TITLE: Silver Surfer vol. 2, issue #2
YEAR: August 1987
COMPANY: Marvel Comics
Story by Steve Englehart
Pencils and Colors: Marshall Rogers
Inks: Joe Rubinstein
Letters: John Workman
Editor: Michael Higgins
Editor-in-Chief: Jim Shooter
The Silver Surfer has been an iconic Marvel Comics character since his debut back in 1966 for “Fantastic Four” issue #48.
The character about a young astronomer named Norrin Radd from the planet Zenn-La saved his homeworld and his beloved Shalla-Bal from the planet devourer, Galactus by serving as his herald. And to spare his planet, as herald, he would seek out planets for Galactus.
Given a tiny portion of Galactus’ Power Cosmic, Norrin Radd was turned into the Silver Surfer with metallic skin and can travel space quickly thanks to his surfboard.
But as the Silver Surfer is kindhearted and hoped he could lead Galactus to only uninhabited planets, Galactus messed with Silver Surfer and so, he now he must find inhabited planets as well.
When Silver Surfer has gone to Earth to battle against Mephisto, Mephisto sends Silver Surfer’s beloved back to Zenn-La, but the Silver Surfer manages to give her a little of his Power cosmic to revitalize the plant life of their ravaged homeworld.
This leads us to issue #2 of “Silver Surfer” as he returns to his home land of Zenn-La and reunites with Shalla-Bal.
Returning back home, Norrin/Silver Surfer just wants to be with his beloved and marry her, but when he arrives, he has found out that by giving her a little of his Power Cosmic, she has since brought Zenn-La to a place where greenery exists and because of her efforts, she has been made an empress on the planet.
For the Silver Surfer, the planet has changed. There are trees everywhere and for the most part, Shalla-Ball has done a great job with her duties as Empress.
Meanwhile, members of the Skrull Empire arrives to Zenn-La for a trade agreement between both planets, but elsewhere, the Skrulls have their own scheme planned.
And as the Skrull and also the Kree will probably want to control Zenn-La, Silver Surfer swears to protect the planet. But when he wants to marry Shalla-Bal, she turns him down as she puts her priorities as Empress ahead for her people. And dedicated herself to rebuild Zenn-La to Silver Surfer’s chagrin.
Overall, this second issue was interesting because the Norrin’s motivation was primarily his love for Shalla-Bal and to see how him turning into Galactus’ herald and the power he had given her has changed their relationship completely, you can’t help but feel bad for Norrin Radd.
But have no fear, there are many more encounters and drama featuring Norrin and Shalla-Bal to come.