The Former Herald of Galactus: The Silver Surfer #34

What distinguishes issue #34 of the second series of The Silver Surfer comic book is that is the first time that The Silver Surfer and Thanos meet.

For millennia The Silver Surfer has not slept.

He decides to stop at a nearby planet and catch a few winks.  He dreams of Death and her resurrection of Thanos so he can strike a balance of life in the universe by killing 50% of all living things.

Touted as the ‘1st Issue Of A New Era Of Greatness’ the issue lives up to the hype in a big way.

It spotlights the return of Thanos, a true revelation of Death and an epic confrontation between good and evil.

Up to this point The Silver Surfer had always been a tragic, stoic and honorable character.  He primarily dealt with personal struggles and demons and made for a sounding board about the state of mankind.

In this one issue The Surfer is transformed into a beacon of good, a symbol of what is right with the universe and a personification of the light side of existence as opposed to the dark side.

Jim Starlin provides a powerful story and artist Ron Lim turns out some great art packed with symbolism and disturbing images.

This comic book represents the baptism of The Silver Surfer into the battle between good and evil.

From its epic cover to its last panel revealing Thanos the story delivers on every page.  It deserves to be a classic and a true turning point inn the life of of The Silver Surfer and a key event in the Marvel Comics Universe.

Currently a raw copy will cost you about $15 and slabbed round $75 in near mint condition