The Silver Surfer is one of the most powerful and popular characters in Marvel Comics. Typically being known for his appearances in Fantastic Four comics, the Silver Surfer is best known as the herald of Galactus and travels the galaxy in search of planets for the Devourer of Worlds to eat and destroy. While Disney’s recent purchase of Fox gives Marvel the right to use the Silver Surfer in the MCU, no one was expecting the character to make an appearance in the real world.
Clevedon is a small English town in the southeastern county of Somerset. Clevedon is a popular seaside town with a temperate climate that sets it apart from much of the UK, making the town perfect for those looking to have a relaxing day at the beach. While the town is known for its calm and idyllic culture, the residents of Clevedon were hardly expecting to look up into the summer sky and see the Herald of Galactus bearing down upon them. However, this is exactly what happened to Clevedon resident, Gemma Dillon (Instagram: @GemmaDillon).
The cloud formation certainly resembles the Silver Surfer from Marvel Comics, complete with his signature posture, though it must be said that this Surfer has a slightly larger surfboard than he is typically known for riding. While it would certainly be cool to look up at the sky and see the Silver Surfer, it would also be a worrying sight to behold.
The Silver Surfer, or Norrin-Radd, gained his powers from Galactus in order to save his planet from the villain's ravenous appetite. In return, Galactus imbued Norrin with a small portion of the Power Cosmic, turning Radd into the Silver Surfer (complete with a new silver body and surfboard) and giving him the ability to travel at the speed of light, superhuman strength, and endurance. These powers allow the Silver Surfer to travel the Galaxy in search of planets for Galactus to consume. Consequently, if he appears over the skies of a planet, it is very unlikely that this planet is going to have a good time. When the Silver Surfer first came across Earth, he met the Fantastic Four. The four heroes helped the Silver Surfer rediscover his honor and moral character, rediscovering these virtues led the Silver Surfer to betray Galactus and save the Earth in the process. As a consequence, the Silver Surfer was exiled to Earth, away from his homeworld and the people he loved most dearly.
The Australian bushfires, the Covid-19 Pandemic, and even the recent return of the bubonic plague in Mongolia have made 2020 a memorable (and cursed) year, so it would certainly be fitting with the reputation of 2020 for Silver Surfer and then Galactus to make his appearance over the skies of Earth and attempt to consume the planet. Unfortunately for Earth, there isn’t a Baxter Building in Clevedon, Somerset either.