Galactus
Encyclopedia
Galactus is a fictional character
appearing in comic book
s and other publications published by Marvel Comics
. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee
and artist and co-plotter Jack Kirby
, the character debuted
in Fantastic Four
#48 (March 1966), the first of a three-issue story later known as "The Galactus Trilogy
".
Debuting in the Silver Age of Comic Books
, Galactus has appeared in over four decades of Marvel continuity, also starring in a one-shot publication Super-Villain Classics: Galactus the Origin #1 (May 1983), and the limited series
Galactus the Devourer (Sept. 1999 - March 2000). The character has been featured in other Marvel-endorsed products and merchandise such as arcade
and video games, animated television series, action figures, trading cards, and a film, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
.
In 2009, Galactus was ranked as number five on the pop culture site IGN.com's list of "Top 100 Comic Book Villains."
' flagship superhero
title, Fantastic Four, creators Stan Lee
and Jack Kirby
collaborated on an antagonist designed to break from the archetypal mold of supervillain
s of the time, and be instead a being of god-like stature and power. As Lee recalled in 1993,
Kirby described his Biblical inspirations for Galactus and an accompanying character, an angelic herald Lee dubbed the Silver Surfer
:
Kirby further explained, "Galactus in actuality is a sort of god. He is beyond reproach, beyond anyone's opinion. In a way he is kind of a Zeus, who fathered Hercules. He is his own legend, and of course, he and the Silver Surfer are sort of modern legends, and they are designed that way."
Writer Mike Conroy expanded on Lee and Kirby's explanation, stating, "In five short years from the launch of the Fantastic Four, the Lee/Kirby duo...had introduced a whole host of alien races or their representatives...there were the Skrull
s, the Watcher
and the Stranger
, all of whom Lee and Kirby used in the foundations of the universe they were constructing, one where all things were possible but only if they did not flout the 'natural laws' of this cosmology. In the nascent Marvel Universe, characters acted consistently, whatever comic they were appearing in. Their actions reverberated through every title. It was pure soap opera but on a cosmic scale, and Galactus epitomized its epic sweep."
All this led to the introduction of Galactus in Fantastic Four #48-50 (March–May 1966), which fans began calling "The Galactus Trilogy".
Kirby did not intend for Galactus to reappear in order to preserve the character's tremendous presence. Popularity among fans, however, prompted Lee to petition Kirby for Galactus' reappearance, and the character eventually became a mainstay in the Marvel Universe.
in Thor
#134 (Nov. 1966), although the plot-line was left unresolved as Kirby put the character on hiatus. Galactus reappeared in a flashback cameo in Daredevil
#37 (Feb. 1968) and then featured heavily in Fantastic Four #72-77 (March - Aug. 1968) at the request of Lee. After a flashback appearance in Silver Surfer #1 (Aug. 1968), the character returned to Earth in Thor #160-162 (Jan.- March 1969), which resolved the plot-line from issue #134. Galactus' origin was revealed in Thor #168-169 (Sept.-Oct. 1969).
. Galactus also featured in Fantastic Four #172-175 (July-Oct. 1976) and #206-213 (May-Dec. 1979).
The full in-depth Stan Lee
and Jack Kirby
origin story was reprinted in one volume in Super-Villain Classics: Galactus the Origin #1 (May 1983), inked by Vince Colletta
and George Klein
, lettered by John Morelli, and colored by Andy Yanchus. While mostly identical to the previous origin, the story featured supplemental material, edits, and deletions by writer Mark Gruenwald
, pencillers John Byrne and Ron Wilson
, and inker Jack Abel
. Most specifically, rather than journeying into a dying star, the character enters the core of the collapsing universe
prior to the "Big Bang
". The story was later reprinted as Origin of Galactus #1 (Feb. 1996).
The character guest-starred in Rom #26-27 (Jan.-Feb. 1982). Galactus featured heavily in two related storylines in Fantastic Four #242-244 (May–July 1982) and #257 (Aug. 1983). Another appearance in Fantastic Four
#262 (Jan. 1984) attracted controversy. During the conclusion of the story, the character Eternity, the living sentience of the Marvel Universe, appears to validate the existence of Galactus, which Howard University
Professor of Literature Marc Singer criticized, stating writer-artist John Byrne used the character as a means to "justify planetary-scale genocide."
Writer-penciler John Byrne and inker Terry Austin
produced "The Last Galactus Story" as a serial in the anthology
comics-magazine Epic Illustrated
#26-34 (Oct. 1984 - Feb. 1986). Nine of a scheduled 10 installments appeared. Each ran six pages, except part eight, which ran 12. The magazine was canceled with issue #34, leaving the last chapter unpublished and the story unfinished. Byrne later revealed the conclusion on his website.
Galactus played a pivotal role in the limited series
Secret Wars
#1-12 (May 1984 - April 1985), and became a recurring character in the third volume of the Silver Surfer, commencing with issue #1 (July 1987).
Galactus featured prominently in the limited series Infinity Gauntlet #1-6 (July-Dec. 1991), Infinity War
#1-6 (June-Nov. 1992) and Cosmic Powers #1 - 6 (March - Aug. 1994).
The character starred in the six-issue Galactus the Devourer (Sept. 1999 - March 2000), written by Louise Simonson and illustrated by John Buscema, which climaxed with Galactus' death. Simonson had originally conceived of the story arc
to take place in third volume of the Silver Surfer, but the title was canceled due to dwindling sales. Simonson instead proposed a separate limited series, and at the time was initially doubtful that Marvel would approve what she believed to be a "radical" idea concerning "why the very existence of the universe depends on the health and well-being of Galactus."
Galactus features prominently in the first six issues of the series Thanos
(Dec. 2003 - May 2004), written by Jim Starlin
. The story is noteworthy due to a running theme of highly critical evaluation of the standard justifications (Social Darwinism
and Divine right of kings
) for the character, by defending the need for a "social contract
" with the rest of the universe, and to actively seek alternate means to feed his hunger. Issues #7-12, written by Keith Giffen also introduce the first herald, the Fallen One.
Galactus' origin is re-examined in Fantastic Four #520-523 (Oct 2004-April 2005), wherein the character is temporarily reverted to his mortal form.
After appearing in the limited series Stormbreaker: The Saga of Beta Ray Bill #1-6 (March-Aug. 2005), Galactus was featured as a central character in the "Annihilation
" storyline, appearing in the limited series Annihilation: Silver Surfer #1-4 (June-Sept. 2006), Annihilation #1-6 (Oct. 2006 - March 2007), and the epilogue
, Annihilation: Heralds of Galactus #1-2 (Feb.–April 2007).
Galactus was an antagonist in Fantastic Four #545-546 (June–July 2007), when he sought to devour the fellow cosmic function Epoch
.
In Nova
vol. 4, #13-15 (May–July 2008), the character had no dialogue during the entire story. The author Andy Lanning
stated that he and co-writer Dan Abnett
were "treating Galactus like a force of nature; an inevitable, planetary catastrophe that there is no reasoning with, no bargaining with and no escaping."
The character also appeared in the limited series Beta Ray Bill: Godhunter #1-3 (June 2009 - Aug. 2009), a sequel to Stormbreaker: The Saga of Beta Ray Bill.
: Son of Hulk, and as protagonists in the limited series The Thanos Imperative
(June-Nov. 2010). Galactus was a member of the "God Squad
" in the Chaos War
event miniseries.
After an appearance in Fantastic Four #583-587 (Nov. 20110 - March 2011), Galactus returned to Earth in Silver Surfer vol 6 #1-5 (Jan - May 2011) and was the main antagonist in The Mighty Thor #1-6 (Apr - Sept 2011).
. When an impending cataclysm gradually kills all other life in his universe, he and other survivors leave Taa via a space vessel, eventually becoming engulfed in the Big Crunch
. However, Galan does not die, but is transformed through a bonding with the Sentience of the Universe
. He gestates for billions of years in the next universe that formed, emerging as Galactus. A Watcher
("Ecce") observes the birth of Galactus, but choses to not take the opportunity to kill him. Once fully aware, Galactus experiences hunger so strongly that he consumes the nearby planet of Archeopia. The planet ultimately becomes the first of many, as Galactus must consume their life energies for sustenance. In memory of both his dead home-world of Taa and for the first planet to fall prey to his hunger, Galactus constructs his new "home-world", Taa II.
Later on, Galactus becomes involved in a civil war amongst the "Proemial Gods", who came into being during the universe's infancy as caretakers of cosmic balance. After a faction of the gods led by Diableri of Chaos attempts to remake the universe in their image, Galactus slays Diableri and imprisons two other rebel gods, Tenebrous
and Aegis
, in the Kyln
.
Galactus is later compelled to create a being in his own image, named Tyrant
. Tyrant rebels, and after a terrible battle they part ways. Eventually, Galactus decides to empower others as a Herald to locate worlds for him. Galactus makes his first herald, the Fallen One
, but is unhappy with him, and dismisses him. He later recruits Norrin Radd as the Silver Surfer
.
An undetermined amount of time afterwards, Galactus makes his way to Earth, but is defeated by the efforts of the Fantastic Four
, Uatu
the Watcher, and a rebellious Silver Surfer. Galactus leaves Earth, vowing that he will never try to consume it again. As he leaves, he relegates the Silver Surfer to Earth for betraying him.
Galactus later returns seeking his former Herald, but the Surfer is unrepentant and chooses to remain on Earth. Thor
encounters Galactus when the entity comes into conflict with Ego the Living Planet
, and eventually discovers Galactus' origin.
Once more returning to Earth, Galactus again seeks to re-enlist the Silver Surfer. However, the Fantastic Four and the Surfer defeat Galactus' herald, Air-Walker
, and Mr. Fantastic reprograms Galactus's ship to journey to the Negative Zone
, stated to contain an abundance of uninhabited worlds to consume. Thor and Olympian
ally Hercules
encounter Galactus when his next herald, Firelord, travels to Earth seeking to be free of his master. Galactus frees Firelord when Thor presents Galactus with the Asgardian Destroyer
to animate and use as a Herald.
Conflict with the High Evolutionary
occurs when Galactus attempts to devour Counter-Earth
. The encounter ends with Galactus being transformed into harmless energy after attempting to devour the planet Poppup. Galactus eventually reintegrates into his normal form, and is sought out by the Fantastic Four, who seek a way to stop a new cosmic threat, the Sphinx. Mister Fantastic offers to release Galactus from the latter's vow of avoiding Earth if he helps defeat the Sphinx. Galactus agrees, but under the condition the Fantastic Four recruit Terrax
as a new Herald. The heroes are successful, and the newly empowered Terrax
leads his new master to Earth. Galactus locates the Sphinx in Egypt
and defeats the villain, then decides to retreat when Mister Fantastic threatens to use a fake Ultimate Nullifier
.
Galactus is tricked by the Galadorian spaceknight Rom into attempting to devour the "Black Nebula", the home of the Dire Wraiths. The devourer is repelled by the magic "Wraith Sun"; and although weakened, pursues a rebellious Terrax to Earth and strips his herald of all power. Drained of energy, Galactus is saved by the combined efforts of the Fantastic Four and Avengers
, and acquires another herald, Nova.
