Ever able to atone for his time as Galactus's herald, will the Silver Surfer?
Marvel says the Silver Surfer won never be able to completely atone for his time as Galactus's herald. The universe remembers the Silver Surfer as a herald of the planet-devouring entity even though he left Galactus' service soon after his introduction and has since committed himself to defending the universe. "Giant Size Silver Surfer #1" highlights this fact as Terrax, another former Galactus servant, confronts the Silver Surfer. Driven by the resentment he is continuously judged against the Silver Surfer and found wanting, Terrax challenges him to a fight. Terrax wants to strip the Silver Surfer of the Power Cosmic so he may be revealed as a fraud. This meeting emphasizes the residual view of the Silver Surfer as a former herald of Galactus, implying that he will always be remembered for his past even if he has lately changed his behavior.
Why is Terrax seeking to combat the Silver Surfer?
Respected but frustrated, Terrax, another former herald of Galactus, challenges the Silver Surfer to a fight in "Giant Size Silver Surfer #1". Terrax finds he is lacking and feels he is constantly under comparison to the Silver Surfer. Based on the Silver Surfer's past as Galactus's herald, he feels the Silver Surfer is a hoax. With an eye toward exposing the Silver Surfer as a false hero and proving himself as a more worthy herald of Galactus, Terrax seeks to strip him of the Power Cosmic. This conflict emphasizes the residual influence of the Silver Surfer's past and Terrax's will to prove his own value, which drives a confrontation motivated by ambition and resentment.
How will the Silver Surfer be affected by the Power Cosmic?
The great and potent energy source The Power Cosmic bestows upon its bearer almost limitless abilities including superhuman strength, speed, flight, energy manipulation, and cosmic awareness. Galactus chose The Silver Surfer as his herald, so bestowing upon him the Power Cosmic. With this ability, the Silver Surfer could accomplish amazing feats including traversing the great distance or controlling energy to produce force fields. But the Power Cosmic also hooks the Silver Surfer to Galactus, making him follow the orders of the cosmic entity. The Silver Surfer will always be remembered for his link to this strong force and the deeds he performed while wielding it even though he finally broke free from Galactus's control.
By surpassing the Silver Surfer, what does Terrax hope to achieve?
Resentment and a need for validation drive Terrax to try to defeat the Silver Surfer and strip him of the Power Cosmic. He thinks he can prove his own value as a Galactus herald by revealing the Silver Surfer as a fraud and recovering the Power Cosmic for himself, so earning the respect he feels he is due. Eliminating the Silver Surfer's ability will help him to lose his reputation and get self- validation. Terrax's deep-seated resentment and his need for acceptance in a universe that seems to always favor the Silver Surfer drive this act of rebellion.
What does the ongoing battle of the Silver Surfer to be accepted highlight?
Galactus's constant battle to be accepted despite his past as the Silver Surfer emphasizes the complexity of atonement and the lasting effects of past deeds. The Silver Surfer can never completely run away from the shadow of his past, even with his will to save the universe and his heroic deeds. The universe remembers him as a herald of the planet-devouring entity, and this view haunts him even as he works for acceptance and pardon. This struggle captures the reality that our past decisions can have long-lasting effects and that actual atonement can be a difficult and continuous process.
How might the narrative of the Silver Surfer and Terrax relate to current issues?
Real-world ideas of atonement, pardon, and the complexity of identity find resonance in the narrative of the Silver Surfer and Terrax. Like the Silver Surfer, everyone of us carries our past with us and our choices can have long-lasting effects. Even if we have committed ourselves to good change, the narrative emphasizes the difficulty to be accepted and forgiven for past mistakes. Terrax stands for the bitterness and resentment that results from feeling we have been wronged or denied credit. The narrative ultimately reminds us that although it usually takes constant work to balance our past with our present and aim for a better future. Redemption is possible.
