View source for Galactus

{{Short description|Marvel Comics fictional character}}
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{{Infobox comics character <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
| image          = Galactus (2018).jpg
| imagesize      =
| converted      = y
| caption        = Galactus on the variant cover of ''[[The Amazing Spider-Man]]'' (vol. 5) #12 (December 2018).<br/>Art by [[Adi Granov]].
| character_name = Galactus
| publisher      = [[Marvel Comics]]
| debut          = ''[[Fantastic Four (comic book)|Fantastic Four]]'' #48 (March 1966)<ref>{{cite book |last1=Misiroglu |first1=Gina Renée |last2=Eury |first2=Michael |title=The Supervillain Book: The Evil Side of Comics and Hollywood |date=2006 |publisher=Visible Ink Press |isbn=9780780809772 |url=https://archive.org/details/supervillainbook0000gina/page/132/mode/2up |language=en}}</ref>
| creators       = [[Stan Lee]] (writer)<br/>[[Jack Kirby]] (artist)
| alter_ego      = Galan
| species        = [[Taa-an]]
| homeworld      = '''Galan''': Taa<br/> '''Galactus''': the [[World egg#Influences on science fiction and popular culture|Cosmic Egg]]
| alliances      = {{Ubl|Heralds of Galactus|[[Chaos War|God Squad]]|[[Ultimates (2015 team)|Ultimates]]}}
| aliases        = Ashta,<ref name="stormbreaker1"/> the Devourer of Worlds, the Lifebringer, the Seeder of Worlds<ref>''The Ultimates'' (vol. 2) #3 (March 2006). Marvel Comics.</ref>
| partners       = [[Defenders (comics)#2021 series|Taaia]] (biological mother)<ref>''Defenders'' (vol. 6) #2 (September 2021). Marvel Comics.</ref><br/>{{Collapsible list|title=Heralds of Galactus|{{ubl|[[Air-Walker]]|[[Dazzler (Marvel Comics)|Dazzler]]|[[Destroyer (Thor)|Destroyer]]|[[Doctor Strange]]|[[Annihilation (comics)#Annihilation: Silver Surfer|Fallen One]]|[[Firelord (character)|Firelord]]|[[#Ultimate Marvel|Gah Lak Tus]]|[[May Parker|Golden Oldie]]|[[Human Torch|Invisible Boy]]|[[Ka-Zar (Kevin Plunder)|Ka-Zar]]|[[Morg|Morg the Executioner]]|[[Nova (Frankie Raye)|Nova II (Frankie Raye)]]|Praeter|[[Rom the Space Knight]]|Red Shift|[[Silver Surfer]]|[[Stardust (Marvel Comics)|Stardust]]|[[Terrax|Terrax the Tamer]]|[[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor Odinson]]|[[Ultimates (2015 team)|Ultimates]]}}}}
| powers         = Mastery of the [[Power Cosmic]]
}}

'''Galactus''' ({{IPAc-en|g|ə|ˈ|l|æ|k|t|ə|s}}) is a fictional character appearing in [[American comic book]]s published by [[Marvel Comics]]. Formerly a mortal man, he is a cosmic entity who consumes planets to sustain his life force, and serves a functional role in the upkeep of the [[Earth-616|primary Marvel continuity]]. He was created by [[Stan Lee]] and [[Jack Kirby]] and first appeared in ''[[Fantastic Four (comic book)|Fantastic Four]]'' #48 (March 1966). Lee and Kirby wanted to introduce a character that broke from the archetype of the standard villain. In the character's first appearance, Galactus was depicted as a god-like figure that fed by draining living planets of their energy, and operated without regard to the morality or judgments of mortal beings.

Galactus's initial origin was that of a [[Taa-an]] space explorer named '''Galan''' who gained cosmic abilities by passing near a star,<ref name="Thor #168–169. Marvel Comics">''Thor'' #168–169. Marvel Comics.</ref> but writer [[Mark Gruenwald]] further developed the character's origins, presenting Taa and Galan as existing in the universe prior to the [[Big Bang]] that began the setting of the current universe. As Galan's universe came to an end, he merged with the "[[Eternity (Marvel Comics)#Fictional character biography|Sentience of the Universe]]" to become Galactus, an entity who must consume planets to sustain his existence. Additional material written by [[John Byrne (comics)|John Byrne]], [[Jim Starlin]], and [[Louise Simonson]] explored Galactus's role and purpose in the Marvel Universe, and examined the character's actions through themes of [[genocide]], [[manifest destiny]], ethics, and natural/necessary existence. Frequently accompanied by a herald (such as the [[Silver Surfer]]), the character has appeared as both antagonist and protagonist in central and supporting roles. Since debuting in the [[Silver Age of Comic Books]], Galactus has played a role in over five decades of Marvel continuity. In 2009, Galactus ranked fifth on [[IGN]]'s list of "Top 100 Comic Book Villains", which cited the character's "larger-than-life presence" as making him one of the more important villains ever created. IGN also noted "Galactus is one of the few villains on our list to really defy the definition of an evil-doer" as the character is compelled to destroy worlds because of his hunger, rather than out of malicious ends.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-comic-book-villains/5 |title=The Top 100 Comic Book Villains |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[News Corporation]] |date=2009}}</ref>

The character has been featured in other Marvel media, such as [[arcade game]]s, video games, animated television series, and the 2007 film ''[[Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer]]''. He appears in the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]] film ''[[The Fantastic Four: First Steps]]'' (2025), portrayed by [[Ralph Ineson]].

==Publication history==
Created by writer-editor [[Stan Lee]] and artist-coplotter [[Jack Kirby]], the character [[First appearance|debuted]] in ''[[Fantastic Four (comic book)|The Fantastic Four]]'' #48 ([[cover date]]d March 1966, the first of a three-issue story later known as "[[The Galactus Trilogy]]").<ref name="TR">Thomas, Roy, ''Stan Lee's Amazing Marvel Universe'' (Sterling Publishing, New York, 2006), "Moment 29: The Galactus Trilogy", pp. 112–115. {{ISBN|1-4027-4225-8}}; {{ISBN|978-1-4027-4225-5}}</ref><ref name="kirbycollector1">{{Cite journal|last = Hatfield|first = Charles|title = The Galactus Trilogy: An Appreciation|journal = The Collected Jack Kirby Collector|volume = 1|page = 211|date = February 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Rovin |first=Jeff |title=[[The Encyclopedia of Super-Villains]] |date=1987 |publisher=Facts on File |isbn=0-8160-1356-X |location=New York |pages=135–136 |authorlink=Jeff Rovin}}[https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofsu0000rovi_h5r9/page/134/mode/2up]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=Jason |date=May 29, 2017 |title=The Mad King: 15 Jack Kirby Creations That Are Absolutely BANANAS |url=https://www.cbr.com/the-mad-king-15-jack-kirby-creations-that-are-absolutely-bananas/ |access-date=October 3, 2024 |website=[[Comic Book Resources|CBR]] |language=en}}</ref>

===Origin===
{{Main|The Galactus Trilogy}}
In 1966, just a few years after launching [[Marvel Comics]]' flagship [[superhero]] title ''Fantastic Four'', creators [[Stan Lee]] and [[Jack Kirby]] collaborated on an antagonist designed to break the [[supervillain]] mold of the time and instead be a being with god-like stature and power.<ref name="kirbycollector1"/> As Lee recalled in 1993,

{{Blockquote|Galactus was simply another in a long line of super-villains whom we loved creating. ...[W]e felt the only way to top ourselves was to come up with an evil-doer who had almost godlike powers. Therefore, the natural choice was sort of a demi-god, but now what would we do with him? We didn't want to use the tired old cliche about him wanting to conquer the world. There were enough would-be world conquerors in the Marvel Universe and in all the other comic book galaxies. That was when inspiration struck. Why not have him not be a really evil person? After all, a demi-god should be beyond mere good and evil. He'd just be (don't laugh!) hungry. And the nourishment he'd require is the life force and energy from living planets!<ref>Lee, Stan. "Introduction" (second page, unnumbered) 1993, ''Marvel Masterworks: The Fantastic Four Vol. 5''<!--as spelled in copyright indicia--> (Marvel Publishing: second edition, second printing, 2007) {{ISBN|978-0-7851-1184-9}}</ref>}}

Kirby described his biblical inspirations for Galactus and an accompanying character, an angelic herald Lee called the [[Silver Surfer]]:

{{Blockquote|My inspirations were the fact that I had to make sales and come up with characters that were no longer stereotypes. In other words, I couldn't depend on gangsters. I had to get something new. For some reason, I went to the Bible and I came up with Galactus. And there I was in front of this tremendous figure, who I knew very well because I've always felt him. I certainly couldn't treat him in the same way I could any ordinary mortal. And I remember in my first story, I had to back away from him to resolve that story. The Silver Surfer is, of course, the fallen angel. When Galactus relegated him to Earth, he stayed on Earth, and that was the beginning of his adventures. They were figures that had never been used before in comics. They were above mythic figures. And of course they were the first gods.<ref>{{cite video|people = Viola, Ken|title = The Masters of Comic Book Art|medium = VHS|publisher = Viola, Ken|location = USA|date = 1987}}</ref>}}

Kirby elaborated, "Galactus in actuality is a sort of god. He is beyond reproach, beyond anyone's opinion. In a way he is kind of a Zeus, who fathered Hercules. He is his own legend, and of course, he and the Silver Surfer are sort of modern legends, and they are designed that way."<ref>Christensen, William A., and Mark Seifert. [http://www.reocities.com/brenni_au/JackKirby.html "The King"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101007232709/http://www.reocities.com/brenni_au/JackKirby.html|date=7 October 2010}}, ''[[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard]]'' #36, August 1994, via Brenni_Au/JackKirby (fan site).</ref>

Writer [[Mike Conroy (writer)|Mike Conroy]] expanded on Lee and Kirby's explanations: "In five short years from the launch of the ''Fantastic Four'', the Lee/Kirby duo ... had introduced a whole host of alien races or their representatives ... there were the [[Skrull]]s, the [[Watcher (comics)|Watcher]] and the [[Stranger (Marvel Comics)|Stranger]], all of whom Lee and Kirby used in the foundations of the universe they were constructing, one where all things were possible but only if they did not flout the 'natural laws' of this cosmology. In the nascent Marvel Universe, characters acted consistently, whatever comic they were appearing in. Their actions reverberated through every title. It was pure soap opera but on a cosmic scale, and Galactus epitomized its epic sweep."<ref>Conroy, Mike. ''500 Comicbook Villains'', Collins & Brown, 2004.</ref>

