A few months back, Marvel Comics announced that four quarterly one-shots expanding on the history of the First Family in the MCU. Today the publisher unveiled details for Fantastic Four: First Foes – Shalla-Bal, a one-shot exploring the Earth-828’s version of the Silver Surfer from the creative team of writer Charles Soule and artist Mark Buckingham.
Portrayed by actress Julia Garner in last year’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps, gender swapping characters is a guaranteed way to generate fanboy rage. In this instance, fandom was more amenable to the swap since Shalla-Bal taking on the mantle of the Silver Surfer has been previously depicted in the Earth X/Universe X alternate continuity.
In the main Marvel 616 continuity, the publisher recently “killed” the original Silver Surfer, Norrin Rad, with a new female character named Kelly Koh taking on the powers and mantle. This being comics, it’s only a matter of time before the original Surfer returns. I’m sure I don’t have to remind folks when Marvel took Frank Castle off the board and introduced a new Punisher only to bring back the original in time for the Daredevil television revival.
Official press release details below:
I herald his beginning. I herald your end. I herald… Galactus!
Those haunting words uttered by Shalla-Bal spurred Marvel’s First Family into action this past summer in Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps. This June, discover more about the Silver Surfer of Earth-828 in FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST FOES – SHALLA-BAL #1, a comic book one-shot by acclaimed writer Charles Soule (Daredevil) and superstar artist Mark Buckingham (Miracleman), returning following his work on previous The Fantastic Four: First Steps tie-in one-shots, including Fantastic Four: First Steps #1 and the upcoming Fantastic Four: First Foes #1.
Each one-shot is set in the world of the blockbuster film, expanding on its history by revealing the team’s earliest adventures as well as the origins of their legendary adversaries. Who was Shalla-Bal before Galactus appointed her with a dark, cosmic destiny? The Fantastic Four: First Steps offered an exciting glimpse, and now, it’s time to learn the entire truth!
THE ORIGINS OF SHALLA-BAL!
Years ago, in order to save her planet, astronomer Shalla-Bal gave up her freedom to become the sustenance-seeking Herald of the intergalactic Devourer of Worlds, Galactus! Now, for the first time, learn the secrets of her transformation, her journey and the horrifying decisions that she had to make!
“Already spoiled rotten to have had superstar writers Matt Fraction and Dan Slott collaborate with me on this Fantastic Four series, I was over the moon to discover I’d be joined by the incredible Charles Soule for this next installment!” Buckingham shared. “And over the moon, and far into deep space, is where we are going. To glimpse a dramatic and heart breaking tale from Shalla-Bal’s past, beautifully written by Charles, that takes place prior to the events in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
“It continues to be a delight and utter joy to draw this book, and to have a whole issue to indulge in my love for the Silver Surfer, especially after seeing Shalla-Bal so exquisitely brought to life in the film,” Buckingham continued. “I’ve loved bringing the magic of the early FF stories and Marvel Studios’ movie together and delving deeper into the universe of The Fantastic Four: First Steps.”
Pick up FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST FOES #1 on March 25 and preorder FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST FOES – SHALLA-BAL #1 at your local comic shop. Stay tuned in the months ahead for learn about more FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST FOES one-shots coming later this year!
