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The original Galactus Trilogy in Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s “Fantastic Four” #48-50 is one of the most influential stories in the Marvel Universe. Although told over three simple issues, it was the first Marvel superhero story with apocalyptic stakes. Galactus, intent on devouring the EarthPortrayed more as a force of nature than a moustache-wielding super-villain. Then there is his herald, the Silver Surfer, who is touched by humanity and turns against his master.
Galactus exiled the rebellious Surfer from his service at the end of the trilogy. Nevertheless, in the stories told, Galactus would usually have less powerful, human-sized Heralds at his service to replace the Surfer. Most infamously, “Marvel Tales” #137 featured an alternate reality where spider-man Aunt May Becomes Galactus’s herald (“Golden Oldie”)Ultimately, she convinces Galactus to switch from an all-planet diet to pastries.
Recently, Marvel has been pairing equally unexpected characters with Galactus, in a meta-series called “What If… Galactus Transformed X.” Some of the stories so far include:
The fifth and final one, which Marvel shared an exclusive preview with /Film, is “What if… Galactus turned Spider-Gwen?” #1 by Kalinda Vasquez and Daniel Picciotto. The synopsis of the issue reads:
“After coming to the aid of an injured Herald of Galactus, Spider-Gwen is empowered and enlisted in the service of the world-renowned! Encounters a world reminiscent of her home, should she find her alien Will ally with the inhabitants and attempt to fight one of the greatest forces in the universe?!
All covers, drawn by Ron Lim, feature Galactus in the background staring down his transformed Herald. Check out Spider-Gwen’s new power cosmic-infused costume below.
Marvel Comics
Meet Spider-Gwen, Herald of Galactus
Spider-Gwen herself is basically a “what if…”? The concept that stuck around. She’s definitely based on Gwen Stacy, Peter Parker’s first serious girlfriend, who died back in 1973, murdered by the Green Goblin in “The Amazing Spider-Man” #121. Gwen’s death was so impactful that it to stop Dead, a huge rarity in superhero comics; The 1994 “Spider-Man” cartoon omitted Gwen entirely because the show’s creators thought they couldn’t put a character to die in a children’s show.
“Spider-Gwen” sets a version of events when Gwen Stacy got Spider-Powers and died tragically instead of Peter Parker. The character became especially popular thanks to the animated “Spider-Verse” films, where Hailee Steinfeld’s Spider-Gwen is just as much of a hero as Miles Morales (Shameik Moore).
Gwen (properly known as the Ghost Spider) is a multiverse-hopping superhero, which is how she runs into Galactus. You see, their current herald Stardust has rebelled, refusing to let Galactus destroy his world and people. To fend him off, Gwen volunteers herself as Galactus’ replacement herald. Galactus can feel all the power running through him, so he accepts and grants Gwen the Power Cosmic.
Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
The preview ends there, but Lim’s cover above shows how Metamorphosis will change Gwen’s costume.
This sequence of events is an homage to the Silver Surfer’s own origins. In 1968, Stan Lee and artist John Buscema collaborated A one-off “Silver Surfer” series. debut issue Expanding on his origins, revealing the Surfer was once a man named Norrin Redd from the planet Zen-La. Then Galactus came to destroy his world, so Norrin asked to be his herald. In that role, he sought out Galactus to consume other worlds so he would abandon Xen-La, and so became the Silver Surfer.
Gwen is striking the same bargain, but finds it difficult to believe that she will guide her new master to an inhabited world, ripe To take. How will she get out of this sticky situation? Wait and see.
“What if… Galactus replaced Spider-Gwen?” #1 is scheduled for print and digital release on January 29, 2025.
