The Silver Surfer # 49 1991 VF

The Silver Surfer # 49, published in May 1991, is a prelude issue to the landmark "Infinity Gauntlet" event, in which the Silver Surfer races to Earth to warn the heroes of Thanos, but is delayed by a powerful, temporary foe sent by the Mad Titan. The story is titled "Detour!". 

The issue continues the narrative leading directly into Infinity Gauntlet, with the Silver Surfer aware of Thanos' intentions and desperate to get to Earth, while Thanos actively works to stop him. 

• The Race to Earth: The Silver Surfer is rushing toward Earth to alert the planet's heroes about Thanos and his malevolent plan involving the fully assembled Infinity Gauntlet.
• Thanos' Intervention: Thanos, along with Mephisto, observes the Surfer's progress. Confident no Earth heroes can stop him anyway, Thanos decides to create a diversion for the Surfer.
• The Created Monster: Thanos bestows his power temporarily on a resident of a peaceful planet and sends it to attack the Silver Surfer.
• The Battle: The Surfer senses peril at a nearby Kree outpost that has been gruesomely destroyed and investigates. He is then attacked by the incredibly powerful, demonic creature Thanos created. The Surfer is impressed by the creature's ferocity, but eventually manages to trap it.
• A Pointless Delay: The creature's power is temporary. Its power runs out just as it's about to defeat the Surfer, and it shrinks back to a small, pathetic creature. Thanos appears, rationalizes that the delay was pointless, and brutally crushes the creature under his boot before departing.
• Epilogue: The issue ends on Titan, where a life-size statue of Thanos, from his previous "death," regains life, setting up events for the next issue. 

• Writer: Ron Marz
• Penciler: Ron Lim
• Inker: Tom Christopher
• Publisher: Marvel Comics
• Guest Characters: Eros (Starfox) and Drax the Destroyer appear in a side plot on Titan.