Galactus

Galactus is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist and co-plotter Jack Kirby, the character first appears in Fantastic Four #48 (March 1966), the first part of a three-issue story later known as "The Galactus Trilogy."

"The Galactus Trilogy"
In 1966, nearly five years after having launched Marvel Comics' flagship superhero title, Fantastic Four, creators Stan Lee and Jack Kirby collaborated on an antagonist designed to break from the archetypal mold of supervillains of the time, and be instead a being of god-like stature and power. As Lee later explained, "I created Galactus after we had done so many villains and wanted something different. I wondered, 'How could we get something bigger than a villain? Let's do a guy who's like a demigod — I like the name 'Galactus'. He comes from outer space and eats planets, or some stupid thing". This culminated in the introduction of Galactus in Fantastic Four #48-50 (March-May 1966), now known as "The Galactus Trilogy".

Kirby described his Biblical inspirations for Galactus and an accompanying character, an angelic herald Lee dubbed the Silver Surfer: My inspirations were the fact that I had to make sales. And I had to come up with characters that were no longer stereotypes. In other words I couldn't depend on gangsters anymore, I had to get something new. And ... for some reason, I went to the Bible. And I came up with Galactus. And there I was in front of this tremendous figure, who I knew very well, because I always felt him, and I certainly couldn't treat him the same way that I would any ordinary mortal ... and of course the Silver Surfer is the fallen angel. ...[T]hey were figures that have never been used before in comics. They were above mythic figures, and of course, they were the first gods.

Kirby further explained that "Galactus in actuality is a sort of god. He is beyond reproach, beyond anyone's opinion. In a way he is kind of a Zeus, who fathered Hercules. He is his own legend, and of course, he and the Silver Surfer are sort of modern legends, and they are designed that way."

The trilogy culminated in Fantastic Four #50 ( May 1966), which featured the Silver Surfer interceding for humankind against Galactus. After the trilogy, Kirby had not intended for Galactus to reappear, in order to preserve the character's tremendous presence. Popularity among fans, however, prompted Lee to petition Kirby for Galactus' reappearance, and the character eventually became a mainstay in the Marvel Universe. Galactus returned for a cameo in Thor #134 (Nov. 1966), which hinted at a confrontation between Galactus and another Lee and Kirby character, Ego the Living Planet. The plot-line was left unresolved in the subsequent issues, as Kirby put the character on hiatus. Galactus reappeared more than a year later, in a flashback cameo in Daredevil #37 (Feb. 1968) before starring opposite the Fantastic Four in Fantastic Four #72-77 (March-Aug. 1968) at the request of Lee, and then in flashback in The Silver Surfer #1 (Aug. 1968). He eventually returns to Earth, however, seeking the Silver Surfer.

Lee and Kirby then featured Galactus in a storyline in Thor #160-162 (Jan.-March 1969), which resolved the plot-line from issue #134. Issue #162 began the transition to Galactus' origin story, but the character makes an unexplained departure from the storyline. The absence of the character may be explained by miscommunication between Kirby and Lee; Kirby may have wanted to directly write Galactus' origin, while Lee may have had his own interpretation of the character's beginnings. Galactus' origin finally appeared in Thor #168-169 (Sept.-Oct. 1969).

1970s and 1980s
Two appearances showcasing new heralds followed in Fantastic Four #120-123 (March-June 1972) and Thor #225-228 (July-Oct. 1974), and subsequently appeared in Fantastic Four #172-175 (July-Oct. 1976) and #206-213 (May-Dec. 1979). In 1983, writer Mark Gruenwald, pencillers John Byrne and Ron Wilson, and inkers Jack Abel and Vince Colletta collaborated to produce a more in-depth, 23-page origin story titled "Galactus", which appeared in Super-Villain Classics #1 (May). While mostly identical to the previous origin, the story featured additions, edits, and deletions, and was later reprinted as Origin of Galactus #1 (Feb. 1996). As before, Galactus was Galan, the last survivor of a highly advanced civilization, which had died from a plague, but rather than being transformed by immersion in a massive star, he was presented as an inhabitant of the previous cosmos, who at the end of the universe, enters a cosmic egg. Within the Cosmic egg, the Sentience of the Universe reveals itself to Galan and informs him that though they both will die in the impending cataclysm, they will survive through an heir born into the next universe. The Sentience of the Universe then unites with Galan, establishing him as the sole survivor of the ensuing Big Crunch. After the Big Bang and the birth of the present reality, Galactus gestates in a cocoon of cosmic energy in order to complete his metamorphosis, and after an undetermined period of time emerges as an entity of vast cosmic power who is essential and intrinsic to the newly formed universe. This version added information to the origin present in Thor #168, and included Galactus constructing Taa II in homage to his dead homeworld Taa out of the remains of Archeopia.

