Why has there never been an ongoing comic series spotlighting the many Heralds of Galactus on awesome, cosmic adventures? There have been a few specials here and there, sure. But never an ongoing series. I mean, Marvel will release comics about every single Spider-Person in the known multiverse, but this can’t be a thing? Fools. What a missed opportunity. Anyway, where was I? Ah, yes. Now that I’m done with my rant, I really should exit my bathroom …..
Our cosmic epic continues with the mighty Silver Surfer lying on the ground with zero body movement. Smoke rises from where he was recently fired upon by a nameless brute! Can he truly be dead? (I hope not! I’ve still got two more parts to write after this one, and I can’t imagine them being very exciting with the main character being dead! Wait! You ever seen the movie, “Weekend at Bernie’s”? Now, hear me out…..) Nova morns the Surfer, hands caressing his wound and tears flowing down her energized face. Suddenly, the Silver Surfer turns his face to look at her and asks if the large creature is gone yet! She confirms that he is gone as she stammers her reply in shock. He stands then, completely unharmed in the slightest! When questioned, he merely states that it was the quickest way to force the nuisance to leave him and the others alone without hurting him!
Firelord seems unphazed with this scene, but Nova remains beside herself in shock for a moment longer. Finally, she proclaims how sorry she is for the Silver Surfer and Firelord to have to go so far out of their way just to find her. She’s not sure where her memory went after leaving Galactus’ side, but the thought of the Surfer’s murder seems to have shocked her back into reality. (What an ass move on the Surfer’s part. Who pretends to be dead just to avoid other people? So childish. I just pass gas, personally. It seems to do the trick.) The three former Heralds then fly free of the planet’s atmosphere and the Surfer asks Nova for her aid against this new, psychotic Herald, Morg. She quickly agrees. But will they truly be enough? The male beings in her company seem confident. But first, how to locate Galactus’ cloaked ship? Firelord speaks up. He knows someone that can find it for them easily. Unfortunately, he’s dead and buried!
A short time later, the trio stands, looking downward at the rocky ground around them. Firelord knew this man. He was once a Herald of Galactus as well. His name was Gabriel Lan, but he was better known as Air-Walker. Firelord had buried him here because this asteroid belt was close to where the home world they both had shared once was, before its destruction. Air-Walker died soon afterwards. Firelord had heard that his friend’s consciousness had later been transferred into an android body, but this form had perished too, this time at the hands of the Asgardian, Thor. As Firelord told this tale to the others, he was continually digging. Soon, he had the robotic corpse uncovered. (Why the hell would you bury a robot? What’s the point? That’s like having a funeral and burial for a broken toaster. Ah, Toasty. How I miss your delicious toast. Sob.) Firelord lifted the android from its resting place and opened a hatch on the back. He began to remove parts from within its broken shell.
Soon, Firelord stood and produced three objects in his right hand. He had removed them from Air-Walker’s back cavity. He explained that they were cosmic cells. They were what powered the robot. Perhaps, if the three of the concentrated a portion of their cosmic energies into them and they were replaced, Air-Walker would live again! It was worth a shot. They needed all of the help they could get. Each taking a cell in their hands, the three did this. And when the three components were sufficiently charged, Firelord returned them and waited. Nothing happened at first. Then, a hand began to tremble! Then, the robotic body of Air-Walker sat up and lept to his feet! But before anything could be said to him, the former Herald attacked with empowered fists, speaking in broken sentences as he did so! Apparently, his mind had been damaged, and now he had a portion of all three ex-Heralds’ powers! This was going from bad to much, much worse very quickly! (Does it ever tick you off that they’re really aren’t prizes inside cereal or Crackerjack boxes anymore? Not sure why I’m writing this in the middle of a Silver Surfer article, but I say we fight back, America! Give us back our cheap, crappy toys!)
The Silver Surfer and Nova attacked from the front, but were easily dispatched by Air-Walker’s blasts! Though it saddened Firelord, he fired a shot from his fire staff at full power! But from the flames and debris, Air-Walker still approached his prey! His armor and flesh had been burned away, leaving only his robotic form beneath! He stammered once again, though a bit more clearly this time. He would kill them all! (Insert “Terminator” music here with Sarah Conner describing the scene in a monotone voice.) Meanwhile, across the Universe, Morg burst from the mystical waters of the world he had doomed to Galactus’ unending hunger. He was even more powerful than when he had originally entered the well. He could feel it in every fiber of his powerful frame as he flew off to meet his master. When he reached Galactus’ ship, the god knew his minion had been altered. He could sense how much more powerful he had become. This made him question his Herald’s loyalties. Morg assured him that his loyalty was absolute. Satisfied, Galactus ordered Morg to find him another suitable world to devour.
Meanwhile, the battle with Air-Walker continued upon the asteroid. Though the Surfer and Nova took their shots, they were blasted away from the fight! This gave the robot time to concentrate on Firelord! But as the mechanical monstrosity was choking the life from him, he suddenly stopped. He then spoke Firelord’s true name, Pyreus Kril! He remembered his friend at last! Obviously upset for what he had done, Air-Walker pleaded for forgiveness and help in regaining his memory. Firelord lay a comforting hand on his shoulder and swore he would see to it. But, if he could first help them in locating Galactus’ cloaked ship? Right away, the android knew where it was located! Firelord was ready to take the fight to Morg right this very moment. The Silver Surfer, however, was more calm and calculating. They would need one final bit of help if they were to succeed against Morg. They would need the aid of, until now, Galactus’ most feared Herald, Terrax!
To be continued…..
The Unspoken Decade: 90's Comic Book Blog Extraordinaire 