Fantastic Four: Best Heralds Of Galactus

Summary

• Various heralds serve Galactus with unique powers and backstories, aiding in his cosmic consumption mission.
• Heralds like Firelord, Nova, Terrax, and Air-Walker each have distinct experiences in serving Galactus.
• The Silver Surfer, the most famous herald, turned hero after encountering Earth, aiding others on their own paths.

Galactus made his first appearance in Fantastic Four #48 in December 1965, when he chose Earth as the next planet to consume. To carry out his will, the Devourer of Worlds has a herald who possesses the Power Cosmic. This power grants the herald various abilities, allowing them to travel the cosmos and locate worlds to serve as Galactus’s meals.

Over the years, several different heralds have appeared in the comics. While fans are likely most familiar with the most iconic herald, there are others who each have unique backgrounds and purposes. Fantastic Four: First Steps will once again bring Galactus to the big screen with a more comic book-accurate portrayal, along with his famous herald.

1

Destroyer

Enchanted Armor

• First Appearance: Journey Into Mystery #118 (May 1965)
• Powers & Abilities: Superhuman Strength, Superhuman Speed, Superhuman Stamina, Invulnerability, Superhuman Agility, Superhuman Reflexes, Flight, Energy Manipulation, Visor Blast, Matter Manipulation

Fans may know the Destroyer as an enemy of Thor and a renowned ancient Asgardian armor, endowed with the powers of the gods. The Destroyer first became a herald of Galactus when Thor exchanged it for the freedom of Firelord, as it lacked its own will and was a loyal servant to the cosmic being.

However, this arrangement did not last long, as Loki soon stole the Destroyer for his evil schemes. Instead of trying to reclaim it, Galactus chose to search for another herald. Years later, Galactus was resurrected to confront a greater threat and merged with the Destroyer to form a new entity of devouring and destruction, known as the Destruction.

2

Nova

Frankie Raye

• First Appearance: Fantastic Four #164 (August 1975)
• Powers & Abilities: Power Cosmic, Cosmic Energy Manipulation, Cosmic Knowledge, Flight, Superhuman Strength, Superhuman Stamina, Superhuman Durability, Immortality, Self-Sustenance, Superhuman Senses, Superhuman Agility, Superhuman Reflexes, Density Manipulation, Telepathy, Gravity Manipulation

Despite sharing a name with the Nova Corps, she has no affiliation with them. Nova was born Frankie Raye, the daughter of Phineas Horton, the creator of the original Human Torch. She developed her powers after being exposed to the energy of the Human Torch, which led her to grow close to Johnny Storm, the second Human Torch, as the two shared similar powers.

During an encounter with Galactus, alongside the Fantastic Four, she offered to become his new herald after Terrax’s betrayal, hoping to spare Earth. However, she was ultimately dismissed by Galactus when he discovered that she was hiding inhabited worlds from him, as her conscience caught up with her.

3

Firelord

Pyreus Kril

• First Appearance: Thor #225 (April 1974)
• Powers & Abilities: Power Cosmic, Cosmic Energy Manipulation, Cosmic Knowledge, Flight, Superhuman Strength, Superhuman Stamina, Superhuman Durability, Immortality, Self-Sustenance, Superhuman Senses, Superhuman Agility, Superhuman Reflexes, Density Manipulation, Telepathy, Gravity Manipulation

Pyreus Kril was born on Xandar and became a member of the Nova Corps. He idolized Gabriel Lan, who was the Herald of Galactus before him. Pyreus was present when Lan was kidnapped by Galactus and relentlessly pursued the Devourer of Worlds in a quest to find his captain.

When he finally caught up to Galactus, he learned that Lan was dead. In desperation, he accepted Galactus’s offer to become the next Herald, taking on the name Firelord after being granted the Power Cosmic. However, his time as Firelord was short-lived, as Thor intervened and negotiated with Galactus to free him, replacing him with the Destroyer. Despite this, Pyreus retained his new powers and chose to remain on Earth.