The character returned in Fantastic Four #242-244 (May-July 1982) and then Fantastic Four #257 (Aug. 1983), where his relationship with other cosmic entities was developed further. The entity Death notes that Galactus is "my husband and father, my brother and son." This is followed by an appearance in Fantastic Four #262 (Jan. 1984) and the appearance of the entity Eternity, who asserts that Galactus is essential to the natural order of the cosmos. The necessity of Galactus and his role in the universe is developed over the next two decades and his representation as 'the type of evil that we can celebrate as a catalyst for the long-term good of all creation'.

The same year, the anthology comics-magazine Epic Illustrated #26-34 (Oct. 1984 - Feb. 1986) published the first nine serialized installments of a projected 10-part tale, "The Last Galactus Story", by writer-penciler John Byrne and inker Terry Austin. Each ran six pages, with the exception of part eight, which ran 12 pages. The magazine was cancelled at this point, leaving the story unfinished. According to notes at Byrne's website, the conclusion of the story would see a dying Galactus releasing his power causing a new big bang and transforming his herald Nova into the Galactus for the new universe. The following year, Galactus would place an important appearance in the limited series Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars (May 1984 - April 1985), and then again in Silver Surfer vol. 3 (1987 - 1998). The concept of the need for Galactus was revisited during a conflict with the entity the In-Betweener when Galactus states that he exists to rectify the imbalances of Eternity and Death.

1990s
Galactus featured prominently in the Infinity series of the 1990s, specifically Infinity Gauntlet #1-6 (July-Dec. 1991) and Infinity War #1-6 (June-Nov. 1992), and starred in the six-issue miniseries Galactus the Devourer (Sept. 1999 - March 2000), written by Louise Simonson and illustrated by John Buscema, which climaxed with the character's death. Simonson had originally conceived of the story arc to take place in third volume of the Silver Surfer, but the title was canceled due to dwindling sales. Simonson instead proposed a separate limited series, and at the time was initially doubtful that Marvel would approve what she believed to be a "radical" idea concerning "why the very existence of the Universe depends on the health and well-being of Galactus." The series concludes with the death of Galactus at the hands of the Silver Surfer. As Galactus' body disperses, he warns that his death will allow a great evil to surface.

2000s
After his death, Galactus' remains take the form of a star. When the Fantastic Four later learn that much of the energy Galactus harvests from planets is devoted to keeping the cosmic entity Abraxas imprisoned — thus preventing him from destroying the multiverse — Franklin Richards and Valeria Von Doom resurrect Galactus. Galactus is instrumental in defeating the unleashed Abraxas.

Galactus appears prominently in the series Thanos #1-12 (Dec. 2003 - May 2004), wherein the character displays remorse for the many inhabited planets he has consumed, and actively seeks alternate sources of nourishment. It also introduced Galactus' first herald, the Fallen One. In another appearance, a weapon designed by Reed Richards and Johnny Storm succeeded in splitting Galactus into his two core components — Galan and the Power Cosmic. Galan then exiles himself in another dimension, hoping that this act will prevent the Power Cosmic from finding him. The ruse fails; however, as the alien warrior Beta Ray Bill encounters a fully reformed Galactus shortly afterward.

Galactus was also a central character in the Annihilation crossover, first appearing as a co-star in the four-issue miniseries Annihilation: Silver Surfer (June-July 2006) followed by a pivotal role in the six-issue Annihilation limited series (Oct. 2006 - Mar. 2007). Galactus then appears in the two-issue epilogue Annihilation: Heralds of Galactus (April-May 2007). Annihilation: Heralds of Galactus added further detail to the character's back story with the introduction of the "Proemial Gods". A faction of these beings attempted to gain total control of the universe during its formative years, causing a civil war. The war eventually involves Galactus, who slays the faction's leader and imprisons the surviving members in the Kyln. Escaping during the Annihilation wave, the remaining Proemial Gods Tenebrous of The Darkness Between and Aegis Lady of All Sorrows attack and defeat Galactus and the Silver Surfer. An incapacitated Galactus is then imprisoned by Annihilus – the creator of the Annihilation Wave – who plans to use Galactus' Power Cosmic as a bomb to destroy all life in the universe. Drax the Destroyer manages to free Galactus who in retaliation unleashes a blast that destroys most of the Annihilation Wave and more than three star systems. This forces the surviving parties to form a truce.

In the mini-series Beta Ray Bill: Godhunter the alien warrior Beta Ray Bill seeks revenge against Galactus for the events depicted in the limited series Stormbreaker: The Saga of Beta Ray Bill.

In 2009, Galactus was ranked as IGN's 5th Greatest Comic Book Villain of All Time.

Powers and abilities
Galactus is the product of the union between the "Sentience of the [previous] Universe" and Galan. He has been described as "the physical, metamorphosed embodiment of a cosmos" and "the most awesome living entity in the cosmos." Galactus wields the Power Cosmic and can employ it to produce nearly any effect he desires, including the molecular restructuring and transmutation of matter, the teleportation of objects &mdash; in one instance a galaxy &mdash; across space or time, size-alteration, the projection of energy with indeterminable destructive force, the erection of nearly impenetrable force fields, the creation of interdimensional and intra-dimensional portals, telepathy, telekinesis, and a form of cosmic awareness. Galactus has even shown the abilities to create sentient life, simultaneously reconstitute himself and others from complete physical destruction, resurrect the dead, manipulate mortal souls as well as memories and emotions, and restore dead planets along with their population.

