The background of this Silver Surfer is explored

MCU is not done with Shalla-Bal, yet it seems so. This July, she’s back in an upcoming one-shot, Fantastic Four: First Foes – Shalla-Bal #1 will explore her origins from the film.

This will be an MCU tie-in, and not her original comic debut. Shalla-Bal first appeared in Marvel Comics in Silver Surfer #1, which was released in May 1968 as the immortal Empress of Zenn-La and lover of Norrin Radd, in Earth-616. But in an alternate universe.

Earth X (1999): She becomes the second Silver Surfer and serves as a herald to the second Galactus (Franklin Richards), and sacrifices herself in a battle against Celestials.

Well, Fantastic Four: First Foes – Shalla-Bal #1 will explore the origin of this female Silver Surfer incarnation. Written by Charles Soule and Ryan North, and drawn by Mark Buckingham and Phil Noto. Marvel’s synopsis reads:

THE ORIGINS OF SHALLA-BAL! Years ago, in order to save her planet, astronomer Shalla-Bal gave up her freedom to become the sustenance-seeking Herald of the intergalactic Devourer of Worlds, Galactus! Now, for the first time, learn the secrets of her transformation, her journey, and the horrifying decisions that she had to make!

Fantastic Four: First Foes is a set of four authorized one-shot comics, set in the MCU Earth-828. Marvel announced it as a tie-in to the film, set prior to the events of The Fantastic Four: First Steps. These four one-shots will be released quarterly throughout 2026, with Shalla-Bal as the 2^nd book.

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer wasn’t a success, but it surely gave a glimpse of the Silver Surfer’s powers, and with Fantastic Four: First Steps, we saw how Shalla-Bal, as the herald of Galactus, betrayed the Devourer of Worlds. Fantastic Four: First Foes – Shalla-Bal #1 will explore the reason behind that motivation, and may (just may) hint at something about her MCU future. Currently, with no idea about her return in the future MCU movies, this one-shot is all the more captivating.

Fantastic Four: First Foes: Shalla Bal #1 releases on sale July 8.

^{Pic Credits: SR/MCU/Marvel Comics}