SDCC Coverage sponsored by Mad Cave
Stan Lee’s third collaboration with a renowned artist is undoubtedly the most famous of all. Originally released under The Epic Comics Line, it was a limited edition second issue series, suggesting a more mature reader approach to the story, a light of continuity. This is the Silver Surfer: the analogy of Lee, Mobius, John Wellington, and Mark Chiarello.
This is a story set at an uncertain time in the future, with the silver surfer appearing to be hiding on the streets upon Galactus’ return. This time, we appear essentially as a god to keep humanity away from war, greed and death. It went as you would expect, leading to the rise of a global religion dedicated to him, and led to the fortune that turned into a failed televangelist.
“Who knows where reality ends and legends begin?”
The world here feels largely divorced from the wider Marvel universe. There are no signs of other superheroes, and there is no sign of what has come before that feels like a collective amnesia. The Silver Surfer himself is vaguely remembered and relegated to mythology. That leads to the Fabrism that Stan Lee is working on in the story. I also don’t think it’s particularly nuanced that a story focusing on the pitfalls of forced religious beliefs is presented in the form of Galactus’s Second Coming.
It also shows the timelessness of this story in terms of dealing with people who rely on fanaticism under the heels of tyrants, whether in the form of prophets or the dict decree of Galactus. Through believing in their deceit CE or willing to be a co-conspirator. It becomes a cult of personalities that grasp to take away their power through any necessary means. Meanwhile, Godhead himself causes a level of destruction through his presence.
“These fanatics believe anything can be justified in the name of religion.”
Mobius’ art is gorgeous. It’s interesting to know that reading behind him after the backstage in the collected editions, this is a new step for him, first working on how to plot Marvel and then interacting with this work. And instead of designing Silver Surfer and Galactos his own take, he stuck to the iconography that was originally abolished by Jack Kirby and John Buscema. I wonder what energy-based galactos looked like, but that means we can see the classic, larger than life-like galactos done by Mobius. The attention to blocking, layout and details of Moebius is incredible here. It’s fascinating to see his fluid style adapting to North American cartoons.
Both the text and the colour give it a more unique feel. Moebius’ handletters stand out as something different. The size, shape, appearance of the text, especially the angled “L” makes this feel special. Meanwhile, the muted color scheme of John Wellington and Mark Chiarero is felt by its otherworldly setting.
Silver Surfers – The parable by Lee, Mobius, Wellington and Chiarello is a timeless warning of trapping of people who misuse their faith and religion in search of power. The willingness to submit to a higher person will be blind to your own disadvantage. It is absolutely beautifully painted by one of the best science fiction artists ever.
Classic comics big concept: Silver Surfer – A parable
Silver Surfer – A parable
Author: Stan Lee
Artist & Letter: Mobius
Colorists: John Wellington & Mark Chiarello
Publisher: Marvel Comics – Magnificent Comics
Release date: August 11th – September 15th, 1988
Collected in Silver Surfers: Parents and Silver Surfer Epic Collection – Volume 4: Parents
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SDCC Coverage sponsored by Mad Cave