This led to the introduction of Galactus in ''Fantastic Four'' #48–50 (March–May 1966), which fans began calling "[[The Galactus Trilogy]]".<ref name="TR">Thomas, Roy, ''Stan Lee's Amazing Marvel Universe'' (Sterling Publishing, New York, 2006), "Moment 29: The Galactus Trilogy", pp. 112–115. {{ISBN|1-4027-4225-8}}; {{ISBN|978-1-4027-4225-5}}</ref><ref name="kirbycollector1">{{Cite journal|last = Hatfield|first = Charles|title = The Galactus Trilogy: An Appreciation|journal = The Collected Jack Kirby Collector|volume = 1|page = 211|date = February 2004}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Fein|first=Eric|title=The Creation of the Fantastic Four|publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group|year=2006|isbn=978-1-4042-0765-3|page=48}}</ref><ref>[[Roy Thomas|Thomas, Roy]]. ''Stan Lee's Amazing Marvel Universe'' ([[Sterling Publishing]]: New York City, 2006), p. 113. {{ISBN|1-4027-4225-8}}; {{ISBN|978-1-4027-4225-5}}</ref><ref>[[Stan Lee|Lee, Stan]], in Thomas, ''Stan Lee's Amazing Marvel Universe'', audio commentary #37</ref> Kirby did not intend Galactus to reappear, to preserve the character's awe-inspiring presence.<ref name=kirbycollector2>{{Cite journal|last = Alexander|first = Mark|title = Galactus, Pillager of the Planets! Kirby's First Demi-god|journal = Jack Kirby Collector|date = December 1998}} Reprinted in {{cite book|author-link=TwoMorrows Publishing|editor-first=John|editor-last=Morrow|title=The Collected Jack Kirby Collected Volume 5|year=2006|publisher=[[TwoMorrows Publishing]]|location=[[Raleigh, North Carolina]]|isbn=978-1-893905-57-3}}</ref> Fan popularity, however, prompted Lee to ask Kirby for Galactus' reappearance,<ref name=kirbycollector2/> and the character became a mainstay of the Marvel Universe.

===1960s===
To preserve the character's mystique, his next two appearances were nonspeaking [[cameo appearance|cameos]] in ''[[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]]'' #134 (November 1966), and ''[[Daredevil (Marvel Comics series)|Daredevil]]'' #37 (February 1968), respectively. Numerous requests from fans prompted the character to be featured heavily in ''Fantastic Four'' #74–77 (May–August 1968).<ref name="kirbycollector2"/><ref>[http://kirbymuseum.org/blogs/effect/2012/06/19/a-failure-to-communicate-part-two A Failure to Communicate, Part 2], Jack Kirby Museum, 19 June 2012 (accessed 14 February 2015)</ref> After a flashback appearance in ''Silver Surfer'' #1 (August 1968), the character returned to Earth in ''Thor'' #160–162 (January–March 1969). Galactus' origin was eventually revealed in ''Thor'' #168–169 (September–October 1969).

===1970s and 1980s===
The character made appearances in ''Fantastic Four'' #120–123 (March–June 1972) and ''Thor'' #225–228 (July–October 1974). These two storylines introduced two new heralds for Galactus. Galactus also featured in ''Fantastic Four'' #172–175 (July–October 1976) and 208–213 (July–December 1979).

[[Stan Lee]] and [[Jack Kirby]] reunited for the origin of the Silver Surfer and Galactus in the one-shot [[graphic novel]] ''The Silver Surfer: The Ultimate Cosmic Experience!'' in 1978. This [[Marvel Fireside Books|Marvel Fireside Book]], published by [[Simon & Schuster]], was an out-of-continuity retelling of the origin story without the Fantastic Four.

The full Lee-and-Kirby origin story was reprinted in the [[One-shot (comics)|one-shot]] ''Super-Villain Classics'' #1: ''Galactus – The Origin'' (May 1983), inked by [[Vince Colletta]] and [[George Klein (comics)|George Klein]], lettered by [[Jack Morelli|John Morelli]] and colored by Andy Yanchus. While nearly identical to the previous origin, this story featured supplemental material, edits, and deletions by writer [[Mark Gruenwald]], pencillers [[John Byrne (comics)|John Byrne]] and [[Ron Wilson (artist)|Ron Wilson]] and inker [[Jack Abel]]. Rather than traveling into a dying star, the character enters the [[Cosmic egg|core of the collapsing universe]] before the [[Big Bang]]; the story was later reprinted as ''Origin of Galactus'' #1 (February 1996).

The character guest-starred in ''[[Rom the Space Knight|Rom]]'' #26–27 (January–February 1982). Galactus featured in two related storylines in ''Fantastic Four'' #242–244 (May–July 1982) and later #257 (August 1983), in which writer-artist John Byrne introduced the conceit of Galactus feeling remorse for his actions, and the weight of his genocides. In the issue, [[Death (Marvel Comics)|Death]] assures Galactus of his role and purpose as one of shepherd and weeder in guiding the universe to its proper purpose, and Galactus remains resolute. Byrne further elaborated on this concept in ''[[Fantastic Four]]'' #262 (January 1984), which sparked controversy. At the end of the story, [[Eternity (Marvel Comics)|Eternity]], an abstract entity in the Marvel Universe, appears to validate the existence of Galactus as necessary for the natural order and essential to prevent an even more catastrophic fate; [[Howard University]] professor of literature Marc Singer criticized this, accusing the writer-artist of using the character to "justify planetary-scale genocide."<ref>Singer, Marc. [http://www.whiterose.org/howlingcurmudgeons/archives/005911.html "Byrne's Fantastic Four, or Optimism"] Howling Curmudgeons (fan site), 18 May 2004. [https://web.archive.org/web/20110112075706/http://www.whiterose.org/howlingcurmudgeons/archives/005911.html WebCitation archive].</ref> Byrne and Stan Lee also collaborated on a one-shot Silver Surfer story (June 1982) in which Galactus returned to [[Zenn-La]] after the Surfer's rebellion and drained it of energy after allowing the populace to flee.

Writer-penciller [[John Byrne (comics)|John Byrne]] and inker [[Terry Austin (comics)|Terry Austin]] produced "The Last Galactus Story" as a serial in the anthology comic-magazine ''[[Epic Illustrated]]'' #26–34 (October 1984 – February 1986). Nine of a scheduled 10 installments appeared. Each was six pages with the exception of the eighth installment (12 pages). The magazine was cancelled with issue #34, leaving the last chapter unpublished and the story unfinished; however, Byrne later published the conclusion on his website.<ref name="byrnerobotics.com">[[John Byrne (comics)|Byrne, John]], [http://www.byrnerobotics.com/FAQ/listing.asp?ID=3&T1=Questions+about+Aborted+Storylines#57 "Exception to the rule #1: 'The Last Galactus Story'"], "Frequently Asked Questions – Questions about Aborted Storylines", Byrne Robotics, 15 February 2005. [https://web.archive.org/web/20110222183511/http://www.byrnerobotics.com/FAQ/listing.asp?ID=3&T1=Questions+about+Aborted+Storylines WebCitation archive].</ref> Galactus played a pivotal role in the [[Limited series (comics)|limited series]] ''[[Secret Wars]]'' #1–12 (May 1984 – April 1985), and became a recurring character in ''Silver Surfer'' (vol. 3) (beginning with issue #1 (July 1987)).

Stan Lee and artist [[John Buscema]] also produced the 64-page hardcover graphic novel ''Silver Surfer: Judgment Day'' (October 1988), in which Galactus clashes with the demonic entity [[Mephisto (Marvel Comics)|Mephisto]].

===1990s===
Galactus was featured in the miniseries ''[[The Infinity Gauntlet]]'' #1–6 (July&nbsp;–December 1991), ''[[The Infinity War]]'' #1–6 (June&nbsp;–November 1992) and ''Cosmic Powers'' #1–6 (March&nbsp;–August 1994). The character starred in the six-issue miniseries ''Galactus the Devourer'' (September 1999&nbsp;–March 2000), written by [[Louise Simonson]] and illustrated by John Buscema, which climaxed with Galactus' death. Simonson originally conceived that the [[story arc]] would occur in ''Silver Surfer'' (vol. 3), but the title was cancelled due to dwindling sales. She proposed a separate limited series, and at the time was initially doubtful that Marvel would approve what she considered a "radical" idea concerning "why the very existence of the universe depends on the health and well-being of Galactus."<ref>[http://marvelite.prohosting.com/surfer/galactus/interview1.html "Questions & Answers With Writer Louise Simonson: Part 1: In The Beginning..."], Galactus: The Devourer (fan site), n.d. Retrieved 14 April 2008. [https://web.archive.org/web/20101216060826/http://marvelite.prohosting.com/surfer/galactus/interview1.html WebCitation archive].</ref>

===2000s===
The consequences of Galactus' death are explored in the issues ''Fantastic Four Annual 2001'' and ''Fantastic Four'' (vol. 3) #46–49 (October 2001 – January 2002) written by [[Jeph Loeb]] and culminate in Galactus' revival, bringing resolution to Simonson's cliffhanger from the ''Devourer'' story arc. The character features in the first six issues of the limited series ''[[Thanos]]'' (December 2003 – May 2004), written by [[Jim Starlin]]. Issues #7–12 (June–November 2004), written by [[Keith Giffen]], introduce the [[Annihilation (comics)#Annihilation: Silver Surfer|Fallen One]], who is retroactively presented as Galactus' first herald.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/king-thanos-god-of-thunder-silver-surfer/|title=Thanos Introduces Marvel's Future God of Thunder|date=1 March 2018|website=CBR}}</ref>

Galactus' origin is re-examined in ''Fantastic Four'' #520–523 (October 2004 – April 2005), in which the character is temporarily reverted to his mortal form. After appearing in the limited series ''Stormbreaker: The Saga of Beta Ray Bill'' #1–6 (March–August 2005) Galactus was a central character in the "[[Annihilation (comics)|Annihilation]]" storyline, appearing in the limited series ''[[Annihilation (comics)#Annihilation: Silver Surfer|Annihilation: Silver Surfer]]'' #1–4 (June–September 2006), ''Annihilation'' #1–6 (October 2006 – March 2007) and the [[epilogue]], ''[[Annihilation (comics)#Annihilation: Heralds of Galactus|Annihilation: Heralds of Galactus]]'' #1–2 (February–April 2007).

