Many casual fans had their introduction to Galactus in the latest Fantastic Four. However, the character is not new. Galactus is an ancient being who existed in the universe prior to this one. Moments before the Big Bang of the current Marvel Universe, he was shunted into it. Formerly known as Galan, Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds, is now a cosmic force of nature who literally eats planets.
He is now a creature of celestial hunger that needs to consume planets to survive. No one knows what he truly looks like. The citizens of different planets see him in a different way. He chooses a planet, sets up a city-sized device, and strips the energy from the planet to feed himself.
Galactus is a fascinating character that makes readers think about their own mortality, place in the universe, and the reality of finite resources against a global demand. Here are 10 comics featuring Galactus that you should check out now.
1. Thor By Cates & Klein Omnibus (2021)
Thor is now King Thor of Asgard. However, The Black Winter, an ancient cosmic force, has the power to kill Thor. So, Thor enlists the help of Galactus. Galactus gives a portion of his power to Thor to help him fight the Black Winter. However, Thor kills Galactus and absorbs his energy as a weapon, further empowering himself. It was one of the most shocking Marvel events of 2021.
This event takes place in issue #6. This 1,046-page hardcover collects the first 35 issues of the series and several tie-in issues. Buy it now at Amazon for $81.
2. Fantastic Four: Behold… Galactus! (1966)
This 313-page trade collects the early Fantastic Four encounters with Galactus and the Silver Surfer from the 1960s and 1970s. This comic even features Fantastic Four #48 from 1966, the first appearance of Galactus, Silver Surfer, and the Watcher. This is a great read for lovers of Silver Age Fantastic Four comics.
Buy it on Kindle now for $24.99.
3. Ultimate Galactus Trilogy (2004)
In this comic, which takes place in an alternate reality, the Earth is under threat from Gah Lak Tus. Gah Lak Tus is a sentient, hive-mind swarm of city-sized drones that is over 100,000 miles long. Gah Lak Tus projects fear onto the planets it plans to devour. Then, it infects the planet with a flesh-eating virus to wipe out the biological life before destroying the planet for sustenance.
Writer Warren Ellis reinvents the traditional World Devourer for the Ultimate imprint. His story is creepy, has cosmic horror elements, and inventive bleeding-edge sci-fi ideas.
Buy the 359-page trade on Kindle for $20.
4. Fantastic Four: The Trial of Galactus (1982)
This story is actually a collection of Fantastic Four comics, issues #242-244 and #257-262, and some tie-in issues. After the Avengers and the Fantastic Four defeat the World Devourer, he almost dies. So, Reed Richards brings Galan back to life.
The Watcher and several representatives of alien refugees who lost their planets to the World Devourer then arrest and put Reed on trial. The story is actually about the Trial of Reed Richards. Is Galactus evil or a force of nature?
Buy the 176-page paperback for $47 at Amazon now.
5. Epic Illustrated #26 “The Last Galactus Story” (1984)
Epic Illustrated was an anthology series. “The Last Galactus Story” was a 10-part story that was supposed to run in installments from issues #26 through #35. Unfortunately, Epic Illustrated was cancelled at issue #34. So, only 9 out of the 10 story installments exist. The World Devourer and his herald Nova investigate the destruction of galaxies millions of years in the future. They walk into a celestial trap at the end of the universe.
Each installment of the story is six to 10 pages long. You can get the first part of the story for $25 at Amazon. If it interests you, you can then get the rest of the issues. Warning – this story is great, but legendary for being unfinished.
6. The Ultimates Omniversal 1: Start With the Impossible (2016)
This version of the Ultimates team, led by Captain Marvel and featuring Black Panther, Blue Marvel, America Chavez, and Spectrum. Blue Marvel creates an incubator that cures The World’s Devourer’s need to consume planets. Galactus becomes the Lifebringer and uses his energies to restore dead worlds. However, there is a cost the Ultimates will pay later.
This 144-page trade collects the first five issues of the series. Get it on Kindle for $30 now.
7. Annihilation Omnibus (2006)
Annihilus is a celestial conqueror known for fighting the Fantastic Four. The 616 Marvel Universe is swallowing the Negative Zone, a dark mirror version. Annihilus decides the Negative Zone is his and unleashes the Annihilation Wave, a celestial armada of warships and soldiers at his command. Annihilus and Thanos capture Galactus and use his body for energy to power one of their weapons. The World Devourer escapes and gets revenge.
This event was one of the best space operas and cosmic comic titles of its era. This event was the story inspiration for 2013’s Guardians of the Galaxy.
This 880-page hardcover collects all six issues of the event and all the tie-in series of the era. Buy it now for $125 at Amazon. There are only 20 left in stock as of this posting.
8. Mighty Thor by Matt Fraction Omnibus (2011)
The cosmic seed, also known as the Galactus Seed, is an energy source that predates the universe. In the Marvel Universe, Yggdrasil, the World Tree, is a Norse concept. It is a tree that buttresses the Nine Realms of Asgard in the comics. The cosmic seed was the seed from which Yggdrasil grew.
The World Devourer wants the cosmic seed. It may be enough to satiate his urge to eat planets. However, the Asgardians hide the seed to protect their heritage. So, Odin and Thor and the Asgardians do battle with the World Devourer.
This 1,352-page omnibus collects the first 22 issues of the series and numerous tie-in issues. Get it on Kindle for $40. A physical hardcover can cost as much as $250.
9. Doctor Strange By Mark Waid Vol. 2 (2018)
The World Devourer finds himself in the dimension of Dormmamu. Galan devours one of the celestial bodies in the Dormammu dimension and becomes a celestial sorcerer. Will Dr. Strange become a herald to stop him? And, is becoming a Galactus herald worth it to stop the chaos to come?
Buy this 376-page paperback for $38 at Amazon now.
10. The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl Vol. 1: Squirrel Power (2015)
Squirrel Girl is a wholesome and humorous character usually known for being the Avengers’ babysitter. Writers usually nerf or depower threats when she battles villains. When Galactus comes to Earth, only Squirrel Girl, borrowing Iron Man armor, can save the day.
This 128-page paperback collects the first five issues of the series. Buy it for $14 at Amazon now.
The Creative Allure of Galactus
The Fantastic Four and various Marvel heroes always try to stop Galactus, sometimes futilely. Even if they beat him, it is a temporary win. He will never fully satiate his celestial hunger and will exist until he last star burns out.
Galactus, as a character, mirrors the issues society has with overpopulation, the misuse of resources, and the slow and steady destruction of a planet we need to survive. You don’t have to be a bleeding-heart liberal or a climate change-denying conservative to like this character, but you should understand these stories are a cautionary tale about humanity taking its place in the cosmos for granted.
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