The next Herald, the now famous Silver Surfer, followed a different path. Galactus was going to devour the planet Zenn-La, but one of its inhabitants offered him an alternative. In exchange for not destroying his planet, Norrin Radd volunteered to become a new herald. Galactus was killed by Thor during the “Herald of Thunder” story arc in Thor (vol. 6) #1–6 (March–August 2020). Galactus reappeared after a two-year hiatus in Fantastic Four (vol. 6) #45 (July 2022)—the final issue of the event “Reckoning War”—where he is resurrected by his former heralds.

• Under the creative direction of Al Ewing and artist Travel Foreman, this storyline delved into the complexities of Galactus’ dual identities.
• By devouring planets, he accumulated massive cosmic energy, which slowly changed his form into the huge Devourer of Worlds.
• The evolution of Galactus in Marvel Comics and films is a testament to the character’s enduring appeal and complexity.
• Against his Herald and the Fantastic Four, Galactus was for the first time defeated.
• This decade saw the introduction of new heralds and expanded the cosmic mythology surrounding the character.

In conclusion, Galactus isn’t just a villain—he’s a symbol of the grand, cosmic themes that make Marvel Comics so compelling. As we look forward to his MCU debut, we can only imagine what new stories and challenges await this legendary character. The evolution of Galactus is far from over, and we’re all just along for the ride. Marvel’s commitment to doing justice to characters like Galactus underscores their dedication to rich storytelling and character development.

Fictional character biography

” If the reader wasn’t thrilled — and maybe a little scared — to find out what happened next, it sure wasn’t for a lack of trying. Galactus remains one of Marvel’s most iconic figures in the comic book world to this day. Like all the best super-villains, he may have been created as a challenge for the heroes to defeat, but his story goes well beyond that. At first, Galactus could spend centuries without feeding himself with a new world—at that time, he was also seeking out uninhabited worlds. But things changed as hunger gradually grew and he had to feed more frequently. Seeing himself as a higher being, Galactus learned of a prophecy that justified the destruction he was responsible for.

Once Archeopia was consumed, Galactus began the construction of a ship. Before he was Galactus, he was Galan and Galan was an ancient explorer from the planet Taa. The planet Taa existed long ago (the 6th Universe) before the current Universe existed.

Galactus in Film: A Look at Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (

His presence attracted many Kaiju which began attacking many innocent citizens, forcing Ultraman’s friends and the Avengers to fight them before confronting Galactus. Once all of the civilians were safely evacuated, the Monster Attack Team’s mecha Jack, armed with an energy weapon, destroyed Galactus’ Elemental Converter. At first he was infuriated, but then he felt a taste of the energy of the Ultras and, desiring to have more of it, set his sights on the Land of Light.98 On his way to the Land of Light, Galactus was intercepted by the Ultra Taro and crashed on the Crab Nebula. He battled Taro and, despite the Ultra’s best efforts, Galactus managed to defeat him.

From his cosmic origins in the Silver Age – a fertile period for comic book creativity – to his upcoming appearance in the MCU, the evolution of Galactus has been a journey of epic proportions. I have written about Galactus and his position among the cosmic entities. I will review just a little bit here, but this article will explore how this iconic figure has transformed over the decades, from the Devourer of Worlds to the Bringer of Life and back again, and how his story reflects some of the most profound themes in Marvel Comics. Galactus, with his metamorphosis complete, emerged from his incubator and, with a mere gesture, destroyed the invading space fleet.

It’s an exciting time for both long-time fans and newcomers, as we prepare to witness the grandeur of Galactus on the big screen once more. This narrative arc is crucial for fans and collectors to understand, as it offers a richer, more nuanced view of Galactus. Not simply a villain, his character became a vessel for exploring redemption and change. The Lifebringer era of Galactus is an essential chapter that highlights the intricacies and depth Marvel brings to its storytelling. In the 1980s, Galactus’ character was further developed, particularly through storylines that questioned his morality and role in the universe.

This decade saw the introduction of new heralds and expanded the cosmic mythology surrounding the character. Kirby’s artwork was instrumental in conveying Galactus’ sheer scale and power. His towering figure, with intricate armor and a commanding presence, was a visual spectacle. This striking design made it clear that Galactus was no ordinary villain, but a force of nature. The visual impact combined with the storyline elevated these issues to classic status.