Galactus was an antagonist in ''Fantastic Four'' #545–546 (June–July 2007), where he tried to devour fellow cosmic function [[Epoch (Marvel Comics)|Epoch]]. In ''[[Nova (Richard Rider)|Nova]]'' (vol. 4) #13–15 (May–July 2008), the character had no dialogue. Author [[Andy Lanning]] said that he and co-writer [[Dan Abnett]] were "treating Galactus like a force of nature; an inevitable, planetary catastrophe that there is no reasoning with, no bargaining with and no escaping."<ref>Rogers, Vaneta. [https://archive.today/20101222004808/http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=153225 "Galactus, and Surfer and Skrulls – Oh My! Abnett & Lanning on Nova"], ''[[Newsarama]]'', 10 April 2008 [https://archive.today/20101222004808/http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=153225 WebCitation archive].</ref> Galactus also appeared in the limited series ''Beta Ray Bill: Godhunter'' #1–3 (June–August 2009), a sequel to ''Stormbreaker: The Saga of Beta Ray Bill'' #1–6.

===2010s===
Galactus and the Silver Surfer appeared as antagonists in both ''[[Skaar (character)|Skaar: Son of Hulk]]'' #7–12 (March 1, 2009 – August 1, 2009) and ''[[Hiro-Kala|Son of Hulk]]'' #13–17  (September 1, 2009 – January 2010), and as protagonists in the miniseries ''[[The Thanos Imperative]]'' #1–6 (June–November 2010). Galactus was a member of the God Squad in the miniseries ''[[Chaos War]]'' #2–5 (December 2010 – March 2011). After an appearance in ''Fantastic Four'' #583–587 (November 2010 – March 2011), the character returned to Earth in ''Silver Surfer'' (vol. 6) #1–5 (January–May 2011) and was the antagonist in ''The Mighty Thor'' #1–6 (April–September 2011). Galactus played a supporting role in the storyline "Forever" featured in ''Fantastic Four'' #600–604 (November 2011 – March 2012) and ''FF'' #16 (March 2012) by Johnathan Hickman, where Hickman introduced the concept of a shared destiny between Galactus and [[Franklin Richards (character)|Franklin Richards]]. Writer [[Mark Waid]] would subsequently develop this concept further (see below).

The character played a central role as antagonist in ''[[Cataclysm (comics)|Hunger]]'' #1–4 (2013), in which the mainstream Galactus of the primary Marvel continuity merges with his counterpart from the [[Ultimate Marvel]] publication imprint, [[Galactus#Ultimate Marvel|Gah Lak Tus]]. Writer [[Joshua Hale Fialkov]] commented that his intent was to use Galactus as a means to place the characters from the Ultimate Marvel imprint into a completely unexpected crisis: "What I hope comes across is the sense of wonder that's being brought into the Ultimate Universe...with the smart, modern tone [[Brian Michael Bendis|Brian]] has established."<ref name="hunger">{{cite web|url= https://www.cbr.com/bendis-fialkov-grow-ultimate-hunger/|title= Bendis & Fialkov Grow Ultimate "Hunger"|author= Kiel Phegley|date= 20 June 2013|publisher= CBR|access-date=18 March 2019}}</ref>

Following his appearance in ''Hunger'', Galactus was a major supporting character in ''The [[Ultimates (2015 team)|Ultimates]]'' (vol. 2) #1–6 (January–June 2016), where writer [[Al Ewing]] fundamentally changed the nature of Galactus' character. During the events of the story, Galactus is transformed into "the Lifebringer", a being who is compelled to infuse dead planets with life-sustaining energies, thus altering the character's primary motive for the first time since Galactus' debut in 1966. Elaborating on what inspired the change, Ewing explained "What inspired it—a mixture of wanting someone big on or allied with the team—originally, we thought about Odin, but he's a bit busy—and my usual preoccupations with atonement, redemption, growth and change. So what can [Galactus] do now? Well, whereas before he was taking in vast amounts of energy, now he's putting out vast amounts of energy—pure life energy. He always said he was going to give back more than he took out of the universe—now he's making good on that, one dead world at a time."<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.cbr.com/ewings-ultimates-transform-galactus-travel-outside-the-known-marvel-universe/|title= Ewing's "Ultimates" Transform Galactus, Travel "Outside" the Known Marvel Universe|author= Dave Richards|date= 5 January 2016|publisher= CBR|access-date=18 March 2019}}</ref> The themes of redemption and change were received well by columnist Mark Peters, who described Ewing's work on ''Ultimates'' as "one of the best Galactus stories ever."<ref>{{cite magazine|url= https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2016/07/why-arent-you-reading-the-ultimates-by-al-ewing-ke.html|title= Why Aren't You Reading The Ultimates by Al Ewing & Kenneth Rocafort?|author= Mark Peters|date= 20 July 2016|magazine= Paste|access-date=18 March 2019}}</ref>

Galactus featured prominently in a direct sequel series to ''The Ultimates'' (vol. 2) #1–6 titled ''The Ultimates 2'' (vol. 2) #1–10 (November 2016 – August 2017) which focused on the Lifebringer Galactus as the de facto leader of the Ultimates. Galactus in his Lifebringer persona made his final appearance in ''Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur'' #26–30 (December 2017 – April 2018) before being reverted to his "Devourer of Worlds" persona by writer Gerry Duggan in ''[[Infinity Countdown]]'' #4 (June 2018).

Set at the end of the primary Marvel continuity, the miniseries ''History of the Marvel Universe'' #1–6 (July 2019 – December 2019) by Mark Waid depicted Galactus as the in-story narrator. The story features Galactus recounting all the major events that have occurred in Marvel continuity to Franklin Richards as the universe experiences its final moments. Confirming the series as occurring within the primary Marvel continuity, Waid elaborated that "[t]here is a framing device, yes. We wanted it to be a story, not just a long Wikipedia entry. As established in [[Jonathan Hickman]]'s ''Fantastic Four'' run, there comes a point when Galactus and Franklin Richards stand together at the end of time, and now we get to see exactly what they were doing there."<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.newsarama.com/46074-mark-waid-on-the-history-of-the-marvel-universe.html|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190718044644/https://www.newsarama.com/46074-mark-waid-on-the-history-of-the-marvel-universe.html|url-status= dead|archive-date= 18 July 2019|title= MARK WAID Becomes a Proverbial Watcher with THE HISTORY OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE|author= Chris Arrant & George Marston|date= 17 July 2019|work= Newsarama|access-date=29 January 2020}}</ref>

===2020s===
Galactus was killed by Thor during the "Herald of Thunder" story arc in ''[[Thor (comic book)|Thor]]'' (vol. 6) #1–6 (March–August 2020). Galactus reappeared after a two-year hiatus in ''[[Fantastic Four (comic book)|Fantastic Four]]'' (vol. 6) #45 (July 2022)—the final issue of the event "[[Reckoning War]]"—where he is resurrected by his former [[Galactus#Heralds|heralds]].

==Fictional character biography==
[[File:Galan-galactus.jpg|thumb|right|alt=Comic-book page, with green and orange explosions|Galan of Taa, and<!--Please do not edit this caption without reading the talk page. The current wording is the result of consensus.--> the Sentience of the previous universe in the [[World egg|Cosmic egg]], which will eventually produce Galactus.<br/>''Super-Villain Classics'' #1: ''Galactus – The Origin'' (May 1983),<br/>art by Jack Kirby and John Byrne]]

Reality goes through cycles of creation and destruction. Galactus was originally the [[Taa-an]] explorer Galan of the planet Taa in the previous iteration of the multiverse, the Sixth Cosmos, which existed before the [[Big Bang]] of the current multiverse, the Seventh Cosmos.<ref name="origin" /><ref>''The Ultimates 2'' (vol. 2) #6 (June 2017). Marvel Comics.</ref><ref>''The Ultimates 2'' (vol. 2) #8 (August 2017). Marvel Comics.</ref> When an unknown cosmic cataclysm gradually kills all other life in his universe, Galan and other survivors leave Taa on a spacecraft and are engulfed in the [[Big Crunch]]. Galan, however, does not die: after bonding with the [[Eternity (Marvel Comics)#Fictional character biography|Sentience of the Universe]], he changes and gestates for billions of years in an egg made of the debris of his ship that the current universe formed after the Big Bang. He emerges as Galactus, and although a [[Watcher (comics)|Watcher]] named Ecce observed Galactus's birth and recognizes his destructive nature, the Watcher chooses not to kill Galactus.<ref name="Thor #168–169. Marvel Comics">''Thor'' #168–169. Marvel Comics.</ref><ref name="Fantastic Four' 1966">''Fantastic Four'' #48 (March 1966). Marvel Comics.</ref><ref name="origin">''Super-Villain Classics'' #1: ''Galactus – The Origin'' (May 1983). Marvel Comics.</ref><ref>''Fantastic Four'' #522. Marvel Comics.</ref><ref>''Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe'' #12</ref> Starving for sustenance, Galactus consumes the nearby planet of Archeopia—the first of many planets he would destroy to maintain his existence.<ref name="Fantastic Four' 1966"/><ref name="origin"/> Subsequently, in memory of his dead homeworld of Taa and the first planet (Archeopia) to fall prey to his hunger, Galactus constructs a new "homeworld": the [[Möbius strip]]-shaped space station called Taa II.

