10 Characters Who Single-Handedly Destroyed Galactus

Among all the dangers in the Marvel cosmos, most are insignificant next to Galactus, known as the Devourer of Worlds. Originally a scientist named Galan, who survived the demise of his universe and was reborn into the Marvel Universe as a cosmic entity, Galactus roams this universe consuming planets teeming with life. To locate suitable worlds to devour, he employs heralds, but one herald, the Silver Surfer, defies him when he comes to consume Earth.

Over the course of his Marvel Universe tenure, Galactus has undergone numerous transformations and clashed with almost every prominent superhero, whether terrestrial or cosmic. His debut occurred in “Fantastic Four” issues 48 to 50, where he was halted when Mr. Fantastic threatened to annihilate him using the Ultimate Nullifier. Subsequently, it’s disclosed that Galactus is compelled to devour worlds, or else a more devastating peril would emerge across the multiverse. Consequently, instead of being destroyed, Galactus is usually redirected.

For many years, characters portrayed as both heroes and villains have faced off against Galactus in comic books. He’s also made appearances in video games, and is set to make his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe through “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” scheduled for 2025. Although groups like the Fantastic Four and Avengers have clashed with Galactus on multiple occasions, it’s intriguing to learn about the specific individuals who battled him. These heroes engaged in combat with and without allies, but managed to keep Galactus at bay temporarily.

Franklin Richards

Born with Omega-level mutant abilities, Franklin Richards is the offspring of Reed Richards and Susan Storm, initially standing out as the most potent superhero in the Marvel Universe, capable of effortlessly creating galaxies at will. His capabilities extend to reshaping reality according to his whims, and due to certain time travel complications and character-specific complexities, he simultaneously exists as both a child and an adult working side by side within the same comic series.

In issue #604 of “Fantastic Four,” an event transpires where Reed and Sue’s future children engage in battle against the Mad Celestials. Having temporarily dismissed them, the elder Franklin merges with his younger counterpart, taking in a substantial amount of power that was intended for him. Before the Mad Celestials could resurface, Franklin employs his newly acquired power to resurrect Galactus instead. This revival compels Galactus to serve as Franklin’s herald, thus shifting the balance of power against the World Devourer.

In “Fantastic Four: Life Story” #5, Franklin battles Galactus in an unconventional manner; first, he obliterates Galactus’ mind with psychic energy, then delivers a powerful punch that renders the cosmic entity unconscious, allowing the Fantastic Four to flee. Although Franklin demonstrates his extraordinary power in both encounters, he was later weakened and redefined as a human rather than a mutant, reducing his previous level of power.

Thanos

Throughout his comic book history, Thanos has primarily been portrayed as a villain, yet this doesn’t preclude him from engaging in conflicts against other malevolent entities. Unlike Galactus who is more of a natural force than an evil being, he possesses immense power. To overcome Galactus, Thanos requires the Infinity Gauntlet. This was depicted in the “The Infinity Gauntlet” storyline. However, Thanos has been known to effortlessly subdue all cosmic beings with a mere thought, including Galactus, so their battle may not be his most notable one.

In the sixteenth issue of “Thanos,” we find the Mad Titan squaring off against Galactus in a storyline titled “Thanos Wins.” True to its name, Thanos engages in battles with almost anyone he encounters, ultimately emerging victorious over them all. The “Thanos” series follows the Mad Titan as he chases after Galactus through the cosmos, eventually leading him to a future Earth that has been destroyed. Their final confrontation occurs here. Prior to this, Galactus transforms Frank Castle (the Ghost Rider) into his herald, turning him into Cosmic Ghost Rider.

Instead of waiting to feed, Galactus is fleeing and seeking aid, which is when Thanos makes his entrance. Armed with a massive weapon, Galactus confronts Thanos accompanied by Cosmic Ghost Rider. However, they fail to fire a shot. In response, Thanos unleashes an energy blast that decapitates Galactus, instantly ending his life. Following the death of Galactus, Thanos strikes a bargain with Cosmic Ghost Rider, offering him a chance for retribution.