Later, Galactus destroys the Skrull
homeworld and discusses his role in the universe with fellow cosmic entity Death
. When Mister Fantastic is captured due to his role in saving Galactus' life, he is placed on trial by a united group of aliens who are remnants of races which have been annihilated by Galactus' hunger. During the trial, the cosmic entity Eternity
—the sentience of the Marvel Universe—intervenes, allowing all present to momentarily become one with the universe. This permits them to understand that Galactus is a vital part of cosmic order, despite the continued loss of entire races. Following the encounter, none present can remember exactly why Galactus is necessary, but the feeling of revelation remains.
During the Secret Wars
, Galactus battles with Earth's superheroes and supervillains against the Beyonder. Afterwards, Galactus grants the Surfer clemency, who aids his former master against the Elders of the Universe
and the schemes of the In-Betweener
. Galactus aids the cosmic hierarchy in a war against the mutant Eternal Thanos
, who possessed the Infinity Gauntlet
.
When Nova is plagued by conscience at causing the deaths of billions of alien beings, Galactus takes on a new Herald, the bloodthirsty Morg
. Tyrant returns, and despite capturing the Surfer, Morg and several other cosmic-powered aliens, is thwarted by Thanos
, and finally destroyed when Morg uses the Ultimate Nullifier.
Galactus eventually decides, with the aid of new Herald Red Shift
, to only devour the energies of living beings. This brings him into conflict with Earth's heroes and other united alien races. During a final confrontation near the homeworld of the Shi'ar
, the Silver Surfer turns Galactus' own siphoning-machines on him. A starving Galactus dies, with his remains taking the form of a star.
The death of Galactus allows the entity Abraxas
- a metaphysical embodiment of destruction and antithesis of cosmic entity Eternity - to emerge from his imprisonment. Abraxas wreaks havoc across thousands of alternate universe
s, killing every incarnation of Galactus that he encounters. Abraxas is thwarted when the children of Reed Richards, Franklin Richards
and Valeria Von Doom
, exhaust their powers to restore Galactus, and Mister Fantastic uses the Ultimate Nullifier
to reset reality, preventing Abraxas' initial escape and mass destruction.
Plagued by his conscience, Galactus attempts to rid himself of his hunger by feeding on the power from the Infinity Gems
, but is tricked into releasing a greater predator called the "Hunger", that feeds on entire universes. The creature's access is sealed with the aid of Thanos.
When an alien race develops a technology that renders planets invisible to Galactus, he empowers the Human Torch (who has temporarily traded powers with the Invisible Woman) as an unwilling herald to locate these planets. The Fantastic Four and Quasar are able to free the Torch by temporarily transforming Galactus back into Galan.
Galactus consumes the Korbinite home world of the hero Beta Ray Bill
and reveals a new herald: Stardust
.
When the Negative Zone
villain Annihilus
launches a war on the universe, one of his first attacks destoys the Kyln and frees Tenebrous and Aegis. Sensing their release, Galactus temporarily releases Stardust from service, and reemploys the Silver Surfer as his herald. Intent on vengeance, Aegis and Tenebrous find and defeat the Silver Surfer and Galactus, delivering them to Annihilus.
Annihilus binds Galactus, and plans to use the latter's energies to destroy all life in the universe. Galactus is ultimately freed by Drax the Destroyer
, and after teleporting Drax to safety, unleashes a blast that destroys the majority of Annihilus' forces. Galactus accepts Stardust as his herald once again, now alongside Silver Surfer. Seeking a final confrontation with Aegis and Tenebrous, Galactus sends out the Silver Surfer to locate them. The Surfer finds them and engages them in battle, drawing Aegis and Tenebrous into the barrier between the universe and the Negative Zone
, which destroys them.
After an encounter with Epoch
,, Galactus consumes the planet Orbucen. Afterwards, Galactus and Stardust once again come into conflict with Beta Ray Bill when a distraught Bill seeks vengeance against Galactus for the destruction of the Korbinite home-world. Feeling empathy for being the only survivor of a destroyed planet, Galactus creates a female Korbinite for Bill.
Galactus is eventually drawn to the planet Sakaar and devours it, earning the enmity of Skaar
and Hiro-Kala
. Hiro-Kala manages to temporarily poison Galactus with the Old Power, a synthesized form of the Power Cosmic.
The Silver Surfer finds the dead body of a future Galactus underneath New York City, and summons the present Galactus to Earth, who confronts Mister Fantastic. Mister Fantastic explains that in the future, the heroes living on a dying Earth had killed Galactus in order to perform time-travel and escape to the present. Discovering that those same heroes live on a planet called "Nu-Earth" in the present timeline, Galactus destroys the planet and its inhabitants as retribution.
As a result of the Annihilation Wave and other inter-stellar conflicts, a tear in the fabric of space allows the extra-universal forces of the Cancerverse
—a universe where Death does not exist—to invade. Galactus, along with the Celestials and the resurrected Tenebrous and Aegis, combats the powerful Cancerverse weapon, the Galactus Engine.
Galactus is teleported to Earth by Hercules during the Chaos War
, and is instrumental in sealing away the Chaos King
, a metaphysical embodiment of oblivion and another antithesis of Eternity.
After an encounter with the High Evolutionary, Galactus attacks Asgard. The Silver Surfer states Galactus seeks an Asgardian artifact that would sate his hunger and spare future civilizations, while Odin
contends that Galactus wishes to ensure that a new Galactus does not replace him in the next universe. Galactus defeats Odin in battle, but the Silver Surfer ends the conflict by remaining on Earth to guard the artifact, with the agreement that Galactus can have it after Asgard passes away. To replace the Surfer, Galactus takes a preacher
as his new herald, dubbed "Praetor".
Galactus was created during the union between the "Sentience of the [previous] Universe" and Galan of Taa, and a herald with heightened perception of reality described him as "the physical, metamorphosed embodiment of a cosmos
." Galactus considers himself a higher being than all non-abstracts, maintaining his existence by devouring planets that have the potential for supporting life. This has resulted in the elimination of entire extraterrestrial
civilizations on numerous worlds.
Galactus wields the Power Cosmic
and can employ it to produce nearly any effect he desires, including the molecular restructuring and transmutation
of matter, the teleportation
of objects — even an entire galaxy — across space
or time
, size-alteration, the projection of energy with indeterminable destructive force, the erection of nearly impenetrable force fields, the creation of interdimensional
and intra-dimensional portals, telepathy
, telekinesis
, pyrokinesis
, and a form of cosmic awareness.
Galactus is also capable of creating sentient life
, resurrecting the dead, manipulating mortal souls, memories, and emotions, and restoring dead planets and populations in every detail.
Although not an abstract, non-corporeal being, Galactus is a living force of nature set to correct the imbalances between the conceptual entities Eternity
and Death
, and as such his true form cannot be perceived by most beings; each species perceives Galactus in a form they can associate with or comprehend, either in a form similar to that of their own race or as a deity of their own religion. Galactus has also appeared as a humanoid star when addressing fellow members of the cosmic hierarchy.
As Galactus must continuously feed to sustain himself, his power levels are inconsistent throughout any given period; the character must wear armor to help regulate his internal energies. Due to this inherent hunger, Earth's heroes have been able to achieve various degrees of success in repelling or defeating a weakened Galactus. In this state Galactus has shown susceptibility to the Images of Ikonn
spell, which forces him to recall all of the beings he has destroyed as a result of his feeding.
The first and oldest living entity in the universe, Galactus employs advanced science capable of creating the Ultimate Nullifier
, an object of tremendous power capable of destroying and remaking the multiverse, and the immense ship Taa II. Reed Richards speculated that Taa II — the Möbius strip
-shaped, solar system-sized home of Galactus — could be the greatest source of energy in the universe.
Galactus retains the Punisher cyborgs
in his service, and has appointed a number of beings to act as his Herald
, with each bestowed a small fraction of the Power Cosmic
.
miniseries
Bullet Points (Jan.-May 2007), Galactus arrives on Earth alongside his herald the Silver Surfer
, intending to consume the planet as in mainstream continuity. After Earth's superhumans are killed or injured en masse trying to stop Galactus, the Hulk
, who in this reality is Peter Parker, attacks Galactus and is killed. Parker's noble death inspires the Surfer to turn on Galactus, who eventually leaves Earth.
, an alternate version of Galactus, called the Galactus Engine, dwarfed the mainstream universe Galactus.
, Galactus is one of the three essential entities in the universe keeping the cosmic entities the Celestials
in check. By destroying planets - actually "eggs" of the Celestials - Galactus prevents the Celestials from overpopulating the universe. Franklin Richards
eventually adopts the identity of Galactus.
version of Galactus appears in the title Exiles
, and restores rather than destroys worlds.
, appearing in the pocket universe created by Franklin Richards (after the events of the Onslaught
saga). This version of the character has several heralds simultaneously and all are worshiped by the Inhumans
.
focuses on the Earth-2149 universe, which is infected by a virus that turns sentient beings into flesh-eating zombie
s. The Silver Surfer is caught and devoured by "zombified" versions of Earth's heroes, who eat the Silver Surfer, and use advanced technology, to wound and eventually defeat Galactus. The zombies gain a portion of the power cosmic as they devour Galactus.
features a future version of Galactus with a new herald called Dominas
. He attempts to recreate the universe by triggering a new Big Bang, but this plan is defeated when Earth's heroes are able to disrupt his equipment, allowing the Silver Surfer to take Dominas's power and merge with Galactus, creating a new being who vows to repair worlds rather than destroy them.
imprint three limited series, Ultimate Nightmare; Ultimate Secret and Ultimate Extinction were published, dealing with the introduction and eventual threat of the entity Gah Lak Tus. First mentioned by the robot
Ultimate Vision, Gah Lak Tus is revealed to be a group mind
of city-sized robotic drones that attack worlds via envoys similar to the Silver Surfer, followed by a flesh eating virus.
and penciller Hector Sevilla Lujan in the story "Galacta (or: The World-Eater's daughter)" in Marvel Assistant-Sized Spectacular #2 (June 2009) and subsequently appeared in the four-issue, digital comics
miniseries
on Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited
, Galacta: Daughter of Galactus #0-3 (Jan.-April 2010). Manifested as a normal-sized, young adult human female on Earth, her chosen home, she suffers from similar hunger pangs as her parent, but is plagued by her conscience and solely devours alien invaders.
crossover stories; Darkseid
/Galactus: The Hunger, Superman
/Fantastic Four: The Infinite Destruction, and JLA/Avengers
. In The Hunger, Galactus attempts to consume Apokolips
, home of the evil New Gods
, but ceases his efforts when he realizes that the planet is lifeless. In The Infinite Destruction, the Cyborg Superman
- having learned about Galactus during a previous fight with the Silver Surfer - creates false evidence that Galactus was involved in the destruction of Krypton
, tricking Superman into traveling to the Marvel Universe so that he can become Galactus's Herald. The plan fails when Galactus chooses Superman instead, only for Superman's will to allow his true personality to take control, subsequently working with Reed Richards to reprogram Galactus's equipment to take energy from him so that they can force Galactus to vow to only feed on lifeless worlds in future, Galactus subsequently turning the Cyborg into a simple metal block in response to his pleas for 'perfection'. Galactus plays a key role in JLA/Avengers when the powerful Krona
comes to the Marvel Universe seeking answers about the creation of the cosmos. The Grandmaster attempts to prevent Krona from destroying the Marvel Universe by revealing the existence of Galactus - a being who has lived through the Big Bang and can thus tell Krona what came before - and offering to play Krona in a game for the being's identity, but Krona instead kills Galactus and the Grandmaster to get the answers he seeks, nearly destroying both universes, before the two teams can destroy Krona's equipment and allow the universes to be restored to their rightful conditions.
universe, in which Marvel and DC characters were combined, Galactus was combined with DC's Brainiac
to create Galactiac. He would consume the lifeforce of planets to recharge his energy cells but leave a small part of the planet to study. He encountered the Challengers of the Fantastic when he came to Earth.
