After months in deep space, universe-spanning (and universe-creating) adventures, Norrin Radd and Dawn Greenwood are returning to Earth. But, will it be the way it was when they left it? Your Major Spoilers review of Silver Surfer #1 awaits!
SILVER SURFER #1
Writer: Dan Slott
Artist: Mike Allred
Colorist: Laura Allred
Letterer: VC’s Joe Sabino
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Previously in Silver Surfer: After encountering a strange alien prison, The Silver Surfer discovered a girl from Earth trapped within, and was told that she is the Most Important Person in his world. Though he had never met Dawn before, this quickly became truth, as the twosome (plus sorta-sentient space surfboard) traveled the length and breadth of the universe, even fighting against Doom when the entire universe was remade in his image. Now, the Marvel Universe has been restored, their relationship mostly mended, and the immortal alien is taking his sweet young companion home for a visit…
This all went very badly for Rose Tyler. I’m just sayin’…
THE HOMECOMING
After spending a good ten minutes staring at the cover, filled with dozens of treasures from Cyclops’ visor to Tinkertoys (including the literal kitchen sink), this issue opens on Earth, as an alien overlord does the old “take over all communications channels” trick. The overloard, leader of The Hordax, is in mid-announcement of invasion when his ship is suddenly breached by the Silver Surfer himself. Amazingly, he’s NOT there to stave off invasion, but instead to co-opt the communications channel so that Dawn Greenwood can send a message home to her family, announcing that she’s coming for a visit. The Surfer’s cosmic might makes short work of the alien armada, then sets course for Earth. The homecoming is one of the sweetest and most touching bits of story I’ve read in a long time, as Dawn’s father and sister prepare for her a combination Halloween/Birthday/Thanksgiving/New Year’s/Christmas celebration, followed by a viewing of ‘The Wizard Of Oz.’ The movie is interrupted by the arrival of The Hordax, who follow through on their threat to steal Earth’s Greatest Resource: Draining all manner of creative expression from every book, movie, comic and MIND in the world…
TURNABOUT AND FAIR PLAY AND LIKE THAT
It’s a really clever bit of story, especially when the Surfer engages the Hordax in battle, but finds himself faced not with aliens, but every protagonist in fictional history, barring for copyright and likeness issues. Mike Allred’s art is, as always, expressive and joyful, and the scenes of combat and space-surfery are gorgeous to behold, but the quiet moments (such as Norrin and the Greenwoods singing along with the movie) are likewise beautiful. Dan Slott’s work on this book are like nothing else being published by Marvel Comics, full of emotion and sweetness while not skimping on the action, and this issue sets up a larger menace waiting in the wings. Moreover, said cosmic bad guy has chosen a herald to spearhead his invasion of the Earth: Benjamin J. Grimm, Guardian Of The Galaxy! With the setup that Ben and Norrin could relive their first engagement on opposite sides of the equation makes me want to read the next issue of this book right now, a testament to how strong the storytelling on this title is.
THE BOTTOM LINE: STILL EXCELLENT
When the Slott/Allred book debuted, I had my reservations, only knowing Slott from his (admittedly very good) Spider-Man work, but this reinvention of Galactus’ first herald as a quasi-Doctor Who figure, traveling the universe with his lovely companion has given us the most unique and engaging Surfer stories since JM DeMatteis on Defenders a skrabillion years ago. Sometimes, a comic can be dominated by a strong artist or a wonderful writer, but this one is a true collaborative effort, with two talented creators spurring one another on to even better work, making for an entertaining-but-ominous issue. Silver Surfer #1 is well-balanced with cosmic action and quiet character work, serving as a great launching point for this volume, earning a near-perfect 4.5 out of 5 stars overall. I’m really looking forward to seeing how Ben Grimm fits into the next issue (or perhaps two or three), and seeing more Norrin/Dawn cuteness…
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