Galactus considers himself a higher being than all non-abstracts and maintains his existence by devouring planets that have the potential for supporting life. In so doing, he has consumed countless worlds, resulting in the elimination of entire extra-terrestrial civilizations.

As a living force of nature set between the conceptual entities Eternity and Death, Galactus' true form cannot be perceived by most beings, and so each species perceives Galactus in a form they can comprehend, usually in a form similar to that of their own species. However, he has consciously appeared as a humanoid star at certain occasions. Galactus also requires his armor to help regulate internal energies. As Galactus must continuously feed to sustain himself, his power levels are inconsistent throughout any given period. For this reason, Earth's heroes have been able to achieve various degrees of success in repelling, or defeating, a starving, weakened Galactus. A starving, weakened Galactus has shown susceptibility to the Images of Ikonn spell, which forces him to recall all of the beings he has destroyed as a result of his feeding.

As the oldest known living entity in the universe, Galactus employs science that the most brilliant minds on Earth cannot begin to grasp. Examples include the Ultimate Nullifier, and the solar system-sized Taa II. Reed Richards once speculated that Taa II—the Möbius strip-shaped, solar system sized home of Galactus—was the greatest source of energy in the universe.

Galactus has appointed a number of beings to act as his Herald, with each bestowed with a small fraction of the Power Cosmic.

Earth X
In the limited series Earth X, Galactus is one of the three essential entities in the universe keeping the cosmic entities the Celestials in check. By destroying planets - actually "eggs" of the Celestials - Galactus prevents the Celestials from overpopulating the universe. Franklin Richards eventually adopts the identity of Galactus.

Exiles
An alternate universe version of Galactus appears in the title Exiles, and restores rather than destroys worlds.

Heroes Reborn
Galactus features in the second volume of Fantastic Four, appearing in the pocket universe created by Franklin Richards (after the events of the Onslaught saga). This version of the character has several Heralds simultaneously and all are worshipped by the Inhumans.

Manga Universe
The title New Mangaverse depicts Galactus appears as a gigantic, planet-sized life-form, complete with a single massive eye and tentacles to drain the life from planets. It is covered in various life-forms (referred to as "Galactus Spores") which aid its digestive process.

Marvel Zombies
The limited series Marvel Zombies focuses on the Earth-2149 universe, which is infected by a virus that turns sentient beings into flesh-eating zombies. The Silver Surfer is caught and devoured by "zombified" versions of Earth's heroes, who consume the Silver Surfer, and use advanced technology, to wound and eventually defeat Galactus. The zombies gain a portion of the power cosmic as they devour Galactus.

MC2
The MC2 imprint title Last Planet Standing features a future version of Galactus with a new Herald called Dominas.

Ultimate Galactus
Under the Ultimate Marvel imprint three limited series, Ultimate Nightmare; Ultimate Secret and Ultimate Extinction were published, dealing with the introduction and eventual threat of the entity Gah Lak Tus. First mentioned by the robot Ultimate Vision, Gah Lak Tus is revealed to be a group mind of city-sized robotic drones that attack worlds via envoys similar to the Silver Surfer, followed by a flesh eating virus.

Television
Galactus appears in one episode of the 1967 version of The Fantastic Four, voiced by Ted Cassidy; the 1994 version of The Fantastic Four, voiced by Tony Jay and the Silver Surfer cartoon series, voiced by James Blendick.

Film
The character features in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, based upon the character's debut and his Ultimate incarnation. The official novelization of the film names the character as "the Gah Lak Tus".

20th Century Fox's rationale for having the character as a cloud was to keep him discreet. Visual effects studio Weta Digital convinced Fox to add physical hints of the comic book incarnation, such as a shadow and the fiery mass within the cloud resembling Galactus' signature helmet. Director Tim Story claimed he made Galactus a cloud so that the future Silver Surfer spin-off film would have a chance to be unique and introduce the character as he normally appears. J. Michael Straczynski, the spin-off's writer, confirmed Galactus is in his script and that "You don't want to sort of blow out something that big and massive for one quick shot in the first movie."

Video games

 * Galactus appears in the Silver Surfer NES game (1990); Marvel: Ultimate Alliance voiced by Gregg Berger (2006) and Spider-Man: Web of Shadows (2008).

Toys

 * Toy Biz released a figure of Galactus in 1995 as part of their Fantastic Four line.
 * Toy Biz also released a figure as part of the Silver Surfer line.
 * In 2005, Toy Biz also produced Galactus as the first "build-a-figure" in the Marvel Legends line-up.
 * Galactus has appeared twice in the Heroclix CMG.
 * Galactus appears in the Vs System TCG.