Galactus becomes involved in a civil war among the "Proemial Gods", who had come into being during the universe's infancy. When a faction of the gods led by Diableri of Chaos attempts to remake the universe in their own image, Galactus kills Diableri and imprisons three others ([[Antiphon (comics)|Antiphon]], Tenebrous, and [[Aegis (Lady of All Sorrows)|Aegis]]) in the prison called the [[Kyln]].<ref name="Annihilation 2007">''Annihilation: Heralds of Galactus'' #2 (May 2007). Marvel Comics.</ref>

Galactus then creates the being Tyrant out of a desire for companionship, but the two ultimately engage in a major conflict.<ref>''Cosmic Powers'' #6 (August 1994). Marvel Comics.</ref> Galactus decides to empower his first herald—the [[Annihilation (comics)#Annihilation: Silver Surfer|Fallen One]]—who ultimately rebels against his master.<ref>''Thanos'' #11–12 (August – September 2004). Marvel Comics.</ref> When approaching the planet of Zenn-La, Galactus accepts the offer of Norrin Radd to become his herald, the [[Silver Surfer]], in exchange for sparing his world.<ref name="ss1">''Silver Surfer'' #1 (August 1968). Marvel Comics.</ref> Eventually locating Earth, Galactus is driven off by the [[Fantastic Four]], [[Uatu]] the Watcher, and the rebellious Silver Surfer after the [[Human Torch]]—with the Watcher's assistance—retrieves the Ultimate Nullifier from Taa II. Although Galactus leaves Earth, vowing that he will never try to consume it again, he banishes the Surfer to Earth for betraying him.<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #48–50 (March – May 1966). Marvel Comics.</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Brian|last=Cronin|url=https://www.cbr.com/a-year-of-cool-comics-day-50/|title=A Year of Cool Comics – Day 50|work=[[Comic Book Resources]]|date=19 February 2010|access-date=29 September 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100504111741/http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2010/02/19/a-year-of-cool-comics-day-50/|archive-date=4 May 2010}}</ref> Galactus later returns for his former herald, but the Surfer is unrepentant and chooses to remain on Earth.<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #72–77 (March – August 1968). Marvel Comics.</ref> [[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]] learns of Galactus' origin when the entity comes into conflict with [[Ego the Living Planet]].<ref>''Thor'' #160–162 (January – March 1969). Marvel Comics.</ref>

Returning to Earth, Galactus unsuccessfully tries to re-enlist the Silver Surfer. After the Fantastic Four and the Surfer defeat Galactus's new herald, the [[Air-Walker]], [[Mister Fantastic]] reprograms Galactus's ship to travel to the [[Negative Zone]], which contains many uninhabited worlds that could potentially be consumed.<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #120–123 (March – June 1972). Marvel Comics.</ref> Thor and [[Olympian (comics)|Olympian]] ally [[Hercules (Marvel Comics)|Hercules]] encounter Galactus when his next herald, [[Firelord (character)|Firelord]], travels to Earth to be free of his master. Galactus frees Firelord when Thor presents Galactus with the magical [[Asgard (comics)|Asgardian]] suit of armor named the [[Destroyer (Thor)|Destroyer]] to animate and use as a herald.<ref>''Thor'' #225–226 (July – August 1974). Marvel Comics.</ref>

Galactus comes into conflict with the [[High Evolutionary]] when attempting to devour [[Counter-Earth (comics)#Earth|Counter-Earth]], but he is temporarily transformed into harmless energy after attempting to devour the planet Poppup, the homeworld of the [[Impossible Man]].<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #172–175 (July – October 1976). Marvel Comics.</ref> After returning to normal form, Galactus is sought by the Fantastic Four to help stop a new cosmic threat, the [[Sphinx (Marvel Comics)#Anath-Na Mut|Sphinx]]. Mr. Fantastic offers to release Galactus from his vow to not devour Earth if he helps defeat the Sphinx. Galactus agrees, if the Fantastic Four first recruit a being called Tyros as a new herald. The quartet succeed, and the newly empowered and renamed [[Terrax]] leads his master to Earth. Galactus locates and defeats the Sphinx in [[Egypt]], but is confronted by Mr. Fantastic, who, unbeknownst to Galactus, wields a fake Ultimate Nullifier. Unable to read Richards' mind (which is protected by the Watcher), Galactus retreats.<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #206–213 (May – December 1979). Marvel Comics.</ref>

Galactus empowers and uses the superheroine [[Dazzler (Marvel Comics)|Dazzler]] to locate a missing Terrax, who is in fact hiding from his master inside a black hole.<ref name="Dazzler #10">''Dazzler'' #10 (December 1981). Marvel Comics.</ref> The Dazzler defeats and retrieves Terrax, and forces Galactus to return her to Earth.<ref name="Dazzler #11">''Dazzler'' #11 (January 1982). Marvel Comics.</ref> Galactus is fooled by the [[Galadorian (comics)|Galadorian]] Spaceknight [[Rom the Space Knight|Rom]] into trying to devour the Black Nebula, the homeworld of the [[Dire Wraith]]s, but he is repelled by the Wraiths' Dark Sun.<ref>''Rom'' #26–27 (January – February 1982). Marvel Comics.</ref> A weakened Galactus pursues the rebellious Terrax to Earth and strips him of his power. Near death, Galactus is saved by the Fantastic Four and the [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]] while also acquiring another herald: [[Nova (Frankie Raye)|Nova]] II, who offers herself as Galactus' herald in exchange for him sparing Earth again.<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #242–244 (May – July 1982). Marvel Comics.</ref> Galactus devours the [[Skrull]]s' throneworld of Tarnax IV, and discusses his role in the universe with fellow cosmic entity [[Death (Marvel Comics)|Death]].<ref name="FF257">''Fantastic Four'' #257 (August 1983). Marvel Comics.</ref> Mr. Fantastic is captured by the [[Shi'ar]] for saving Galactus' life, and is tried by all of the aliens who survived the annihilation of their homeworlds by Galactus. During the trial, the cosmic entity [[Eternity (Marvel Comics)|Eternity]] — the sentient embodiment of space and reality of the Marvel Universe — intervenes, allowing all beings present to momentarily become one with the universe, allowing them to understand that Galactus is a necessary part of the cosmic order.<ref name="ff262"/>

During the [[Secret Wars]], Galactus attempts to consume Battleworld to force the [[Beyonder]] to remove his hunger, but his plan is foiled by [[Doctor Doom]].<ref>''Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars'' #1–12 (May 1984 – April 1985). Marvel Comics.</ref> Galactus grants clemency to the Silver Surfer, who aids his former master against the [[Elders of the Universe]]<ref>''Silver Surfer'' (vol. 3) #1–10 (July 1987 – April 1988). Marvel Comics.</ref> and the [[In-Betweener]].<ref>''Silver Surfer'' (vol. 3) #16–18 (October – December 1988). Marvel Comics.</ref> Galactus also rescues the Surfer and Nova II from [[Mephisto (Marvel Comics)|Mephisto]]'s realm,<ref>''Silver Surfer: Judgment Day'' [graphic novel] (October 1988). Marvel Comics.</ref> and aids the cosmic hierarchy in a war against the mad [[Eternals (comics)|Eternal]] [[Thanos]], who wields the [[Infinity Gems|Infinity Gauntlet]].<ref>''Infinity Gauntlet'' #1–6 (July – December 1991). Marvel Comics.</ref>

When Nova II is conscience-stricken at causing the death of billions of aliens, Galactus takes on a new herald, the bloodthirsty [[Morg|Morg the Executioner]].<ref name="Silver Surfer 1992">''Silver Surfer'' (vol. 3) #70 (September 1992). Marvel Comics.</ref> Tyrant eventually returns<ref>''Cosmic Powers'' #1–6 (March – August 1994). Marvel Comics.</ref> and Morg sacrifices himself to stop the former creation of Galactus by using the Ultimate Nullifier.<ref name="Silver Surfer 1995">''Silver Surfer'' (vol. 3) #109 (October 1995). Marvel Comics.</ref> Galactus then decides, with help from his new herald Red Shift, to only devour the energy of living beings, which brings him into conflict with alien races and Earth's superheroes. During a final confrontation near Chandilar, the throneworld of the [[Shi'ar]], the Silver Surfer turns Galactus' siphoning machines against him. A starving Galactus dies and assumes the form of a star.<ref>''Galactus the Devourer'' #1–6 (September 1999 – March 2000). Marvel Comics.</ref> The death of Galactus allows the entity [[Abraxas (comics)|Abraxas]] (a metaphysical embodiment of destruction) to emerge from imprisonment.<ref>''Fantastic Four Annual 2001''. Marvel Comics.</ref> The entity wreaks havoc across thousands of [[Parallel universes in fiction|alternate universes]], killing various incarnations of Galactus before the children of Mr. Fantastic — [[Franklin Richards (character)|Franklin Richards]] and [[Valeria Richards|Valeria von Doom]] — exhaust their powers to restore the original Galactus. Galactus then provides Mr. Fantastic with the Ultimate Nullifier, which he uses to reset reality and prevent Abraxas' initial escape and destruction.<ref>''Fantastic Four'' (vol. 3) #46–49 (October 2001 – January 2002). Marvel Comics.</ref>

Conscience-stricken, Galactus tries to rid himself of his cosmic hunger by feeding on the power from the [[Infinity Gems]], but is tricked into releasing the Hunger, a being which feeds on entire galaxies. The Hunger is destroyed when Thanos orchestrates a final battle with Galactus.<ref>''Thanos'' #1–6 (December 2003 – May 2004). Marvel Comics.</ref> When an alien race develops a technology to make planets invisible to Galactus, he empowers the Human Torch (who has traded powers with his sister the Invisible Woman and becomes the Invisible Boy as a result of this) and utilizes the hero as an unwilling herald to locate the planets. The Fantastic Four and [[Quasar (Wendell Vaughn)|Quasar]] free the Torch by changing Galactus back into the humanoid Galan, who chooses to exile himself to an energy-rich alternate dimension before he can transform back into Galactus so that he can feed on that reality without endangering planets.<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #520–523 (January – April 2005). Marvel Comics.</ref>

Galactus consumes [[Beta Ray Bill]]'s homeworld with the help of his new herald, [[Stardust (Marvel Comics)|Stardust]].<ref name="Stormbreaker 2005">''Stormbreaker: The Saga of Beta Ray Bill'' #1–6 (March – August 2005). Marvel Comics.</ref> After [[Annihilus]] declares war on the universe, the entity attacks and destroys the Kyln, freeing former Galactus foes Tenebrous and Aegis.<ref>''Annihlation: Prologue'' #1 (May 2006). Marvel Comics.</ref> Sensing their release, Galactus temporarily releases Stardust from his service and re-employs the Silver Surfer as his herald due to his familiarity with their old foes.<ref name="Annihilation 2006">''Annihilation: Silver Surfer'' #3 (August 2006). Marvel Comics.</ref> Tenebrous and Aegis, however, find and defeat the Surfer and Galactus and deliver them to Annihilus.<ref>''Annihilation'' #1 (October 2006). Marvel Comics.</ref> Annihilus intends to use Galactus as a weapon to destroy all life in the universe, but is thwarted when the entity is freed by [[Drax the Destroyer]]. Galactus retaliates and destroys most of Annihilus' forces.<ref>''Annihilation'' #4–6 (January – March 2007). Marvel Comics.</ref> Seeking a final confrontation with Tenebrous and Aegis, Galactus sends the Silver Surfer to locate them.<ref>''Annihilation: Heralds of Galactus'' #1 (April 2007). Marvel Comics.</ref> The Surfer eventually draws the pair into the barrier between the universe and the [[Negative Zone]], which destroys both of them.<ref name="Annihilation 2007"/>

