I'm a huge comic nerd and have been for over 30 years. Of course, I'd known of the Silver Surfer for many years, but he just wasn't a character I was that interested in... he just seemed a little, well, lame. I read a few of his comics back in the early 90s and found his brooding angsty vibe a bit too edgy-lordy for its own good and the second Fantastic Four movie certainly didn't help adhere him close to my heart. However, the Dan Slott and Michael Allred run was amazing and I fell in love with the character. So, when I heard that there was another amazing run I thought I'd check it out.
Silver Surfer: Black, written by Donny Cates, artwork by Tradd Moore and Dave Stewart on colours, was a tribute to Stan Lee who passed during its creation. As is well known, the Silver Surfer was one of Lee's favourite creations, so this comic had to be a farewell love letter. The story follows on from the events of The Guardians of the Galaxy run where the team were dragged into a black hole but are saved by the Silver Surfer, Norrin Radd, who sacrifices himself.
The story has some Dr. Who style wibbly wobbly timey wimey stuff as the black hole disrupts the flow of time, taking the Surfer to a primordial time before the universe was created. However, in this darkness lives a god who seeks to hold on to this power. The story sees the Surfer consider his tragic past and, as he goes through his usual existential crisis and guilt trip, he realises that to save his cellular degradation he might have to make the ultimate sacrifice.
The story is solid and perfectly enjoyable but the real standout is the art and colours. The trippy visuals and fantastic palette make this a magnificently presented comic book. Whilst an excellent and worthwhile addition to your comic collection I didn't feel it was as essential as the Slott and Allred run, which is one of the finest recent comic runs in my opinion, but is well worth a couple of hours of your time.
As a last salute to the great Stan Lee, it is a fitting epitaph from a wonderfully creative team.
LINK- Silver Surfer by Slott and Allred- Graphic Novel Review
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