Marvel's Planet Hulk run featured some epic gladiator battles between several heroes and new characters, including the Jade Giant facing off against the Silver Surfer. In a new piece of Marvel Comics fan art from artist Mike McKone, the Silver Surfer's gladiator costume returns and has never looked better. The work showcases the cosmic heroes Silver Savage look, where he uses his surfboard as a shield while carrying a huge mace.
In the Planet Hulk arc of The Incredible Hulk, Marvel's Illuminati exiled the Hulk into space to keep the dangerous hero away from Earth. However, instead of landing on an uninhabited planet, the Hulk ended up being sucked into a wormhole, taking him to the planet Sakaar - where slaves were forced to fight to the death in a gladiator arena. As the Hulk and his new allies (including Korg and Miek) fought for their freedom, the Silver Surfer joined the battle arena. It turns out the hero's desire to fight for life led him to a portal taking him directly to Sakaar, where the cosmic hero would be chained with a will-controlling obedience disk and forced to fight in the gladiator arena in a new costume as the Silver Savage.
Artist Mike McKone (Teen Titans) shared his take on the Silver Savage on his Twitter account. The fan art shows the Silver Surfer in his gladiator armor, as he carries a massive mace and uses his surfboard like a shield. The costume features a sizable shoulder plate armor, as well as the obedience disk the Silver Surfer had to wear on Sakaar during Planet Hulk. Additionally, the image features the hero posing in front of the stars. McKone's work here is stellar.
The Silver Surfer's time on Sakaar proved to be short but a pivotal moment in the Planet Hulk storyline. The former Herald of Galactus fought the Hulk as his obedience disk forced him into action. After Hulk destroyed the disk in the fight, the Silver Surfer used his powers to break all obedience disks used on the slaves. After freeing everyone, the Silver Surfer offered the Hulk the chance to return to Earth - but the Jade Giant declined, choosing to fight for freedom on Sakaar.
Ultimately, the Silver Surfer's Silver Savage look from Marvel's Planet Hulk storyline was one of his coolest costumes. The fan art from Mike McKone proves it even more, as the Silver Surfer looks like a badass gladiator who nobody would want to face in a gladiator arena.
Source - Mike McKone