Norrin Radd was imbued with the Power Cosmic and forced to serve as a Herald of Galactus. With incredible cosmic powers in his possession, the Silver Surfer finally broke free out of a life of eternal servitude. He now surfs the stars and saves countless civilizations from unspeakable threats. The Silver Surfer is widely regarded as one of the most powerful superheroes to ever exist. He is arguably the most powerful wielder of the Power Cosmic after Galactus. With his signature silver skin and cosmic surfboard, he is a force to be reckoned with. Today we discuss just what exactly is his metallic skin made out of.
The Silver Surfer was originally a normal person living a quiet life in the peaceful world of Zenn-La. When Galactus came to gobble up his world, Norrin struck a deal with the Devourer of Worlds. In exchange for sparing his planet, Norrin will become his cosmic servant and look for planets for his master to devour. Radd spent a lot of time searching for lifeless planets full of energy for Galactus to devour. Galactus actually dived into Norrin’s mind and had a look at his servant’s memories. Radd had grown up reading about fictional heroes as a kid. He always wanted to explore the final frontier. His look is an actual representation of Norrin’s greatest superhero idol and inspiration.
Galactus granted the Silver Surfer a fraction of his Power Cosmic. The Surfer’s thoughts molded his appearance. His new body could survive in the vacuum of space. He required no food and no water. He did not even need to breathe air. The Power Cosmic grants him strength greater than the Incredible Hulk‘s. His energy manipulation abilities are more potent than Captain Marvel’s. The Silver Surfer is the real deal. He is a force of nature.
Now let’s get back to the substance that makes up his silver sheen of a skin. The Silver Surfer’s skin is made out of cosmic powered silver metal that could be handled and modified only if one possesses the Power Cosmic. It reacts to a person’s thoughts. When the metal came into contact with Norrin Radd, it took the form of Norrin’s childhood superhero. His cosmic surfboard is also made up of the same metal. It is somehow linked telepathically to the Silver Surfer, responding to his thoughts.
The Silver Surfer can shape shift. He can change his appearance to whatever is suitable to the situation. That is one of the many properties of the indestructible silver metal. It also grants the Silver Surfer to survive time travel. The metal even potentially grants the Silver Surfer nigh immortality.
Marvel has toyed with the idea of the Silver Surfer sporting a new Non-Silver look every once in a while. When Thanos conquered the universe in one story arc, the Silver Surfer came back sporting an all black look with Thor’s Mjolnir in hand. In Venom: King in Black, the Surfer sports yet another new cool look. The chromes might change but it will be hard to picture the superhero in anything else other than his signature silver skin.
