A new piece of fanart, painted in stunning watercolor by the Eisner Award-winning artist Alex Maleev, depicts a powerful interpretation of an iconic Silver Surfer panel, highlighting the philosophical and personal plight of the infamous Herald of Galactus while also honoring the character's creator Jack Kirby.
The Silver Surfer debuted in 1996's The Fantastic Four #48 from Jack Kirby and Stan Lee, which served as the introduction of Galactus the Devourer of Worlds, with Kirby adding the Surfer into the issue without Lee's knowledge, later stating he believed a being like Galactus would need to have a Herald. The Silver Surfer, formerly known as Norrin Radd of Zenn-La, became Galactus' Herald after convincing him to spare his home planet, and acted as his scout for planet's to eat until the Fantastic Four were able to reignite his strong moral heart and get him to betray Galactus to save Earth. After the Silver Surfer's initial introduction, which established him as an incredibly powerful galactic being with a piece of the Power Cosmic within him, he got his own solo The Silver Surfer title, with the first 17 issues drawn by John Buscema and the final issue by Radd's creator, the beloved Jack Kirby.
Artist Alex Maleev (Daredevil, Moon Knight, Invincible Iron Man) has shared a watercolor portrait of the Silver Surfer, inspired by the character's "The Thinker"-esque pose in The Silver Surfer #18. The art manages to not only portray a gorgeously depicted Silver Surfer, but also provides an homage to the legendary Jack Kirby. The Silver Surfer #18 was one of Kirby's last pieces of work for Marvel Comics, and it was only two years later in 1970 that Kirby formally rejected a contract from Marvel management and left the company, instead going to work for their rival DC Comics for many years. Many fans of Kirby believe that he used the philosophical waxing of the Silver Surfer in this final issue as a way to address his own complex feelings of being mistreated by Marvel Comics, making Maleev's portrait a more complex homage than one might initially imagine.
Silver Surfer #18 focused on the Surfer's battle against the Inhumans, one of the first comics featuring the Terrigen Mist-enhanced beings who were co-created by Jack Kirby, after being exiled to and trapped on Earth by Galactus for betraying him. The Surfer was forced to go through many tests of his strength and morality, attempting to settle into this new world, but coming face to face with enemies every step of the way.
By the end of the issue, the Surfer has avoided harming the Inhumans and used his vastly powerful surfboard to outrun Black Bolt, King of the Inhumans, only for him to be forced to reflect on how he has engaged with the beings of Earth, deciding then and there to stop trying to remain peaceful and kind to the Earthers but instead to use his full might against them. The Silver Surfer would go on to become an ally and a foe of many of Earth's heroes, forming the Defenders with characters like the Hulk and Doctor Strange, but Kirby's final issue of The Silver Surfer remains one of the character's most memorable ever.
Alex Maleev's glorious fanart of Norrin Radd's philosophical struggle near the end of The Silver Surfer #18 manages to not only create a beautiful new watercolor painting of the besieged Herald of Galactus, but also honor the talent, brilliance, and legacy of one of Marvel's most important creators, the impressive Jack Kirby.
Source: Alex Maleev