King Thor

In the Marvel Universe, there are several versions of Thor, and it is prophesied that Earth-616’s Thor will transform into King Thor in a distant future. He has lost an eye, similar to his father, and one of his arms has been replaced with the Destroyer armor’s limb. He refers to the power he wields as the “Thorforce,” which is essentially the Odinforce. King Thor governs the crumbling remains of both Earth and Asgard, and a significant part of his tale unfolds in the far future.

Over time, King Thor grows exponentially powerful, having assimilated the Phoenix Force and other potent entities during his eternal existence. In “Thor” #6, disorder looms over the remnants of the Marvel Universe, threatening its annihilation. To combat this impending doom, King Thor collaborates with Galactus, who is the only being known to survive a dying universe. Galactus eventually reaches Earth in search of an ally to aid him as the universe nears its end. However, instead of finding a herald, he encounters King Thor, determined to battle him.

Currently, King Thor’s powers are astronomical, making it almost effortless for him to engage in combat with Galactus. In an instant, he extracts the Power Cosmic from his adversary, leaving Galactus powerless. With a stern tone, King Thor declares, “Galan of Taa, I hereby condemn you to death.” He then recounts the numerous planets you’ve devastated in your path, such as Earth and Asgard. “For the countless lives lost on these worlds,” he says, “you will face justice.” With a powerful blast, Thor strikes Galactus directly in the chest, ensuring his permanent demise.

Silver Surfer

Initially, Norrin Radd was an astronomer hailing from the planet Zenn-La. One day, their world was threatened by Galactus, a cosmic entity intent on consumption. In an attempt to protect his home, Norrin bravely approached Galactus. Impressed by Norrin’s courage and potential, Galactus proposed a deal: sparing Zenn-La in exchange for Norrin serving as his herald. Agreeing to the terms, Galactus imbued Norrin with a fraction of his cosmic power, transforming him into the Silver Surfer. Unfortunately, this limited power meant that the Surfer could not hope to overcome Galactus in battle.

In general, the Surfer’s behavior aligns with his usual approach, which involves avoiding confrontation with Galactus when possible. However, in “Guardians of the Galaxy” #25, set in an alternative 31st century (Earth-691), the Surfer engages in physical combat and manages to defeat his former master. This unusual action is due to him wielding the Quantum Bands at that time, granting him immense power as the Universe’s Protector.

At first, the Silver Surfer collaborates with the Guardians in an attempt to destroy Galactus, but their efforts fail. Later, equipped with the Quantum Bands, which grant him great power and make him the Keeper, the Silver Surfer confronts Galactus directly. They exchange fierce attacks, but instead of killing Galactus, the Silver Surfer chooses to serve as his herald once more. His mission is to seek out uninhabited worlds for Galactus to consume, much like he did in the past.

Hiro-Kala

Among all characters, Hiro-Kala takes on Galactus in the most underhanded way. Born from a union between the Hulk and his mother Caiera, who is one of the few characters to survive such an encounter, Hiro-Kala sets out for revenge against Galactus after witnessing the destruction of their homeworld, Sakaar. To carry out this vengeance, he journeys throughout the cosmos in search of the Ancient Power, a force that is lethal to Galactus.

In the thrilling issue #17 of “Skaar: Son of Hulk,” I stand before the World Ender, yet our encounter isn’t a typical battle like those with other characters. Instead, Hiro-Kala ascends to godhood among the inhabitants of Giausar. He manipulates them towards their own destruction, inciting Galactus to devour the planet. This catastrophe unfolds because Hiro-Kala has corrupted the planet with the ancient power, allowing it to happen.

As Galactus swallows a planet, he experiences anguish, empathizing with the agony and despair of all creatures he has just devoured. Hiro-Kala then warns him, “You’ve been corrupted by a force that will ultimately bring about your downfall when you consume again. This is the torment of yearning for something you can never truly possess. May you be choked by it until the end of eternity.” By contaminating the planet and others, Hiro-Kala effectively ruins Galactus’ food sources permanently, as he cannot distinguish safe worlds to consume from harmful ones.

Tyrant

Before the Silver Surfer was born, Galactus had other heralds first. The initial one he created, whom he initially considered as a companion, eventually had a disagreement and fought across the cosmos, causing the destruction of entire galaxies along their path. To halt him, Galactus exiled Tyrant to the fringe of the universe and significantly reduced his power, although the battle came dangerously close to destroying Galactus himself.

