Origin of Galactus

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Galactus, galan, Jack Kirby, John Byrne, mark gruenwald, Origin of Galactus, Stan Lee, Super Villain Classics, Thor, watcher

We posted these pages in serialized form in the early days of this blog, but that’s proven inconvenient for people searching for this entire epic. Here they are, all in one spot for those legions of internet users who want to know the answer to the most burning question in the universe: Where the heck did Galactus come from?!

Super Villain Classics #1 (1983) compiled pages from even older Thor comics by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Some supplemental art and dialogue was added to streamline the story into one coherent narrative. Are you interested in those original Thor issues? Check our archives for samples of Thor #162 here and here! Super Villain Classics #1 was reprinted in 1996 as Galactus the Origin.

The Infinite Well Remembers My Touch!

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Al Milgrom, Galactus, Infinity Wars, Jim Starlin, Magus, Ron Lim, Thanos, Warlock

Ron Lim goes all out with cosmic fireworks for the final showdown of Infinity War. While we couldn’t get into this series at all, despite being fans of Starlin’s older work, we do like a good light show.

This series follows the events of Infinity Gauntlet. Jim Starlin brings back Thanos and Warlock for another struggle for the fate of the entire universe. Warlock’s evil other self, the Magus, intends to conquer everything. We would have preferred the Magus stay dead after all the trouble Warlock went through to make sure he never existed. But, these Warlock/Thanos events proved too popular for Marvel to let the dead rest. And who are we to begrudge Jim Starlin the opportunity to cash in at Marvel with characters he revitalized or created in the 1970s? After the Metamorphosis Odyssey, he’d certainly earned the artistic right to crank out several volumes of standard superhero fare for a mainstream audience.

Collector’s Guide: from Infinity War #6; Marvel, 1992. Reprinted in Infinity War TPB; Marvel, 2006.

Beta Ray Bill: Godhunter – This is Going Cosmic!

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Beta Ray Bill, Beta Ray Bill fights Galactus, first issue, Galactus, Godhunter, herald of galactus

Part of the deal when Walt Simonson set up Beta Ray Bill to get his god-power was Bill’s moral worthiness to carry the hammer of Thor. In Godhunter, Bill sets out on a quest for vengeance against our world-devouring friend Galactus. Bill’s more than a little pissed-off that Galactus ate his planet — and his entire species! Wouldn’t you be? Godhunter asks the question, “Is a horse-faced alien truly worthy to carry the hammer of Thor when all he seeks is brutal revenge?”

Good question! Before we answer it, we get inter-galactic fireworks and Bill speaking our four favorite words: “This Is Going Cosmic.” Yes! In this scene from the first issue of Godhunter, Beta Ray Bill beats the snot out of a herald of Galactus. And to top it off, he tells the Big G to go starve himself! You tell him, Bill! While not entirely thrilled with the resolution of this three-part epic, we really enjoyed following Bill on his quest to single-handledly kick the almighty ass of Galactus.

Collector’s Guide: From Beta Ray Bill: Godhunter #1; Marvel, 2009. Reprinted in Beta Ray Bill: Godhunter TPB.

The Origin of the Silver Surfer by Stan Lee and John Buscema!

Tags

Fantasy Masterpieces, first issue, Galactus, John Buscema, Norrin Radd, origin, Silver Surfer, Silver Surfer Omnibus, Stan Lee, Zenn-La

The story of Norrin Radd’s abandoning a life of luxurious complacency to wield the power cosmic remains our favorite Origin of all time. If you ever have a chance to be the herald of Galactus, don’t think about it — just do it! We’ll see you in the spaceways.

Dig this slightly abridged version of Silver Surfer #1. We kept in all the origin parts, don’t worry! A nicely recolored version from one of the more recent reprints, it truly does justice to the all-powerful artwork of John Buscema.

Collector’s Guide: If you need a copy of Silver Surfer #1 for yourself — and believe us, you do — then here is a list of every time Marvel has printed it. Have fun shopping!

– From Silver Surfer #1; Marvel Comics, September 1968.
– Reprinted in Fantasy Masterpieces Vol. 2, #1; 1979.
– Reprinted in the Silver Surfer Omnibus Vol. 1
– Reprinted in the HardCover Silver Surfer Masterworks #1, a 2003 Paperback version, and a 2010 Paperback.
– Reprinted in black and white in Essential Silver Surfer, Vol. 1, Edition 1 and in Edition 2.