After an encounter with [[Epoch (Marvel Comics)|Epoch]],<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #545–546 (June – July 2007). Marvel Comics.</ref> Galactus consumes the planet Orbucen.<ref>''Nova'' (vol. 4) #13–15 (July – September 2008). Marvel Comics.</ref> When a distraught Beta Ray Bill seeks vengeance for the destruction of the Korbinites' homeworld, Galactus relents and creates a female Korbinite as a companion for Bill.<ref name="Godhunter">''Beta Ray Bill: Godhunter'' #1–3 (June – August 2009). Marvel Comics.</ref> Galactus also consumes the planet [[Sakaar]], earning the enmity of the [[Hulk]]'s alien-born twin sons, [[Skaar (character)|Skaar]] and [[Hiro-Kala]].<ref>''Skarr: Son of Hulk'' #7–12 (March 1, 2009 – August 1, 2009) and ''Son of Hulk'' #13–17 (September 1, 2009 – January 2010). Marvel Comics.</ref>

The Silver Surfer finds the body of a future Galactus underneath New York City, and he summons the present Galactus to Earth.<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #583 (November 2010). Marvel Comics.</ref> Mr. Fantastic explains that, in the distant future, the heroes on a dying Earth had killed Galactus and then escaped to the present via [[time travel]].<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #560 (November 2008). Marvel Comics.</ref> When Galactus discovers these heroes now live on a planet called Nu-Earth, he destroys it and its inhabitants in retribution.<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #587 (March 2011). Marvel Comics.</ref>

A tear in the fabric of space caused by the Annihilation Wave and other interstellar conflicts allows the extra-universal forces of the [[The Thanos Imperative|Cancerverse]] (an alternate universe without death) to invade. Galactus, the [[Celestial (comics)|Celestial]]s and the resurrected Tenebrous and Aegis combat the powerful Cancerverse weapon: the Galactus Engine (constructed from the corpse of the Cancerverse's counterpart to Galactus).<ref>''The Thanos Imperative'' #2–6 (September 2010 – January 2011). Marvel Comics.</ref> During the events of the [[Chaos War]], Galactus is teleported to Earth by the Olympian demigod Hercules to help fight the [[Amatsu-Mikaboshi (character)|Chaos King]], a metaphysical embodiment of Oblivion and another antithesis of [[Eternity (Marvel Comics)|Eternity]].<ref>''Chaos War'' #2 (December 2010). Marvel Comics.</ref> While the [[Hulk]] and his allies the God Squad, [[Alpha Flight]], and several members of the Avengers fight [[Amatsu-Mikaboshi (character)|Amatsu-Mikaboshi]]'s forces, [[Amadeus Cho]] and Galactus develop a machine which will move Earth to a safe location in a sealed-off continuum, only to adapt the plan by trapping Amatsu-Mikaboshi in that dimension instead.<ref>''Chaos War'' #5 (March 2011). Marvel Comics.</ref>

After an encounter with the High Evolutionary,<ref>''Silver Surfer'' (vol. 6) #1–5 (January – May 2011). Marvel Comics.</ref> Galactus invades [[Asgard (comics)|Asgard]], home of the Norse Gods, seeking an Asgardian artifact to sate his hunger and spare future civilizations. [[Odin (Marvel Comics)|Odin]], ruler of the Norse Gods, contends that Galactus wishes to ensure that he is not replaced in the next universe. To avoid a protracted battle, the Silver Surfer offers to remain on Earth to guard the artifact on the condition that Galactus may have it once Asgard eventually passes. Galactus recruits a human preacher from Earth named Pastor Mike (full name unknown) that he names Praeter to be his new herald.<ref>''The Mighty Thor'' #1–6 (April – September 2011). Marvel Comics.</ref> Later, when the Mad Celestials from Earth-4280 invade, Galactus destroys one before being struck down by the others. Revived by Franklin Richards, he and Franklin succeed in vanquishing the remaining Celestials, and prevent the destruction of Earth.<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #602–604 (January 2012 – March 2012). Marvel Comics.</ref> In the aftermath, Galactus learns that he will no longer face the eventual end of the universe alone; he and Franklin will witness it together.<ref>''FF'' #16 (March 2012). Marvel Comics.</ref>

Galactus is then pulled through a hole in space-time to an [[Ultimate Marvel|alternate universe]]<ref>''Age of Ultron'' #10 (August 2013). Marvel Comics.</ref> and meets another version of himself: a space-faring mechanical hive mind called Gah Lak Tus.<ref name="Hunger#1">''Hunger'' #1 (July 2013). Marvel Comics.</ref> After the two merge with one another, Galactus makes his way towards this universe's Earth in an attempt to consume it. The heroes of the alternate Earth travel to Earth-616 to acquire information on Galactus<ref>''Cataclysm: The Ultimates' Last Stand'' #3 (March 2014). Marvel Comics.</ref> and eventually manage to send Galactus to the Negative Zone, reasoning that he will eventually starve to death, as the region is composed of [[antimatter]].<ref>''Cataclysm: The Ultimates' Last Stand'' #5 (April 2014). Marvel Comics.</ref> A comatose Galactus is found by the [[Eternals (comics)|Eternal]]s and [[Vision (Timely Comics)|Aarkus]], who hope to use him in their war against the [[Kree]].<ref>''All-New Invaders'' #5 (May 2014). Marvel Comics.</ref>

Galactus returns to the universe, and after an encounter with [[Squirrel Girl]],<ref>''The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl'' #4 (January 2016). Marvel Comics.</ref> is forced into his own incubator by the [[Ultimates (2015 team)|Ultimates]], who are determined to end his threat. Galactus re-emerges as a Lifebringer instead of a Devourer of Worlds, his first act as such being to re-create Archeopia, the first planet that he ever consumed.<ref>''The Ultimates'' (vol. 2) #1–6 (January – June 2016). Marvel Comics.</ref> Galactus later rescues the team at the behest of Eternity, and learns that the latter has been imprisoned by an unknown force. Galactus also comes into conflict with fellow cosmic entities [[Master Order]] and [[Lord Chaos]], who, along with the [[Molecule Man]], wish for Galactus to return to his former role as a Devourer of Worlds and thereby restore the cosmic order. Galactus locates the hero Anti-Man outside the Multiverse and, after transforming him into a Herald of Life, sends him to recruit the recently disbanded Ultimates to help discover the identity of Eternity's captor, who is later revealed to be the First Firmament, the first iteration of the cosmos. Master Order and Lord Chaos bring Galactus to trial before the [[Living Tribunal]], still seeking to restore Galactus to his former state for the sake of the cosmic order. Although Galactus successfully argues that the balance of the new Multiverse is different and that his old role is obsolete, the Tribunal is destroyed by a Firmament-influenced Master Order and Lord Chaos. After a brief battle, Master Order decides to create a new cosmic order, which it and Lord Chaos would control. Their former servant, the [[In-Betweener]], is forcibly merged with them into a new cosmic being called Logos. After destroying several Celestials, Logos forcibly transforms Galactus back into the Devourer of Worlds. The process is reversed when Anti-Man sacrifices his life to restore Galactus as the Lifebringer. Galactus then swears to free the imprisoned Eternity.<ref>''The Ultimates 2'' (vol. 2) #3–6 (March – June 2017). Marvel Comics.</ref>

During the "[[Infinity Countdown]]" storyline, the Silver Surfer requests Galactus' aid in defeating Ultron/Hank Pym by consuming the planet Saiph, which is overrun by Ultron drones. Galactus reluctantly agrees. After consuming Saiph, Galactus' hunger returns and the Silver Surfer becomes his herald again as he takes Galactus to find an uninhabited planet.<ref name="Infinity Countdown #4">''Infinity Countdown'' #4 (August 2018). Marvel Comics.</ref>

Returning to Earth, Galactus has a confrontation with [[Doctor Doom]] and the Fantastic Four, with Doom revealing his plans to harness Galactus' power as an energy source.<ref>''Fantastic Four'' (vol. 6) #6–7 (January–February 2019). Marvel Comics.</ref> Banished to the mystical realms by an alien sorcerer, Galactus becomes entangled in the schemes of [[Dormammu]] and Mephisto. Galactus begins to consume mystical energy, eventually absorbing Dormammu and other mystical entities, and in doing so goes insane and destabilizes reality. [[Doctor Strange]] intervenes and – with the aid of Eternity and the Living Tribunal – is able to undo the damage wrought by Galactus.<ref name="heraldsupreme">''Doctor Strange'' (vol. 5) #12–17 (March – August 2019). Marvel Comics.</ref>

An injured Galactus crashlands on Asgard, apparently seeking asylum from the cause of his universe's destruction: the Black Winter (Fimbulwinter), a cosmic entity that fulfills a similar purpose to Galactus on a far larger scale — rather than simply devouring planets, it consumes entire universes. Galactus reveals to All-Father Thor that he had a vision of Thor being responsible for his death. In a bid to destroy the Black Winter, Galactus turns Thor into his Herald of Thunder.<ref>''Thor'' (vol. 6) #1 (March 2020). Marvel Comics.</ref> Thor later learns that the Black Winter considers Galactus to be ''his'' herald. This causes an angered Thor to drain Galactus of his energies enough to turn him into a desiccated husk. When the Black Winter moves in to claim Galactus' body, Thor uses it as a bomb to decimate the Black Winter.<ref>''Thor'' (vol. 6) #5–6 (July – August 2020). Marvel Comics.</ref>

