created by Jack Kirby. The character first appears in Fantastic Four #48 , the first of a three-issue arc that fans call "The Galactus Trilogy"....
- by Stan Lee
Stan Lee
Stan Lee is an American comic book writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher, television personality, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics....
and Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby , born Jacob Kurtzberg, was an American comic book artist, writer and editor regarded by historians and fans as one of the major innovators and most influential creators in the comic book medium....
.
Publication history
The Heralds existing in the main continuity of the Marvel UniverseEarth-616
In the fictional Marvel Comics multiverse, Earth-616 or Earth 616 is the name used to identify the primary continuity in which most Marvel Comics titles take place.-Origin of Earth-616:...
include the Fallen One
Fallen One
The Fallen One is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Thanos #11 , and was created by Keith Giffen.-Publication history:...
, retroactively revealed to be the first Herald in Thanos
Thanos
Thanos is a fictional character that appears in comic books and other media published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Iron Man #55 and was created by writer-artist Jim Starlin....
#11 (Aug. 2004); the Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer
The Silver Surfer is a Marvel Comics superhero created by Jack Kirby. The character first appears in Fantastic Four #48 , the first of a three-issue arc that fans call "The Galactus Trilogy"....
in Fantastic Four #48 (March 1966); Gabriel the Air-Walker
Air-Walker
The Air-Walker is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics...
in Fantastic Four #120 (March 1972) (revealed to be an android copy of the original in Thor
Thor (Marvel Comics)
Thor is a fictional superhero who appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby....
#305 - 306 (March - April 1981); Firelord; the Destroyer
Destroyer (Thor)
The Destroyer is a fictional object that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The object first appears in Journey into Mystery #118 The Destroyer is a fictional object that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The object first appears in Journey into Mystery #118 The...
(a temporary substitute); Terrax the Tamer
Terrax
Terrax the Tamer is a fictional character that appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Fantastic Four #211 and was created by Marv Wolfman and John Byrne.-Fictional character biography:...
; Nova (Frankie Raye); Morg the Executioner
Morg
Morg is a fictional supervillain published by Marvel Comics universe, appearing as a herald of Galactus. Created by Ron Lim and Ron Marz, he first appeared in Silver Surfer vol. 3, #70 .-Origin:...
; Red Shift
Red Shift (comics)
Red Shift is a fictional supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe and was a herald of Galactus. He first appeared in Galactus: The Devourer .-Fictional character biography:...
; Johnny Storm
Human Torch
The Human Torch is a fictional character and superhero appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, he is a member of the superhero team the Fantastic Four, debuting in The Fantastic Four #1...
, Stardust
Stardust (Marvel Comics)
Stardust is a fictional character appearing in the comic books published by Marvel Comics and existing in that company's Marvel Universe. Stardust is one of the many Heralds of Galactus...
, and Praetor.
Biography
The cosmic entityCosmic entities (Marvel Comics)
Cosmic entities, also referred to as cosmic beings, are a type of fictional character in the . They possess power on a stellar, galactic, universal, or even multiversal level, far beyond those of humans or conventional superheroes, and frequently serve some natural function in the...
Galactus
Galactus
Galactus is a fictional character appearing in comic books and other publications published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist and co-plotter Jack Kirby, the character debuted in Fantastic Four #48 , the first of a three-issue story later known as "The 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.
Prior to the revelation that the prototype Herald the Fallen One
Fallen One
The Fallen One is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Thanos #11 , and was created by Keith Giffen.-Publication history:...
exists, Norrin Radd was considered to be Galactus' first Herald, offering his services in exchange for sparing his planet, Zenn-La
Zenn-La
Zenn-La is a fictional planet in the Marvel Universe, located in the Deneb System in the Milky Way galaxy, approximately 3,000 light years from Earth. It is best known as the homeworld of the Silver Surfer...
. Galactus accepts, transforming Radd into the Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer
The Silver Surfer is a Marvel Comics superhero created by Jack Kirby. The character first appears in Fantastic Four #48 , the first of a three-issue arc that fans call "The Galactus Trilogy"....
