Death of Silver Surfer #1 - [Review]

Jul 28, 2025

I’m not sure I’ve ever mentioned it here before, but I’m a massive Silver Surfer nerd. Collector. Devotee and long-time wisher to be a Herald. I’ve been on a never-ending quest to collect every comic, alt cover, trade, and piece of art I can get my hands on. Or, at least, realistically can afford. So when a new Surfer title drops, you can imagine that I’m all over it like a rash.

With the release of Death of the Silver Surfer brought to us by a killer creative team:

Greg Pak (Writer)
Sumit Kumar (Artist)
Frank D’Armata (Colour Artist)
Joe Sabino (Letterer)
Dike Ruan (Main Cover Artist)

I figured it was time to carve out a new space on this Substack just for the Silver Guy.

From here on, I’ll be reviewing each issue of the series as it hits my doorstep. I’ll also share updates whenever I add something new to my Surfer collection. Whether it's a rare back issue, a variant cover I’ve been chasing, or just something shiny and cosmic that brings me joy.

Think of this as the living, evolving chronicle of my journey with the Silver Surfer. A cosmic archive in the making.

Issue 1 - A Review [Spoiler Warning]

Warning. This will contain spoilers.

This issue opens as any good Silver Surfer comics does. With the silver guy deep in his depression from the vast amounts death and destruction he has seen in his lifetime. He finds himself face to face with a dying soldier who states he had to kill or be killed. Silver surfer simple replies, ‘my hands are just as dirty’. He then proceeds to save the man's life, save a simple bug from death and saves a planet from the destruction of a black hole. Norrin is clearly trying to make up for his part in the past.

The final major act of his new redemption is this issue is to stop a war on earth by destroying both armies technology and weapons, which you can imagine will probably not end well. We all know a government never likes people that interfere, especially if they are an alien lol.

We are simultaneously introduced to Major Kelly Koh. S.H.I.E.L.D trained, former S.W.O.R.D Agent and current B.A.N operator. Who is working under Director Hammond (who first appeared in Sam Wilson, Captain America) and the crazy task he has for her.

It seems Hammond is on a power trip to have the same power at his fingertips that the governments do by their affiliation with various Earth born meta humans. His solution? He wants the power from Aliens. I imagine it is because they are way more powerful but also, it seems the setting of this book is at a time and reflection of a lot of the political sentiment of the moment; that Alien life does not matter so who would be upset with him hunting, capturing and trying to kill Aliens.

The task for Koh is of course, to kill the Silver Surfer. It seems like at first glance that Koh has done some research by trying to deceive the real reason she is there and when it works, she shoots him. The shot is not enough to kill him but it does cause him to release a crap ton of Cosmic Energy in a sort of explosion from his body and ends up hurting Koh as a result (I imagine this is an important plot point to be used later). Norrin once again proves his new philosophy and saves her life and takes her back home.

Koh and Hammond talk about the failed attempt but in Hammond’s mind it was a success except that he got away. She gets told she clearly is not ready for someone such as the Silver Surfer and instead to go hunt down Skaar, son of the hulk. Conveniently another alien with cosmic powers. Are you seeing the theme yet…

I was thinking this was all rather interesting and the final page convinced me 1000% that he is after the power cosmic and I the image of a lifeless Galactus on the last page with Hammond on a ship next to it solidified it in my mind. Is Hammond looking to harness the power of Galactus? Will he use the power cosmic to bring him back? I guess Issue 2 will reveal more to this cosmic mystery.

Overall I enjoyed the issue, its a nice nod to the past deep complexities of the Silver Surfer and a huge reason I am a fan of the character. I am sure they are going to play on the politics of alien / immigrant trope again which I think at this point in time is too played out for the Silver guy and modern comics at this point, but we shall see. But I am excited to read the second Issue which at the time of writing this just landed in my doorstep, so the second Issue will be up as soon as I can.

Issue 1 - The Alternative Covers

As I mentioned above, I have to collect everything when it comes to the Silver Surfer. One aspect of that is making sure I get my hands on every alternative cover I can.

Ron Lim Foil Variant

I love this cover a lot, When I ordered it, I did not realise it was going to be a foil variant. As soon as I saw it, I was thrown back to the Silver Surfer foil milestone releases for issues 50, 75 and 100. All the nostalgia. I wish this had just been the main cover for the first issue and not a variant.

2nd Printing Ron Lim