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As Fantastic Four: First Steps is all set for a release this month, fans are undoubtedly excited to see Marvel’s First Family in action. But aside from that, there is one character that’s getting tons of appreciation, and that’s Julia Garner’s Shalla-Bal, AKA the Silver Surfer.
Why is Shalla-Bal and not Norrin Radd, better known as the Silver Surfer, Galactus’ Herald? Tons of questions and time for some speculation.
Origins of Shalla-Bal
In the mainline comics, Shalla-Bal hails from the utopian planet Zenn-La, a peaceful and advanced world in the Deneb System. She was a noblewoman, deeply committed to the ideals of her people and profoundly in love with Norrin Radd, a brilliant scientist and philosopher.
Their romance was abruptly interrupted when Galactus, the devourer of worlds, arrived to consume Zenn-La. In an act of desperation and love, Norrin Radd offered himself as Galactus’ herald in exchange for sparing his world, thus becoming the Silver Surfer.
Shalla-Bal’s Role in the Silver Surfer’s Life
Shalla-Bal symbolizes everything the Silver Surfer sacrificed. Throughout his travels, she remains his moral compass and emotional anchor. The Surfer’s longing to return to her and reclaim his lost humanity is a recurring theme in his stories in the comics and most other adaptations.
Julia Garner Takes Her First Steps as Shalla-Bal in the MCU
So, how come the woman usually known as the Silver Surfer’s love interest is actually the Herald of Galactus this time around? Well, while not much is known as to why, the answer is a pretty comic book-y explanation, and that’s because this movie doesn’t take place in the same universe as the rest of the MCU.
That doesn’t mean that it’s not part of the MCU at all, it is, but our heroes in this adventure hail from another Earth as their ship has seen entering the MCU Earth 616 in one of the post-credits scenes for Thunderbolts*.
So, how can she be the Silver Surfer? Well, comics being comics have tons of different stories,s and in one of them, Earth X, Norin Radd bestows a bit of the Power Cosmic onto his lover so she too can become a Herald of Galactus. So, does that mean Norin Radd’s Surfer is also hiding in the shadows and is also secretly in the film? Or is this just an interpretation in which Shalla-Bal was the one to make the bargain instead of Norin, which is how the usual story goes? Time will tell, only the movie will tell us.
In the mainline series of comics, Shalla-Bal may not wield a surfboard or cosmic power, but her influence on the Marvel Universe, especially on the Silver Surfe,r is profound to say the least. That being said, in the MCU she is indeed the Silver Surfer, and she brings about the planet’s doom following the impending arrival of her master, Galactus.
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