Herald of Galactus
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In the fictional Marvel Comics Universe, a Herald of Galactus is a being empowered by Galactus in order to search for planets for the planet-eater to consume. At any given time, there is only one herald. By far the most famous herald is the Silver Surfer.
Upon finding a suitable planet, a herald of Galactus will make an appearance and announce its coming destruction, a probably futile exercise in public relations as well as giving the population brief warning to evacuate. The herald then reports back to Galactus, and assists in setting up the equipment Galactus will use to prepare the planet for his consumption.
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[edit] Becoming a herald
Heralds have various reasons for becoming heralds. Some, such as Norrin Radd or Frankie Raye, make a Faustian bargain with Galactus, offering to become a herald in exchange for Galactus sparing their home planet. Others, such as Tyros of Birj and Morg, become heralds in an attempt to gain power or out of a desire to cause death and destruction.
[edit] Powers of heralds
All heralds are given a fraction of Galactus's Power Cosmic, granting them superhuman strength, nigh-invulnerability to all forms of damage, energy manipulation, molecular transmutation, and the ability to travel at speeds greater than light in space.
Because heralds of Galactus are indirectly responsible for billions of deaths and the extinction of many species, Galactus removes feelings of guilt and remorse from those of his heralds who have a conscience so that they may do their job effectively. Nevertheless, many have experienced qualms of conscience after some time in Galactus's service, and rebel against him to use their powers for good instead of what they perceive is evil.
[edit] List of heralds
The Silver Surfer was long believed to be the first; he left Galactus's service. However, it was recently revealed that the true first herald was a being known only as the Fallen One. In the Superman/Fantastic Four crossover, which lies outside continuity, Superman was briefly a herald, but rebelled against Galactus after he was still tormented by memories of Krypton's destruction; this memory had become such a strong part of his personality that it had become the foundation of Superman's very being. Gladiator and Tyrant are possibly heralds, and Aunt May was a herald in a dream.
In rough chronological order, the heralds are:
- Fallen One - the first Herald, established in Thanos #6-12 (2004)
- Silver Surfer - first appeared in Fantastic Four #48 (1966)
- Gabriel the Air-Walker - origin Thor #306 and later superseded by an android Fantastic Four #120 (1972)
- Firelord - first appeared in Thor #225
- the Destroyer Armor- first appeared in Journey into Mystery #118
- Terrax the Tamer- first appeared in Fantastic Four #211 (1979)
- Rom the Spaceknight - Rom #26-27, as a one time deal, was not empowered by the Power Cosmic
- Nova (Frankie Raye) - Fantastic Four #244 eventually quit
- Morg the Executioner - first appeared in Silver Surfer #70 (1992)
- Red Shift - Galactus: The Devourer miniseries(1999)
- Human Torch, the Invisible Man, in Fantastic Four #520-523 (2005)
- Stardust, from the Stormbreaker: The Saga of Beta Ray Bill (2005) miniseries
- Punisher Cyborg used when there are no Heralds around
- Cloned army of Punisher Cyborg weaker, used as disposable enforcers
Individuals imbued with the power cosmic, but not employed as regular Heralds are:
Heralds of Galactus in alternate timelines have included:
- the Fantastic Four
- Dazzler - What If...? #33
- Thor
- Golden Oldie - Marvel Team-Up #137 (1984)
- Uncle Ben
- Plasma - Heroes Reborn: Fantastic Four #10 (1997) [2]
- Dark Angel - Cyberspace3000 #2 (1993) [3]
- Starglow - What If...? #37 (1983), Shalla-Bal replaced Silver Surfer
- Ardina - The Silver Surfer TPB (1978), Clone of Shalla Bal [4]
- Dominas - Last Planet Standing miniseries (2006)
- Kryptonian - Superman/Fantastic Four crossover (1999) [5]
 Kriptonian Herald of Galactus |
 Aunt May as Golden Oldie |
