Silver Surfer: The Coming of Galactus

Fantastic Four (1961) #48-50

by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby (Illustrator)

Trade paperback.

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Superheroes, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Science Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics

48 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1966

About the author

Stan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber) was an American writer, editor, creator of comic book superheroes, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics.

With several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Thor as a superhero, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Hulk, Daredevil, the Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scarlet Witch, The Inhumans, and many other characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. He subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.

Reviews

[Devero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Questa edizione italiana ristampa uno dei cicli più famosi della storia del fumetto, ossia la prima venuta di Galactus sulla Terra. Stan Lee e Jack Kirby (e Joe Sinnot alle chine) producono il primo vero capolavoro nella loro run su Fantastic Four. Questo albo cartonato, tra l'altro, fu il mio primo acquisto di materiale Marvel in questo lussuoso e costoso formato, cosa che tendenzialmente, all'epoca, cercavo di evitare.
L'unica pecca dell'albo, a mio avviso, fu la ricolorazione della storia. Preferivo i colori originali di metà anni '60, e questo per me basta a declassare a 4 stelle e mezza la valutazione dell'albo.

[Andrew F · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hugely seminal classic storyline from the sixties, this 1993 reprint (at the height of the Infinity saga) features a "new" (1993) Ron Lim cover in the spirit of the classic Jack Kirby art (which still looks incredible).

Adapted as a movie (Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer) and a couple of times in cartoons, it's a pretty solid (basic) story and a fun read. This reissue only has three issues in it - other reprints try to bulk it up to trade paperback/graphic novel length using the previous (unrelated) storyline.

[Nick H · Rating 2 out of 5]

Considering how famous this three-issue series is now, I'd expected more. I've read much better-told stories from Lee, and a lot of the plotlines in this feel ridiculous or rushed. Galactus is a great character, I love the idea of someone threatening the world who isn't some cut-and-dry supervillain- I imagine that concept is what makes this book so notable. Not a fan of how Lee will sometimes cram so much scene description and expository dialogue into a panel- Kirby's artwork can stand on its own.

[Jean-Pierre Vidrine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best words to describe this book are "Imagination Unbound." On the surface it seems like little more than a little twist on the old alien invasion idea. But the scope of the nemesis in Galactus and so many of the ideas only lightly touched on in these three chapters make it so much more. I suppose another two words would be "starting point." Like so many early Lee/Kirby comics (especially Fantastic Four comics), this book has a deceptively simple story with so much fertile ground for future stories.
Even all these years later, there is still room to explore.

[Tommy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly amazing and historic story arc of the Fantastic Four where we meet not only Galactus, devourer of worlds, but we also meet his herald the Silver Surfer. In a truly epic story, the Watcher tries to hide the earth from Silver Surfer who scouts out planets for Galactus to devour for energy. Galactus arrives and can only be stopped by the Fantastic Four and the Silver Surfer once he realizes the value of human life.

[Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

If there is something that the Marvel Comics of the past is really good at, it's being wordy and enjoyable at the same time.

This serves as the basis for that awful "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer " flick, and the film is nothing compared to this. For in here, we see bits of wisdom from the FF, the SIlver Surfer, and Alicia herself. Amazing read.

[Bob Wolniak · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most far out stories at the very peak of Lee/Kirby era. First Surfer and Galactus. Truly Fantastic. I hate the cover for this reprint, but it's the one I have.

[Roman Colombo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when I first got into comics, like 10 years ago, and found it dull. Now, having read, written, and taught comics, I can see the mastery of this story. Lee and Kirby really were geniuses.