Galactus
Creation & Design
Galactus was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, first appearing in 'Fantastic Four #48'. He was designed as a cosmic entity representing hunger and the balance of the universe.Early Years
Initially introduced as a formidable foe for the Fantastic Four, Galactus quickly became a central figure in the Marvel Universe, embodying the concept of a cosmic force that must consume planets to sustain his existence.Character Development
Over the years, Galactus has evolved from a simple villain to a complex character with a rich backstory, often portrayed as a tragic figure bound by his need to consume worlds for survival.Cultural Reception
Galactus has been well-received as one of Marvel's most iconic villains, often regarded as a symbol of cosmic horror and existential dread.Character Details
Real Name:
Galactus
Aliases:
The Devourer of Worlds, The Great Destroyer
Species:
Cosmic Entity
Gender:
male
Affiliations:
The Elders of the Universe, The Annihilators
Abilities:
Cosmic Power, Energy Manipulation, Matter Manipulation, Telepathy
Equipment:
The Power Cosmic
Weight:
unknown
Height:
8' 4"
Eye Color:
purple
Hair Color:
none
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Fantastic Four #48
Marvel
•
1966
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Silver Surfer
1st cameo appearance of Galactus
1st appearance of Silver Surfer
1st cameo appearance of Galactus
Fantastic Four #49
Marvel
•
1966
•
Vol. 1
1st full appearance of Galactus
1st cover and 2nd appearance of the Silver Surfer
1st full appearance of Galactus
1st cover and 2nd appearance of the Silver Surfer
Fantastic Four #50
Marvel
•
1966
•
Vol. 1
Iconic cover art by Jack Kirby
Classic battle of Silver Surfer vs Galactus
3rd appearance of Silver Surfer
2nd appearance of Galactus
1st appearance of Wyatt Wingfoot, an ally of the Fantastic Four
Introduction of the Ultimate Nullifier, a weapon created by the Watchers
Iconic cover art by Jack Kirby
Classic battle of Silver Surfer vs Galactus
3rd appearance of Silver Surfer
2nd appearance of Galactus
1st appearance of Wyatt Wingfoot, an ally of the Fantastic Four
Introduction of the Ultimate Nullifier, a weapon created by the Watchers
Fantastic Four #75
Marvel
•
1968
•
Vol. 1
Classic cover art by Jack Kirby
Thor #160
Marvel
•
1969
•
Vol. 1
Galactus story - Galactus hunts down Ego the Living Planet
Thor #161
Marvel
•
1969
•
Vol. 1
Origin of Galactus
Thor #162
Marvel
•
1969
•
Vol. 1
Origin of Galactus, specifically the first world he devoured after emerging from the incubation ship
Origin of Galactus, specifically the first world he devoured after emerging from the incubation ship
Thor #168
Marvel
•
1969
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of the Thermal Man
Often cited as the origin of Galactus yet there is very little that is revealed about the villain except to tease the story told in #169
1st appearance of the Thermal Man
Often cited as the origin of Galactus yet there is very little that is revealed about the villain except to tease the story told in #169
Thor #169
Marvel
•
1969
•
Vol. 1
Origin of Galactus, specifically when he was Galan of Ta, prior to him becoming Galactus
First mention of the Creeping Plague which would later be developed further as the Black Winter
Origin of Galactus, specifically when he was Galan of Ta, prior to him becoming Galactus
First mention of the Creeping Plague which would later be developed further as the Black Winter
Fantastic Four #122
Marvel
•
1972
•
Vol. 1
Cover art and story featuring Silver Surfer vs Galactus
Fantastic Four #123
Marvel
•
1972
•
Vol. 1
Silver Surfer vs Fantastic Four
Marvel's Greatest Comics #36
Marvel
•
1972
•
Vol. 1
First reprint of Fantastic Four #49, the first full appearance of Galactus
First reprint of Fantastic Four #49, the first full appearance of Galactus
Fantastic Four #175
Marvel
•
1976
•
Vol. 1
Battle of Galactus vs the High Evolutionary
Silver Surfer: The Ultimate Cosmic Experience #1
Marvel
•
1978
•
Vol. 1
First original graphic novel published by Marvel Comics, co-published by Simon & Schuster imprint, Fireside Books
Final collaboration by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
132-page story that takes place in an alternate reality where the Silver Surfer rebels against Galactus to save the planet from destruction
In 1976, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby were approached by movie producer Lee Kramer to create a comic book that would serve as a pitch story for a rock opera feature film starring Olivia Newton-John and bodybuilder, Frank Zane
Painted cover art by Earl Norem, based on a sketch by Jack Kirby
The only other story that takes place in this alternate reality is the two-issue, 1988 Silver Surfer story titled 'Parable'