Character (arts)
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
appearing in comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
s and other publications published by Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee
Stan Lee
Stan Lee is an American comic book writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher, television personality, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics....
and artist and co-plotter Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby , born Jacob Kurtzberg, was an American comic book artist, writer and editor regarded by historians and fans as one of the major innovators and most influential creators in the comic book medium....
, the character debuted
First appearance
In comic books and other stories with a long history, first appearance refers to the first occurrence to feature a fictional character.-Monetary value of first appearance issues:...
in Fantastic Four
Fantastic Four
The Fantastic Four is a fictional superhero team appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The group debuted in The Fantastic Four #1 , which helped to usher in a new level of realism in the medium...
#48 (March 1966), the first of a three-issue story later known as "The Galactus Trilogy
The Galactus Trilogy
"The Galactus Trilogy" is a three-issue story arc in the Marvel Comics comic-book series Fantastic Four, by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist and co-plotter Jack Kirby...
".
Debuting in the Silver Age of Comic Books
Silver Age of Comic Books
The Silver Age of Comic Books was a period of artistic advancement and commercial success in mainstream American comic books, predominantly those in the superhero genre. Following the Golden Age of Comic Books and an interregnum in the early to mid-1950s, the Silver Age is considered to cover the...
, Galactus has appeared in over four decades of Marvel continuity, also starring in a one-shot publication Super-Villain Classics: Galactus the Origin #1 (May 1983), and the limited series
Limited series
A limited series is a comic book series with a set number of installments. A limited series differs from an ongoing series in that the number of issues is determined before production and it differs from a one shot in that it is composed of multiple issues....
Galactus the Devourer (Sept. 1999 - March 2000). The character has been featured in other Marvel-endorsed products and merchandise such as arcade
Arcade game
An arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
and video games, animated television series, action figures, trading cards, and a film, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer is a 2007 American superhero film, and the sequel to the 2005 film Fantastic Four. Both films are based on the Fantastic Four comic book and were directed by Tim Story...
.
In 2009, Galactus was ranked as number five on the pop culture site IGN.com's list of "Top 100 Comic Book Villains."
Origin
In 1966, nearly five years after having launched Marvel ComicsMarvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
' flagship superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
title, Fantastic Four, creators Stan Lee
Stan Lee
Stan Lee is an American comic book writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher, television personality, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics....
and Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby , born Jacob Kurtzberg, was an American comic book artist, writer and editor regarded by historians and fans as one of the major innovators and most influential creators in the comic book medium....
collaborated on an antagonist designed to break from the archetypal mold of supervillain
Supervillain
A supervillain or supervillainess is a variant of the villain character type, commonly found in comic books, action movies and science fiction in various media.They are sometimes used as foils to superheroes and other fictional heroes...
s of the time, and be instead a being of god-like stature and power. As Lee recalled in 1993,
Kirby described his Biblical inspirations for Galactus and an accompanying character, an angelic herald Lee dubbed the Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer
The Silver Surfer is a Marvel Comics superhero created by Jack Kirby. The character first appears in Fantastic Four #48 , the first of a three-issue arc that fans call "The Galactus Trilogy"....
:
Kirby further explained, "Galactus in actuality is a sort of god. He is beyond reproach, beyond anyone's opinion. In a way he is kind of a Zeus, who fathered Hercules. He is his own legend, and of course, he and the Silver Surfer are sort of modern legends, and they are designed that way."
Writer Mike Conroy expanded on Lee and Kirby's explanation, stating, "In five short years from the launch of the Fantastic Four, the Lee/Kirby duo...had introduced a whole host of alien races or their representatives...there were the Skrull
Skrull
The Skrulls are a fictional race of extraterrestrial shapeshifters that appear in publications by Marvel Comics.-Publication history:The Skrulls first appeared in Fantastic Four #2 and were created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby....
s, the Watcher
Watcher (comics)
The Watchers are a fictional race of extraterrestrials that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the first Watcher - named Uatu - appears in Fantastic Four #13 .-Fictional history:...
and the Stranger
Stranger (comics)
The Stranger is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics.The Stranger first appeared in X-Men #11 , and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.-Fictional character biography:...
, all of whom Lee and Kirby used in the foundations of the universe they were constructing, one where all things were possible but only if they did not flout the 'natural laws' of this cosmology. In the nascent Marvel Universe, characters acted consistently, whatever comic they were appearing in. Their actions reverberated through every title. It was pure soap opera but on a cosmic scale, and Galactus epitomized its epic sweep."
All this led to the introduction of Galactus in Fantastic Four #48-50 (March–May 1966), which fans began calling "The Galactus Trilogy".
Kirby did not intend for Galactus to reappear in order to preserve the character's tremendous presence. Popularity among fans, however, prompted Lee to petition Kirby for Galactus' reappearance, and the character eventually became a mainstay in the Marvel Universe.
1960s
Galactus returned for a cameoCameo appearance
A cameo role or cameo appearance is a brief appearance of a known person in a work of the performing arts, such as plays, films, video games and television...
in Thor
Thor (Marvel Comics)
Thor is a fictional superhero who appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby....
#134 (Nov. 1966), although the plot-line was left unresolved as Kirby put the character on hiatus. Galactus reappeared in a flashback cameo in Daredevil
Daredevil (Marvel Comics)
Daredevil is a fictional character, a superhero in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Bill Everett, with an unspecified amount of input from Jack Kirby, and first appeared in Daredevil #1 .Living in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood...
#37 (Feb. 1968) and then featured heavily in Fantastic Four #72-77 (March - Aug. 1968) at the request of Lee. After a flashback appearance in Silver Surfer #1 (Aug. 1968), the character returned to Earth in Thor #160-162 (Jan.- March 1969), which resolved the plot-line from issue #134. Galactus' origin was revealed in Thor #168-169 (Sept.-Oct. 1969).
1970s & 1980s
The character made appearances in Fantastic Four #120-123 (March–June 1972) and Thor #225-228 (July-Oct. 1974). These two storylines introduced two new Heralds of GalactusHerald of Galactus
The Heralds of Galactus are fictional characters appearing in publications from Marvel Comics. The Herald concept was introduced in Fantastic Four #48 - with the character the Silver Surfer - by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.-Publication history:...
. Galactus also featured in Fantastic Four #172-175 (July-Oct. 1976) and #206-213 (May-Dec. 1979).
The full in-depth Stan Lee
Stan Lee
Stan Lee is an American comic book writer, editor, actor, producer, publisher, television personality, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics....
and Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby
Jack Kirby , born Jacob Kurtzberg, was an American comic book artist, writer and editor regarded by historians and fans as one of the major innovators and most influential creators in the comic book medium....
origin story was reprinted in one volume in Super-Villain Classics: Galactus the Origin #1 (May 1983), inked by Vince Colletta
Vince Colletta
Vincent Joseph Colletta was an American comic book artist and art director best known as one of industry legend Jack Kirby's frequent inkers during the 1950s-1960s period called the Silver Age of comic books...
and George Klein
George Klein
George Johann Klein, was a Hamilton, Ontario-born Canadian inventor who is often called the most productive inventor in Canada in the 20th century. Although he struggled through high school and got a grade C he managed to get in at UofT in Toronto to become an inventor...
, lettered by John Morelli, and colored by Andy Yanchus. While mostly identical to the previous origin, the story featured supplemental material, edits, and deletions by writer Mark Gruenwald
Mark Gruenwald
Mark E. Gruenwald was an American comic book writer, editor, and occasional penciler. Gruenwald got his start in comics fandom, publishing his own fanzine, Omniverse, which explored the concept of continuity...
, pencillers John Byrne and Ron Wilson
Ron Wilson (comics)
Ron Wilson is an American comic book artist known for his work on titles starring the Marvel Comics character The Thing, including the titles Marvel Two-in-One and The Thing...
, and inker Jack Abel
Jack Abel
Jack Abel a.k.a. Gary Michaels was an American comic book artist best known as an inker for leading publishers DC Comics and Marvel Comics. He was DC's primary inker on the Superman titles in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and inked penciler Herb Trimpe's introduction of the popular superhero...
. Most specifically, rather than journeying into a dying star, the character enters the core of the collapsing universe
Cosmic Egg
Cosmic Egg is the second studio album by Australian rock band Wolfmother, released on 23 October 2009. It is the first album by the second lineup of the band, featuring vocalist, songwriter and lead guitarist Andrew Stockdale, bassist and keyboardist Ian Peres, rhythm guitarist Aidan Nemeth and...
prior to the "Big Bang
Big Bang
The Big Bang theory is the prevailing cosmological model that explains the early development of the Universe. According to the Big Bang theory, the Universe was once in an extremely hot and dense state which expanded rapidly. This rapid expansion caused the young Universe to cool and resulted in...
". The story was later reprinted as Origin of Galactus #1 (Feb. 1996).
The character guest-starred in Rom #26-27 (Jan.-Feb. 1982). Galactus featured heavily in two related storylines in Fantastic Four #242-244 (May–July 1982) and #257 (Aug. 1983). Another appearance in Fantastic Four
Fantastic Four
The Fantastic Four is a fictional superhero team appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The group debuted in The Fantastic Four #1 , which helped to usher in a new level of realism in the medium...
#262 (Jan. 1984) attracted controversy. During the conclusion of the story, the character Eternity, the living sentience of the Marvel Universe, appears to validate the existence of Galactus, which Howard University
Howard University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
Professor of Literature Marc Singer criticized, stating writer-artist John Byrne used the character as a means to "justify planetary-scale genocide."
Writer-penciler John Byrne and inker Terry Austin
Terry Austin (comics)
Terry Austin is an American comic book artist, working primarily as an inker. He is best known for his work embellishing John Byrne's pencils on The Uncanny X-Men from 1977–1981.-Early life and career:...
produced "The Last Galactus Story" as a serial in the anthology
Anthology
An anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler. It may be a collection of poems, short stories, plays, songs, or excerpts...
comics-magazine Epic Illustrated
Epic Illustrated
Epic Illustrated was a comics anthology in magazine format published in the United States by Marvel Comics. The series lasted for 34 issues, from Spring 1980 to February 1986....
#26-34 (Oct. 1984 - Feb. 1986). Nine of a scheduled 10 installments appeared. Each ran six pages, except part eight, which ran 12. The magazine was canceled with issue #34, leaving the last chapter unpublished and the story unfinished. Byrne later revealed the conclusion on his website.
Limited series
A limited series is a comic book series with a set number of installments. A limited series differs from an ongoing series in that the number of issues is determined before production and it differs from a one shot in that it is composed of multiple issues....
Secret Wars
Secret Wars
Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars is a twelve-issue comic book crossover limited series published from May 1984 to April 1985 by Marvel Comics. The series was written by Jim Shooter with art by Mike Zeck and Bob Layton...
#1-12 (May 1984 - April 1985), and became a recurring character in the third volume of the Silver Surfer, commencing with issue #1 (July 1987).
