Sunday, April 15, 2007

The Fantastic Four - Rise of the Silver Surfer

When I first heard that the movie was coming up, I almost hyperventilated. Not because of the Fantastic Four, but more because of the Silver Surfer. I grew up reading the graphic novels (was called comics back then) ranging from Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Legion of Super Heros, X-men, and essentially, the works. Have never really taken to the Fantastic Four though, but the movie version has a certain appeal. As far back as I can recall, having read so many comics since young, there were only a few superheros which made an impact on me:

a. X-men;
b. Spiderman; and
c. Silver Surfer

Both X-men and Spiderman have been brought to the big screen, and FINALLY!, the Silver Surfer. I remember being fascinated by the Silver Surfer because he had awesome cosmic powers and could soar through the cosmos. And although acting as Galactus (the devour of worlds)’s herald, the Silver Surfer retained a noble demeanor and ultimately strives for good.

The movie is slated to be shown sometime June 2007 I think, and my oh my, for once, I am really looking forward to the movie. Have not had such anticipation for a movie (not even for Lord of the Rings, and definitely not for Harry Porter), and I think I need to temper my expectations, just in case I get disappointed.

Did you know:

a. Norrin Radd sacrificed himself to act as Galactus’ herald to help locate other planets for Galactus to feed upon, to save his own beloved planet from being consumed.

b. Galactus atomically restructured Norrin Radd's body, leaving him covered with a flexible, impervious silvery material that could withstand the rigours of travel through outer space. His past, and his very soul were imprisoned behind mental barriers erected by his amoral master.

c. Galactus fashioned a unique star travel device out of the same silvery material (resembling a surfboard) for Norrin Radd, and granted his new herald a fraction of his cosmic power, enabling him to perform feats which would be necessary in the discharging of his duty, and was so named The Silver Surfer.

d. Although the Silver Surfer could utilise his vast cosmic power for unaided propulsion, he generally employs the surfboard to fly since it does not require any expenditure of his personal energy to operate.

e. The Silver Surfer can augment his strength to incalculable levels, and is almost totally indestructible. He can navigate space, hyperspace and dimensional barriers, and can fly at near-limitless speeds on his board, entering hyperspace when he exceeds light speed.

f. He does not require food, drink, air or sleep, sustained entirely by converting matter into energy. He is immune to temperature extremes and most radiation, and can survive in vacuum environments such as outer space and hyperspace. He can analyze and manipulate matter and energy, and restructure or animate matter at will, even transmuting elements.

g. He can heal living beings (though he cannot raise the dead), and has proven capable of revitalizing or evolving organic life on a planet wide scale. He can alter the size of himself or of other matter, cast illusions, fire energy blasts, form and manipulate energy constructs, manipulate gravity, absorb and discharge most forms of energy, and phase through solid matter.

h. His senses enable him to detect objects and energies light years away, and to perceive matter and energy in subatomic detail; he can even see through time, and with concentration can achieve limited perception of past and future events in his general vicinity. The Surfer has demonstrated limited telepathic ability on occasion, and has proven able to influence human emotion and sensation.



Was at Borders in Berjaya Times Square on Friday, and ploughed through the graphic novels section. Bought a few of the graphic novels, and my "pocket money" has been set back quite a fair bit this month. Still, at least it is tax deductable! :P

As for the coming movie, anybody wants to watch with me?

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a nice term to use "graphic novels". Still "comics" la :P

Anonymous said...

That is one long list of notes for graphic novels! Haha!

Wah.. the Surfer sounds like Hero of all Heroes. Cool!

Anonymous said...

This one definitely put all the heroes thus far seemed not so great after all.

I remembered the preview of Silver Surfer in F4 and the fireboy got defeated just like that...

SS's power is indeed very interesting!!

Alex said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Alex said...

Hi anonymous, actually, it really is a novel, and being picture based, definitely classified as "graphics". Have you ever followed some of the storylines? Very, very complex in certain cases. Definitely novel type. :P

Hi gina, he is a hero of heroes but alas, not the most powerful. Have you followed "Thor"?

Hi laymank, dark phoenix is still more powerful I reckon, but then again, not really a "hero" or "heroine". Also, there's Thanos, and many others who could simply "thump" the Silver Surfer. Each has his or her weak points I guess... :P

Anonymous said...

Does Thanos have weak point? I wonder.

From the story, it seems like he could 'think' the world into existence!

Alex said...

Hey laymank, got. Thanos got weak points too. Will lend you the "graphic novels" to read relating to Thanos..... :)