First original graphic novel published by Marvel Comics, co-published by Simon & Schuster imprint, Fireside Books
Final collaboration by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
132-page story that takes place in an alternate reality where the Silver Surfer rebels against Galactus to save the planet from destruction
In 1976, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby were approached by movie producer Lee Kramer to create a comic book that would serve as a pitch story for a rock opera feature film starring Olivia Newton-John and bodybuilder, Frank Zane
Painted cover art by Earl Norem, based on a sketch by Jack Kirby
The only other story that takes place in this alternate reality is the two-issue, 1988 Silver Surfer story titled 'Parable'
Partial reprint of The Fantastic Four #48 and #49 - Introduction of Galactus and the Silver Surfer
Spanish edition
Partial reprint of The Fantastic Four #48 and #49 - Introduction of Galactus and the Silver Surfer
Spanish edition
Marvel Treasury Edition #21
Marvel
•
1979
•
Vol. 1
Oversized reprint collecting The Fantastic Four #120-123, a four part story arc that introduced Air-Walker
Oversized reprint collecting The Fantastic Four #120-123, a four part story arc that introduced Air-Walker
Epic Illustrated #1
Epic
•
1980
•
Vol. 1
Part One of the 14-chapter Metamorphosis Odyssey storyline, which introduced Vanth Dreadstar in Epic Illustrated #3
Story featuring Galactus and Silver Surfer by Stan Lee, John Buscema and Rick Vietch
Part One of the 14-chapter Metamorphosis Odyssey storyline, which introduced Vanth Dreadstar in Epic Illustrated #3
Story featuring Galactus and Silver Surfer by Stan Lee, John Buscema and Rick Vietch
Fantastic Four #243
Marvel
•
1982
•
Vol. 1
Iconic cover art by John Byrne
Super Villain Classics: Galactus The Origin #1
Marvel
•
1983
•
Vol. 1
Origin of Galactus
Reprinted stories of Galactus's origin from various issues
Part of this issue is a retelling of Thor #169 when Galan becomes Galactus as his Universe is being destroyed by a 'plague'
Expanding on the event from Thor #169, the Sentience of the Universe speaks to Galan and absorbs him to be reborn later as Galactus
In Thor #5 (2020), the Black Winter claims to have spared Galan and created Galactus leading readers to believe the Sentience of the Universe, speaking but unseen, is also the Black Winter
Partial reprint of Fantastic Four #49, Thor #160, Thor #162 and Thor #167
Origin of Galactus
Reprinted stories of Galactus's origin from various issues
Part of this issue is a retelling of Thor #169 when Galan becomes Galactus as his Universe is being destroyed by a 'plague'
Expanding on the event from Thor #169, the Sentience of the Universe speaks to Galan and absorbs him to be reborn later as Galactus
In Thor #5 (2020), the Black Winter claims to have spared Galan and created Galactus leading readers to believe the Sentience of the Universe, speaking but unseen, is also the Black Winter
Partial reprint of Fantastic Four #49, Thor #160, Thor #162 and Thor #167
Epic Illustrated #26
Epic
•
1984
•
Vol. 1
Features the first chapter of The Last Galactus Story written and illustrated by John Byrne, an unfinished, nine-chapter arc that ended with the cancellation of the publication
Byrne's story was going to end with Galactus removing his armor and releasing the energy he had absorbed back into a dying universe resulting in something similar to a Big Bang, a new beginning
Features the first chapter of The Last Galactus Story written and illustrated by John Byrne, an unfinished, nine-chapter arc that ended with the cancellation of the publication
Byrne's story was going to end with Galactus removing his armor and releasing the energy he had absorbed back into a dying universe resulting in something similar to a Big Bang, a new beginning
Epic Illustrated #27
Epic
•
1984
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of the Morrigan, the Celtic goddess of war
Part two of 'The Last Galactus Story' by John Byrne
1st appearance of the Morrigan, the Celtic goddess of war
Part two of 'The Last Galactus Story' by John Byrne
Silver Surfer: Parable #1
Marvel
•
1988
•
Vol. 1
Two-part limited series titled 'Parable' written by Stan Lee and illustrated by Moebius
Non-continuity story
Two-part limited series titled 'Parable' written by Stan Lee and illustrated by Moebius
Non-continuity story
Silver Surfer: Parable #2
Marvel
•
1989
•
Vol. 1
Part two of a two-part limited series written by Stan Lee and illustrated by Moebius
Donny Cates pays tribute to Stan Lee in Silver Surfer Black #5 by including a phrase that originated in this issue: 'if we turn from battle because there is little hope of victory, where then would valor be?'
