7 Best Galactus Comics to Get to Know the Fantastic Four’s Devourer of Worlds

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Among the Fantastic Four’s most formidable adversaries stands Galactus. Although he makes appearances in various Marvel Comics stories, such as those featuring Thor, he holds a special connection with the Fantastic Four. His destructive power and ability to devour entire planets, eradicating all life instantly, make him one of their toughest opponents. Known as Galan from Taa in his native universe, the Sixth Cosmos, which is on the brink of extinction, he’s one of the rare survivors who entered the current cosmos along with other celestial beings like the Black Winter and the Celestials. Galactus’ need to consume planets is crucial for the survival of the universe, as his existence is destined to return more than he has ever taken in the future.

Throughout his career, Galactus stands out as the primary antagonist for the Fantastic Four, yet his presence extends beyond this role into numerous significant plotlines throughout the years. These tales underscore why Galactus is among the most captivating figures within the Marvel Universe.

7) Thor Vol. 6 #1-6

In the sixth volume of Thor, over the initial six issues, the cosmic entity Galactus emerged. The plot unfolds as Galactus seeks assistance from Thor, for an ancient being who has been present since the inception of this universe has resurfaced and intends to devour everything. This ominous entity is known as Black Winter. However, Galactus deceived Thor about his motives for wanting Black Winter vanquished. The truth was that Black Winter aimed to seize Galactus’s power. To achieve this, Galactus appointed Thor as his herald, tasking him with eliminating the entity. Thor successfully carried out the mission, but unfortunately ended up killing Galactus instead. In a final act of defiance, Thor used Galactus’s corpse as a weapon to obliterate Black Winter. This demonstration of power by Thor was remarkable, yet it seemed that Galactus perished, only to be reborn with an insatiable thirst for knowledge rather than worlds.

6) Fantastic Four: The Trial of Reed Richards 

In the comic book series, The Fantastic Four, it was where Galactus, the Cosmic Devourer, made his appearance on Earth. Here, Reed Richards, a key Earth hero, explained that the universe’s survival depended on Galactus living. Reed collaborated with Thor to save Galactus from certain death, and in return, Galactus swore never again to consume Earth. However, this event was only the beginning. In “The Trial of Reed Richards,” Lilandra and the Shiar Empire took Reed into custody, accusing him of causing harm by saving Galactus. They argued that any lives lost when Galactus feeds on other planets were on Reed’s conscience. During the trial, the Watcher intervened, sending Johnny Storm to gather witnesses to support Reed. This ultimately led to Galactus and Eternity disclosing the truth about Galactus’s true identity, saving Reed from receiving a death sentence.

5) Thor #168-169

On Earth, Galactus has primarily clashed with The Fantastic Four, but he’s encountered Thor multiple times as well. It’s worth noting that their conflicts took place more than once before Thor eventually ended Galactus’ life. In a two-issue storyline from 1969, Thor was assigned a mission as a form of punishment for yielding to his Warriors’ Madness in an earlier combat. His task was to locate Galactus, uncover his past, and return the information to Odin. For the first time in Marvel Comics, this story arc delved into Galactus’s origin, presenting it more as a mythological journey than a typical superhero tale aimed at saving the world. This makes for an intriguing and captivating narrative about how Galactus evolved into his present form and why he needs to consume planets.

4) Hunger #1-4

2013 saw the release of the four-part series “Hunger,” set in the Ultimate Marvel Universe, which serves as a prelude to the upcoming event “Cataclysm: The Ultimates Last Stand“. In this narrative, Galactus, who typically hails from the Marvel-616 universe, somehow passes through a rift into the timeline of the Ultimate Universe. There, he encounters one of its mightiest characters, Rick Jones. When Galactus combines with his Ultimate counterpart, they form an incredibly powerful entity. This portrayal of Galactus is particularly potent, and Rick Jones receives a significant and engaging storyline from it. Additionally, this tale introduces the new Captain Mar-Vell to the series.

3) Galactus the Devourer

Titled “Galactus the Devourer,” this six-issue miniseries from 1999 served as a continuation of the Silver Surfer’s series, which had been previously canceled. Although the title suggests Galactus is the main focus, the story primarily revolves around the Silver Surfer and the Fantastic Four (alongside several Avengers), as a new herald, Red Shift, arrives on Earth, compelling the Surfer to once again protect the planet by assuming the role of Galactus’s herald. In this series, Galactus succumbs to an insatiable madness, realizing his rampage must be halted. With his hunger never-ending, he must be stopped, a task that falls to the Silver Surfer in the climax. This miniseries is highly acclaimed for its gripping narrative.

2) Annihilation #1-6

The story “Annihilation” wasn’t solely focused on Galactus, but his character, the Devourer of Worlds, played a crucial part in the series. The narrative primarily revolved around Annihilus from the Negative Zone initiating the Annihilation Wave, prompting various cosmic heroes to unite and confront him. Notable characters like Thanos and Galactus were among those involved in the conflict. In the first issue of the event series, Galactus was defeated by Annihilus, who intended to use him as a weapon for his attack. However, things didn’t go as planned when some heroes rescued Galactus, who later unleashed a powerful blast known as the “Galactus Event” against Annihilus’ forces, effectively dismantling most of them. This event amplified Galactus’ power like never before.

1) “The Coming of Galactus” (1961)

For anyone looking to delve deeper into the lore of the World Devourer, Galactus, his initial comic appearance, titled “The Arrival of Galactus,” is a must-read. This story unfolds across Fantastic Four Vol. 1 issues #48-50. The narrative kicks off with the Silver Surfer warning Earth’s inhabitants about Galactus’ impending visit to devour their world. With the Fantastic Four tasked with halting his destructive path, this story also marks the debut of another significant Marvel character, The Watcher, who made a rare appearance since this event held historical significance. Reed Richards eventually found a means to drive Galactus away, thus introducing one of Marvel Comics’ most iconic figures into the Marvel Universe.

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2025-07-25 17:12