==Powers and abilities==
Galactus was created during the union of the [[Eternity (Marvel Comics)#Fictional character biography|Sentience of the (previous) Universe]] and Galan of Taa,<ref name="origin"/><ref name="Thanos #3">''Thanos'' #3 (February 2004). Marvel Comics.</ref><ref name="u6">''The Ultimates'' (vol. 2) #6 (April 2016). Marvel Comics.</ref> and is described as "the physical, metamorphosed embodiment of a [[cosmos]]."<ref name="fantastic522">''Fantastic Four'' #522 (March 2005). Marvel Comics.</ref> Although he is not an abstract entity,<ref name="Quasar37">''Quasar'' #37 (August 1992)</ref><ref>''Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A to Z'' #4</ref> his true form cannot be perceived by most beings;<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #521 (February 2005). Marvel Comics.</ref> each species sees Galactus in a form they can comprehend, similar to their race or a [[deity]] of their religion.<ref name=stormbreaker1>''Stormbreaker: The Saga of Beta Ray Bill'' #1 (March 2005). Marvel Comics.</ref><ref name="ff262">''Fantastic Four'' #262 (January 1984). Marvel Comics.</ref> Galactus can also appear as a humanoid star when addressing fellow members of the cosmic hierarchy.<ref name="origin"/><ref name="SS10">''Silver Surfer'' (vol. 3) #10 (April 1988). Marvel Comics.</ref><ref>''Infinity Gauntlet'' #5 (November 1991). Marvel Comics.</ref> Through his actions of consuming planets, Galactus embodies a living force of nature whose existence acts as a third force to the conceptual entities: [[Eternity (Marvel Comics)|Eternity]] and [[Death (Marvel Comics)|Death]],<ref name="SS10"/><ref>''Silver Surfer'' (vol. 3) #6 (December 1987). Marvel Comics.</ref> as well serving as a cosmic test of survival for civilizations.<ref name="FF257"/><ref name="ff262"/> Additionally, the continued existence of Galactus ensures the confinement of the cosmic entity [[Abraxas (comics)|Abraxas]].<ref>''Fantastic Four'' (vol. 3) #48 (December 2001). Marvel Comics.</ref> As Galactus requires planets with the potential to support life, his existence also causes the extinction of entire [[Extraterrestrial life|extraterrestrial]] civilizations.<ref>''Thanos'' #6 (May 2004). Marvel Comics.</ref>

Galactus' overall power level is variable, based on the planets he has recently consumed. If he does not feed regularly, he becomes considerably weaker; on one occasion, while in a starved, weakened state, he was defeated by the combined efforts of both the Fantastic Four and the [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]].<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #243-244 (June-July 1982). Marvel Comics.</ref> On the other hand, if Galactus overfeeds on planets, he can greatly increase his powers, temporarily. After consuming four planets, Galactus increased his powers to the point that he could easily destroy a Mad Celestial, although he was still not powerful enough to take on three of them at once.<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #602-603</ref><ref>[https://comicvine.gamespot.com/forums/franklin-richards-1265/jon-hickmans-formspring-replies-on-fantastic-four--692940/ Jon Hickman's formspring replies on Fantastic Four #604]. ''Comic Vine''. September 8, 2012.</ref>

Galactus' upper limit is unknown. On a few occasions, storylines reached their climax at a point where Galactus lacks his customary restraint, and becomes insatiable. Writer [[Walt Simonson]] depicted a Galactus in a possible future whose hunger was altered by the Celestial [[Tiamut]], with Galactus consuming the universe due to his rabid hunger.<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #340–341 (April – May 1990). Marvel Comics.</ref> In the "Herald Supreme" storyline, [[Mark Waid]] showed Galactus' uncontrollable hunger that results from his consumption of the mystical being [[Dormammu]].<ref name="heraldsupreme"/> [[Jonathan Hickman]] and [[Sanford Greene]] wrote a story taking place in an alternate reality, where Galactus begins ravenously consuming as many planets as possible, and "overflowing with the power of hundreds of consumed planets," he crushes a Celestial Host.<ref>''Doom'' (vol. 2) #1</ref>

{{Anchor|Power Cosmic|Power Cosmic}}
The consumption of planets is what maintains Galactus' life and power. He usually employs the Elemental Converter, which converts matter into energy more efficiently, even though he is capable of feeding without it. Alternatively, Galactus can absorb energy directly from cosmic beings<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #414 (July 1996). Marvel Comics.</ref><ref>''Generations: Phoenix & Jean Grey'' #1 (August 2017). Marvel Comics.</ref> and even mystical entities—though with unpredictable results.<ref name="heraldsupreme"/> Processing this cosmic energy allows Galactus to utilize a force known as the '''Power Cosmic'''<!--boldface per WP:R#PLA--> to perform great feats, which have included universal [[Omniscience|cosmic awareness]],<ref name="Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #9">''Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars'' #9 (January 1985). Marvel Comics.</ref> [[telepathy]],<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #242 (May 1982). Marvel Comics.</ref> [[Psychokinesis|telekinesis]],<ref name="ReferenceA">''Fantastic Four'' #49 (April 1966). Marvel Comics.</ref> energy projection;<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #50 (May 1966)</ref> size alteration;<ref name="rom27">''Rom'' #27 (December 1979). Marvel Comics.</ref> [[Nuclear transmutation|transmutation]] of matter;<ref name="ss1"/> [[teleportation]] of objects across space,<ref name="rom27"/> the creation of [[Force field (fiction)|force fields]]<ref name="ss1"/> and [[Parallel universe (fiction)|interdimensional portals]];<ref name="Thanos #3"/> the [[Artificial life|creation of life]],<ref name="Godhunter"/><ref>''Cosmic Powers Unlimited'' #2 (August 1995). Marvel Comics.</ref> the [[resurrection]] of the dead,<ref>''Silver Surfer'' (vol. 3) #76 (January 1993). Marvel Comics.</ref> manipulating souls,<ref>''Silver Surfer'' (vol. 3) #49 (May 1991). Marvel Comics.</ref> memories and emotions,<ref name="ss130">''Silver Surfer'' (vol. 3) #130 (August 1997). Marvel Comics.</ref> and mass-scale events such as recreating dead worlds in every detail (including [[illusion]]s of their entire populations)<ref name="ss130"/> and destroying multiple [[planetary system]]s simultaneously.<ref>''Annihilation'' #6 (March 2007). Marvel Comics.</ref>

To aid in his search for suitable planets, Galactus frequently appoints an individual as his herald, granting each one in turn a small fraction of the Power Cosmic. This power replaces the [[Aura (paranormal)|auras]] (or [[soul]]s) of the recipient, with each wielder's physical form adapting to store the energy and in turn allow manipulation for feats such as energy projection.<ref>''Annihilation'' #3 (December 2006). Marvel Comics.</ref> Galactus is also capable of removing the Power Cosmic from the herald.<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #242–243 (May – June 1982). Marvel Comics.</ref> 

Galactus also possesses scientific knowledge that is beyond comprehension as one of the oldest living entities in the universe. He is capable of building massive starships of his own design, humanoid robots called Punishers used to battle foes beneath his attention,<ref name="ReferenceA"/> and the [[Solar System]]-sized and [[Möbius strip]]-shaped [[space station]] named Taa II.<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #210 (September 1979). Marvel Comics.</ref> Mr. Fantastic has speculated that Taa II may be the greatest source of energy in the universe.<ref name="Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #9"/>

== Ultimate Nullifier ==
The '''Ultimate Nullifier''',<!--boldface per WP:R#PLA--> a device capable of completely erasing any chosen target from existence, was initially believed to be linked to or created by Galactus.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Fernandes |first=Mariana |date=June 9, 2019 |title=10 Questions About The Ultimate Nullifier, Finally Answered |url=https://www.cbr.com/marvel-ultimate-nullifier-questions-answered/ |access-date=August 12, 2025 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en}}</ref> In the Nullifier's first appearance in ''Fantastic Four'' #50, [[Uatu]] sends the Human Torch to retrieve it from Taa II, a massive structure built as a monument to the original world of Taa.<ref name="Fantastic Four #50">''[[Fantastic Four (comic book)|Fantastic Four]]'' #50 (May 1966)</ref> While this issue presents the Ultimate Nullifier as originating from Taa II, later sources list its origins as unknown. Its destructive potential is emphasized by the fact that Galactus retreats when threatened with its use.<ref name=":1" />

The Ultimate Nullifier is generally kept within Taa II, though at times Galactus has been known to carry it aboard his spherical starship. If the Nullifier is stolen or kept in other locales such as the Fantastic Four's headquarters, it inevitably returns to Galactus' possession. In the [[Abraxas (comics)|Abraxas]] saga, Galactus demonstrates the ability to summon the Nullifier at will and states it to be a part of himself.<ref name=":02">''Fantastic Four'' (vol. 3) #49 (January 2002)</ref>

The 2022 storyline "[[Reckoning War]]" reveals that the Ultimate Nullifier was created by the [[Watcher (comics)|Watchers]] during a war with the Prosilicans and was used to kill 90% of the universe's population.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Isaak |first=Joshua |date=June 17, 2022 |title=Galactus' Ultimate Weapon Is Finally Explained in Huge Marvel Lore Change |url=https://screenrant.com/galactus-ultimate-nullifier-explained-huge-marvel-lore-change/ |access-date=October 6, 2024 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |language=en}}</ref>

The Ultimate Nullifier is capable of erasing from existence anything its wielder can fully comprehend, such as destroying an entire universe if the wielder could conceive of it in its entirety.<ref>''Fantastic Four'' (vol. 3) #24 (December 1999)</ref> However, most beings lack the focus to control the Nullifier, and misuse can result in the annihilation of the wielder as well as the target. Accounts from Uatu describe a power-adjustment mechanism capable of erasing a solar system in a [[microsecond]], and its effects have been depicted as either a spreading sphere of nullification or directed energy beams. In some instances, beings destroyed by the Nullifier are sent to the realm of Oblivion, with the [[Time Variance Authority]] and Uatu stating that its use erases the target and all traces of their actions from reality.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 25, 2025 |title=Ultimate Nullifier (Cosmic power item; Fantastic Four, Avengers, Spider-Man and many other stories) |url=http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix8/ultimate_nullifier-cosmic.html |access-date=August 12, 2025 |website=Marvunapp.com}}</ref>

==Heralds==
The [[Silver Surfer]] is a recurring ally and herald of Galactus, and was the first herald to be introduced into the [[Marvel Universe]].<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #48–50 (March – May 1966). Marvel Comics</ref> Other characters have also filled the role of a herald intermittently.