Part two of a two-part limited series written by Stan Lee and illustrated by Moebius
Donny Cates pays tribute to Stan Lee in Silver Surfer Black #5 by including a phrase that originated in this issue: 'if we turn from battle because there is little hope of victory, where then would valor be?'
Darkseid vs. Galactus: The Hunger
DC/Marvel
•
1995
•
Vol. 1
One-shot crossover story - Galactus's search for worlds to devour leads him to Apokolips, the home of Darkseid
One-shot crossover story - Galactus's search for worlds to devour leads him to Apokolips, the home of Darkseid
Marvel Assistant-Sized Spectacular #2
Marvel
•
2009
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Galacta, daughter of Galactus
Origin of Elsa Bloodstone
Copies ordered by retailers: 7,805
1st appearance of Galacta, daughter of Galactus
Origin of Elsa Bloodstone
Copies ordered by retailers: 7,805
Third printing
Mighty Thor #4
Marvel
•
2011
•
Vol. 2
1st appearance of Aala, the wife of Galan of Taa aka Galactus
Variant cover art by Neal Adams
Variant cover art by Mico Suayan
Variant cover art by Jorge Coehlo
Variant cover art by Skottie Young
Thor: God of Thunder #24
Marvel
•
2014
•
Vol. 1
Galactus becomes Black Galactus (unseen), the Butcher of Worlds after merging with the Necrosword
The story of Galactus merging with the Necrosword continues in Thor #700
Galactus becomes Black Galactus (unseen), the Butcher of Worlds after merging with the Necrosword
The story of Galactus merging with the Necrosword continues in Thor #700
Variant cover art by Art Adams
Variant cover art by Chip Zdarsky
Wraparound cover art by John Tyler Christopher
Action Figure edition featuring Galactus as the Lifebringer
Wraparound cover art by John Tyler Christopher
Action Figure edition featuring Galactus as the Lifebringer
Ultimates #2
Marvel
•
2017
•
Vol. 2
1st appearance of Galactus the Lifebringer, gold-armored and opposite in his best known intention as a consumer of worlds
Cover art inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man
1st appearance of Galactus the Lifebringer, gold-armored and opposite in his best known intention as a consumer of worlds
Cover art inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man
Cover art inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man
Second printing, blue title text
Cover art inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man
Second printing, blue title text
Thor #700
Marvel
•
2017
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Black Galactus, Butcher of Worlds (the aftermath of being stabbed with the Necrosword in Thor: God of Thunder #23)
1st appearance of Throg in the mainstream Marvel Universe
Ego the Living Planet becomes Necroworld
1st appearance of Black Galactus, Butcher of Worlds (the aftermath of being stabbed with the Necrosword in Thor: God of Thunder #23)
1st appearance of Throg in the mainstream Marvel Universe
Ego the Living Planet becomes Necroworld
Variant second printing cover art by Felipe Smith
There also exists a first printing with a Lenticular cover
Cover art inspired by The Fantastic Four #49 (1966)
Variant second printing cover art by Felipe Smith
There also exists a first printing with a Lenticular cover
Cover art inspired by The Fantastic Four #49 (1966)
Second printing
True Believers: Fantastic Four - The Coming of Galactus #1
Marvel
•
2018
•
Vol. 1
Reprint of Fantastic Four #48, the first appearance of Silver Surfer and cameo of Galactus
Copies ordered by retailers: 25,397 - this is a fairly high quantity for a reprint
Reprint of Fantastic Four #48, the first appearance of Silver Surfer and cameo of Galactus
Copies ordered by retailers: 25,397 - this is a fairly high quantity for a reprint
Doctor Strange #14
Marvel
•
2019
•
Vol. 5
Non-Key
Dormammu becomes the new Herald of Galactus
Galactus bonds with the Mystic Realm of Dormammu
Dormammu becomes the new Herald of Galactus
Galactus bonds with the Mystic Realm of Dormammu
Variant cover art by Joe Quesada
Hidden Gem edition
Silver Surfer: Black #3
Marvel
•
2019
•
Vol. 1
Origin of Silver Surfer
Origin of Galactus
Thor #1
Marvel
•
2020
•
Vol. 6
Thor becomes the Herald of Thunder
Variant fourth printing cover art by Nic Klein
Variant cover art by Skan
Store exclusive
Variant virgin cover art by Skan
Store exclusive
Variant cover art by Claudio Castellini
Variant cover art by Marco Mastrazzo
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