A new Silver Surfer officially replaces Norrin Radd as Galactus’ most iconic herald dies a heroic death. Of all cosmic characters in the Marvel Universe, Norrin Radd is probably one of the most powerful and most pure-hearted. Norrin’s natural benevolence has spared Earth from more than one catastrophe throughout the years, and it has earned him a spot among the universe’s mightiest heroes.
Unfortunately, not even the universe’s mightiest heroes are immortal, and Norrin Radd’s days were always counted. Greg Pak’s Death of the Silver Surfer promised to kill off the Zenn-Lavian, and while Norrin faced no extraordinary danger for the first four issues, the bill comes due during his encounter with BAN leader Dennis Harmon. On the bright side, Norrin crowns his successor right before his demise.
After a brief stint with the Power Cosmic, Kelly Koh gets a second chance to be Marvel’s new Silver Surfer, and this time it could be permanent.
Kelly Koh Is Officially Marvel Comics’ New Silver Surfer
Death of the Silver Surfer #5; Written by Greg Pak; Art by Sumit Kumar, Tiago Palma, Jonas Trinidad, and Frank D’Armata
Angered by the BAN’s relentless pursuit, Norrin Radd removes the Power Cosmic from Kelly Koh and attacks the human forces head on. However, Dennis Harmon wields a fraction of Galactus’ power in his new suit, and he shoots a powerful energy blast capable of opening a rift in the space-time continuum. Norrin sacrifices himself to stop the blast from destroying the Earth, using his last strength to grant Kelly Koh the Power Cosmic for good.
Although inexperienced, Kelly Koh may be just as powerful as Norrin Radd as Marvel’s new Silver Surfer. However, the Power Cosmic also comes with some downsides. Kelly constantly experiences the death that her decisions lead to, whether through her actions or her inaction. She has plenty of casualties to her name after hunting aliens for a living, meaning she will have to face the weight of her guilt over every single one of her victims.
Norrin Radd contains the full blast of Dennis Harmon’s attack and closes the rift with sheer force, trapping himself in the hole. Deaths usually don’t last long in the comics, and while the process looks extremely painful, Death of the Silver Surfer #5 depicts Norrin exiting space-time in one piece. There’s a high chance Norrin Radd will eventually return, but until anything is confirmed, Kelly Koh is Earth-616’s one and only Silver Surfer.
Kelly Koh Better Stay The Silver Surfer For A Long While
Marvel’s New Silver Surfer Has The Potential To Grow Past The Legacy Character Curse
Too often, legacy characters inherit a mantle only to have it swiftly taken away. Despite their potential, their stories are cut short before they can grow beyond the shadow of the original. If Marvel allows Kelly Koh’s journey to develop over a significant period, she could avoid the same fate.
Much like Sam Wilson’s tenure as Captain America or Jane Foster’s time as the Mighty Thor, Kelly’s challenge lies in proving that her story can stand beside Norrin Radd’s. Unfortunately, Sam hasn’t reached the same heights as Steve Rogers with the shield, and Jane Foster’s arc was too short. Only a handful of characters like Miles Morales have fully carved their own identity separately from their predecessors.
The Silver Surfer mantle is especially suited for reinvention, as few characters have properly wielded it. Beyond alternate takes like Shalla-Bal’s one-off alternate-universe stint, Norrin Radd has remained the title’s near-exclusive bearer. Kelly Koh’s unique perspective as a former alien hunter could expand the mythos of the Power Cosmic in ways unseen. Even if Norrin eventually returns, Kelly deserves the time and space to cement herself as a true successor.