Characters who debuted as heralds or creations of Galactus:

* Tyrant<ref>''Silver Surfer'' (vol. 3) #81 (June 1993). Marvel Comics.</ref> (deceased)<ref>''Silver Surfer'' (vol. 3) #109 (December 1995). Marvel Comics.</ref>
* [[Annihilation (comics)#Annihilation: Silver Surfer|Fallen One]]<ref>''Thanos'' #11 (August 2004). Marvel Comics.</ref> (deceased)<ref>''Annihilation: Silver Surfer'' #1 (2006). Marvel Comics.</ref>
* [[Air-Walker]]<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #120 (March 1972). Marvel Comics.</ref> (deceased)<ref>''Thor'' #306 (April 1981) (seen in flashback)</ref>
* [[Firelord (character)|Firelord]]<ref>''Thor'' #225 (July 1974). Marvel Comics.</ref> (released from Galactus' service)<ref name="Thor' 1974">''Thor'' #228 (October 1974). Marvel Comics.</ref>
* [[Terrax]]<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #211 (October 1979). Marvel Comics.</ref> (released from Galactus' service)<ref name="Fantastic Four' 1982">''Fantastic Four'' #244 (July 1982). Marvel Comics.</ref>
* [[Nova (Frankie Raye)|Nova]] II<ref name="Fantastic Four' 1982"/> (released from Galactus' service)<ref>''Silver Surfer'' #70 (August 1992). Marvel Comics.</ref>
* [[Morg]]<ref name="Silver Surfer 1992"/> (released from Galactus' service)<ref name=":0">''Fantastic Four'' (vol. 6) #44 (August 2022)</ref>
* Red Shift<ref>''Galactus the Devourer'' #2 (October 1999). Marvel Comics.</ref> (deceased)<ref>''Annihilation'' #2 (November 2006). Marvel Comics.</ref>
* [[Stardust (Marvel Comics)|Stardust]]<ref name="Stormbreaker 2005"/> (banished to the far side of the universe)<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #547 (August 2007). Marvel Comics.</ref>
* Praeter<ref>''The Mighty Thor'' #6 (November 2011) Marvel Comics.</ref> (missing, fate unknown)<ref>''Nova'' (vol. 6) #1 (January 2016)</ref>

The following characters have fulfilled the role of a herald for only one storyline:

* the [[Destroyer (Thor)|Destroyer]]<ref name="Thor' 1974"/>
* [[Rom the Space Knight]]<ref name="rom27"/>
* [[Dazzler (Marvel Comics)|Dazzler]]<ref>''Dazzler'' #10–11 (December 1981 – January 1982). Marvel Comics.</ref>
* [[Aunt May|May Parker]] (as Golden Oldie)<ref>''Marvel Team-Up'' #137 (January 1984). Marvel Comics</ref>
* [[Human Torch]] (as the Invisible Boy)<ref>''Fantastic Four'' #520 (January 2005). Marvel Comics.</ref>
* the [[Ultimates (2015 team)|Ultimates]]<ref>''The Ultimates 2'' (vol. 2) #1–10 (November 2016 – August 2017). Marvel Comics.</ref>
* Anti-Man<ref>''The Ultimates'' (vol. 2) #5 (May 2016). Marvel Comics.</ref>
* [[Doctor Strange]]<ref>''Doctor Strange'' (vol. 5) #12–16 (May – October 2019). Marvel Comics</ref>
* [[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]]<ref>''Thor'' (vol. 6) #1 (January 2020). Marvel Comics</ref>
* [[Ka-Zar (Kevin Plunder)|Ka-Zar]]<ref>''Avengers'' (vol. 8) #50 (February 2022). Marvel Comics.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-12-02|title=Galactus' New Herald Happens To Be One of Marvel's Least-Powerful Avengers|url=https://www.cbr.com/avengers-750-new-herald-of-galactus-ka-zar/|access-date=2021-12-03|website=CBR|language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Kamala Khan#Herald of Galactus|Kamala Khan]]<ref name="Bleeding Cool on Kamala as Herald">{{Cite web |last=Johnston |first=Rich |date=August 28, 2024 |title=Iman Vellani Writes Adult Ms Marvel As A Herald Of Galactus (Spoilers) |url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/iman-vellani-writes-adult-ms-marvel-as-a-herald-of-galactus-spoilers/ |access-date=August 28, 2024 |website=[[Bleeding Cool]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name="ComicBook.com on Kamala as Herald">{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Timothy |date=August 28, 2024 |title=Ms. Marvel's Iman Vellani Pens New Comic Story That Gives Kamala Khan a Surprising Future |url=https://comicbook.com/comics/news/iman-vellani-ms-marvel-galactus-herald-marvel-85th-anniversary-special-mcu/ |access-date=August 28, 2024 |website=[[ComicBook.com]] |language=en}}</ref>

==Other versions==
===''The Adventures of the X-Men''===
An alternate universe variant of Galactus from Earth-92131 appears in ''[[X-Men (comic book)|The Adventures of the X-Men]]'' #12.<ref>{{Cite comic|writer = [[Ralph Macchio (editor)|Ralph Macchio]]|penciller = Yancey Labat|inker = Ralph Cabrera|story = Better To Light a Small Candle ...|title = The Adventures of the X-Men|volume = 1|issue = #12|date = March 1997|publisher = Marvel Comics|location = United States}}</ref>

===Amalgam Comics===
'''Galactiac''', an amalgamation of Galactus and [[DC Comics]] character [[Brainiac (character)|Brainiac]] from Earth-9602, appears in [[Amalgam Comics]]. In addition to consuming planetary energy, he leaves small aspects of the worlds he consumes intact for personal study.<ref>{{Marvunapp|http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/galctiac.htm|Galactiac}}</ref><ref>''Challengers of the Fantastic'' #1 (June 1997). Marvel Comics.</ref>

===''Bullet Points''===
An alternate universe variant of Galactus from Earth-70105 appears in ''[[Bullet Points (comics)|Bullet Points]]'' (January – May 2007).

===''Cosmic Ghost Rider''===
An alternate universe variant of Galactus appears in ''Thanos'' (vol. 2) #16.<ref>''Thanos'' (vol. 2) #16 (April 2018). Marvel Comics.</ref>

===''Earth X''===
An alternate universe variant of Galactus from Earth-9997 appears in ''[[Earth X]]''. This version is one of three cosmic entities who keep the [[Celestial (comics)|Celestials]] in check, with his role being to consume planets to prevent them from overpopulating the universe. Additionally, '''[[Franklin Richards (character)|Franklin Richards]]''' goes on to adopt the mantle of Galactus.<ref>''Earth X'' #0 (March 1999), 0.5 (January 2000), 1–10 (April 1999 – January 2000), 11–12 (March – April 2000) and 13 (June 2000). Marvel Comics.</ref>

===''Exiles''===
An alternate universe variant of Galactus from Earth-552 appears in ''[[Exiles (Marvel Comics)|Exiles]]''. This version restores worlds destroyed by the Blight rather than consuming them.<ref>''Exiles'' #86–87 (October – November 2006). Marvel Comics.</ref>

===''Galacta, Daughter of Galactus''===
An alternate universe variant of Galactus from Earth-610102 appears in ''Galacta, Daughter of Galactus''. This version, via a "celestial parasite", gave rise to the titular '''Gali / Galacta''',<ref>''Marvel Assistant-Sized Spectacular'' #2 (June 2009) Marvel Comics.</ref> who secretly lives on Earth working as a doctor and superhero while seeking to suppress her own hunger.<ref>''Galacta, Daughter of Galactus'' (May 2010) Marvel Comics.</ref>

===''Galactus: Dawn of the Heralds''===
An alternate universe variant of Galactus fused with [[Ultron]] from Earth-22666 appears in ''Marvel Universe 2001: Millennial Visions'' #1.<ref>''Marvel Universe 2001: Millennial Visions'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref>

===''Guardians of the Galaxy''===
A possible future variant of Galactus from Earth-691 appears in ''[[Guardians of the Galaxy (1969 team)|Guardians of the Galaxy]]''. This version no longer consumes worlds as his herald, the Keeper, possesses sufficient power to satiate his hunger.<ref>''Guardians of the Galaxy'' #24–25 (May – June 1992). Marvel Comics.</ref>

===''Heroes Reborn''===
A variant of Galactus from a pocket universe created by Franklin Richards appears in ''[[Heroes Reborn (1996 comic)|Heroes Reborn]]''. This version is worshipped by the [[Inhumans#Heroes Reborn|Inhumans]].<ref>''Fantastic Four'' (vol. 2) #9–13 (July – November 1997). Marvel Comics.</ref>

===''King Thor''===
A distant future variant of Galactus from Earth-14412 appears in ''The Mighty Thor'' #700. This version bonded with [[All-Black the Necrosword]] to become "Galactus the World Butcher" before he is consumed by an All-Black-empowered [[Ego the Living Planet]].<ref>''Thor: God of Thunder'' #24 (September 2014). Marvel Comics.</ref><ref>''The Mighty Thor'' #700 (December 2017). Marvel Comics</ref>

===''Mangaverse''===
An alternate universe variant of Galactus from Earth-2301 appears in ''[[Marvel Mangaverse|New Mangaverse]]''. This version possesses a single eye, tentacles, and "Galactus spores" that aid in its digestion.<ref>''New Mangaverse'' (vol. 2) #1–5 (March – July 2006). Marvel Comics.</ref>

===''Marvel Adventures Fantastic Four''===
A distant future variant of Galactus from the end of time appears in ''[[Marvel Adventures]]''.<ref>''Marvel Adventures Fantastic Four'' #48 (May 2009). Marvel Comics.</ref>

===''Marvel Zombies''===
An alternate universe variant of Galactus from Earth-2149 appears in ''[[Marvel Zombies]]''.<ref>''Marvel Zombies'' #1–5 (February – June 2006). Marvel Comics.</ref>

===MC2===
A possible future variant of Galactus from Earth-982 appears in ''[[Last Planet Standing]]''. This version eventually merges with the Silver Surfer and vows to repair rather than destroy worlds.<ref>''Last Planet Standing'' #1–5 (June – September 2006). Marvel Comics.</ref>

