Silver Surfer Annual # 2 1989 VF/NM

Silver Surfer Annual #2 (May 1989) is a monumental Marvel comic book that officially serves as Part 1 of the massive 14-issue "Atlantis Attacks" crossover event. This 64-page giant size issue initiates a vast conspiracy involving ancient underwater civilizations, dark magic, and cosmic manipulation.

Core Plot & Synopsis

The main feature story, titled "How Sharper than a Serpent's Tooth," takes place out in deep space. The Silver Surfer crosses paths with Ghaur, the radical leader of the genetic offshoot race known as the Deviants. Ghaur has successfully resurrected himself by siphoning off the immense cosmic energy of a Celestial.

Weakened from his transformation but desperate to eliminate threats, Ghaur battles the Silver Surfer. The two fight to a bitter standstill until Ghaur manages to trap the Surfer inside an inescapable plasma field. With the cosmic hero safely restrained, Ghaur departs for Earth uninterrupted to execute his master plan: locating the ancient Serpent Crown to summon the dark, multi-headed elder serpent god, Set.

Ghaur arrives on Earth at the underwater kingdom of Lemuria, where he breaks into a high-security prison to liberate Llyra, the treacherous, rogue Atlantean priestess. They forge an unholy alliance to conquer Earth. Meanwhile, the Silver Surfer finally shatters his plasma bonds. Knowing he must protect his home world of Zenn-La from a spreading Kree/Skrull war zone, he cannot immediately pursue Ghaur to Earth. Instead, he uses his cosmic powers to project a psychic warning across hyperspace. On Earth, his desperate telepathic message is received by Doctor Strange and the mystic hero Talisman, setting the stage for the rest of the crossover.

Featured Backup Stories & Profiles

Because it is a double-sized annual issue, the comic also includes several lore-building secondary features:

• "How the Silver Surfer's Powers Work!" – A breakdown detailing Norrin Radd's cosmic origin story and an analysis of the exact limitations and mechanics behind his Power Cosmic.
• "Cosmic Awareness Comparisons" – A fascinating visual chart comparing the Silver Surfer's level of cosmic awareness against other iconic Marvel heroes, villains, and godlike entities.
• "An Informal Tour of the Universe" – A heartwarming story where Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) uses a telescope to explain the vast scales of the Marvel universe to his young son, Franklin Richards.

Key Comic Information

• Release Date: May 1, 1989
• Story Arc: "Atlantis Attacks" (Part 1 of 14)
• Creative Team: Main story written by legendary writer Steve Englehart with pencils by Ron Lim and inks by Joe Rubinstein.
• Notable Artifacts: Features the return of the Serpent Crown and the dark magic entity Chthon.