My first comic of 2021 was District 14, Season 1 (Volume One). I will do a live read of that comic. But for now, I am in the mood to read Silver Surfer: Parable. So I will be live reading that now!

This isn't my first Silver Surfer comic. That honour goes to Silver Surfer: Black and while I did enjoy it, I will admit that it's been a while since I read it as I did not consider reading the other Silver Surfer comics that have been published except for Slott's run.

So for all intents and purposes, I'd like to treat this as my first "proper" Silver Surfer comic.

I am reading this on MU. I prefer the cover on the right.

This is the cover for the first issue of Parable when it was originally published right? Because if so, it is a beautiful cover!

I think it’s called scritching, but I think it looks really good on Galactus. There’s a detail to it that I appreciate.

I am loving what I perceive is the pseudo-futuristic aesthetic of this comic. It’s not set in the far future, but it’s close enough. The dialogue is grandiose, yet real.

It’s an ominous voice. I think there’s a feeling of fear that grips you when you read those two words.

Nothing is more scary than having an ominous entity from the cosmos come to the Earth and stand over the humans.

I don’t know how to describe this, but I love how Moebius draws him as a happening if that makes sense. He comes to Earth and he makes this declaration.

People use religion for their own means and will use events to prop up their popularity. In this case, he uses the coming of Galactus to attract viewers. He also dresses up as what I perceive to be a cult leader, giving his actions an exploitative element.

For me, Lee’s use of dialogue and narration gives a larger-than-life aspect to the story. In this case, there is an uncomfortable realism to it which fits the story’s themes. The inevitability has happened. Galactus has come. Chaos reigns supreme.

These are two brilliant pages.

Surfer says that anyone can make a difference, and what makes that bit brilliant is how Elyna does not show any hostility towards him.

She made a difference. And now the Surfer will make a difference.

I am really appreciating how this comic is exploring the relationship between mankind and faith, especially of the fanatic kind. Elyna is saying that Galactus is powerful in the sense that he has a following and that the truth cannot stop him.

There is a real-life comparison with how people misuse their faith to commit atrocities. The moment Galactus made his presence known and issued his decree of no sin, people started using their belief in him to do all sorts of wrong things.

This is very reminiscent of how the toxicity of certain beliefs in how they let people disregard the truth. It is also interesting is how in contrast to the Surfer and Galactus, the people are designed with uniform colours, as if they're a unified group with similar beliefs.

The people are attacking him because they're convinced Galactus is right. There's an interesting point made here about how fanaticism makes people ignorant and act against others, making them unaware of how harmful their actions can be. And by the time they realise it, too late.

Surfer himself points this out as Galactus starts to wreak havoc.

Colton is a televangelist. In essence, he’s the link between Galactus and the people. He takes advantage of people’s beliefs in Galactus for his own power. Just like in the comic, people use the faiths of others for their own greedy desires. They do not care about the people.

Sometimes faith can't save everyone. There is a harmful idealism to faith where one thinks they're invincible to the ailments of the real world but that is untrue.

There are consequences. Belief shouldn't erase the existence of consequences and death.

I like to think that this is the Surfer believing in mankind's potential. He talks earlier about how it is the effort that matters and not the result. This narration is a good reference to that.

I love how Surfer calls out the notion that death is insignificant in the greater scheme of things. It does matter. It is real. Death is an inevitability many fall to, but it does not reduce the tragedy associated with loss.

It may take one person to challenge fanaticism, but that does not mean said person should be put on a pedestal. The Surfer objects to this, as he knows it will lead to a repeat of Galactus. But the people mistake his objection for humility, considering it a divine quality.

Surfer makes himself an outcast once again and leaves, but Colton's statement that he is mankind's last hope is similar to how people cling to their faith as if it will save them.

Mankind cannot be saved by faith alone. Mankind must save themselves.

The Surfer has ensured that the people will not worship him like they did with Galactus. And now he suffers loneliness.

Was it worth it? Is mankind doomed to repeat such mistakes until they die?

He doesn't know.

The ambiguous ending maintains the philosophical themes.

I like getting into the mind of creators when it comes to comics especially when it comes to the influences.

He's always had a very literary side to his writing of dialogue but it's so pronounced here in this comic. And it fits so well with Moebius' art, which utilises a lot of colours and lines in the best way possible. There's a simplicity to it.

I think the idea of depicting Galactus as someone who only assumes a humanoid form to talk to people is genius in how it fits in with the story's theme of the relationship between faith and mankind.

I think it's neat to have all sorts of artistic interpretations of a character. It allows for experimentation.

Moebius is a legend.

I am just glad I read Silver Surfer: Parable. It's a comic I've been sleeping on for a while and it has been an experience.

I urge everyone to read it.

Goodnight!