1990s
Galactus featured prominently in the limited series Infinity Gauntlet #1-6 (July-Dec. 1991), Infinity War
Infinity War
The Infinity War is a six-issue comic book limited series published by Marvel Comics in 1992. The series was written by Jim Starlin and penciled by Ron Lim, Ian Laughlin, Al Milgrom, Jack Morelli and Christie Scheele....
#1-6 (June-Nov. 1992) and Cosmic Powers #1 - 6 (March - Aug. 1994).
The character starred in the six-issue Galactus the Devourer (Sept. 1999 - March 2000), written by Louise Simonson and illustrated by John Buscema, which climaxed with Galactus' death. Simonson had originally conceived of the story arc
Story arc
A story arc is an extended or continuing storyline in episodic storytelling media such as television, comic books, comic strips, boardgames, video games, and in some cases, films. On a television program, for example, the story would unfold over many episodes. In television, the use of the story...
to take place in third volume of the Silver Surfer, but the title was canceled due to dwindling sales. Simonson instead proposed a separate limited series, and at the time was initially doubtful that Marvel would approve what she believed to be a "radical" idea concerning "why the very existence of the universe depends on the health and well-being of Galactus."
2000s
The consequences of Galactus' death are explored in Fantastic Four Annual 2001 and Fantastic Four #46-49 (Oct. 2001 - Jan. 2002), resulting in Galactus' revival.Galactus features prominently in the first six issues of the series Thanos
Thanos
Thanos is a fictional character that appears in comic books and other media published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Iron Man #55 and was created by writer-artist Jim Starlin....
(Dec. 2003 - May 2004), written by Jim Starlin
Jim Starlin
James P. "Jim" Starlin is an American comic book writer and artist. With a career dating back to the early 1970s, he is best known for "cosmic" tales and space opera; for revamping the Marvel Comics characters Captain Marvel and Adam Warlock; and for creating or co-creating the Marvel characters...
. The story is noteworthy due to a running theme of highly critical evaluation of the standard justifications (Social Darwinism
Social Darwinism
Social Darwinism is a term commonly used for theories of society that emerged in England and the United States in the 1870s, seeking to apply the principles of Darwinian evolution to sociology and politics...
and Divine right of kings
Divine Right of Kings
The divine right of kings or divine-right theory of kingship is a political and religious doctrine of royal and political legitimacy. It asserts that a monarch is subject to no earthly authority, deriving his right to rule directly from the will of God...
) for the character, by defending the need for a "social contract
Social contract
The social contract is an intellectual device intended to explain the appropriate relationship between individuals and their governments. Social contract arguments assert that individuals unite into political societies by a process of mutual consent, agreeing to abide by common rules and accept...
" with the rest of the universe, and to actively seek alternate means to feed his hunger. Issues #7-12, written by Keith Giffen also introduce the first herald, the Fallen One.
Galactus' origin is re-examined in Fantastic Four #520-523 (Oct 2004-April 2005), wherein the character is temporarily reverted to his mortal form.
After appearing in the limited series Stormbreaker: The Saga of Beta Ray Bill #1-6 (March-Aug. 2005), Galactus was featured as a central character in the "Annihilation
Annihilation (comics)
"Annihilation" was a 2006 crossover storyline published by Marvel Comics, highlighting several outer space-related characters in the Marvel Universe. The central miniseries was written by Keith Giffen, with editor Andy Schmidt.-Publication History:...
" storyline, appearing in the limited series Annihilation: Silver Surfer #1-4 (June-Sept. 2006), Annihilation #1-6 (Oct. 2006 - March 2007), and the epilogue
Epilogue
An epilogue, epilog or afterword is a piece of writing at the end of a work of literature or drama, usually used to bring closure to the work...
, Annihilation: Heralds of Galactus #1-2 (Feb.–April 2007).
Galactus was an antagonist in Fantastic Four #545-546 (June–July 2007), when he sought to devour the fellow cosmic function Epoch
Eon (comics)
Eon is one of the fictional cosmic entities in Marvel Comics' universe.-Publication history:Eon was created by Jim Starlin, and first appeared in Captain Marvel #29 to proclaim Mar-Vell as the Protector of the Universe...
.
In Nova
Nova (comics)
Nova is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the Marvel Comics universe. Upon becoming a member of the galaxy's Nova Corps , the youth gained enhanced strength, flight, injury resistance, and a specialized uniform with life support.In May 2011, Nova placed 98th on IGN's Top 100 Comic...
vol. 4, #13-15 (May–July 2008), the character had no dialogue during the entire story. The author Andy Lanning
Andy Lanning
Andy Lanning is a British comic book writer and inker, known for his work for Marvel Comics and DC Comics, and for his collaboration with Dan Abnett.-Career:Lanning works primarily at Marvel Comics and DC Comics as an inker...
stated that he and co-writer Dan Abnett
Dan Abnett
Dan Abnett is a British comic book writer and novelist. He is a frequent collaborator with fellow writer Andy Lanning, and is known for his work on books for both Marvel Comics, and their UK imprint, Marvel UK, since the 1990s, including 2000 AD...
were "treating Galactus like a force of nature; an inevitable, planetary catastrophe that there is no reasoning with, no bargaining with and no escaping."
The character also appeared in the limited series Beta Ray Bill: Godhunter #1-3 (June 2009 - Aug. 2009), a sequel to Stormbreaker: The Saga of Beta Ray Bill.
2010s
Galactus and the Silver Surfer appeared as antagonists in SkaarSkaar
Skaar is a fictional comic book character appearing in books published by Marvel Comics, usually as a supporting character to Hulk. He is the son of the Hulk and the extraterrestrial Caiera, who conceived him during the "Planet Hulk" storyline...
: Son of Hulk, and as protagonists in the limited series The Thanos Imperative
The Thanos Imperative
The Thanos Imperative is a 6-issue comic book limited series published in 2010 by Marvel Comics. It was written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, and was bookended by two one-shot comics, Ignition and Devastation...
(June-Nov. 2010). Galactus was a member of the "God Squad
God Squad (comics)
God Squad is the name fictional comic book character Amadeus Cho gave to a team of gods brought together in the Marvel Universe to face the oncoming Secret Invasion...
" in the Chaos War
Chaos War (comics)
"Chaos War" is a Marvel Comics storyline that began publication in October 2010 across nine comic book series: the five-issue miniseries Chaos War, written by Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente, supplemented by seven branded miniseries or one-shot publications, and by three issues of Incredible Hulks, a...
event miniseries.
After an appearance in Fantastic Four #583-587 (Nov. 20110 - March 2011), Galactus returned to Earth in Silver Surfer vol 6 #1-5 (Jan - May 2011) and was the main antagonist in The Mighty Thor #1-6 (Apr - Sept 2011).
Fictional character biography
Galactus was originally the explorer Galan from the planet Taa, which existed in the universe before the Big BangBig Bang
The Big Bang theory is the prevailing cosmological model that explains the early development of the Universe. According to the Big Bang theory, the Universe was once in an extremely hot and dense state which expanded rapidly. This rapid expansion caused the young Universe to cool and resulted in...
. When an impending cataclysm gradually kills all other life in his universe, he and other survivors leave Taa via a space vessel, eventually becoming engulfed in the Big Crunch
Big Crunch
In physical cosmology, the Big Crunch is one possible scenario for the ultimate fate of the universe, in which the metric expansion of space eventually reverses and the universe recollapses, ultimately ending as a black hole singularity.- Overview :...
. However, Galan does not die, but is transformed through a bonding with the Sentience of the Universe
Eternity (comics)
Eternity is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by scripter-editor Stan Lee and artist-plotter Steve Ditko, the character is first mentioned in Strange Tales #134 and first appears in Strange Tales #138 Eternity is a fictional character that...
. He gestates for billions of years in the next universe that formed, emerging as Galactus. A Watcher
Watcher (comics)
The Watchers are a fictional race of extraterrestrials that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the first Watcher - named Uatu - appears in Fantastic Four #13 .-Fictional history:...
("Ecce") observes the birth of Galactus, but choses to not take the opportunity to kill him. Once fully aware, Galactus experiences hunger so strongly that he consumes the nearby planet of Archeopia. The planet ultimately becomes the first of many, as Galactus must consume their life energies for sustenance. In memory of both his dead home-world of Taa and for the first planet to fall prey to his hunger, Galactus constructs his new "home-world", Taa II.
Later on, Galactus becomes involved in a civil war amongst the "Proemial Gods", who came into being during the universe's infancy as caretakers of cosmic balance. After a faction of the gods led by Diableri of Chaos attempts to remake the universe in their image, Galactus slays Diableri and imprisons two other rebel gods, Tenebrous
Tenebrous (Marvel comics)
Tenebrous is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics cosmic entity appearing as an enemy of Galactus.-Origin and War:Shortly after the Big Bang of the Marvel universe, the Proemial Gods arose from the very universe itself, collectively existing to maintain the cosmic consonance between order and...
and Aegis
Aegis (Lady of All Sorrows)
Aegis is a fictional character, a comic book cosmic entity published by Marvel Comics and appearing as an enemy of Galactus. Created by writer Keith Giffen and artist Andrea DiVito, the character first appeared in Annihilation: Silver Surfer #3...
, in the Kyln
Kyln
The Kyln is a fictional location, a power generating-facility and maximum security prison in the .A series of spherical containment units located by the galactic barrier and maintained by interstellar races and various degrees of mechanical automation , its primary architect is unknown...
.
Galactus is later compelled to create a being in his own image, named Tyrant
Tyrant (comics)
Tyrant is a fictional, extraterrestrial supervillain in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Silver Surfer vol. 3, #81 .-Fictional character biography:...
. Tyrant rebels, and after a terrible battle they part ways. Eventually, Galactus decides to empower others as a Herald to locate worlds for him. Galactus makes his first herald, the Fallen One
Fallen One
The Fallen One is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Thanos #11 , and was created by Keith Giffen.-Publication history:...
, but is unhappy with him, and dismisses him. He later recruits Norrin Radd as the Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer
The Silver Surfer is a Marvel Comics superhero created by Jack Kirby. The character first appears in Fantastic Four #48 , the first of a three-issue arc that fans call "The Galactus Trilogy"....
.
An undetermined amount of time afterwards, Galactus makes his way to Earth, but is defeated by the efforts of the Fantastic Four
Fantastic Four
The Fantastic Four is a fictional superhero team appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The group debuted in The Fantastic Four #1 , which helped to usher in a new level of realism in the medium...
, Uatu
Uatu
Uatu, often simply known as The Watcher, is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and designed by artist Jack Kirby, he first appeared in The Fantastic Four #13 ....
the Watcher, and a rebellious Silver Surfer. Galactus leaves Earth, vowing that he will never try to consume it again. As he leaves, he relegates the Silver Surfer to Earth for betraying him.
Galactus later returns seeking his former Herald, but the Surfer is unrepentant and chooses to remain on Earth. Thor
Thor (Marvel Comics)
Thor is a fictional superhero who appears in publications published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Journey into Mystery #83 and was created by editor-plotter Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, and penciller Jack Kirby....
encounters Galactus when the entity comes into conflict with Ego the Living Planet
Ego the Living Planet
Ego the Living Planet is a fictional character, a supervillain in the Marvel Comics Universe. The character first appeared in Thor #132 and was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby.-Publication history:...
, and eventually discovers Galactus' origin.
