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Issue: Essential Silver Surfer #1
Publication Date: February 1998
 
Disclose Detail
Title:
Variant: unnamed
Rating:
Publisher: FlagMarvel
Brand:
Indicia Publisher: Marvel Comics
On Sale Date: (not set)
Volume: none
Pages: 532
ISBN: 078510271X
UPC/EAN: 978078510271751495
Price: $21.95 CAD
$14.95 USD
Indicia Frequency:
Content Items: 44 (19 stories, 1 cover)
Editor(s): Dan Hosek (reprint editor); Bob Harras (editor In chief)
Disclose Notes: Indexed from a Third Printing (2001).
  Does this data need corrections? Become an editor.
Disclose Format
Publication Type: Comic Book
Color: Color Cover; Black and White Interior
Dimensions: Standard Modern Age US (167mm x 257mm)
Paper Stock: Cardstock cover; Newsprint interior
Binding: Softcover
Publishing Format: Collected Edition
Format Notes:  
Disclose Reprinted In2
Disclose Reprinted From37
37 Content Items from other Issues reprinted as/in this Issue:
Disclose Images1
Cover, Front
Original Artwork
Digital Edition
Adult Image
Title Page
Indicia on this Page
 
 
Assets0
 
Disclose Issue Images
[untitled]

Illustration  on  Cover, Front
Credits
John Buscema
?
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Silver Surfer
Reprinting
FlagMarvel Masterworks: The Silver Surfer #2 published July 2010
as Front cover to the 2001 edition of Essential Silver Surfer vol. 1 [Cover Reprint (on Interior Page) on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
1
Disclose
[untitled]

Illustration  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
John Buscema ?
?
Subject Matter
superhero
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer
Reprinting
FlagMarvel Masterworks: The Silver Surfer #2 published July 2010
as Back cover to the 2001 edition of Essential Silver Surfer vol. 1 [Illustration on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
2
Very rough sketch of Silver Surfer printed in white on black across the front endpapers.
Disclose
Essential Silver Surfer

Credits  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
?
?
typeset
Subject Matter
Silver Surfer
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
2
Credits, indicia, and large illustration of the Silver Surfer (different than the cover).
Disclose
The Origin of the Silver Surfer!

Cover Reprint (on Interior Page)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
John Buscema
Joe Sinnott ; Frank Giacoia (see notes)
Sam Rosen
Subject Matter
science fiction, superhero
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer [Norrin Radd]
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
Cover inks credit from Sinnott's personal records. After examining the original art Nick Caputo suspects that Frank Giacoia provided additional brushwork on the Surfer and backgrounds.
Disclose
The Origin of the Silver Surfer!

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Stan Lee
John Buscema
Joe Sinnott
Sam Rosen
Subject Matter
science fiction, superhero
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer [Norrin Radd] (origin in flashback); Col. John Jameson; Shalla Bal (first appearance, flashback); Zenn-Lavians (flashback); Galactus (flashback); Hulk [Bruce Banner] (flashback); Doctor Doom [Victor von Doom] (flashback); Fantastic Four [Mister Fantastic [Reed Richards]; Invisible Girl [Susan Storm]; the Thing [Ben Grimm]] (flashback); abominable snowmen
High o'er the roof of the world he soars--free and unfettered as the roaring wind itself!
The Surfer remembers his origins and why he is now trapped on Earth.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
38
Disclose
When Lands the Saucer!

Cover Reprint (on Interior Page)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
John Buscema
Joe Sinnott
typeset
Subject Matter
superhero
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer [Norrin Radd]; Badoon
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
Cover inks credit from Sinnott's personal records.
Disclose
When Lands the Saucer!

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Stan Lee
John Buscema
Joe Sinnott
Sam Rosen
Subject Matter
superhero
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer [Norrin Radd]; Badoon Brotherhood (first appearance, villains); Shalla Bal
In all the world, there is no place for me!
The Badoon come to Earth to conquer but find greater adventure in hunting the Silver Surfer.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
40
Part Two (20 pp.) is entitled: "Let Earth Be the Prize!"
Disclose
The Power and the Prize!

