The Herald of Worlds: Rewinding Fantastic Four #48-50 Before "First Steps"
Hey Timely Nerds! With Fantastic Four: First Steps arriving on July 25, 2025, the anticipation for Marvel's First Family is electric. While the movie title suggests beginnings, recent trailers and rumors hint at stakes far beyond a simple origin story, potentially including the arrival of a certain cosmic entity. That makes it the perfect time to Rewind to perhaps the most monumental storyline in early Marvel Comics: Fantastic Four Issues #48-50, "The Galactus Trilogy"!
Penned by the legendary Stan Lee and illustrated with cosmic grandeur by Jack Kirby, these three issues not only solidified the Fantastic Four's place as Marvel's premier team but also introduced two of the most enduring and powerful characters in comic book history: Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds, and his conflicted herald, the Silver Surfer. Get ready to Geek Out on this epic saga and explore how it might resonate with First Steps.
Fantastic Four #48 (March 1966): The Coming of Galactus!
This issue picks up immediately after an adventure with the Inhumans, but it quickly shifts gears to something far grander. Suddenly, the sky is ablaze, strange cosmic debris falls, and a mysterious silver figure on a surfboard streaks across the heavens. This is our introduction to the Silver Surfer, herald to a being of unimaginable power.
The all-seeing Watcher breaks his sacred vow of non-interference to warn the Fantastic Four: Galactus is coming to consume Earth. The sheer scale of the threat is immediate and overwhelming. The issue ends with Galactus's massive, ship-like head appearing over the planet, declaring his intent to feed.
Relates to First Steps: The rumors and trailer snippets for First Steps heavily imply Galactus and the Silver Surfer are central to the plot. This issue is their first appearance. The film could draw directly from this immediate, overwhelming sense of dread as Earth faces an existential threat from an unfathomable entity. The movie's title "First Steps" could even refer to humanity's first steps onto the galactic stage due to Galactus's arrival.
Fantastic Four #49 (April 1966): If This Be Doomsday!
With Galactus beginning to prepare his world-devouring machine, the Fantastic Four realize they are completely outmatched. The Human Torch is sent on a desperate quest by the Watcher to retrieve the Ultimate Nullifier – a weapon of cosmic power housed on Galactus's own worldship, which could erase anything (or anyone) from existence.
Meanwhile, the Silver Surfer, observing humanity, begins to feel empathy, particularly after a poignant encounter with Alicia Masters, The Thing's blind girlfriend. His cold, emotionless facade starts to crack, leading to an internal conflict between his duty to Galactus and his newfound admiration for Earth.
Relates to First Steps: The film is reportedly featuring Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal, a version of the Silver Surfer. This issue is crucial for establishing the Surfer's moral dilemma and his eventual turn against his master. We could see Shalla-Bal undergoing a similar evolution as she witnesses humanity's struggle. The First Steps title could also reference the Surfer's own "first steps" towards heroism.
Fantastic Four #50 (May 1966): The Galactus Trilogy Concludes!
In a climactic confrontation, the Silver Surfer officially betrays Galactus, engaging his former master in battle to buy time for Johnny Storm to return with the Ultimate Nullifier. Reed Richards brandishes the Nullifier, forcing Galactus to halt his attack and swear to leave Earth untouched. As punishment for his betrayal, Galactus erects an invisible barrier around Earth, trapping the Silver Surfer on the planet he fought to save.
This issue cements the FF's status as Earth's premier defenders against cosmic threats and leaves the Silver Surfer as a noble, tragic figure exiled on Earth, setting up his own future adventures.
Relates to First Steps: If Galactus is indeed the main threat, this issue provides the blueprint for how the FF might (or might not) defeat him. The idea of using a powerful deterrent (perhaps not the Nullifier itself, but something akin to its threat level) and the Silver Surfer's pivotal role in turning the tide seem highly likely. The movie's "First Steps" might lead directly into a cosmic conflict of this magnitude, throwing the team into the deep end of the Marvel Cinematic Universe from day one.
Beyond the Pages: Connecting to "First Steps"
The "Galactus Trilogy" is more than just a battle; it's a story about sacrifice, empathy, impossible odds, and the inherent value of life. If Fantastic Four: First Steps truly takes on this storyline, it means the MCU is ready to Level Up the cosmic scale right out of the gate for its First Family. It suggests a movie that will explore the full extent of the FF's powers under immense pressure, forcing them to become more than just a superhero team – they become essential defenders of the universe.
So, Timely Nerds, are you ready for the Devourer of Worlds on the big screen? What elements of the Galactus Trilogy do you hope to see in Fantastic Four: First Steps? Share your thoughts below, and let's get ready to Geek Out on this monumental cinematic event!