Once more returning to Earth, Galactus again seeks to re-enlist the Silver Surfer. However, the Fantastic Four and the Surfer defeat Galactus' herald, Air-Walker
Air-Walker
The Air-Walker is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics...
, and Mr. Fantastic reprograms Galactus's ship to journey to the Negative Zone
Negative Zone
The Negative Zone is a fictional setting, an antimatter universe depicted in publications from Marvel Comics, most frequently in Fantastic Four and Captain Marvel. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, it first appeared in Fantastic Four #51 .-Fictional description:The Negative Zone in the Marvel...
, stated to contain an abundance of uninhabited worlds to consume. Thor and Olympian
Olympian (comics)
Olympian is a fictional character, a superhero published by DC Comics. Olympian first appeared in DC Comics Presents #46 , and was created by Nelson Bridwell and Alex Saviuk.-Fictional character biography:...
ally Hercules
Hercules (Marvel Comics)
Hercules is a fictional character that appears in publications by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Journey into Mystery Annual #1 and was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby....
encounter Galactus when his next herald, Firelord, travels to Earth seeking to be free of his master. Galactus frees Firelord when Thor presents Galactus with the Asgardian Destroyer
Destroyer (Thor)
The Destroyer is a fictional object that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The object first appears in Journey into Mystery #118 The Destroyer is a fictional object that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The object first appears in Journey into Mystery #118 The...
to animate and use as a Herald.
Conflict with the High Evolutionary
High Evolutionary
The High Evolutionary is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics.-Publication history:The High Evolutionary was first mentioned in The Mighty Thor vol. 1 #133 , and first appears in The Mighty Thor vol. 1 #134 , and was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby...
occurs when Galactus attempts to devour Counter-Earth
Counter-Earth (comics)
In the fictional Marvel Universe, there have been three versions of the hypothetical planet known as Counter-Earth, each one a near-duplicate of Earth.-Publication history:...
. The encounter ends with Galactus being transformed into harmless energy after attempting to devour the planet Poppup. Galactus eventually reintegrates into his normal form, and is sought out by the Fantastic Four, who seek a way to stop a new cosmic threat, the Sphinx. Mister Fantastic offers to release Galactus from the latter's vow of avoiding Earth if he helps defeat the Sphinx. Galactus agrees, but under the condition the Fantastic Four recruit Terrax
Terrax
Terrax the Tamer is a fictional character that appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Fantastic Four #211 and was created by Marv Wolfman and John Byrne.-Fictional character biography:...
as a new Herald. The heroes are successful, and the newly empowered Terrax
Terrax
Terrax the Tamer is a fictional character that appears in the comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Fantastic Four #211 and was created by Marv Wolfman and John Byrne.-Fictional character biography:...
leads his new master to Earth. Galactus locates the Sphinx in Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
and defeats the villain, then decides to retreat when Mister Fantastic threatens to use a fake Ultimate Nullifier
Ultimate Nullifier
The Ultimate Nullifier is a device of immense power in the Marvel Universe. The device made its first appearance in Fantastic Four volume 1, issue #50 , in which Johnny Storm retrieves it from the home of Galactus—as directed by Uatu the Watcher—for the Fantastic Four to employ against the threat...
.
Galactus is tricked by the Galadorian spaceknight Rom into attempting to devour the "Black Nebula", the home of the Dire Wraiths. The devourer is repelled by the magic "Wraith Sun"; and although weakened, pursues a rebellious Terrax to Earth and strips his herald of all power. Drained of energy, Galactus is saved by the combined efforts of the Fantastic Four and Avengers
Avengers (comics)
The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers is a fictional team of superheroes, appearing in magazines published by Marvel Comics. The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 The Avengers...
, and acquires another herald, Nova.
Later, Galactus destroys the Skrull
Skrull
The Skrulls are a fictional race of extraterrestrial shapeshifters that appear in publications by Marvel Comics.-Publication history:The Skrulls first appeared in Fantastic Four #2 and were created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby....
homeworld and discusses his role in the universe with fellow cosmic entity Death
Death (Marvel Comics)
Death is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain Marvel #27 Death is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain Marvel #27 Death is a fictional...
. When Mister Fantastic is captured due to his role in saving Galactus' life, he is placed on trial by a united group of aliens who are remnants of races which have been annihilated by Galactus' hunger. During the trial, the cosmic entity Eternity
Eternity (comics)
Eternity is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by scripter-editor Stan Lee and artist-plotter Steve Ditko, the character is first mentioned in Strange Tales #134 and first appears in Strange Tales #138 Eternity is a fictional character that...
—the sentience of the Marvel Universe—intervenes, allowing all present to momentarily become one with the universe. This permits them to understand that Galactus is a vital part of cosmic order, despite the continued loss of entire races. Following the encounter, none present can remember exactly why Galactus is necessary, but the feeling of revelation remains.
During the Secret Wars
Secret Wars
Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars is a twelve-issue comic book crossover limited series published from May 1984 to April 1985 by Marvel Comics. The series was written by Jim Shooter with art by Mike Zeck and Bob Layton...
, Galactus battles with Earth's superheroes and supervillains against the Beyonder. Afterwards, Galactus grants the Surfer clemency, who aids his former master against the Elders of the Universe
Elders of the Universe
The Elders of the Universe are a group of fictional characters that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The Collector was the first Elder to appear, and featured in Avengers #28...
and the schemes of the In-Betweener
In-Betweener
The In-Betweener is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Warlock #10 The In-Betweener is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Warlock #10 The...
. Galactus aids the cosmic hierarchy in a war against the mutant Eternal Thanos
Thanos
Thanos is a fictional character that appears in comic books and other media published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Iron Man #55 and was created by writer-artist Jim Starlin....
, who possessed the Infinity Gauntlet
Infinity Gems
Infinity Gems, sometimes referred to as the Soul Gems, are six immensely powerful gems featured in the fictional Marvel Universe. Whoever holds all six gems in the Infinity Gauntlet gains omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, and God-like power, and has absolute dominion over the universe...
.
When Nova is plagued by conscience at causing the deaths of billions of alien beings, Galactus takes on a new Herald, the bloodthirsty Morg
Morg
Morg is a fictional supervillain published by Marvel Comics universe, appearing as a herald of Galactus. Created by Ron Lim and Ron Marz, he first appeared in Silver Surfer vol. 3, #70 .-Origin:...
. Tyrant returns, and despite capturing the Surfer, Morg and several other cosmic-powered aliens, is thwarted by Thanos
Thanos
Thanos is a fictional character that appears in comic books and other media published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Iron Man #55 and was created by writer-artist Jim Starlin....
, and finally destroyed when Morg uses the Ultimate Nullifier.
Galactus eventually decides, with the aid of new Herald Red Shift
Red Shift (comics)
Red Shift is a fictional supervillain in the Marvel Comics universe and was a herald of Galactus. He first appeared in Galactus: The Devourer .-Fictional character biography:...
, to only devour the energies of living beings. This brings him into conflict with Earth's heroes and other united alien races. During a final confrontation near the homeworld of the Shi'ar
Shi'ar
The Shi'ar are a fictional species of aliens in the Marvel Comics universe. The Shi'ar Empire also called the Aerie, is a vast collection of alien species, cultures and worlds situated close to the Skrull and Kree Empires, and alongside them, is one of the three main alien empires...
, the Silver Surfer turns Galactus' own siphoning-machines on him. A starving Galactus dies, with his remains taking the form of a star.
The death of Galactus allows the entity Abraxas
Abraxas (comics)
Abraxas, sometimes called the Dark Man, is a fictional cosmic entity in the Marvel Multiverse. He first appeared in Fantastic Four 2001...
- a metaphysical embodiment of destruction and antithesis of cosmic entity Eternity - to emerge from his imprisonment. Abraxas wreaks havoc across thousands of alternate universe
Parallel universe (fiction)
A parallel universe or alternative reality is a hypothetical self-contained separate reality coexisting with one's own. A specific group of parallel universes is called a "multiverse", although this term can also be used to describe the possible parallel universes that constitute reality...
s, killing every incarnation of Galactus that he encounters. Abraxas is thwarted when the children of Reed Richards, Franklin Richards
Franklin Richards
Franklin Richards is a fictional comic book character appearing in books published by Marvel Comics, usually as a supporting character in Fantastic Four.Franklin is an Omega-Level mutant with vast psionic and reality-manipulating powers...
and Valeria Von Doom
Valeria Richards
Valeria Meghan Richards is a fictional character of Marvel Comics, the daughter of Mister Fantastic and the Invisible Woman , husband and wife and two original members of the superhero team the Fantastic Four. She is the younger sister of Franklin Richards...
, exhaust their powers to restore Galactus, and Mister Fantastic uses the Ultimate Nullifier
Ultimate Nullifier
The Ultimate Nullifier is a device of immense power in the Marvel Universe. The device made its first appearance in Fantastic Four volume 1, issue #50 , in which Johnny Storm retrieves it from the home of Galactus—as directed by Uatu the Watcher—for the Fantastic Four to employ against the threat...
to reset reality, preventing Abraxas' initial escape and mass destruction.
Plagued by his conscience, Galactus attempts to rid himself of his hunger by feeding on the power from the Infinity Gems
Infinity Gems
Infinity Gems, sometimes referred to as the Soul Gems, are six immensely powerful gems featured in the fictional Marvel Universe. Whoever holds all six gems in the Infinity Gauntlet gains omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, and God-like power, and has absolute dominion over the universe...
, but is tricked into releasing a greater predator called the "Hunger", that feeds on entire universes. The creature's access is sealed with the aid of Thanos.
When an alien race develops a technology that renders planets invisible to Galactus, he empowers the Human Torch (who has temporarily traded powers with the Invisible Woman) as an unwilling herald to locate these planets. The Fantastic Four and Quasar are able to free the Torch by temporarily transforming Galactus back into Galan.
Galactus consumes the Korbinite home world of the hero Beta Ray Bill
Beta Ray Bill
Beta Ray Bill is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Thor #337 and was created by writer-artist Walt Simonson....
and reveals a new herald: Stardust
Stardust (Marvel Comics)
Stardust is a fictional character appearing in the comic books published by Marvel Comics and existing in that company's Marvel Universe. Stardust is one of the many Heralds of Galactus...
.
When the Negative Zone
Negative Zone
The Negative Zone is a fictional setting, an antimatter universe depicted in publications from Marvel Comics, most frequently in Fantastic Four and Captain Marvel. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, it first appeared in Fantastic Four #51 .-Fictional description:The Negative Zone in the Marvel...
villain Annihilus
Annihilus
Annihilus is a fictional character in Marvel Comics' Marvel Universe. In 2009, Annihilus was ranked as IGN's 94th Greatest Comic Book Villain of All Time.-Publication history:...
launches a war on the universe, one of his first attacks destoys the Kyln and frees Tenebrous and Aegis. Sensing their release, Galactus temporarily releases Stardust from service, and reemploys the Silver Surfer as his herald. Intent on vengeance, Aegis and Tenebrous find and defeat the Silver Surfer and Galactus, delivering them to Annihilus.
Annihilus binds Galactus, and plans to use the latter's energies to destroy all life in the universe. Galactus is ultimately freed by Drax the Destroyer
Drax the Destroyer
Drax the Destroyer is a fictional character appearing in books published by the Marvel Comics.-Publication history:Drax first appeared in Iron Man #55 , and was created by Mike Friedrich and Jim Starlin. He had a recurring role in Captain Marvel vol 1 beginning with issue #23...