Cover Reprint (on Interior Page)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
John Buscema
Joe Sinnott
typeset
Subject Matter
superhero
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer [Norrin Radd]; Mephisto; Shalla Bal; Demons
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
Sinnott inker credit provided 2006 by Nick Caputo.
Disclose
The Power and the Prize!

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Stan Lee
John Buscema
Joe Sinnott
Artie Simek
Subject Matter
superhero
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer [Norrin Radd]; Shalla Bal; Mephisto (first appearance); Demons
It's the Surfer! He's back!!
Mephisto captures Shalla Bal and tries to tempt the Surfer into joining him by using his one true love as bait.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
40
Part Two (20 pp.) entitled "Duel in the Depths."
Disclose
Silver Surfer vs. Thor

Cover Reprint (on Interior Page)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
John Buscema
Sal Buscema
Subject Matter
fantasy, superhero
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer [Norrin Radd]; Thor [Donald Blake; Thor Odinson]
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
Sal Buscema inks per Nick Caputo. Info confirmed in Michael Maillot's John Buscema checklist.
Disclose
The Good, the Bad, and the Uncanny!

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Stan Lee
John Buscema
Sal Buscema
Artie Simek
Subject Matter
fantasy, superhero
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer [Norrin Radd]; Thor [Donald Blake; Thor Odinson]; Odin; Balder; Sif; Heimdall; Warriors Three [Hogun; Fandral; Volstagg]; Loki (villain); Hulk [Bruce Banner] (cameo); the Thing [Ben Grimm] (cameo); Tomazooma The Living Totem (cameo); Hercules (cameo); Zeus (cameo); Shalla Bal (in flashback); Mephisto (in flashback); Galactus (in flashback)
In far-off, enchanted Asgard--lost in his own sinister thoughts, sits Loki, god of evil, prince of conjurers!
Loki tries to deceive the Surfer into helping him take down his brother, Thor, god of thunder. After a short battle with Thor, the Silver Surfer suspects that everything is not quite what it seems, but before he has a chance to talk to Thor, Loki teleports the Surfer back to Earth.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
39
Disclose
And Who Shall Mourn For Him?

Cover Reprint (on Interior Page)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
John Romita
John Romita
typeset
Subject Matter
science fiction, superhero
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer [Norrin Radd]; Stranger
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
Romita credit per Nick Caputo, August 2012. Previous indexer listed John Buscema as possible penciller. A rejected cover drawn by Buscema exists.
Disclose
--And Who Shall Mourn For Him?

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Stan Lee
John Buscema
Sal Buscema
Sam Rosen
Subject Matter
science fiction, superhero
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer [Norrin Radd]; Al Harper (death); Fantastic Four [Mr. Fantastic [Reed Richards]; the Thing [Ben Grimm]; Human Torch [Johnny Storm]]; Stranger (villain); Brotherhood of Evil Mutants [Magneto; Mastermind [Jason Wyngarde]; Toad [Mortimer Toynbee]; Scarlet Witch [Wanda Maximoff]; Quicksilver [Pietro Maximoff]] (flashback); X-Men [Beast [Henry McCoy]; Angel [Warren Worthington III]; Iceman [Bobby Drake]] (flashback); Shalla Bal (vision)
Hey Stretcho... ain't that the alarm bell ringin'??
Surfer's attempts to break free of Galactus' barrier summon the Stranger who plants a bomb on earth designed to kill all life.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
39
An editorial note refers to events that occurred in Hulk #89 and #90; however, the events took place in Tales to Astonish #89 and #90.
Disclose
Worlds Without End!

Cover Reprint (on Interior Page)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
John Buscema
Frank Giacoia ?; Sal Buscema ?
typeset
Subject Matter
superhero
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer; The Overlord
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
Possible Frank Giacoia cover inker credit provided 2006 by Nick Caputo. Michael Malliot's John Buscema index has Sal Buscema listed as inker.
Disclose
Worlds Without End!

