Few beings in the Marvel Universe command as much awe and fear as Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds. A cosmic force of nature, Galactus survives by consuming entire planets, and to aid in his eternal hunger, he bestows a fraction of his unimaginable power upon chosen individuals, transforming them into his Heralds. These Heralds serve as scouts, searching the universe for worlds that can sustain their master’s insatiable appetite. Some embrace their roles, reveling in their newfound power, while others struggle under the burden of leading entire civilizations to their doom. Over the years, many have held this title, each bringing something unique to the role, and some even daring to defy Galactus himself.
The most famous of them all is, without a doubt, the Silver Surfer. Once a noble astronomer named Norrin Radd from the peaceful planet Zenn-La, he sacrificed his freedom to save his home, agreeing to serve Galactus in exchange for sparing his people. With his sleek, silver-coated form and cosmic surfboard, the Silver Surfer became the most recognizable of Galactus’ Heralds. However, upon encountering Earth and its heroes—particularly the Fantastic Four—he rebelled against his master, choosing instead to protect the very worlds he was meant to doom. This act of defiance set a precedent, proving that even those gifted with the Power Cosmic could forge their own destinies.
Before Norrin Radd, however, Galactus had other Heralds, each with their own story. The first known Herald was the Fallen One, a being shrouded in darkness rather than light. Unlike those who came after, the Fallen One wielded dark energy, making him an anomaly among Galactus’ chosen. Unruly and destructive, he eventually turned against Galactus, leading to a brutal rivalry that saw him imprisoned and later clashing with powerful figures like Thanos.
Following the Silver Surfer, Galactus sought a new servant and found one in Gabriel Lan, a former military officer from the planet Xandar. Gifted with the Power Cosmic, Lan became Air-Walker, a noble and loyal Herald who saw his role as an honor. However, his tenure was cut short when he was slain by enemies of Galactus. Unwilling to let his devoted servant’s essence fade entirely, Galactus transferred Air-Walker’s consciousness into a robotic body, but the machine lacked the soul that had once made Gabriel Lan such an effective Herald.
Seeking a new champion, Galactus turned to Firelord, a former Xandarian warrior named Pyreus Kril, who had once served under Gabriel Lan. Though Firelord initially accepted his role, he ultimately rejected his master’s will, choosing freedom over servitude. His fiery form and blazing staff made him a formidable force, but like the Silver Surfer before him, he refused to condemn innocent worlds to destruction.
One of the most tragic Heralds was Terrax the Tamer, originally known as Tyros, a dictator who ruled his home planet with an iron fist. Unlike previous Heralds, Terrax was already a tyrant before Galactus granted him power, and he embraced his new abilities with ruthless ambition. Wielding an indestructible cosmic axe, he delighted in destruction, but his arrogance led to repeated betrayals, ultimately earning him Galactus’ wrath. Stripped of his power and left to die, Terrax remained a bitter, vengeful figure, often clashing with Earth’s heroes.
Galactus’ need for a new Herald eventually led to the creation of Nova, also known as Frankie Raye, a human who gained incredible abilities after exposure to experimental chemicals. Chosen by Galactus for her potential, Nova eagerly accepted her role, believing she could guide her master toward uninhabited planets to satisfy his hunger. Unlike many of her predecessors, she embraced her duty with optimism, but her tenure was tragically short-lived. She was eventually killed by Morg, a later Herald who had no such moral conflicts.
Morg was perhaps the most ruthless of all Galactus’ Heralds. A brutal executioner on his homeworld, he relished the chance to serve Galactus, taking pleasure in destruction. His savagery made him highly effective, but it also led to his downfall. When he killed Nova, the surviving Heralds of Galactus—Silver Surfer, Firelord, and others—united against him, stripping him of his power. Though he briefly regained his abilities, his story ultimately ended in a violent clash that left him dead.
Not all Heralds were villains, however. Stardust, an ethereal and enigmatic being, was one of the few who remained completely loyal to Galactus. Unlike previous Heralds, Stardust never wavered in devotion, serving with unwavering zeal. Their near-religious reverence for Galactus made them a unique case, as they viewed their service not as a burden, but as a sacred duty.
More recently, the Marvel Universe has seen unexpected figures take up the mantle. The cosmic entity known as the Silver Surfer has had temporary successors, including the Red Shift and the mysterious cosmic warrior Alpha Ray. Even superheroes have been forced into the role, with the likes of Thor and even the Sentry briefly serving Galactus.
Throughout Marvel’s history, Galactus’ Heralds have played pivotal roles in some of the biggest cosmic events, shaping the fate of planets, civilizations, and even the universe itself. Whether noble, monstrous, or reluctant, each of these beings has left their mark, proving that power alone does not define a Herald—it is how they choose to wield it that determines their legacy.