4

Air-Walker

Gabriel Lan

• First Appearance: Thor #306 (January 1981)
• Powers & Abilities: Power Cosmic, Cosmic Energy Manipulation, Cosmic Knowledge, Flight, Superhuman Strength, Superhuman Stamina, Superhuman Durability, Immortality, Self-Sustenance, Superhuman Senses, Superhuman Agility, Superhuman Reflexes, Density Manipulation, Telepathy, Gravity Manipulation

Air-Walker, the herald of Galactus following the Silver Surfer, was originally born as Gabriel Lan, the Xandarian captain of the exploration vessel Way-Opener. Unlike most of the other heralds, Air-Walker was completely loyal to Galactus and embraced his new powers.

He even went so far as to befriend Galactus and sacrificed himself to protect him from a fleet of Ovoid warships. Although Galactus was too weak to resurrect Air-Walker, he managed to transfer his consciousness into an automaton. This automaton served as a shell of his former friend and ally, to his disappointment. Galactus then sent the automaton to Earth in an attempt to convince the Silver Surfer to return as his herald.

5

Terrax The Tamer

Tyros

• First Appearance: Fantastic Four #211 (July 1979)
• Powers & Abilities: Telepathy, Earth Manipulation, Power Cosmic (Superhuman Strength, Superhuman Speed, Superhuman Stamina, Superhuman Agility, Superhuman Reflexes, Superhuman Durability, Self Sustenance, Flight, Energy Manipulation, Force Field)

After his previous heralds were known for their morality, Galactus sought a new herald who was ruthless and power-hungry. His attention turned to Tyros, the tyrannical ruler of the city of Lanlak on the planet Birj. Following an intervention by the Fantastic Four, Galactus eventually subdued Tyros, who then became his next herald, known as Terrax the Tamer.

Blessed with immense earth-based powers, Terrax served Galactus, but not out of loyalty. Instead, he began conquering worlds for his selfish gains and plotted to eventually overthrow his master. He depleted Galactus’s power and fled to Earth. The Fantastic Four intervened and stopped him, leading Galactus to strip Terrax of his powers and leave him for dead, prompting the search for another herald once more.

6

Deadpool

Wade Wilson

• First Appearance: New Mutants #98 (December 1990)
• Powers & Abilities: Regeneration, Foreign Chemical Resistance, Disease Immunity, Immortality, Telepathic Immunity, Possession Resistance, Superhuman Strength, Superhuman Speed, Superhuman Stamina, Superhuman Agility, Superhuman Reflexes, Superhuman Durability

Deadpool is a character who needs no introduction. In one issue of a series titled “Deadpool Team-Up,” Wade Wilson served as a Herald of Galactus. During a recession, Deadpool was struggling to find work, but fortunately, Galactus had an opening for a new Herald. Galactus appointed Deadpool as his new Herald and granted him the Power Cosmic.

With this power, Deadpool found countless planets for his master to devour. However, as time went on, Deadpool began to annoy Galactus, eventually asking him to leave, leading to a confrontation between Deadpool and the Silver Surfer as they fought to ensure Deadpool would exit Galactus’ service.

7

Superman

Kal-El

• First Appearance: Action Comics #1 (April 18, 1938)
• Powers & Abilities: Kryptonian Physiology (Radiation Absorption, Superhuman Strength, Shock Wave Projection, Superhuman Speed, Time Travel, Molecular Acceleration, Phasing, Intangibility, Vortex Creations, Superhuman Agility, Superhuman Reflexes, Superhuman Stamina, Superhuman Senses, Super-Vision, Electromagnetic Spectrum Vision, Infrared Vision, Microscopic Vision, Radiation Production, Telescopic Vision, X-Ray Vision, Super-Hearing, Superhuman Taste, Accelerated Healing, Toxic Immunity, Enhanced Mental Process, Flight, Heat Vision, Solar Flare, Immortality, Interstellar Travel, Invulnerability, Energy Resistance, Super-Breath, Self-Sustenance)

In one of the crossover stories between DC and Marvel, Superman became one of Galactus’ Heralds because, in this universe, Krypton was destroyed when Galactus consumed it. Upon receiving this shocking news through a communication crystal, Superman sought the help of the Fantastic Four, who had significant experience dealing with such threats.

However, the crystal turned out to be a trick orchestrated by Galactus to make Superman his new herald, and he succeeded. The Fantastic Four teamed up with Cyborg Superman (who also had ambitions to become Galactus’ herald) to save Superman and prevent Galactus from consuming a planet that Superman had scouted. Ultimately, they were successful in their mission.

