InThe Fantastic Four: First Stepstrailer, many were surprised by the appearance of a femaleSilver Surfer; however, what has been omitted from the trailer is that this version of the Silver Surfer isShalla-Bal. Norrin Radd is, of course, the most iconic and recognizable Herald of Galactus. Still, it’s also important that fans know about the tragic history behind Shalla-Bal, the Marvel Universe’s other Silver Surfer.
…Shalla-Bal as the Silver Surfer does not mean the Silver Surfer has been gender-swapped…
First appearing in 1968’sSilver Surfer#1 by Stan Lee and John Buscema,Shalla-Bal was the love interest of Silver Surfer Norrin Raddon their home planet of Zenn-La before he became Galactus’ Herald. The two lovers were unfortunately separated when Galactus set his sights on their planet, with Norrin bargaining with Galactus to become his herald if he spares his homeworld.
However, Shalla-Bal’s story didn’t end there, as the tragic transformation she undergoes throughout her Marvel history highlights why she is a compelling choice to be theSilver Surfer inFantastic Four: First Steps.
Before She Became the Silver Surfer, Shalla-Bal’s Life Was Marred by Tragedy
What Version of Shalla-Bal’s Origin Will Be Adapted Into the MCU?
In her first appearance, Shala-Ball took on a more passive role as the Silver Surfer’s love interest and damsel in distress, often donning a red or green skin-tight suit adorned with gold. InFantastic Four#157, Mephisto kidnapped her to torment the Silver Surfer, and later, Mephisto would give her to Doctor Doom so that he could lure the Silver Surfer to Latveria and use the Power Cosmic. In many of these events,Shalla-Bal takes on a more sedentary disposition and is used by others to get to the Silver Surfer. Her tragic reality is further heightened by the return of Galactus.
Believing the Silver Surfer disobeyed him,Silver Surfer(Vol. 2) #1 sawGalactus go back on his promiseand return to Zenn-La to consume the planet’s life force, allowing only some inhabitants to escape before turning it into a barren wasteland. With her home destroyed and her love lost,Shalla-Bal was made Empress and took on the heavy burden of preserving her people’s future. This loss marked a turning point in her relationship with the Silver Surfer, as Shalla-Bal began prioritizing her duty to her people over her love for Norrin Radd.
Shalla-Bal Has Always Been More Galactus Than Surfer
From Damsel in Distress To Galactic Dictator
As Empress, taking on a more flowing, regal attire, Shalla-Bal restored the planetfrom the Kree-Skrull warby accepting a pact with a being called The Great One, and with his help, Zenn-La began to thrive, but this would be short-lived with the Silver Surfer’s return. The Great One perceived Norrin as an invader and immediately attacked him, resulting in the Great One’s destruction, and Shalla-Bal was lost between dimensions until eventually saved by the Silver Surfer and Adam Warlock.Now, for a second time, the Silver Surfer had unintentionally destroyed Zenn-La.
Shalla-Bal’s most drastic transformation came inSilver Surfer(Vol. 8) #4, when she becomes Zenn-La’s Keeper of the Great Truth and seeks to spread Zenn-La’s culture across the galaxy, including Earth, by using a device called the Illuminatrix.It’s here that Shalla-Bal takes on a mindset that is more aligned with Galactusby transforming the planets’ culture into Zenn-Lavian and brainwashing the Fantastic Four’s Ben Grimm into becoming her own herald. To protect Earth, the Silver Surfer destroyed the Illuminatrix and subsequently wiped out Zenn-La’s culture, not just from Earth, but the entire galaxy’s memory.
When Silver Surfer destroyed Zenn-La’s culture, Shalla-Bal and her people adopted completely white attire, reminiscent of Silver Surfer’s appearance as a Herald of Galactus. The Silver Surfer gave up his freedom whenbecoming the Herald of Galactus, but during his conflict with Shalla-Bal, the former lovers both lost their culture. In a tragic twist,Shalla-Bal lost everything: her fiancé, her planet, and the memory of her civilization. Shalla-Bal’s ideals led her down a path more akin to Galactus than Norrin Radd when he became the Silver Surfer.
First Step’sAlternate Dimension Setting Explains Shalla-Bal’s Presence
Shalla-Bal Is Not a Gender-Swapped Silver Surfer
Fantastic Four: First Stepsappears to take the most inspiration from the Shalla-Bal’s alternate variant from the seriesEarth X,by Jim Krueger, Alex Ross, and John Paul Leon, whereNorrin Radd and Shalla-Bal are both made heralds of the new Galactus, Franklin Richards. InEarth X, Shalla-Bal, imbued with the Power Cosmic, shares a very similar appearance to Norrin Rad’s Silver Surfer, which is the appearance she takes on in theFantastic Four: First Steps. There exist numerous Heralds of Galactus across the multiverse, with Shalla-Bal demonstrating that there are other Silver Surfers aside from Norrin Rad.
The appearance of a female Silver Surfer sparked widespread debate; however, Shalla-Bal, as the Silver Surfer, emphasizes thatTheFantastic Four: FirstSteps takes place in a similar but separate reality from the MCU. Shalla-Bal as the Silver Surfer does not mean the Silver Surfer has been gender-swapped, and there is still the possibility that Norrin Radd will appear in the MCU’s future. Shalla-Bal’s harrowing history is a tragic yet compelling story to adapt for the big screen, and may serve as a building block for Marvel to connectThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsto the main MCU continuity.
