Comic Review #1

The Silver Surfer (1968-1969) 18 issues

This is my inaugural blog post. It’s appropriate for me to discuss a character from one of my top three favorite Marvel comic book series. I am referring to the character in his original comic book run. Where do I even start with this series? This 18 issue series is one of the first complete series that I have read. It was also one of the best pieces of literature I have ever read. Stan Lee was writing his ass off in this series. The first few issues give the reader plenty of insight into the mind of the character. They explore his philosophical pondering throughout his journeys through the universe. By the end of it, the reader sees Surfer start to unravel. He loses himself to his anger and his grief. Stan Lee writes this character in a way that sounds like it should be in cursive. It’s thoughtful, depressing sometimes, motivating at other times, stoic, and emotionally curious and uncertain. I read this original run multiple times. I found myself pausing to admire. The way the art would part with the words on the page was visually and psychologically enjoyable. You start reading this series with the expectation of stories about a shiny dude on a surfboard. You know he is connected to the Fantastic Four. What you get is the tales of a noble man and his quest to understand humanity.

You can’t write any kind of review about the Surfer without mentioning the original art. John Buscema got in his bag on this series. He brought the character’s visual to life. I can’t see the Silver Surfer without visualizing the late 1960’s version of him. I struggle to put into words what the art does for me. However, it is incredibly satisfying to look at. Sometimes, I’d dive into more than one issue a day just to see more of it. It captured me in a way that newer comics haven’t quite yet done. I am a sucker for that old school 1960’s style of comic art, it’s the best. Jack Kirby, the King, also gets a shoutout for his contribution on issue #18, the last one of the series. I’ll always respect Kirby. I must admit that I did not like the change in character design for this one issue. The story was okay. However, he was drawn totally differently now. He looked more like a Silver Surfer robot with these huge eyes. He lacked the originally smooth, kind-of overly emotionally looking version from the previous 17 issues. I started to notice it towards the end of the run that the art was getting changed. Thicker lines around characters, the colors would pop a lot more. His last story with Mephisto was where it was the most evident. It is not necessarily a style I want in future SS reads.

My favorite issues are 11 and 14. I’ll start with Issue #11. Throughout the comic run, the Silver Surfer is always yearning to be free. He wants to get back to his home and the love of his life. Shalla Bal is his love interest. Even in stories where she isn’t directly referenced, she is a driving force for his decision making. Silver Surfer would not lose sight of her importance. This remains true even if she was millions of lifetimes away. Even if he was trapped on Earth. I thought the story was drawn beautifully and that had me eager to read more about these two. With Issue #14, the story wasn’t the best thing I have ever read. It was really about the stylistic choices for the art. I loved each and every panel that Spiderman appears in, in this run he looks fantastic. You combine these amazing illustrations with the surfer’s already impressive artwork. This makes it my favorite issue from a visual stand point. Plus you get the Silver Surfer fighting Spiderman, what?! Two legends of the comics head to head is something everyone should want to see.

Overall, this is such a satisfying read. It is a great think piece. The Silver Surfer has plenty of character substance. He takes the readers to these far off imaginative places and gets you invested in his life. Lee and Buscema nailed this and this comic will likely stick around in my psyche for years to come.

SHONDOLOSOPHY