Silver Surfer: Requiem

Quite simply this was one of the most beautiful comic books I've ever read. I had never been a big fan of the Surfer, but the Annihilation event changed all that. Sadly, just when I became a fan Marvel decided to put him to rest. However, they did so with style. Unlike Captain America's demise this touched me. Some will critique the story for its idealistic notions of peace and love, but I was emotionally invested. Yes, it is a comic book, but I was moved by both the writing and the art work here. The message concerns the legacy you leave behind. If you found out you only had weeks to live what would you do? What regrets would you have? How would you spend your final days? This is a touching story, and if you ever read one Silver Surfer story this is the one to read. I feel sorry for the snobs who won't touch a comic book, because "Comic books are for kids!" In fact, the writing and art compliment each other so well I can't imagine this story being told in any other medium. I'll admit it...I wept.

This is a piece of Literature that breaks down all assumptions of what a "super-hero" is. I am not at all ashamed to say that I cried a little at the end of this book. It is an amazingly powerful story told in amazingly vivid and arresting artwork. When I was a child, i loved the "idea" of Silver Surfer, but now that I am older and can presumably deal with more a more mature telling of a story, I have a newfound admiration for what Stan Lee started with Norrin Radd, and what is continued here in "Requiem." Surfer comics continue to be some of the bravest and most moving pieces of art in main stream comics.

The infamous JMS, loved by many because of his Rising Stars, Midnight Nation and Squadrom Supreme comics (as well as his Babylon 5 TV series) and hated by many due to his mostly below par run on Amazing Spider-Man, writes the "last" Silver Surfer story here, its got a lot of emotion and it feels like JMS put all his heart into this, the result is a comic that blows the reader away. The Silver Surfer is dying, this is his last journey as he intends to pass away peacefully in his home world Zen-La. Each story is almost a stand alone story, showing the Surfer's journey to make his last moments meaningful. The fact that this is an out of continuity tale doesnt hurt the story, because its that good. In issue one he founds out he is gonna die, the only problem I have with the whole book as well, is that JMS keeps trying to hide that the surfer is dying throughout the first issue, but its obvious since the get go, that that is what is going to happen. In issue two (the best of the series) the Silver Surfer bumps into Spider-Man and they have a talk, the Surfer wants to help his adopted home in someway before he passes away, the solution JMS comes up with is brilliant and its an exciting moment, which criticises humanity for its lack of ambition. Issue three is great, as the Surfer journeys to Zen-La he finds himself in the middle of a war and he tries to stop it, the speech he gives is nothing short of beautiful. Issue 4 is well, the issue in which he dies and well, its extremely sad, I think this was the first time I got really upset while reading a comic book, you have to read it to understand how I felt, I also particularly love how JMS portrays Galactus in this issue. The characterization of the Silver Surfer is brilliant, he is such a noble man and JMS' take on the character's last moments feels authentic. The pacing is great as well, and the story just grasps you and doesnt let you go, even though there is no action in it. The painted art by Ribic is great, it looks beautiful and it matches the emotional beauty of such a story, every single panel in this book looks great. Do yourself a favour buddy and pick this one up.

You've really got to hand it to Babylon 5 creator J. Michael Straczynski (Amazing Spider-Man, Supreme Power) with what he has whipped up here. Silver Surfer: Requiem is by far the best handling that the character has ever gotten, and may very well be the best Silver Surfer story to ever see the light of day. Silver Surfer: Requiem finds Norrin Radd, AKA the Silver Surfer, discovering that his life is coming to an end. He makes a trip to Earth and visits Reed Richards in hopes of help, and finally makes one last trip to his homeworld in hopes of seeing his beloved wife and people before his inevitable fate catches up with him. Startlingly poignant and surprisingly emotional, Silver Surfer: Requiem also features the wonderful paints of Esad Ribic (Loki), who despite some stylistic inconsistencies, portrays the most human depiction of the Silver Surfer yet. What really makes Requiem work the most is Straczynski's interactions between the Surfer and Marvel icons like the Fantastic Four, Doctor Strange, and in particular, Spider-Man; as the Surfer bids farewell to one and all here. If there's any drawbacks to Requiem, its that it ends too quickly, but by the time you reach the final page, you'll discover the best cosmic superhero tales to come out of Marvel in quite some time.