Daily News for Marvel Movie

In The Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer, many were surprised by the appearance of a female Silver Surfer; however, what has been omitted from the trailer is that this version of the Silver Surfer is Shalla-Bal. Norrin Radd is, of course, the most iconic and recognizable Herald of Galactus. Still, it’s also important that fans know about the tragic history behind Shalla-Bal, the Marvel Universe’s other Silver Surfer.
…Shalla-Bal as the Silver Surfer does not mean the Silver Surfer has been gender-swapped…
First appearing in 1968’s Silver Surfer #1 by Stan Lee and John Buscema, Shalla-Bal was the love interest of Silver Surfer Norrin Radd on their home planet of Zenn-La before he became Galactus’ Herald. The two lovers were unfortunately separated when Galactus set his sights on their planet, with Norrin bargaining with Galactus to become his herald if he spares his homeworld.
However, Shalla-Bal’s story didn’t end there, as the tragic transformation she undergoes throughout her Marvel history highlights why she is a compelling choice to be the Silver Surfer in Fantastic Four: First Steps.
Before She Became the Silver Surfer, Shalla-Bal’s Life Was Marred by Tragedy What Version of Shalla-Bal’s Origin Will Be Adapted Into the MCU? In her first appearance, Shala-Ball took on a more passive role as the Silver Surfer’s love interest and damsel in distress, often donning a red or green skin-tight suit adorned with gold. In Fantastic Four #157, Mephisto kidnapped her to torment the Silver Surfer, and later, Mephisto would give her to Doctor Doom so that he could lure the Silver Surfer to Latveria and use the Power Cosmic. In many of these events, Shalla-Bal takes on a more sedentary disposition and is used by others to get to the Silver Surfer. Her tragic reality is further heightened by the return of Galactus.
Believing the Silver Surfer disobeyed him, Silver Surfer (Vol. 2) #1 saw Galactus go back on his promise and return to Zenn-La to consume the planet’s life force, allowing only some inhabitants to escape before turning it into a barren wasteland. With her home destroyed and her love lost, Shalla-Bal was made Empress and took on the heavy burden of preserving her people’s future. This loss marked a turning point in her relationship with the Silver Surfer, as Shalla-Bal began prioritizing her duty to her people over her love for Norrin Radd.
Shalla-Bal Has Always Been More Galactus Than Surfer From Damsel in Distress To Galactic Dictator Close As Empress, taking on a more flowing, regal attire, Shalla-Bal restored the planet from the Kree-Skrull war by accepting a pact with a being called The Great One, and with his help, Zenn-La began to thrive, but this would be short-lived with the Silver Surfer’s return. The Great One perceived Norrin as an invader and immediately attacked him, resulting in the Great One’s destruction, and Shalla-Bal was lost between dimensions until eventually saved by the Silver Surfer and Adam Warlock. Now, for a second time, the Silver Surfer had unintentionally destroyed Zenn-La.
Shalla-Bal"s most drastic transformation came in Silver Surfer (Vol. 8) #4, when she becomes Zenn-La"s Keeper of the Great Truth and seeks to spread Zenn-La’s culture across the galaxy, including Earth, by using a device called the Illuminatrix. It’s here that Shalla-Bal takes on a mindset that is more aligned with Galactus by transforming the planets’ culture into Zenn-Lavian and brainwashing the Fantastic Four’s Ben Grimm into becoming her own herald. To protect Earth, the Silver Surfer destroyed the Illuminatrix and subsequently wiped out Zenn-La’s culture, not just from Earth, but the entire galaxy’s memory.
When Silver Surfer destroyed Zenn-La’s culture, Shalla-Bal and her people adopted completely white attire, reminiscent of Silver Surfer’s appearance as a Herald of Galactus. The Silver Surfer gave up his freedom when becoming the Herald of Galactus, but during his conflict with Shalla-Bal, the former lovers both lost their culture. In a tragic twist, Shalla-Bal lost everything: her fiancé, her planet, and the memory of her civilization. Shalla-Bal’s ideals led her down a path more akin to Galactus than Norrin Radd when he became the Silver Surfer.
First Step's Alternate Dimension Setting Explains Shalla-Bal's Presence Shalla-Bal Is Not a Gender-Swapped Silver Surfer Fantastic Four: First Steps appears to take the most inspiration from the Shalla-Bal’s alternate variant from the series Earth X, by Jim Krueger, Alex Ross, and John Paul Leon, where Norrin Radd and Shalla-Bal are both made heralds of the new Galactus, Franklin Richards. In Earth X, Shalla-Bal, imbued with the Power Cosmic, shares a very similar appearance to Norrin Rad’s Silver Surfer, which is the appearance she takes on in the Fantastic Four: First Steps. There exist numerous Heralds of Galactus across the multiverse, with Shalla-Bal demonstrating that there are other Silver Surfers aside from Norrin Rad.
Related 10 Strongest Heralds of Galactus, Ranked by Strength From Thor to the Silver Surfer, the heralds of Galactus have packed quite a punch, with some being a threat even to the Devourer himself.
Posts 2 The appearance of a female Silver Surfer sparked widespread debate; however, Shalla-Bal, as the Silver Surfer, emphasizes that The Fantastic Four: First Steps takes place in a similar but separate reality from the MCU. Shalla-Bal as the Silver Surfer does not mean the Silver Surfer has been gender-swapped, and there is still the possibility that Norrin Radd will appear in the MCU’s future. Shalla-Bal’s harrowing history is a tragic yet compelling story to adapt for the big screen, and may serve as a building block for Marvel to connect The Fantastic Four: First Steps to the main MCU continuity.
Silver Surfer
Like Follow Followed The Fantastic Four: First Steps Not Yet Rated Adventure Sci-Fi Superhero Release Date July 25, 2025 Director Matt Shakman Writers Jeff Kaplan, Josh Friedman, Ian Springer, Eric Pearson, Jack Kirby, Stan Lee Producers Jamie Christopher, Kevin Feige, Louis D'Esposito, Tim Lewis Franchise(s) Marvel Cinematic Universe Cast See All Pedro Pascal Reed Richards / Mr. Fantastic Vanessa Kirby Sue Storm / The Invisible Woman Joseph Quinn Johnny Storm / Human Torch Ebon Moss-Bachrach Ben Grimm / The Thing
Powered by Expand Collapse