Stan Lee’s Critique of Silver Surfer Nailed His Biggest Flaw as a Hero

While the Silver Surfer is an extraordinarily popular superhero, even Stan Lee admitted the character’s biggest flaw: the Surfer is an elitist. As one of Lee’s more enduring creations, the Silver Surfer is best-remembered for his striking look, phenomenally-powerful abilities, and a heroic, if somewhat aloof, disposition. It’s this last element wherein the troubles begin, as seen in Stan Lee Meets the Silver Surfer – penned by Lee himself.

Appearing as part of the Fantastic Four’s The Galactus Trilogy along with the Watcher and the Devourer of Worlds himself, the Silver Surfer was once Norrin Radd, intrepid explorer. When Galactus came for his world, Norrin Radd made a deal with the cosmic being: spare his world Zenn-La in exchange for his eternal servitude as a herald. Galactus accepted and Norrin Radd became the Silver Surfer. Eons later, the Surfer would rebel against his master while aiding the Fantastic Four, and Galactus left Earth – and his herald – behind.

In Stan Lee Meets the Silver Surfer, Lee is working in his office when he’s spontaneously summoned by Galactus himself. The Devourer of Worlds needs Lee to fix an issue concerning the Silver Surfer; before long, Lee is transported to the Surfer’s board, in the middle of soaring through the cosmos. It’s here that Lee (and the reader) see the major problem afflicting Norrin Radd: nearly everything he says is overburdened with obtuse philosophy and navel-gazing. “Reality can be illusion. Perhaps illusion itself is the only reality,” quoth the Surfer in one of is many moments of observing the cosmos next to a stunned Stan Lee.

“Now do you understand? Do you see how unbearable he is!?” roars Galactus upon Lee’s return. It’s not hard to agree; the Surfer has always had a penchant for waxing philosophic in the middle of battle. Jack Kirby had a hand in creating the Surfer as much as Lee, perhaps more so; thus, this entire comic could be a thinly-veiled attempt at criticizing his old Marvel Bullpen partner. The Surfer can appear almost elitist while acting in this fashion; acting as a noble philosopher who doesn’t need to worry about “lesser” Earthly concerns such as rent or even food.

The Silver Surfer has lost popularity in recent years to Iron Man and Spider-Man, and it can be easy to see why. The Surfer doesn’t need to eat, sleep, or even breathe, and is quite removed from humanity’s everyday struggles. Nevertheless, despite not being the most relatable hero, the Silver Surfer is admired by many – even Stan Lee, regardless of his true feelings towards the character.