SILVER SURFER : The Sentinel of the Spaceways

"Through space the universe encompasses and swallows me up like an atom; through thought I comprehend the world."--Blaise Pascal
Last seen SILVER SURFER defeating that horrible Galactus Cloud, let us get some breather and learn more about this former herald. Who he is and what are his powers?

Who is SILVER SURFER?
SILVER SURFER is Norrin Radd from the planet Zenn-La. He offered his services to Galactus, the devourer of worlds, in return for his home be spared. Galactus gifted him with a portion of his "Power Cosmic" and a surfboard like transportation that allows him to travel the universe to look for worlds that his master can devour. But his inherent nobility will make him rebel against Galactus, to become his own person again and become the Sentinel of the Spaceways.

The SILVER SURFER is created by Jack Kirby. The character first appeared in Fantastic Four #48 (March 1966).

What are his powers and abilities?
Note: Due to the nature of comicbooks being an on-going tale, the character's powers along with his appearance, is in a constant state of flux.

The Power Cosmic: The SILVER SURFER possesses the Power Cosmic which was granted to him by Galactus, making Norrin one of the most powerful beings in the Universe.

Matter Manipulation and Reconfiguration / Energy Emission and Absorption: The Surfer has complete control of the four fundamental forces of the universe, reaching nearly any effect he desires. As a result, the Surfer can rearrange matter to create other configurations and can even transmute elements. The Surfer can channel beams of energy through his hands with sufficient destructive force to destroy planet. Others abilities include to phase through object, to accelerate the evolution of lifeforms on a planet wide scale, to see the past by peeling back the layers of time, time travel, trans dimensional travel, the manipulation and discharge of any form of energy or radiation, the bestowal of limited cosmic powers to others, read minds and to influence human emotion and sensation. The Surfer also possesses the ability to suppress the powers of other mutants/beings making them temporarily or permanently out of use to them. He can heal living beings even if they are near-death.

Godlike Strength: The Surfer possesses great physical strength. He can lift (press) far in excess of 100 tons effortlessly and also can increase his strength to incalculable levels.

Invulnerability: The SILVER SURFER's silvery "skin" was designed to easily withstand the rigors of deep-space travel, and thus far, it has proven to be virtually indestructible. In fact, his entire body was made highly resistant to injury and he is thus invulnerable to almost all types of physical harm. The SILVER SURFER can easily withstand the crushing pressures of a black hole. He is not bothered by the friction associated with atmospheric re-entry, and has withstood plunges into stars and even supernovas unharmed . He also routinely weathers the stresses associated with high-speed travel through space and hyperspace.

Godlike Stamina: The Surfer's highly enhanced musculature generates no fatigue toxins, granting him inexhaustible physical stamina.

Hyperspace Travel: By exceeding 99% of the speed of light (186,000 miles per second), the SILVER SURFER can shift himself into hyperspace, a dimension in which velocity is not limited by the speed of light.

Cosmic Senses: The SILVER SURFER has certain cosmic-energy enhanced perceptions which enable him through concentration to become aware of the patterns of energy anywhere in the world. These abilities allow him far-ranging vision (in space he can see people clearly over a light year away), the ability to see sub-atomic particles, superhuman hearing, the ability to detect fields, traces, and concentrations of energy and discern their natures.

Cosmic Self-Sustenance: The SILVER SURFER does not need to eat or breathe since he absorbs life-maintaining cosmic energy directly through his skin.

AbilitiesAs Norrin Radd, the Surfer was a scientist, a dreamer, and something of a philosopher, skills which he sometimes finds quite useful. The Surfer, however, is only an average hand-to-hand combatant, depending almost entirely upon his cosmic powers in battle.

What are the changes he underwent?
The character's look is locked since day one. How do you improve the look of a silver guy in a silver surfboard? The answer, you can't which says a lot about the strength of the character design of Jack Kirby. Therefore, in this portion will just take a look on the artists interpretation of SILVER SURFER throughout the years.