Trial of Reed Richards! John Byrne’s Fantastic Four

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Assistant Editor's Month, Eternity, Fantastic Four, Fantastic Four By John Byrne Omnibus, Galactus, John Byrne, Trial of Reed Richards

John Byrne created some of the most memorable Fantastic Four epics during his run on Fantastic Four #232-292 and Annuals #17-19. We will share with you a few of our favorites. With five years of work to pick from, it wasn’t easy choosing just a handful!

Today’s feature: The Trial of Reed Richards! In an earlier issue, Reed saved the life of Galactus. The other heroes had some misgivings, but they all chipped in to build a giant framistat powered by Thor’s hammer. (It’s comic book science.)

The Big G showed his thanks by not eating Earth, but soon proceeded to eat some other perfectly nice planets! The Shi’ar — the X-Men’s intergalactic pen pals — are so ticked off that they put Reed on trial for aiding and abetting a world-eater. Odin shows up to drop some knowledge about the Origin of Galactus, along with the Watcher and Eternity himself! Are you ready for the cosmic truth to be revealed?

Note: This story came out in Assistant Editor’s Month. Lots of goofy stuff happened that month. Byrne used it as an excuse to insert himself into the story, going on an interstellar mission to report on the FF’s adventures firsthand. His (assistant) editor hears the tale and thinks John might be smoking too many of his own pencil shavings! Read more about Assistant Editor’s Month at a blog dedicated solely to it.

Collector’s Guide: From Fantastic Four #262. Reprinted in the Fantastic Four by John Byrne Omnibus – Volume 1, 2011. Byrne’s run spans Fantastic Four #232-292 and Annuals #17-19.

Galactus Eats the Skrull Home World!

Tags

Death, Fantastic Four, Fantastic Four By John Byrne Omnibus, Galactus, John Byrne, Nova, Skrull Homeworld, Skrulls

John Byrne created some of the most memorable Fantastic Four epics during his run on Fantastic Four #232-292 and Annuals #17-19. We will share with you a few of our favorites. With five years of work to pick from, it wasn’t easy choosing just a handful!

Today’s Feature: Fragments! Galactus is always a huge hit here on Mars. But what Galactus collection would be complete without the story of the day he devoured the Skrull Homeworld?! Few cosmic moments bring us as much joy as watching the Big G eat an entire planet.

And let’s face it, the Skrulls are scum. Nova made a great pick of all the possible planets out there to have for lunch. Featuring a special guest appearance by… Death!

Collector’s Guide: From Fantastic Four #257. Reprinted in the Fantastic Four by John Byrne Omnibus – Volume 1, 2011. Byrne’s run spans Fantastic Four #232-292 and Annuals #17-19.

Spider-man Hologram!

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Galactus, holograms, Spider-man, Spider-man 2099, Venom, Web of Spider-man

Based on response to our collection of X-Men Holograms, we thought you might dig this Spider-man hologram from Web of Spider-man #90.

This 30th Anniversary issue has a few goodies in it, including a 3-page fold-out poster we scanned and digitally reconstructed for you.

Plus, it has a completely insane sequence where the Venom symbiote bonds with Galactus! That’s so over the top we wonder why Mark Millar hasn’t resurrected it. After all, Mark bonded Venom and a Tyrannosaurus Rex in Old Man Logan.

Collector’s Guide: From Web of Spider-man #90

Suddenly the Energy Is Ripped Away from Him!

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Beyonder, Dr. Doom, Galactus, Jim Shooter, John Beatty, Mike Zeck, Secret Wars

Dr. Doom. He’s always been one of our favorites. Too bad his arrogance always trips him up. If only he could admit when he makes a mistake, he might be a hero. The guy is so intense he took on god — and won!

Scripted by Jim Shooter, drawn by Mike Zeck and John Beatty, Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars took readers on an epic team-up to end all team-ups!

Collector’s Guide: Look for the original Secret Wars issues, the collected Secret Wars TPB, or even a whole line of 25th Anniversary action figures and figures packaged with reprints.