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Stan Lee
John Buscema
Sal Buscema
Artie Simek
Subject Matter
science fiction, superhero
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer; Shalla Bal; The Overlord (villain, first appearance, origin, death)
How much longer must I be an alien prisoner upon the savage planet Earth?
In an effort to escape the barrier placed by Galactus, the Silver Surfer exceeds the speed of light, only to find that he has travelled into the future.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
39
Disclose
The Heir of Frankenstein!

Cover Reprint (on Interior Page)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
John Buscema
Sal Buscema
Sam Rosen
Subject Matter
superhero
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer; Dr. Frankenstein; Borgo
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
Sal Buscema cover inker credit provided 2006 by Nick Caputo. Michael Malliot's John Buscema index also has Sal listed as inker.
Disclose
The Heir of Frankenstein!

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Stan Lee
John Buscema
Sal Buscema
Sam Rosen
Subject Matter
science fiction, superhero
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer; Dr. Frankenstein (introduction, villain); Borgo (introduction, villain); Silver Surfer duplicate (introduction, villain, death); Victor Frankenstein (cameo, flashback); Frankenstein's Monster (cameo, flashback); Shalla Bal (cameo, flashback); Dr. Doom (cameo, flashback)
Within the grim, grey walls of an ancient castle, towering above a fearful village, high in the lonely Alps, two silent figures enter a strange, forbidding laboratory...
Victor Frankenstein's heir creates a duplicate Silver Surfer as his ultimate monster.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
40
Disclose
Introducing: The Ghost!

Cover Reprint (on Interior Page)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
John Buscema
Dan Adkins
Sam Rosen
Subject Matter
superhero
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer; Flying Dutchman
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
Adkins cover inker credit provided 2006 by Nick Caputo.
Disclose
Now Strikes the Ghost!

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Stan Lee
John Buscema
Dan Adkins
Sam Rosen
Subject Matter
superhero
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer; Shalla Bal; Mephisto (villain); Flying Dutchman [Joost Van Straaten] (villain, introduction, origin); Death (villain)
Of all who have lived... since time's first dawning... only a handful have defeated the lord of the lower depths!
Mephisto calls up the ghost of the Flying Dutchman to take on the Surfer.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
20
Series begins a regular page count and monthly publication.
Disclose
..To Steal the Surfer's Soul!

Cover Reprint (on Interior Page)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
John Buscema
Dan Adkins
Sam Rosen
Subject Matter
superhero
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer; Flying Dutchman
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
Adkins cover inker credit provided 2006 by Nick Caputo.
Disclose
..To Steal the Surfer's Soul!

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Stan Lee
John Buscema
Dan Adkins
Sam Rosen
Subject Matter
superhero
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer; Mephisto (villain); Flying Dutchman (villain, death)
As we saw last issue, Mephisto, lord of the lower depths, has ordered the ghostly Flying Dutchman to Earth once more...
Mephisto uses the ghost of the Flying Dutchman to try and take down the Surfer.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
21
Disclose
A World He Never Made!

Cover Reprint (on Interior Page)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
John Buscema
Dan Adkins
Sam Rosen
Subject Matter
superhero
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer [Norrin Radd]
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
Disclose
A World He Never Made!

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Stan Lee
John Buscema
Dan Adkins
Sam Rosen
Subject Matter
superhero
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer [Norrin Radd]; Shalla Bal; Yarro Gort (Introduction, Villain); Donna Maria
Tell me, Yarro Gort... can you really fly us to the planet Earth?
Shalla Bal arrives on Earth to find the Surfer, only to find him in the arms of another woman.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
20
Disclose
O, Bitter Victory!

Cover Reprint (on Interior Page)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
John Buscema
Dan Adkins
Sam Rosen ?
Subject Matter
superhero
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer; Shalla Bal
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
Adkins cover inker credit provided 2006 by Nick Caputo.
Disclose
O, Bitter Victory!

