CoverGalactus: The Devourer #4
Published by Marvel Comics, Dec. 1999
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"TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES"

Writer: Louise Simonson
Penciler: John Buscema
Inker: Bill Sienkiewicz
Colorist: Christie Scheele
Letterer: RS & Comicraft
Assistant Editor: Brian Smith
Editor: Bobbie Chase
Editor in Chief: Bob Harras

Original Price: $2.50

History Behind Issue: Continued from Galactus: The Devourer #3 of a 6-part mini-series.

Preview by AnotherUniverse.Com: Silver Surfer, herald of Galactus?! In the aftermath of last issue's bombastic battle with the planet eater, the Earth's heroes witness the rebirth of one of the Devourer's former heralds... the Silver Surfer?! And things go from bad to worse as the Surfer leads the hungry Galactus straight for the homeworld inhabited by his former love, Mantis!

Click here to skip spoilers in issue synopsis and go to review.

Issue Synopsis by James "Marvelite" Pedrick:

This issue begins with Earth’s heroes gazing into the sky after the Silver Surfer left with Galactus as his herald once more (see last issue). The heroes are thankful for the Surfer’s sacrifice and glad Galactus will not be munching on Earth. Alicia, however, is not satisfied with the conclusion of the battle. She does not feel Earth should enjoy its safety while other planets will suffer Galactus’s wrath.

Mr. Fantastic performs tests on Alicia’s new armor to see if it can withstand space travel, but the Thing tells her she can’t leave. When he tries to stop her from leaving, she blasts him and explains she must. Then she travels into space to find the Surfer and Galactus.

Meanwhile, Galactus has sent the Surfer to find him another planet to devour. But the worlds he finds for Galactus must have sentient life, the energy which Galactus now craves, or else Earth may suffer. The Surfer realizes he must find a way to end the addiction Galactus has for sentient life, which is killing the World Devourer.

He comes to one planet, which has the geochemical energies, as well as animal and vegetable life, but no sentient life. And there, he is found by Mantis. The Surfer is in shock, because he thought she had died in the early issues of Silver Surfer Volume Three. She explains that she transformed into raw energy and moved to another planet, when the Elders had tried to kill her, along with Shalla Bal, and make him choose who to save.

The Silver Surfer then explains that he has returned to Galactus’s service, and that Galactus now only feeds on planets that carry life, and that he now must devour the energy more frequently. He explains that this planet may be tempting for Galactus though. Mantis tells him he cannot send Galactus to Verdant, the name she calls the planet, though, because it does have sentient life. She asks the Surfer to listen to the voices of the planets... and he realizes that they do speak with scent. So, he and Alicia go off in search of another planet for Galactus. On the way, Mantis explains that when the Surfer was faced with a choice of who to save between her and Shalla Bal, she led Shalla Bal to him because she knew she could survive on her own. He mentions that both Shalla Bal and Zenn-La are gone now.

The two find a planet and then go to Galactus. The Surfer insists the planet they’ve found is the best choice for Galactus, even though the life on it is not sentient. But just as Galactus begins to move his ship toward the planet they have found, he notices Verdant. He warns Galactus that he will devour Earth if he disobeys his commands again and then travels toward the planet. Mantis is determined to save her planet still though and transforms into energy, traveling back to Verdant. The Silver Surfer follows.

As Galactus begins to devour the energy from the planet, the Surfer races toward it to rescue Mantis. Once finding her, he grabs her to save her from destruction. Meanwhile, Alicia Masters finds Galactus’s ships destroying the planet. She looks for the Silver Surfer.

Mantis is telling the Surfer he must leave Galactus, but he explains that he must stay be Galactus’s side in order to keep Earth from being destroyed. Then, just as Alicia finds the Silver Surfer, they kiss each other. Mantis then explains that she must be his enemy, and just as she transforms into energy. He is relieved, because she will be safe, but then a lash of cosmic energy comes down and supposedly kills her. The Surfer then notices Alicia, who leaves after seeing what the Surfer has done.

The story ends with the Surfer distressed over the decision he had made and now has to make on if he can continue serving Galactus or not, when Galactus seems like his hunger’s desire will not change.

Next issue: The Shi’Ar

 

Review by James "Marvelite" Pedrick:

Five out of Five stars again! The art is truly getting better with each issue. I am enjoying John Buscema’s Galactus and Mantis a lot. It resembles the classic look of the 60s and 70s. The writing is also superb. I’ve been hoping for a long time to see the Surfer and Mantis together again. I’m wondering if this will be the last of Mantis or not though. It will also be interesting to see where Alicia Masters goes from here... And the Shi’ar in the next issue! This series continues to be very interesting... but I’m even more interested in finding out what Louise Simonson has planned for its sequel (which we will hopefully see in the not too distant future)!

Preview of issue #5 by AnotherUniverse.Com: The epic cosmic adventure continues with guest stars The Kree, The Shi'ar, The Imperial Guard, The Starjammers, The Fantastic Four and The Avengers! The entire universe trembles before the might of Galactus, a god gone mad! In order to save Earth, a reluctant Silver Surfer has once again become the herald of Galactus! And to make matters worse, the Surfer is leading him directly to the Shi'ar homeworld!

Check out images from Galactus: The Devourer #4

Check out our review of Galactus: The Devourer #5

 

 

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