, and after teleporting Drax to safety, unleashes a blast that destroys the majority of Annihilus' forces. Galactus accepts Stardust as his herald once again, now alongside Silver Surfer. Seeking a final confrontation with Aegis and Tenebrous, Galactus sends out the Silver Surfer to locate them. The Surfer finds them and engages them in battle, drawing Aegis and Tenebrous into the barrier between the universe and the Negative Zone
Negative Zone
The Negative Zone is a fictional setting, an antimatter universe depicted in publications from Marvel Comics, most frequently in Fantastic Four and Captain Marvel. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, it first appeared in Fantastic Four #51 .-Fictional description:The Negative Zone in the Marvel...
, which destroys them.
After an encounter with Epoch
Epoch (Marvel Comics)
Epoch is a fictional cosmic entity in the Marvel Comics universe.-Fictional character biography:Epoch is the "daughter" of Eon and "granddaughter" of Eternity....
,, Galactus consumes the planet Orbucen. Afterwards, Galactus and Stardust once again come into conflict with Beta Ray Bill when a distraught Bill seeks vengeance against Galactus for the destruction of the Korbinite home-world. Feeling empathy for being the only survivor of a destroyed planet, Galactus creates a female Korbinite for Bill.
Galactus is eventually drawn to the planet Sakaar and devours it, earning the enmity of Skaar
Skaar
Skaar is a fictional comic book character appearing in books published by Marvel Comics, usually as a supporting character to Hulk. He is the son of the Hulk and the extraterrestrial Caiera, who conceived him during the "Planet Hulk" storyline...
and Hiro-Kala
Hiro-Kala
Hiro-Kala is a fictional character in the . He first appears in Skaar: Son of Hulk #2 and was created by Greg Pak and Ron Garney. He is the son of the Hulk and Caiera and the twin brother of Skaar.-Publication history:...
. Hiro-Kala manages to temporarily poison Galactus with the Old Power, a synthesized form of the Power Cosmic.
The Silver Surfer finds the dead body of a future Galactus underneath New York City, and summons the present Galactus to Earth, who confronts Mister Fantastic. Mister Fantastic explains that in the future, the heroes living on a dying Earth had killed Galactus in order to perform time-travel and escape to the present. Discovering that those same heroes live on a planet called "Nu-Earth" in the present timeline, Galactus destroys the planet and its inhabitants as retribution.
As a result of the Annihilation Wave and other inter-stellar conflicts, a tear in the fabric of space allows the extra-universal forces of the Cancerverse
The Thanos Imperative
The Thanos Imperative is a 6-issue comic book limited series published in 2010 by Marvel Comics. It was written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, and was bookended by two one-shot comics, Ignition and Devastation...
—a universe where Death does not exist—to invade. Galactus, along with the Celestials and the resurrected Tenebrous and Aegis, combats the powerful Cancerverse weapon, the Galactus Engine.
Galactus is teleported to Earth by Hercules during the Chaos War
Chaos War (comics)
"Chaos War" is a Marvel Comics storyline that began publication in October 2010 across nine comic book series: the five-issue miniseries Chaos War, written by Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente, supplemented by seven branded miniseries or one-shot publications, and by three issues of Incredible Hulks, a...
, and is instrumental in sealing away the Chaos King
Amatsu-Mikaboshi (comics)
Amatsu-Mikaboshi is a fictional character in the Marvel Comics Universe, a supervillain and demonic god of evil who is best known as an enemy of Hercules...
, a metaphysical embodiment of oblivion and another antithesis of Eternity.
After an encounter with the High Evolutionary, Galactus attacks Asgard. The Silver Surfer states Galactus seeks an Asgardian artifact that would sate his hunger and spare future civilizations, while Odin
Odin (comics)
Odin is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Journey into Mystery #85 Odin is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Journey into Mystery #85 Odin is a...
contends that Galactus wishes to ensure that a new Galactus does not replace him in the next universe. Galactus defeats Odin in battle, but the Silver Surfer ends the conflict by remaining on Earth to guard the artifact, with the agreement that Galactus can have it after Asgard passes away. To replace the Surfer, Galactus takes a preacher
Preacher
Preacher is a term for someone who preaches sermons or gives homilies. A preacher is distinct from a theologian by focusing on the communication rather than the development of doctrine. Others see preaching and theology as being intertwined...
as his new herald, dubbed "Praetor".
Powers and abilities
Cosmos
In the general sense, a cosmos is an orderly or harmonious system. It originates from the Greek term κόσμος , meaning "order" or "ornament" and is antithetical to the concept of chaos. Today, the word is generally used as a synonym of the word Universe . The word cosmos originates from the same root...
." Galactus considers himself a higher being than all non-abstracts, maintaining his existence by devouring planets that have the potential for supporting life. This has resulted in the elimination of entire extraterrestrial
Extraterrestrial life
Extraterrestrial life is defined as life that does not originate from Earth...
civilizations on numerous worlds.
Galactus wields the Power Cosmic
Power Cosmic
The Power Cosmic is a fictional type of cosmic energy that appears in comic books published by Marvel, most commonly mentioned in stories involving the cosmic entity Galactus and his heralds...
and can employ it to produce nearly any effect he desires, including the molecular restructuring and transmutation
Nuclear transmutation
Nuclear transmutation is the conversion of one chemical element or isotope into another. In other words, atoms of one element can be changed into atoms of other element by 'transmutation'...
of matter, the teleportation
Teleportation
Teleportation is the fictional or imagined process by which matter is instantaneously transferred from one place to another.Teleportation may also refer to:*Quantum teleportation, a method of transmitting quantum data...
of objects — even an entire galaxy — across space
Space
Space is the boundless, three-dimensional extent in which objects and events occur and have relative position and direction. Physical space is often conceived in three linear dimensions, although modern physicists usually consider it, with time, to be part of a boundless four-dimensional continuum...
or time
Time
Time is a part of the measuring system used to sequence events, to compare the durations of events and the intervals between them, and to quantify rates of change such as the motions of objects....
, size-alteration, the projection of energy with indeterminable destructive force, the erection of nearly impenetrable force fields, the creation of interdimensional
Parallel universe (fiction)
A parallel universe or alternative reality is a hypothetical self-contained separate reality coexisting with one's own. A specific group of parallel universes is called a "multiverse", although this term can also be used to describe the possible parallel universes that constitute reality...
and intra-dimensional portals, telepathy
Telepathy
Telepathy , is the induction of mental states from one mind to another. The term was coined in 1882 by the classical scholar Fredric W. H. Myers, a founder of the Society for Psychical Research, and has remained more popular than the more-correct expression thought-transference...
, telekinesis
Psychokinesis
The term psychokinesis , also referred to as telekinesis with respect to strictly describing movement of matter, sometimes abbreviated PK and TK respectively, is a term...
, pyrokinesis
Pyrokinesis
Pyrokinesis, derived from the Greek words and , was the name coined by horror novelist Stephen King for the ability to create or to control fire with the mind that he gave to the protagonist Charlie McGee in Firestarter...
, and a form of cosmic awareness.
Galactus is also capable of creating sentient life
Tyrant (comics)
Tyrant is a fictional, extraterrestrial supervillain in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appears in Silver Surfer vol. 3, #81 .-Fictional character biography:...
, resurrecting the dead, manipulating mortal souls, memories, and emotions, and restoring dead planets and populations in every detail.
Although not an abstract, non-corporeal being, Galactus is a living force of nature set to correct the imbalances between the conceptual entities Eternity
Eternity (comics)
Eternity is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by scripter-editor Stan Lee and artist-plotter Steve Ditko, the character is first mentioned in Strange Tales #134 and first appears in Strange Tales #138 Eternity is a fictional character that...
and Death
Death (Marvel Comics)
Death is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain Marvel #27 Death is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Captain Marvel #27 Death is a fictional...
, and as such his true form cannot be perceived by most beings; each species perceives Galactus in a form they can associate with or comprehend, either in a form similar to that of their own race or as a deity of their own religion. Galactus has also appeared as a humanoid star when addressing fellow members of the cosmic hierarchy.
As Galactus must continuously feed to sustain himself, his power levels are inconsistent throughout any given period; the character must wear armor to help regulate his internal energies. Due to this inherent hunger, Earth's heroes have been able to achieve various degrees of success in repelling or defeating a weakened Galactus. In this state Galactus has shown susceptibility to the Images of Ikonn
Ikonn
Ikonn is a fictional character appearing in the Marvel Comics universe. It is a powerful mystical extra-dimensional entity whom Doctor Strange and other sorcerers have invoked.-Publication history:...
spell, which forces him to recall all of the beings he has destroyed as a result of his feeding.
The first and oldest living entity in the universe, Galactus employs advanced science capable of creating the Ultimate Nullifier
Ultimate Nullifier
The Ultimate Nullifier is a device of immense power in the Marvel Universe. The device made its first appearance in Fantastic Four volume 1, issue #50 , in which Johnny Storm retrieves it from the home of Galactus—as directed by Uatu the Watcher—for the Fantastic Four to employ against the threat...
, an object of tremendous power capable of destroying and remaking the multiverse, and the immense ship Taa II. Reed Richards speculated that Taa II — the Möbius strip
Möbius strip
The Möbius strip or Möbius band is a surface with only one side and only one boundary component. The Möbius strip has the mathematical property of being non-orientable. It can be realized as a ruled surface...
-shaped, solar system-sized home of Galactus — could be the greatest source of energy in the universe.
Galactus retains the Punisher cyborgs
Punisher (Galactus)
The Punisher is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Fantastic Four #49 , and was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist and co-plotter Jack Kirby....
in his service, and has appointed a number of beings to act as his Herald
Herald of Galactus
The Heralds of Galactus are fictional characters appearing in publications from Marvel Comics. The Herald concept was introduced in Fantastic Four #48 - with the character the Silver Surfer - by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.-Publication history:...
, with each bestowed a small fraction of the Power Cosmic
Power Cosmic
The Power Cosmic is a fictional type of cosmic energy that appears in comic books published by Marvel, most commonly mentioned in stories involving the cosmic entity Galactus and his heralds...
.
Bullet Points
In the final issue of the five-issue alternate realityParallel universe (fiction)
A parallel universe or alternative reality is a hypothetical self-contained separate reality coexisting with one's own. A specific group of parallel universes is called a "multiverse", although this term can also be used to describe the possible parallel universes that constitute reality...
miniseries
Miniseries
A miniseries , in a serial storytelling medium, is a television show production which tells a story in a limited number of episodes. The exact number is open to interpretation; however, they are usually limited to fewer than a whole season. The term "miniseries" is generally a North American term...
Bullet Points (Jan.-May 2007), Galactus arrives on Earth alongside his herald the Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer
The Silver Surfer is a Marvel Comics superhero created by Jack Kirby. The character first appears in Fantastic Four #48 , the first of a three-issue arc that fans call "The Galactus Trilogy"....
, intending to consume the planet as in mainstream continuity. After Earth's superhumans are killed or injured en masse trying to stop Galactus, the Hulk
Hulk (comics)
The Hulk is a fictional character, a superhero in the . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 ....
, who in this reality is Peter Parker, attacks Galactus and is killed. Parker's noble death inspires the Surfer to turn on Galactus, who eventually leaves Earth.