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Stan Lee
John Buscema
Dan Adkins
Sam Rosen
Subject Matter
science fiction, superhero
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer; Shalla Bal; Yarro Gort (villain); the General (villain, first appearance, dies); El Capitan (villain, first appearance, dies); Manuel; Maria; Pedro
The flying creature from another world has seized our prisoner...
Yarro Gort helps fuel a dictatorship and targets their prime enemy, the Silver Surfer. Shalla Bal is injured and Surfer is forced to send her back to Zenn-La alone.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
20
Disclose
Gather, Ye Witches!

Cover Reprint (on Interior Page)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
John Buscema
Dan Adkins
Artie Simek
Subject Matter
superhero
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer; Abomination; Witches
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
Disclose
Gather, Ye Witches!

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Stan Lee
John Buscema
Dan Adkins
Sam Rosen
Subject Matter
superhero
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer; Abomination (villain); Warlock Prime [Sir John Carruthers] (villain, first appearance); Sibyl Carruthers (villain, first appearance); Hulk (cameo, flashback); Betty Ross (cameo, flashback); The Stranger (cameo, flashback)
The hour is midnight!
A coven of witches brings Abomination back to earth and Surfer has to stop his rampage.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
20
Disclose
The Dawn of the Doomsday Man!

Cover Reprint (on Interior Page)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
John Buscema
Dan Adkins
Sam Rosen
Subject Matter
superhero
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer; Doomsday Man
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
Disclose
The Dawn of the Doomsday Man!

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Stan Lee
John Buscema
Dan Adkins
Sam Rosen
Subject Matter
science fiction, superhero
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer; Doomsday Man (villain, introduction); Dr. Kronton (villain, introduction, death)
It ain't possible!
The Silver Surfer investigates the possible threat posed by a robot called the Doomsday Man.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
20
Disclose
[untitled]

Cover Reprint (on Interior Page)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
John Buscema
John Romita
Sam Rosen
Subject Matter
superhero
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer; Spider-Man
Sooner or later it had to happen!
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
Disclose
The Surfer and the Spider!

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Stan Lee
John Buscema
Dan Adkins
Sam Rosen
Subject Matter
superhero
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer; Spider-Man; Captain America (cameo)
A meteor... travelling at a speed that rivals mine!
Spidey and the Surfer battle with a little boy's life hanging in the balance.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
20
132
Disclose
[untitled]

Cover Reprint (on Interior Page)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
Marie Severin
Joe Sinnott
Sam Rosen
Subject Matter
superhero
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer; Human Torch
See the Torch!
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
Cover inks credit from Sinnott's personal records. Original blurb read "See the Surfer Attacked by the Torch!" This one just reads "See the Torch!"
Disclose
The Flame and the Fury!

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Stan Lee
John Buscema
Dan Adkins
Sam Rosen
Subject Matter
superhero
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer; Fantastic Four [Mr. Fantastic; Human Torch; The Thing]; Spider-Man (cameo, flashback) ; The Overlord (cameo, flashback); The Stranger (cameo, flashback); Mephisto (cameo, flashback); Galactus (cameo, flashback); Invisible Girl (cameo, flashback)
If I still must spend my exile among the humans, then once again I must clothe myself as they do!
The Silver Surfer tries to ask the Fantastic Four for help and ends up battling the Human Torch.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
19
189-Z
Disclose
[untitled]

Cover Reprint (on Interior Page)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
John Buscema
Chic Stone
Sam Rosen
Subject Matter
superhero
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer; Mephisto
See: Mephisto as he wins at last!
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
Stone cover inker credit by Nick Caputo, April, 2011.
Disclose
In the Hands of... Mephisto!

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Stan Lee
John Buscema
Chic Stone
Sam Rosen
Subject Matter
science fiction, superhero
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer; Nick Fury; Dum Dum Dugan; SHIELD; Shalla Bal; Mephisto (villain)
I have a strange feeling within my bones...
Mephisto visits Earth to force the Silver Surfer into becoming his minion.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
19
221-Z
Disclose
The Surfer Must Kill!