Galactus, realizing his uncontrollable hunger for energy, next turned his attention to the energy-rich Archeopia below. Galactus immediately consumed the life energy of Archeopia; only a small fleet of Archeopian spaceships managed to escape the planet in time (the Archeopians would later be completely exterminated by Ego, the Living Planet). Initially, Galactus was just imagined as another super-villain that was to be bigger than the previous antagonists.

Rebirth as Galactus

It took many centuries of evolution, but one day the craft found its way into orbit around a verdant planet called Archeopia. Years later, enemies of the Archeopian attacked the incubator and, as a result, awakened Galactus. He destroyed the assailants before consuming the life energies of Archeopia.

Cosmic Ghost Rider

In a last-ditch effort, Galen and a few survivors boarded a spaceship and attempted to face the terminal point of the universe. However, the journey led to the death of all but Galen, who was instead merged with the sentience of the dying universe itself. But if Galactus returns in the future, Marvel may reveal more about him and how he became the Devourer of Worlds in that universe.

The Birth of the Heralds and the Silver Surfer

But in order to differentiate him from the others and avoid delivering a stereotypical bad guy, Lee and Kirby decided to reimagine the character on a grander scale. As a result, unlike typical antagonists, Galactus was not a villain in the traditional sense but a cosmic force of nature, an ancient being who consumes planets to fxcm broker review sustain his existence. In my previous article on the philosophy of Marvel Comics, I explored the ideas of idealism, reality, and overconfidence.

MCM Comic Con

Such stories continued to reflect the philosophical themes of idealism and over-confidence. Galactus eventually constructed his world-ship, Taa II, an indestructible vessel of immense power. He also discovered that constantly searching for planets to consume was inefficient. To solve this problem, he created Heralds—powerful beings who would seek out planets for him to devour.

It would not be the last time the origins and motivations of the characters would be explored, though. The Silver Surfer is a recurring ally and herald of Galactus, and was the first herald to be introduced into the Marvel Universe.137 Other characters have also filled the role of a herald intermittently. Writer-penciller John Byrne and inker Terry Austin produced “The Last Galactus Story” as a serial in the anthology comic-magazine Epic Illustrated #26–34 (October 1984 – February 1986).

It was one thing for the Fantastic Four to fight costumed crooks, international despots, or even run-of-the-mill mid-century alien invaders. By the point where Galactus was introduced in the final pages of 1965’s The Fantastic Four #48, the series had already established itself as one of the most exciting and inventive superhero comics on newsstands. His armor, designed to regulate his immense power, is beyond the comprehension of even the smartest beings in the Marvel Universe.

Galactus’ transition back to his iconic form as the Devourer of Worlds was another significant twist in his enduring saga. This change took place in Ultimates 2 #100 (August 2017), where the cosmic balance demanded the return of his destructive persona. Under the creative direction of Al Ewing and artist Travel Foreman, this storyline delved into the complexities of Galactus’ dual identities. The storyline also introduced the Silver Surfer, initially a herald who scouted planets for his master. This character, with his own rich backstory, added emotional depth to the narrative.

• His transformation into the Lifebringer represents an idealistic attempt to change his nature, but reality—and the cosmic forces—ultimately force him back into his role as the Devourer of Worlds.
• Galactus wasn’t just a villain to be defeated; he was a necessary part of the universe’s cycle of creation and destruction.
• With his new abilities, the Silver Surfer scouted planets for his master, though he later rebelled upon encountering the moral compass of humanity on Earth.
• As a result, unlike typical antagonists, Galactus was not a villain in the traditional sense but a cosmic force of nature, an ancient being who consumes planets to sustain his existence.
• At the same time, the Maker foolishly used the High Evolutionary’s technology to bring down the Superflow in an attempt to unify the Multiverse into a single reality and thus strengthen Eternity.
• Ego saved a time-displaced Silver Surfer from Knull, and the Surfer repaid the favor by removing the incubator from him.35 The Surfer, knowing in advance what Galan would become, planned to destroy the being before his birth.

This turn of events added a new layer of complexity to his character, presenting him as a force of renewal and balance in contrast to his previous role as a harbinger of doom. It wasn’t just about introducing a new character; it was about revolutionizing the way stories could be told in comic books. Galactus became a conduit for exploring profound philosophical questions, setting the stage for his enduring legacy in both comics and, eventually, film (we’ll have to see how the film legacy plays out next year!).