8

Thor

Thor Odinson

• First Appearance: Venus #11 (July 1950)
• Powers & Abilities: Asgardian/Elder God Physiology (Godly Strength, Nigh-Invulnerability, Superhuman Speed, Godly Stamina, Superhuman Agility, Superhuman Reflexes, Vast Energy Manipulation, Weather Control, Superhuman Longevity, Superhumanly Dense Tissue, Superhuman Senses, Rapid Healing Factor, Super Breath, Flight, Super-Advanced Vocal Cords, Allspeak, Telepathy, Odin-Force/Thorforce, Physical Augmentation, Teleportation, Force Field, Portal Creation, Time Manipulation, Healing, Power Absorption, Cosmic Pyrokinesis, Geokinesis)

When the Black Winter returned, it appeared as a cosmic entity similar to Galactus, but on a much grander scale. Unlike Galactus, who consumes individual planets, the Black Winter devours entire universes. In response to this threat, Galactus appointed Thor as his new herald.

Although Thor accepted this role reluctantly, he was tasked with searching for five planets that could grant him the power to confront the Black Winter. Empowered by the Power Cosmic, Thor ultimately uses it to detonate Galactus within the Black Winter. This action eliminated both threats, saving the universe from impending doom.

9

The Human Torch

Johnny Storm

• First Appearance: Fantastic Four #1 (August 1961)
• Powers & Abilities: Plasma Generation, Fire Generation and Manipulation, Nova Flame, Pyrokinetic Flight, Superhuman Durability, Heat Manipulation and Absorption, Immunity to Fire and Heat, Cold Resistance

After a federation of aliens, consisting of members from the planets that Galactus had consumed, created a device to conceal future planets from his wrath, they became concerned that Galactus would use Sue Storm’s powers to render their device ineffective. To protect their plan, Reed Richards tricked the aliens into believing that Sue had lost her powers by switching them with Johnny Storm’s powers.

However, Galactus saw through this deception and kidnapped Johnny, intending to use his new powers to bypass the device. Reluctantly, Johnny began searching for a suitable world for Galactus, but secretly he rallied planets against him and stalled for time. This delay allowed the Fantastic Four to construct a device designed to strip Galactus of his cosmic powers. The device was successful, and Galactus reverted to his previous, powerless self, Galan. Subsequently, he exiled himself to an energy-rich dimension.

10

Silver Surfer

Norrin Radd

• First Appearance: Fantastic Four #48 (December 1965)
• Powers & Abilities: Power Cosmic, Superhuman Strength, Superhuman Speed, Superhuman Agility, Superhuman Reflexes, Superhuman Stamina, Immortality, Self-Sustenance, Invulnerability, Regeneration, Healing, Cosmic Awareness, Superhuman Senses, Superhuman Vision, Microscopic Vision, Telescopic Vision, Superhuman Hearing, Self-Propelled Flight, Levitation, Teleportation, Portal Creation, Interdimensional Teleportation, Size Decrease, Intangibility, Soul Manipulation, Soul Absorption Resistance, Astral Projection, Possession, Gravity Manipulation, Matter Manipulation, Matter Animation, Evolution Inducement, Heat and Fire Generation, Cold Generation, Water Manipulation, Weather Manipulation, Wind Manipulation, Plant Manipulation, Telekinesis, Light Generation, Infrared Undetectability, Force Field, Black Hole Creation, Star Manipulation, Power Bestowal, Power Negation, Power Absorption Immunity, Emotion Manipulation, Telepathy, Illusions

The most famous and undoubtedly the best herald of Galactus is the Silver Surfer. Norrin Radd was born on the planet Zenn-La, and he made a pact with Galactus to spare his homeworld, becoming the first herald of Galactus and gaining the Power Cosmic. This transformation not only turned him silver but also gave him his iconic surfboard.

During his galaxy-wide search for planets, the Silver Surfer eventually encountered Earth. However, after meeting the Fantastic Four, he chose to betray his master and became a hero in his own right, aligning himself with the people of Earth. Since then, the Silver Surfer has assisted other heralds of Galactus in breaking free from their burdens and has often intervened to fill the dangerous void left by their absence. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to launch Silver Surfer once again into live-action, but this time the character is portrayed as a female.