Cover Reprint (on Interior Page)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
Herb Trimpe
Dan Adkins ?
Sam Rosen
Subject Matter
superhero
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer; Nick Fury; Dum Dum Dugan
There's no other choice!
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
Trimpe and Adkins cover credits provided 2006 by Nick Caputo. The previous indexer credited Barry Smith with pencils; however Smith has confirmed by email (January 2015) that he did not do this cover.
Disclose
The Surfer Must Kill!

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Stan Lee
John Buscema
Chic Stone
Sam Rosen
Subject Matter
science fiction, superhero
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer; Nick Fury; Dum Dum Dugan; SHIELD; Mr. Fantastic; The Thing; Human Torch; Shalla Bal; Tony Stark [Iron Man]; Mephisto (villain)
Mephisto, prince of darkness, has captured Shalla Bal!
The Silver Surfer has pledged assistance to Mephisto to save Shalla Bal's life.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
19
Disclose
...The Unbeatable Inhumans!

Cover Reprint (on Interior Page)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Herb Trimpe ?; Jack Kirby ? (see notes)
Herb Trimpe ?
Sam Rosen
Subject Matter
superhero
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer; Black Bolt; Medusa; Gorgon; Karnak; Triton
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
According to a letter from Herb Trimpe dated 1998, he states that Kirby provided either layouts or complete pencils, and "I can say for sure I inked this particular cover". Nick Caputo adds that per Mark Evanier, Kirby never provided layouts for covers. It's possible that Trimpe mis-remembered and it was actually Marie Severin who provided the cover layout (Marie worked on most cover roughs for Marvel in this period). Nick adds that the background figures all look like Trimpe's work, and while the Surfer and Black Bolt look Kirbyesque, the musculature of the Surfer in particular is much thinner that Kirby depicts him (see interior story).
Disclose
To Smash the Inhumans!

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Stan Lee
Jack Kirby
Herb Trimpe
Sam Rosen
Subject Matter
science fiction, superhero
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer; Inhumans [Black Bolt; Medusa; Gorgon; Karnak; Triton; Lockjaw]; Maximus (villain); Aireo (villain); Stallior (villain); Timberiuos (villain)
What new and savage madness is this?
Arriving back on Earth, the Silver Surfer finds himself at odds with the Inhumans due to the machinations of Maximus.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
19
Although the next issue is called for on the last page, this is the final issue of the series.
Disclose
Special Bonus!

Illustration  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
?
?
typeset
Subject Matter
Silver Surfer (silhouette)
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
Introduction page for final story, featuring a silhouette of the Silver Surfer in grayscale.
Disclose
The Peerless Power of the Silver Surfer

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
Stan Lee
Jack Kirby
Frank Giacoia [as F. Giacoia]
Artie Simek
Subject Matter
superhero
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer [Norrin Radd]; Quasimodo (villain)
The Surfer rescues, unleashes, and has to battle a technologically enhanced hunchback...that was originally a computer programmed to kill.
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
12
First solo Surfer story. Quasimodo, the living computer, was first seen as a computer with facial features in Fantastic Four Annual #4, and is left, abandoned at the end of that story. This story picks up the plot thread and converts him to an animated figure. Next seen in Captain Marvel #7.
Disclose
Silver Surfer

Illustration  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
?
Subject Matter
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer (silhouette)
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
2
The same silhouette of the Silver Surfer in grayscale as in the introduction to the last story, though enlarged and set at a different angle. Same on both pages.
Disclose
Also Available

Promotional Material (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
typeset
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
Inside back cover. List of other Essential volumes available. No art.
Disclose
[untitled]

Promotional Material (from Publisher)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
?
John Buscema ?
?
Tim Smith ?
typeset
Subject Matter
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer
In order to save his beloved homeworld of Zenn-La...
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1
Back cover. Credit listed as "cover pencils" and "cover color" without noting if referred to just front or both covers.

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