1. Fantastic
Fantastic Four Vol 1 #48 (March, 1966)
SILVER SURFER first appeared as a herald of Galactus in a Fantastic Four series. Which strongly ties the Surfer to Marvel's First Family. Through the years he has a number of guest appearances in the Fantastic Four comics.

60s

70s

[middle pic above: Galactus - "I would like to thank the Academy…blah…blah…blah… I'll eat your world now."]

2000s-

2. Astonish
Tales to Astonish Vol 1 #92 (June, 1967)
He appeared in two issues of this series, He met and fought the Hulk in this issues.

3. Own Series
SILVER SURFER #1 (August, 1968)
SILVER SURFER got his own series about a year after his debut in Fantastic Four. Thematically, the stories in this series dealt with the SILVER SURFER's exile on Earth and the inhumanity of man as observed by this noble yet fallen hero.

4. Titans Three
Sub-Mariner Vol 1 #35 (March, 1971)
Gathered in San Diablo by Namor to destroy a device that could end up destroying the Earth. Namor, the SILVER SURFER, and the Hulk worked togeather to crush the dictator ship of San Pablo as a group known as Titans Three

5. Power Unleashed
Thor Vol 1 #192 (September, 1971)
Thor is battling Durok, the Destroyer, and he is not faring well. Thor's companion seek out SILVER SURFER to help the thunder god.

6. Defender
Defenders Vol 1 #2 (October, 1972)
SILVER SURFER along with the other Titans Three, Doctor Strange, and a host of other heroes formed a new superhero group the Defenders.

7. Other Series
After his initial series, SILVER SURFER had another 5 Volume in his series, which ranged from 1 issue to 147 issues. He also starred in a number of limited series.

8. Black Surfer
SILVER SURFER Vol 3 #117 (June, 1996)
The Black Surfer was originally a regular Blackbody, a tool for collecting souls, that was combined with the soul of SILVER SURFER.

9. Silver Skyriders
The skyriders where 12 beings bestowed the power of the SILVER SURFER. The Skyriders began when the SILVER SURFER's body was taken in by a Blackbody in another universe. His soul was taken and his body was split into twelve pieces. The twelve pieces soon possessed someone of it's choosing around them, turning various aliens into beings with the power of the SILVER SURFER. (SILVER SURFER Corps?) Eventually SILVER SURFER would reform and the Skyriders would be no more.

10. Heroes Reborn
Fantastic Four Vol 2 #1 (November, 1996)
The SILVER SURFER in the pocket universe created by Franklin Richards after the Onslaught event.

11. Cosmic Carnage
Appearing in the pages of Amazing SPIDER-MAN, we see SILVER SURFER bonded with the Carnage Symbiote.

12. Silver Savage
During his travels, Surfer is captured by a portal of the Planet Sakaar Empire. Left weakened and vulnerable by his trip through the portal, the Surfer is subdued and implanted with an obedience disk to ensure he remains loyal to them. He fights in their arena as a gladiator, known as the Silver Savage.

13. God Squad
Currently SILVER SURFER is back as a Herald of Galactus, and a member of the God Squad.

Who has played HAWKMAN in live media?
The SILVER SURFER made his film debut in Fantastic Four: Rise of the SILVER SURFER. Doug Jones played the Surfer on set, and a computer simulation enhanced the reflective look of his prosthetics. Laurence Fishburne provided the character's voice.

sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Surfer : http://marvel.wikia.com/Norrin_Radd_(Earth-616) : http://marvel.wikia.com/Silver_Surfer_Comic_Books : http://marvel.wikia.com/Norrin_Radd_(Heroes_Reborn)_(Earth-616) : http://www.comicvine.com/silver-surfer/29-2502/ : http://www.wsyacy.com/SilverSurfer.html :

Article requested by:

Kes
Poll Master....you're doing really Nice Work on these characters.Great Info man.... How about SILVER SURFER?

This is the 21st article in my Know Your CBM Character series. Any requests and suggestions for an article for this series write it down in the comment section BELOW.

P0llMaster
5/6/2011
DCMU

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