Cancerverse
In the limited series The Thanos ImperativeThe Thanos Imperative
The Thanos Imperative is a 6-issue comic book limited series published in 2010 by Marvel Comics. It was written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, and was bookended by two one-shot comics, Ignition and Devastation...
, an alternate version of Galactus, called the Galactus Engine, dwarfed the mainstream universe Galactus.
Earth X
In the limited series Earth XEarth X
Earth X is a 1999 comic book limited series written by Jim Krueger with art by John Paul Leon and published by Marvel Comics. Based on Alex Ross' notes, the series features a dystopian future version of the Marvel Universe....
, Galactus is one of the three essential entities in the universe keeping the cosmic entities the Celestials
Celestial (comics)
The Celestials are a group of fictional characters that appear in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The characters first appear in Eternals #1 and were created by writer-artist Jack Kirby....
in check. By destroying planets - actually "eggs" of the Celestials - Galactus prevents the Celestials from overpopulating the universe. Franklin Richards
Franklin Richards
Franklin Richards is a fictional comic book character appearing in books published by Marvel Comics, usually as a supporting character in Fantastic Four.Franklin is an Omega-Level mutant with vast psionic and reality-manipulating powers...
eventually adopts the identity of Galactus.
Exiles
An alternate universeParallel universe (fiction)
A parallel universe or alternative reality is a hypothetical self-contained separate reality coexisting with one's own. A specific group of parallel universes is called a "multiverse", although this term can also be used to describe the possible parallel universes that constitute reality...
version of Galactus appears in the title Exiles
Exiles (Marvel Comics)
The Exiles are a group of fictional characters that feature in three Marvel Comics series, Exiles, New Exiles, and Exiles vol. 2. The Exiles consists of characters from different dimensions, or realities, which have been removed from time and space in order to correct problems in various alternate...
, and restores rather than destroys worlds.
Heroes Reborn
Galactus is featured in the second volume of the Fantastic FourFantastic Four
The Fantastic Four is a fictional superhero team appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The group debuted in The Fantastic Four #1 , which helped to usher in a new level of realism in the medium...
, appearing in the pocket universe created by Franklin Richards (after the events of the Onslaught
Onslaught (comics)
Onslaught is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in X-Man #15 , and was co-created by writers Scott Lobdell, Mark Waid, and artist Andy Kubert....
saga). This version of the character has several heralds simultaneously and all are worshiped by the Inhumans
Inhumans
The Inhumans are a fictional race of superhumans, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. This race appears in various comic book series published by Marvel Comics and exists in that company's shared universe, known as the Marvel Universe....
.
Manga Universe
The title New Mangaverse depicts Galactus appears as a gigantic, planet-sized life-form, complete with a single massive eye and tentacles to drain the life from planets. It is covered in various life-forms (referred to as "Galactus Spores") which aid its digestive process.Marvel Zombies
The limited series Marvel ZombiesMarvel Zombies
Marvel Zombies is a five-issue limited series published from December 2005 to April 2006 by Marvel Comics. The series was written by Robert Kirkman with art by Sean Phillips and covers by Arthur Suydam. It was the first series in the Marvel Zombies series of related stories...
focuses on the Earth-2149 universe, which is infected by a virus that turns sentient beings into flesh-eating zombie
Zombie
Zombie is a term used to denote an animated corpse brought back to life by mystical means such as witchcraft. The term is often figuratively applied to describe a hypnotized person bereft of consciousness and self-awareness, yet ambulant and able to respond to surrounding stimuli...
s. The Silver Surfer is caught and devoured by "zombified" versions of Earth's heroes, who eat the Silver Surfer, and use advanced technology, to wound and eventually defeat Galactus. The zombies gain a portion of the power cosmic as they devour Galactus.
MC2
The MC2 imprint title Last Planet StandingLast Planet Standing
Last Planet Standing is a 5-issue comic book limited series, published by Marvel Comics in 2006. It was written by Tom DeFalco and drawn by Pat Olliffe . It stars many characters from the MC2 Universe...
features a future version of Galactus with a new herald called Dominas
Dominas
Dominas was one of the Heralds of Galactus in the MC2 universe.-Fictional character history:Nothing about Dominas' past has been revealed at this point, except for the fact that he was a bureaucrat on some "insignificant planet", as he put it...
. He attempts to recreate the universe by triggering a new Big Bang, but this plan is defeated when Earth's heroes are able to disrupt his equipment, allowing the Silver Surfer to take Dominas's power and merge with Galactus, creating a new being who vows to repair worlds rather than destroy them.
Ultimate Galactus
Under the Ultimate MarvelUltimate Marvel
Ultimate Marvel is an imprint of comic books published by Marvel Comics, featuring reimagined and updated versions of the company's superhero characters, including Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Avengers, and the Fantastic Four. The imprint was launched in 2000 with the publication of the series...
imprint three limited series, Ultimate Nightmare; Ultimate Secret and Ultimate Extinction were published, dealing with the introduction and eventual threat of the entity Gah Lak Tus. First mentioned by the robot
Robot
A robot is a mechanical or virtual intelligent agent that can perform tasks automatically or with guidance, typically by remote control. In practice a robot is usually an electro-mechanical machine that is guided by computer and electronic programming. Robots can be autonomous, semi-autonomous or...
Ultimate Vision, Gah Lak Tus is revealed to be a group mind
Collective intelligence
Collective intelligence is a shared or group intelligence that emerges from the collaboration and competition of many individuals and appears in consensus decision making in bacteria, animals, humans and computer networks....
of city-sized robotic drones that attack worlds via envoys similar to the Silver Surfer, followed by a flesh eating virus.
Galacta, Daughter of Galactus
Galacta, a female character, spawned as an anomalous energy field within Galactus' structure, was created by writer Adam WarrenAdam Warren
Adam Warren is an American comic book writer and artist who is most famous for his adaptation of the characters known as Dirty Pair into an American comic book, and for being one of the first American commercial illustrators to be influenced by the general manga style...
and penciller Hector Sevilla Lujan in the story "Galacta (or: The World-Eater's daughter)" in Marvel Assistant-Sized Spectacular #2 (June 2009) and subsequently appeared in the four-issue, digital comics
Digital comics
Digital comics can refer to either comics created entirely on a computer or comics released digitally ....
miniseries
Limited series
A limited series is a comic book series with a set number of installments. A limited series differs from an ongoing series in that the number of issues is determined before production and it differs from a one shot in that it is composed of multiple issues....
on Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited
Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited
Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited is an online service by Marvel Comics which distributes past issues of their comics via the Internet. Launching on November 13, 2007, the service has thousands of issues in its archive.-History:...
, Galacta: Daughter of Galactus #0-3 (Jan.-April 2010). Manifested as a normal-sized, young adult human female on Earth, her chosen home, she suffers from similar hunger pangs as her parent, but is plagued by her conscience and solely devours alien invaders.
DC Crossovers
Galactus has appeared in three DC ComicsDC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
crossover stories; Darkseid
Darkseid
Darkseid is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #134 and was created by writer-artist Jack Kirby....
/Galactus: The Hunger, Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
/Fantastic Four: The Infinite Destruction, and JLA/Avengers
JLA/Avengers
JLA/Avengers is a comic book limited series and crossover published in prestige format by DC Comics and Marvel Comics from September 2003 to May 2004. The series was written by Kurt Busiek, with art by George Pérez...
. In The Hunger, Galactus attempts to consume Apokolips
Apokolips
In the DC Comics fictional shared Universe, Apokolips is the planet ruled by Darkseid, established in Jack Kirby's Fourth World series. It is also integral to many DC Comics stories. The planet is considered the opposite of New Genesis....
, home of the evil New Gods
New Gods
The New Gods are a fictional race appearing in publications by DC Comics, as well as the title for four series of comic books about those characters. They first appeared in New Gods #1 , and were created and designed by Jack Kirby....
, but ceases his efforts when he realizes that the planet is lifeless. In The Infinite Destruction, the Cyborg Superman
Hank Henshaw
Hank Henshaw is a fictional supervillain featured in the DC Comics universe. While originally featured primarily as an enemy of Superman, recent years have repositioned him as one of the main enemies of the Green Lantern Corps...
- having learned about Galactus during a previous fight with the Silver Surfer - creates false evidence that Galactus was involved in the destruction of Krypton
Krypton (comics)
Krypton is a fictional planet in the DC Comics universe, and the native world of the super-heroes Superman and, in some tellings, Supergirl and Krypto the Superdog. Krypton has been portrayed consistently as having been destroyed just after Superman's flight from the planet, with exact details of...
, tricking Superman into traveling to the Marvel Universe so that he can become Galactus's Herald. The plan fails when Galactus chooses Superman instead, only for Superman's will to allow his true personality to take control, subsequently working with Reed Richards to reprogram Galactus's equipment to take energy from him so that they can force Galactus to vow to only feed on lifeless worlds in future, Galactus subsequently turning the Cyborg into a simple metal block in response to his pleas for 'perfection'. Galactus plays a key role in JLA/Avengers when the powerful Krona
Krona (comics)
Krona is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Green Lantern #40 , and was created by writer John Broome and artist Gil Kane.-Fictional character biography:...
comes to the Marvel Universe seeking answers about the creation of the cosmos. The Grandmaster attempts to prevent Krona from destroying the Marvel Universe by revealing the existence of Galactus - a being who has lived through the Big Bang and can thus tell Krona what came before - and offering to play Krona in a game for the being's identity, but Krona instead kills Galactus and the Grandmaster to get the answers he seeks, nearly destroying both universes, before the two teams can destroy Krona's equipment and allow the universes to be restored to their rightful conditions.
Amalgam Comics
In the Amalgam ComicsAmalgam Comics
Amalgam Comics was a publishing imprint shared by DC Comics and Marvel Comics, in which the two comic book publishers merged their characters into new ones . These characters first appeared in a series of twelve comic books which were published in 1996, between issues 3 and 4 of the Marvel vs...
universe, in which Marvel and DC characters were combined, Galactus was combined with DC's Brainiac
Brainiac (comics)
Brainiac is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Action Comics #242 , and was created by Otto Binder and Al Plastino....
to create Galactiac. He would consume the lifeforce of planets to recharge his energy cells but leave a small part of the planet to study. He encountered the Challengers of the Fantastic when he came to Earth.
Wha... Huh?
Galactus appears and is referenced several times in Wha... Huh? an in-house Marvel spoof one-shot. One segment was titled "What If Galactus Got Food Poisoning?".Television
- Galactus appears in the 1967 The Fantastic FourFantastic Four (1967 TV series)Fantastic Four is an animated series produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions and the first animated series based on Marvel's comic book series Fantastic Four. The program, featuring character designs by Alex Toth, aired on ABC from 1967 to 1970. It lasted for 20 episodes, with repeat episodes airing...
episode "Galactus", voiced by Ted CassidyTed CassidyTheodore Crawford Cassidy , known as Ted Cassidy, was an American actor who performed in television and films. At 6 ft 9 in in height, he tended to play unusual characters in offbeat or science-fiction series such as Star Trek and I Dream of Jeannie...
. - Galactus appears in the 1994 version of The Fantastic FourFantastic Four (1994 TV series)Fantastic Four is the third animated television series based on Marvel's comic book series of the same name. Airing began on September 24, 1994, until ending on February 24, 1996...
, voiced by Tony JayTony JayTony Jay was an English actor, voice actor and singer. A former member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, he was known for his voice work in animation, film and computer games. Jay's distinctive baritone voice often landed him villainous roles...