Click for Part Two of this scene!

We Can Bring Them Back Through Time!

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Bryan Hitch, Fantastic Four, Galactus, Galactus Engine, Mark Millar, time travel

Today’s Galactus Gallery features artwork by Bryan Hitch, from his and Mark Millar‘s superbly entertaining Fantastic Four run in 2009: Fantastic Four #554-569. In this story, the Fantastic Four of the future capture Galactus… for a seemingly sinister purpose!

There are three runs on the Fantastic Four we especially love: Millar & Hitch, Lee & Kirby, and John Byrne. Okay, make that FOUR runs, because we loved Ultimate Fantastic Four from issue one through the end of Mike Carey’s run, plus the Thanos story that followed. The we got into that “Ultimatum” hogwash and lost interest.

You might also be interested in viewing our complete Galactus Gallery, our ever-popular Origin of Galactus, and our extensive Jack Kirby Gallery. Enjoy!

Jim Starlin’s Psychic Battle Motif: Thanos vs. Galactus

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Galactus, Jim Starlin, Thanos

Jim Starlin‘s take on Galactus isn’t an imitation of Jack Kirby at all, but it’s still radically cosmic! In this scene from Thanos, Jim pits his old stand-by Thanos against the Ravager of Worlds in a truly mind-warping vision of the telepathic plane. WOW!

Collector’s Guide: From Thanos #3; Marvel Comics. Reprinted in the Thanos TPB #4; 2004.

You may also be interested in viewing our complete Galactus Gallery, just the Origin of Galactus, or our extensive Jack Kirby Gallery. Enjoy!

Worlds Within Worlds!

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Fantastic Four, Galactus, Jack Kirby, Marvel's Greatest Comics, Microverse, Silver Surfer, Worlds Within Worlds

It looks like we spoke too soon about Galactus’ pants yesterday. In “Worlds Within Worlds,” the second part of the story beginning in “When Calls Galactus”, an otherwise stunning Jack Kirby splash panel reveals… The Knobby Knees of the NecroCosmos! NNNNOOOO!!!!

Also, the Silver Surfer descends into the Microverse to hide from his former master’s kneecaps, while the Fantastic Four get a cosmic smackdown!

Collector’s Guide: From Fantastic Four #75. Reprinted in Marvel’s Greatest Comics #57.

You may also be interested in viewing our complete Galactus Gallery, just the Origin of Galactus, or our extensive Jack Kirby Gallery. Enjoy!

The Most Supremely Destructive Figure in the Known Universe!

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Fantastic Four, Galactus, Jack Kirby, Marvel's Greatest Comics, Silver Surfer, When Calls Galactus

“When Calls Galactus!” brought the big G back to planet earth for round two. This time, Galactus put on pants instead of shorts, and his cosmic tailor get rid of the goofy G on his chest. Plus, Jack Kirby’s “Kirby Krackle” of cosmic energy had proven a big hit with fans. The King obligingly poured on the krackle in a wave that never really stopped, making it one of his signature art devices from here on out.

Collector’s Guide: From Fantastic Four #74. Reprinted in Marvel’s Greatest Comics #56.

You might also like our complete Galactus Gallery, just the Origin of Galactus, or our extensive Jack Kirby Gallery. Enjoy!

Into the Center of Infinity!

Tags

Fantastic Four, Galactus, Jack Kirby, Marvel's Greatest Comics, watcher

Here’s a cool Jack Kirby splash panel from Galactus’ first appearance. And for that momentous occasion, he decided to wear shorts! Galactus, the only way you could look worse is if you had black socks pulled up to your calves! (In every other reprint of this, Marvel has the colorist add in some purple pants for the big G.) Plus, Johnny goes on a cosmic journey to check out Galactus’ interstellar bachelor pad.

Collector’s Guide: From Fantastic Four #49. Reprinted in Marvel’s Greatest Comics #36. Reprinted in Marvel Masterworks Fantastic Four TPB #5.

You may also like our complete Galactus Gallery, just the Origin of Galactus, or our extensive Jack Kirby Gallery. Enjoy!

Steve Rude’s Galactus!