===Ultimate Marvel===
An alternate universe variant of Galactus from [[Ultimate Marvel|Earth-1610]] called '''Gah Lak Tus''' appears in the ''Ultimate Galactus Trilogy''.<ref name="Hunger#1"/> This version is a [[Collective intelligence|hive mind]] of city-sized robotic drones that telepathically broadcast fear into planets' inhabitants, then send envoys to introduce a [[flesh-eating virus]] onto planets.<ref>''Ultimate Nightmare'' #1–5 (October 2004 – February 2005); ''Ultimate Secret'' #1–2 (May – June 2005), 3 (August 2005) and 4 (December 2005); ''Ultimate Extinction'' #1–5 (March – July 2006). Marvel Comics.</ref> Eons ago, the ancient Kree built Gah Lak Tus to "purify" the universe, but it escaped their control and evolved into its current form.<ref name="Hunger#1"/><ref>''Hunger'' #3 (October 2013). Marvel Comics.</ref>

==="What If Uatu The Watcher Had Never Interfered?"===
An alternate universe variant of Galactus appears in "[[Reckoning War#Tie-in issue|Reckoning War: Trial of the Watcher]]". After [[Uatu]] is forbidden by his father Ikor to interfere with the Fantastic Four's battle with Galactus, the latter injures most of the group until Reed Richards develops a weapon capable of killing Galactus. He then uses the energy left from Galactus's death to create a new source of unlimited clean power for Earth; however, the use of said power results in the erasure of the entire universe.<ref>''Reckoning War: Trial of the Watcher'' #1. Marvel Comics.</ref>

==In other media==
===Television===
*Galactus appears in a self-titled episode of ''[[Fantastic Four (1967 TV series)|Fantastic Four]]'' (1967), voiced by [[Ted Cassidy]].<ref name="BTVA">{{Cite web |title=Galactus Voices (Fantastic Four) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Fantastic-Four/Galactus/ |access-date= |website=Behind The Voice Actors |language=en-US |postscript=. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.}}</ref> This version sports green skin and blue armor.<ref name="BTVA" />
*Galactus appears in ''[[Fantastic Four (1994 TV series)|Fantastic Four]]'' (1994), voiced by [[Tony Jay]].<ref name="BTVA"/>
*Galactus appears in ''[[Silver Surfer (TV series)|Silver Surfer]]'' (1998), voiced by [[James Blendick]].<ref name="BTVA"/>
*Galactus appears in ''[[The Super Hero Squad Show]]'', voiced by [[George Takei]].<ref name="BTVA"/>
*Galactus makes non-speaking appearances in ''[[The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Destroyer14 |date=2012-11-26 |title=Articles of Destroyer: Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes 'Avengers Assemble' Review |url=https://destroyers-editorialsandreviews.blogspot.com/2012/11/avengers-earths-mightiest-heroes.html |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=Articles of Destroyer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stephen |date=2018-10-14 |title=Blackjack Rants: Avengers Earth's Mightiest Heroes S02E10 Review: What Measure Is A Skrull |url=https://blackjackrants.blogspot.com/2018/10/avengers-earths-mightiest-heroes-s02e10.html |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=Blackjack Rants}}</ref> This version feeds on [[antimatter]] in addition to planetary energy, which he achieves by using life-siphoning machines to convert normal matter into antimatter. Additionally, he was responsible for the destruction of the Skrull home planet Skrullos. After attacking Earth, Galactus is defeated by the [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]] and sent to the [[Negative Zone]], where he can consume its energy indefinitely.
* Imaginary versions of Galactus make non-speaking cameo appearances in ''[[Ultimate Spider-Man (TV series)|Ultimate Spider-Man]]''.<ref name="BTVA" />
* Galactus appears in the ''[[Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.]]'' episode "Galactus Goes Green", voiced by [[John DiMaggio]].<ref name="BTVA"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.toonzone.net/2013/07/marvels-avengers-assemble-assembly-required-comes-dvd-october-8-2013/#.UhJZ4OCUGYd |title=PR: "Marvel's Avengers Assemble: Assembly Required" Comes to DVD on October 8, 2013 |access-date=19 August 2013 |archive-date=15 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015232038/http://www.toonzone.net/2013/07/marvels-avengers-assemble-assembly-required-comes-dvd-october-8-2013/#.UhJZ4OCUGYd |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Galactus appears in the ''[[Avengers Assemble (TV series)|Avengers Assemble]]'' episode "Guardians and Space Knights", voiced again by John DiMaggio.<ref name="BTVA"/>

===Film===
[[File:Galactus Cloud.jpg|thumb|alt=Two clouds—one blue and the other orange|Galactus as he appears in  ''Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer'' (2007)]]
* Galactus makes a non-speaking appearance in ''[[Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer]]''. This version is depicted as surrounded by a cosmic cloud as production company [[20th Century Fox]] wished for the character to remain "discreet".<ref name=vfx/> [[Visual effects]] studio [[Weta Digital]] convinced Fox to add hints of the character's comic-book appearance, including a shadow and a fiery mass inside the cloud resembling Galactus' helmet.<ref name=vfx>{{Cite news|author = Thomas J. McLean|title = Fantastic 4: Weta Gives Rise to the Silver Surfer|publisher = VFXWorld|date = 21 June 2007|url = http://www.vfxworld.com/?atype=articles&id=3325&page=3|access-date=27 June 2007}}</ref> Director [[Tim Story]] said he obscured Galactus behind a cloud so a future ''Silver Surfer'' spin-off film would be unique as the character had yet to appear in comic-book form.<ref>{{cite video|people = [[Tim Story]]|title=[[Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer]] audio commentary|type = DVD|publisher = [[20th Century Fox]]|date = 2007}}</ref> Film writer [[J. Michael Straczynski]] stated "You don't want to sort of blow out something that big and massive for one quick shot in the first movie."<ref>{{cite web|author = Chris Carle|title = SDCC 07: JMS Sheds Light on Silver Surfer Movie|website = IGN|date = 27 July 2007|url = http://movies.ign.com/articles/808/808908p1.html|access-date=7 October 2007}}</ref>
* Galactus appears in ''Lego Marvel Avengers: Mission Demolition'' as a vacuum cleaner.<ref>{{cite web|title=1 Marvel Movie Just Made Galactus Into A Joke A Year Before His MCU Debut |url=https://screenrant.com/marvel-movie-galactus-joke-mcu-debut-lego-avengers-mission-demolition/ |website=Screen Rant |date=28 October 2024 |access-date=16 December 2024}}</ref>
* Galactus appears in ''[[The Fantastic Four: First Steps]]'', portrayed by [[Ralph Ineson]].<ref>{{cite web|author = Alex Stedman|title = Fantastic Four Officially Has Its Villain: Ralph Ineson Will Play the MCU's Galactus|website = IGN|date = 9 May 2024|url = https://www.ign.com/articles/fantastic-four-officially-has-its-villain-ralph-ineson-will-play-the-mcus-galactus|access-date=9 May 2024}}</ref>

===Video games===
*Galactus appears in ''[[Silver Surfer (video game)|Silver Surfer]]'' (1990).{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}
*Galactus appears in ''Fantastic 4: Flame On''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-07-15 |title=REVIEW: FANTASTIC FOUR: FLAME ON (GAME BOY ADVANCE) |url=https://comicbookvideogames.com/2015/07/15/review-fantastic-four-flame-on-game-boy-advance/ |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=Comic Book Video Games |language=en}}</ref>
*Galactus appears in ''[[Marvel: Ultimate Alliance]]'', voiced by [[Gregg Berger]] and [[Peter Renaday]] in the closing cutscene.<ref name="BTVA" />
*Galactus appears in ''[[LittleBigPlanet]]'' via a Marvel-themed DLC.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}
*Galactus appears in ''[[Spider-Man: Web of Shadows]]''.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}
*Galactus appears in ''[[Marvel Super Hero Squad (video game)|Marvel Super Hero Squad]]''.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}
*Galactus appears in ''[[Marvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity Gauntlet]]'', voiced by George Takei.<ref name="BTVA" />
*Galactus appears as the final boss of ''[[Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds]]'' and ''[[Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3]]'', voiced by [[Jonathan Adams (American actor)|Jonathan Adams]].<ref name="BTVA"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/1102/08/index.htm|title=Comics Continuum: Marvel Entertainment News Update|access-date=8 February 2011}}</ref><ref>George, Richard [http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/114/1148135p1.html "IGN: Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Enter Galactus"], "IGN", 7 February 2011, accessed 7 February 2011.</ref> Additionally, he appears as a playable character in the latter via "Galactus Mode".
*Galactus appears in ''[[Pinball FX 2]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://marvel.com/news/story/15748/download_the_marvel_pinball_fantastic_four_table|title=Fantastic Four Pinball|publisher=Marvel.com|access-date=2014-03-15}}</ref>
*Galactus appears in ''[[Lego Marvel Super Heroes]]'',<ref name="LegoMarvelvideogame">{{cite web|url=http://marvel.com/news/story/19916/lego_marvel_super_heroes_on_the_way|title=LEGO Marvel Super Heroes on the Way|publisher=[[Marvel.com]]|date=8 January 2013|access-date=8 January 2013|archive-date=9 January 2013|archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20130109193530/http://marvel.com/news/story/19916/lego_marvel_super_heroes_on_the_way|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Miller|first=Greg|title=LEGO Marvel Super Heroes: Characters and Cast Revealed|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2013/07/20/lego-marvel-super-heroes-characters-and-cast-revealed|website=[[IGN]]|date=20 July 2013}}</ref> voiced by John DiMaggio.<ref name="BTVA"/>
*Galactus appears as a boss in ''[[Marvel Puzzle Quest]]''.<ref name="MarvelPuzzleQuest">{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2015/10/1/9429395/marvel-puzzle-quest-birthday-galactus-boss-fight-year-two-second|title=Marvel Puzzle Quest celebrates second birthday with an epic Galactus boss fight|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon.com]]|date=1 October 2015|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref>
*Galactus appears in ''[[Fortnite Battle Royale]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/27/21402707/fortnite-chapter-2-season-4-marvel-nexus-war-thor-iron-man|title = Fortnite's new season pits Marvel's biggest heroes against Galactus|first = Andrew|last = Webster|date = 27 August 2020|access-date = 27 August 2020|work = [[The Verge]]}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Marvelwiki|galactus|Galactus}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121028042113/http://www.maelmill-insi.de/UHBMCC/selgd.htm Galactus] at the Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators
* [http://www.marveldirectory.com/individuals/g/galactus.htm Galactus] at the Marvel Directory
* {{Marveldatabase|Galactus}}
* [https://comicvine.gamespot.com/galactus/4005-2149 Galactus] at Comic Vine

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