, in the two-part episode "Silver Surfer and the Coming of Galactus"; "To Battle the Living Planet"; and "When Calls Galactus". - Galactus appeared regularly in the Silver SurferSilver Surfer (TV series)Silver Surfer, also known as Silver Surfer: The Animated Series, is an animated television series based on the Marvel Comics superhero which aired on the Fox Kids Network in 1998.-Overview:...
cartoon series, voiced by James BlendickJames BlendickJames Blendick is a character actor, born in 1941, perhaps best known for his 15-year long association with the Stratford Festival.-Career:Among the productions in which he has performed leads are Much Ado About Nothing, The Cherry Orchard, Waiting For Godot, Juno and the Paycock, Coriolanus,...
. - Galactus first appears in The Super Hero Squad ShowThe Super Hero Squad ShowThe Super Hero Squad Show is an American cartoon series by Marvel Animation. It is based on the Marvel Super Hero Squad action figure line from Hasbro, which portray the characters of the Marvel Universe in a cartoonish super-deformed-style...
episode "Last Exit Before Doomsday", voiced by George TakeiGeorge TakeiGeorge Hosato Takei Altman is an American actor, author, social activist and former civil politician. He is best known for his role in the television series Star Trek and its film spinoffs, in which he played Hikaru Sulu, helmsman of the...
. He also appears in the episode "Alienating with the Surfer".
Film
- Galactus appears in the 2007 film Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver SurferFantastic Four: Rise of the Silver SurferFantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer is a 2007 American superhero film, and the sequel to the 2005 film Fantastic Four. Both films are based on the Fantastic Four comic book and were directed by Tim Story...
, the story of which was based upon the character's debut and his Ultimate incarnation. The official novelization of the film names the character as "the Gah Lak Tus". 20th Century Fox20th Century FoxTwentieth Century Fox Film Corporation — also known as 20th Century Fox, or simply 20th or Fox — is one of the six major American film studios...
's rationale for having the character as a cloud was to keep him discreet. Visual effectsVisual effectsVisual effects are the various processes by which imagery is created and/or manipulated outside the context of a live action shoot. Visual effects involve the integration of live-action footage and generated imagery to create environments which look realistic, but would be dangerous, costly, or...
studio Weta DigitalWeta DigitalWeta Digital is a digital visual effects company based in Wellington, New Zealand. It was founded by Peter Jackson, Richard Taylor, and Jamie Selkirk in 1993 to produce the digital special effects for Heavenly Creatures. In 2007 Weta Digital’s Senior Visual Effects Supervisor, Joe Letteri, was...
convinced Fox to add physical hints of the comic book incarnation, such as a shadow and the fiery mass within the cloud resembling Galactus' signature helmet. Director Tim StoryTim Story (film director)Timothy Kevin Story is an African-American film director. Born in Los Angeles, California, he attended Westchester High School in Los Angeles with jazz pianist Eric Reed and actresses Regina King and Nia Long. He was senior class president at Westchester High. He graduated from the University of...
has said he made Galactus a cloud so that the future Silver Surfer spin-offSpin-off (media)In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
film would have a chance to be unique and introduce the character as he normally appears. J. Michael StraczynskiJ. Michael StraczynskiJoseph Michael Straczynski , known professionally as J. Michael Straczynski and informally as Joe Straczynski or JMS, is an American writer and television producer. He works in films, television series, novels, short stories, comic books, and radio dramas. He is a playwright, a former journalist,...
, the spinoff's writer, confirmed Galactus is in his script, saying, "You don't want to sort of blow out something that big and massive for one quick shot in the first movie."
Video games
- Galactus appears in the 1990 Silver Surfer NESNintendo Entertainment SystemThe Nintendo Entertainment System is an 8-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America during 1985, in Europe during 1986 and Australia in 1987...
game. - Galactus appears in Marvel: Ultimate AllianceMarvel: Ultimate AllianceMarvel: Ultimate Alliance is an action role-playing game developed for PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox and Xbox 360 by Raven Software and published by Activision. The game was simultaneously ported to the PlayStation Portable and Wii by Vicarious Visions, and to Microsoft Windows by Beenox...
voiced by Gregg BergerGregg BergerGreggory "Gregg" Berger is an American voice actor, who is known for his longtime role as Odie the dog from the Garfield franchise...
. He appears as the boss of the Tarnax IV level, and the heroes must confront him while he tries to devour the Skrulls' world in order to power the M'Kraan Crystal that will help them defeat the now godlike Doctor Doom. The Silver Surfer appears in order to help the player during the battle, using his fraction of the Power Cosmic to stun his master so that the heroes can damage him. - Galactus appears in the PSP and PS2 versions of Spider-Man: Web of ShadowsSpider-Man: Web of ShadowsSpider-Man: Web of Shadows is a video game title encompassing three versions: a full-3D action game for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Wii, and Xbox 360; a 2.5D sidescrolling beat em up action game for the PlayStation Portable and PlayStation 2 , and a 2.5D side-scrolling brawler/platformer for...
. He appears as an assist character who will step on the enemies. - Galactus appears in the 2009 game Marvel Super Hero SquadMarvel Super Hero Squad (video game)Marvel Super Hero Squad is a video game developed by Blue Tongue Entertainment, Mass Media, and Halfbrick and published by THQ. It was released on October 20, 2009 for the Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable and Wii...
as an unvoiced minor character in a Silver Surfer cutsceneCutsceneA cutscene is a sequence in a video game over which the player has no or only limited control, breaking up the gameplay and used to advance the plot, strengthen the main character's development, introduces enemy characters, and provide background information, atmosphere, dialogue, and clues...
. - Galactus appears in the Marvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity GauntletMarvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity GauntletMarvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity Gauntlet is a continuation of the video game Marvel Super Hero Squad and it was released on November 16, 2010. Similar to the first game, it features cartoonish Super-deformed versions of the Marvel Comics characters, as seen in the Marvel Super Hero Squad toy...
video game, voiced by George TakeiGeorge TakeiGeorge Hosato Takei Altman is an American actor, author, social activist and former civil politician. He is best known for his role in the television series Star Trek and its film spinoffs, in which he played Hikaru Sulu, helmsman of the...
. - He makes a minor appearance in LittleBigPlanetLittleBigPlanetLittleBigPlanet, commonly abbreviated LBP, is a puzzle platformer video game, based on user-generated content, for the PlayStation 3 first announced on 7 March 2007, by Phil Harrison at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, California...
's Marvel level pack, in the first level. - He serves as the main antagonist and final boss of Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two WorldsMarvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worldsis a crossover fighting game developed by Capcom. It features Capcom's own characters and characters from American comic book company Marvel Comics. It is the fifth installment of the Marvel vs...
, voiced by Jonathan AdamsJonathan Adams (American actor)Jonathan Adams is an American actor, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.-Career:He has appeared in several roles in American television, most notably in American Dreams. On this, he played series regular Henry Walker, an employee in the radio and television store owned by the patriarch of the...
. He creates Silver SurferSilver SurferThe Silver Surfer is a Marvel Comics superhero created by Jack Kirby. The character first appears in Fantastic Four #48 , the first of a three-issue arc that fans call "The Galactus Trilogy"....
-based copies of the villains DormammuDormammuDormammu is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Strange Tales #126 Dormammu is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character first appeared in Strange Tales #126 Dormammu is a...
, Doctor DoomDoctor DoomVictor von Doom is a fictional character who appears in Marvel Comics publications . Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character first appeared in Fantastic Four #5 wearing his trademark metal mask and green cloak...
, Albert WeskerAlbert Weskeris a character in the Resident Evil franchise. Although portrayed as a supporting character in the first game, he was later established as the primary antagonist of the series; he usually manipulated story events behind-the-scenes and had a role in more games than the other main characters...
and AkumaAkuma (Street Fighter)Akuma known in Japan as , is a video game character from the Street Fighter series of fighting games. Akuma made his debut in Super Street Fighter II Turbo as a secret character and hidden boss. In the storyline of the Street Fighter video games, he is the younger brother of Gouken, Ryu and Ken's...
, which the player must fight while a timer counts down before Galactus destroys the Earth. In the UltimateUltimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3is a crossover fighting game developed by Capcom. It is an updated version of Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds. After the events of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami disrupted the development schedule for downloadable content for the original game, the additional content was made into a...
version, Seth Killian confirms that he will be a playable character in his own mode known as Galactus Mode.
Toys
- Toy BizMarvel ToysMarvel Toys is the toy division of Marvel Entertainment, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company....
released a figure of Galactus in 1995 as part of their Fantastic Four line. - Toy Biz also released a figure as part of their Silver Surfer line, larger than the average figures in the line, but not to scale like the Fantastic Four figure.
- In 2005, Toy Biz also produced Galactus as the first "build-a-figure" in the Marvel LegendsMarvel LegendsMarvel Legends is an action figure line based on the characters of Marvel Comics, initially produced by Toy Biz, then by Hasbro. This line is in the scale, with spin-off lines in the , , and scale.-History:...
line-up. - Galactus has appeared twice in the HeroClixHeroClixHeroClix is a collectible miniatures game that uses the Clix system. Originally designed and produced by WizKids, it is now owned and marketed by NECA. Players construct teams of comic book heroes, villains, and other characters from popular video games such as Street Fighter, Gears of War, and Halo...
CMG. - Galactus appears in the Vs System TCGVS SystemVs. System , also written as VS System and abbreviated as VS, is a collectible card game designed by Upper Deck Entertainment . In the game, players build and play a deck of Vs. System cards in an attempt to win a game against their opponent. It was first published in 2004 and is set in the...
. - Hasbro released a Galactus action figure as part of their Marvel UniverseMarvel Universe (toyline)Marvel Universe is a 3 3/4" action figure line manufactured by Hasbro, featuring characters from the Marvel Comics universe. It first hit stores in early 2009 and features detailed sculpting, multiple points of articulation, and accessories...
: Masterworks line. The figure stands 19" tall, almost five times the height of the conventional figures.
Parodies
- In The Fairly OddParentsThe Fairly OddParentsThe Fairly OddParents is an American-Canadian animated television series created by Butch Hartman about the adventures of Timmy Turner, who is granted fairy godparents named Cosmo and Wanda. The series started out as cartoon segments that ran from September 4, 1998 to March 23, 2001 on Oh Yeah!...
episode "Mighty Mom and Dyno Dad", Timmy becomes the ultimate villain, Galactimus, (a parody of Galactus) to get his parents to give up their powers since Timmy's wish made them so powerful that they're immune to magic, and must willingly give up their powers. Cosmo and Wanda also became Timmy's Silver Surfer like heralds, but instead of surfers they come riding skateboards. - In the two-part series finale of MinoriteamMinoriteamMinoriteam is an animated television series on Cartoon Network's late night programming block, Adult Swim. The pilot episode premiered on November 6, 2005...
, Balactus (voiced by Michael Clarke DuncanMichael Clarke DuncanMichael Clarke Duncan is an American actor, best known for his breakout role as John Coffey in The Green Mile, for which he was nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe.- Early life :...
) is a parody of Galactus and the main antagonist of the episode.
External links
- Galactus at the Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators
- Galactus at the Marvel Directory
- The Origin of Galactus, by Pat Jankiewicz (cached page by The Wayback Machine)
- Galactus: The Web Page, by James Pedrick