.
Powers and abilities
Galactus bestows the Power CosmicPower Cosmic
The Power Cosmic is a fictional type of cosmic energy that appears in comic books published by Marvel, most commonly mentioned in stories involving the cosmic entity Galactus and his heralds...
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.
Other versions
A number of other versions exist, almost all of which are alternate universeParallel universe (fiction)
A parallel universe or alternative reality is a hypothetical self-contained separate reality coexisting with one's own. A specific group of parallel universes is called a "multiverse", although this term can also be used to describe the possible parallel universes that constitute reality...
characters that exist outside of mainstream Marvel continuity. These include Dazzler
Dazzler
Dazzler is a Marvel Comics superheroine, associated with the X-Men. She first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #130 ....
; Golden Oldie (a dream sequence); "Plasma";
Dark Angel; "Starglow"; Dominas the Wavemaster
Dominas
Dominas was one of the Heralds of Galactus in the MC2 universe.-Fictional character history:Nothing about Dominas' past has been revealed at this point, except for the fact that he was a bureaucrat on some "insignificant planet", as he put it...
; Kryptonian (Superman)
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
; Sabretooth; Thor
Thor (Marvel Comics)
Thor is a fictional superhero who appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby....
and The World Breaker
Hulk (comics)
The Hulk is a fictional character, a superhero in the . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 ....
. The Heroes Reborn
Heroes Reborn
"Heroes Reborn" was a 1996-1997 crossover story arc among comic-book series published by the American company Marvel Comics. During this one-year, multi-title story arc, Marvel temporarily outsourced the production of several of its most famous comic books to the studios of its popular former...
story arc used a new variant: instead of a single herald, Galactus used many heralds simultaneously.
Television
- In the Season 1 of the 1990s Fantastic FourFantastic Four (1994 TV series)Fantastic Four is the third animated television series based on Marvel's comic book series of the same name. Airing began on September 24, 1994, until ending on February 24, 1996...
animated series, the Silver Surfer, Firelord, and TerraxTerraxTerrax the Tamer is a fictional character that appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Fantastic Four #211 and was created by Marv Wolfman and John Byrne.-Fictional character biography:...
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 SurferSilver Surfer (TV series)Silver Surfer, also known as Silver Surfer: The Animated Series, is an animated television series based on the Marvel Comics superhero which aired on the Fox Kids Network in 1998.-Overview:...
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, TerraxTerraxTerrax the Tamer is a fictional character that appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Fantastic Four #211 and was created by Marv Wolfman and John Byrne.-Fictional character biography:...
and StardustStardust (Marvel Comics)Stardust is a fictional character appearing in the comic books published by Marvel Comics and existing in that company's Marvel Universe. Stardust is one of the many Heralds of Galactus...
) appear in The Super Hero Squad ShowThe Super Hero Squad ShowThe Super Hero Squad Show is an American cartoon series by Marvel Animation. It is based on the Marvel Super Hero Squad action figure line from Hasbro, which portray the characters of the Marvel Universe in a cartoonish super-deformed-style...
episode "Last Exit Before Doomsday" and "This Al Dente Earth".
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 WeskerAlbert Weskeris a character in the Resident Evil franchise. Although portrayed as a supporting character in the first game, he was later established as the primary antagonist of the series; he usually manipulated story events behind-the-scenes and had a role in more games than the other main characters...
, DormammuDormammuDormammu is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Strange Tales #126 Dormammu is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Strange Tales #126 Dormammu is a...
, AkumaAkuma (Street Fighter)Akuma known in Japan as , is a video game character from the Street Fighter series of fighting games. Akuma made his debut in Super Street Fighter II Turbo as a secret character and hidden boss. In the storyline of the Street Fighter video games, he is the younger brother of Gouken, Ryu and Ken's...
and Doctor DoomDoctor DoomVictor von Doom is a fictional character who appears in Marvel Comics publications . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Fantastic Four #5 wearing his trademark metal mask and green cloak...
, who have been turned into Galactus' Heralds.
External links
- Heralds of Galactus at Marvel.com