Tags

Galactus, Steve Rude

A marker sketch of Steve Rude’s take on Jack Kirby’s all-powerful, all-cosmic, all-gigantic Galactus! Pick up your own custom Steve Rude commission at www.SteveRudeArt.com! You name it, the Dude draws it. Nice!

You may also be interested in viewing our complete Galactus Gallery, just the Origin of Galactus, or our extensive Jack Kirby Gallery. Enjoy!

Jim Lee’s Galactus!

Tags

Galactus, Jim Lee, Silver Surfer

Dig the Jim Lee version of Jack Kirby’s cosmic characters Galactus and the Silver Surfer! You might also be interested in viewing our complete Galactus Gallery, just the Origin of Galactus, or our extensive Jack Kirby Gallery. Enjoy!

Thor 162: Origin of Galactus – Part 1

Tags

Galactus, Jack Kirby, Origin of Galactus, Stan Lee, Super Villain Classics, Thor, Thor 162

We looked at the Origin of Galactus in Super Villain Classics #1 from May 1983. The credits list supplemental artwork. Just what was it they needed to supplement? It all becomes clear when you realize the material from SVC#1 compiles material that was spread throughout several issues of Thor in 1969, courtesy of Jack Kirby and Stan Lee.

Here is a look at the original material from Thor #162. Odin tells Thor about the first world Galactus ever devoured. There’s so much cortex-catalyzing Jack Kirby artwork that we’re breaking it into two parts: Part One. Part Two. Compare it to Super Villain Classics and see how they changed text and modified artwork.

Thor featured a major Galactus/cosmic peril storyline beginning in #160. Fans of Adam Warlock know that #165-166 were among Warlock’s first appearances. Thor #162, 168, and #169 revealed the Origin of Galactus — just in case you want a truly complete collection!

Thor 162: Origin of Galactus – Part 2

Tags

Galactus, Jack Kirby, Origin of Galactus, Stan Lee, Super Villain Classics, Thor, Thor 162

We looked at the Origin of Galactus in Super Villain Classics #1 from May 1983. The credits list supplemental artwork. Just what was it they needed to supplement? It all becomes clear when you realize the material from SVC#1 compiles material that was spread throughout several issues of Thor in 1969, courtesy of Jack Kirby and Stan Lee.

Here is a look at the original material from Thor #162. Odin tells Thor about the first world Galactus ever devoured. There’s so much cortex-catalyzing Jack Kirby artwork that we’re breaking it into two parts: Part One. Part Two. Compare it to the origin of Galactus in Super Villain Classics and see how they changed text and modified artwork.

Thor featured a major Galactus/cosmic peril storyline beginning in #160. Fans of Adam Warlock know that #165-166 were among Warlock’s first appearances. Thor #162, 168, and #169 revealed the Origin of Galactus — just in case you want a truly complete collection!

They Are Giant Mutations of the Indigenous Lizards!

Tags

Brett Booth, dinosaur, Fantastic Four, firelord, Galactus, Jim Lee

Jim Lee‘s take on the Fantastic Four wasn’t our favorite. But you gotta admit: Brett Booth draws a mean statue of Galactus. Throw in some dinosaurs and guys on fire rampaging through space, and you’ve got our attention for twenty-eight pages.

They’re Alive – We Think!

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Galactus, John Cassaday, Mystery in Space, Planetary, planetary omnibus, Warren Ellis, Wildstorm Comics

John Cassaday, working from a Warren Ellis script, re-imagines the spaceship of Galactus in issue 19 of Planetary. Here, the great cosmic being has died and life has evolved in his vessel for millions of years! Even his gigantic corpse has become a biosphere supporting life. AMAZING!

Collector’s Guide: You can get Planetary in single issues or TPBs. As of 2014, the whole series is collected in a single Planetary Omnibus!

Origin of Galactus by Jack Kirby

Tags

Galactus, Jack Kirby, Jack Kirby Galactus, Origin of Galactus, Super Villain Classics

The Origin of Galactus presented in Super Villian Classics #1 by Marvel comics was what Stan the Man was talking about when he said, “Senses Shattering!” For the complete story, see Parts Two, Three, and Four. Plus, view Thor #162 Part One and Part Two for the original material.

Collector’s Guide: From Super Villian Classics #1; Marvel, 1983. Reprinted as The Origin of Galactus #1; Marvel, 1996.