In Silver Surfer issue #108, Tyrant faces off against the one he calls his “father,” Galactus. He argues that each world Galactus consumes weakens him. Consequently, Tyrant challenges Galactus because, in his perspective, only one of them can survive, and he aims to make it himself. As they clash, it seems at first that Tyrant is far inferior to his creator. However, Tyrant possesses a secret advantage: He gains strength from Galactus’ attacks.

Tyrant gains an advantage over Galactus, managing to cut his face and send him reeling, exposing him for a fatal strike. However, Tyrant’s victory is short-lived as Morg rushes in with the Ultimate Nullifier, a powerful artifact capable of destroying Galactus. In the following issue, the Silver Surfer tries to prevent Morg from using it against Tyrant, but Galactus’ ship, Morg, Galactus himself, and Tyrant all appear to be wiped out in the ensuing chaos. Ultimately, Tyrant emerges as both victor and vanquished.

Gravity

As a fan, I find myself engrossed in the tale where I, Greg Willis, am caught in a mini-black hole during my vacation. This cosmic event grants me an extraordinary ability to manipulate gravity within my surroundings. Adopting the moniker Gravity, I embark on a journey as a superhero, mainly focusing on street-level exploits. However, everything shifts dramatically following the cataclysmic events of Battleworld. In a heroic act, I lay down my life to preserve the world’s integrity, quite literally holding it together. Epoch then envelopes me in a cocoon, and upon emerging, I am reborn as the universe’s Protector, no longer requiring nor using Quantum Bands to wield my powers.

In this scenario, Gravity’s power increases exponentially compared to what it was before, making him more formidable. Previously, he might have been as irritating as a fly to Galactus, but now he significantly raises the stakes. This escalation eventually results in a confrontation between the two in “Fantastic Four” #546. Here, Galactus aims to quell his endless appetite by consuming Epoch, the entity that grants Gravity cosmic-level powers.

Rather than stand idly by while Epoch was threatened, Gravity decided to confront Galactus, releasing a surge of cosmic power in an attempt to defeat him. Instead of being defeated, Galactus absorbed the energy, which was Galactic’s plan all along – he didn’t want to kill Galactus, only prevent him from consuming Epoch. The strategy worked, and Galactus’ hunger was satisfied, ensuring the safety of Epoch. Afterward, Gravity declined to keep the power he had unleashed and resumed his life as an everyday superhero on Earth.

Kitty Pryde

Instead of being a character typically linked with battling Galactus, Kitty Pryde is actually one of Marvel’s underestimated female superheroes. As she’s grown, her powers have expanded, transforming her from the young member of the X-Men to the new female Star-Lord (Star-Lady) and leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy. In the “Cataclysm” storyline where Galactus invades the Ultimate Universe of Earth-1610, Kitty teams up with other heroes to resist Galactus as he tries to consume the Earth using his machine.

In issue #5 of “Cataclysm: The Ultimates’ Last Stand”, Reed Richards devises a strategy to hurl Galactus into the Negative Zone. The only individual capable of this feat is Kitty. Reed imbues her with Giant-Man’s growth ability, enabling her to grow to the same size as Galactus. Kitty is selected for this mission due to her unique resistance to Galactus’ attacks through her phasing ability, which proves crucial whenever he attempts to harm her. While his attacks still cause her pain, even in her intangible state, she demonstrates remarkable resilience and determination throughout the battle.

In this alternate telling: Kitty, with fierce blows, subdues Galactus, halting his mealtime and wrecking his machinery. Repeatedly striking him, she manages to vanquish Galactus while the Fantastic Four and others look on from a distance. On the brink of falling through a portal with Galactus, Kitty is rescued by the other heroes just in time. As Thor violently thrusts Galactus (and himself) into the Negative Zone, the aim is to imprison him there, where he will find nothing edible and eventually perish from hunger.

Rick Jones

Rick Jones, unintentionally, triggers Bruce Banner’s transformation into the Hulk and maintains a long-term friendship with him. For a large part of his comic book run, Rick doesn’t possess any superpowers, but that alteration occurs in 2008 when he transforms into A-Bomb. In the Marvel Comics universe known as Earth-616, this is how it unfolds. However, things differ in the Ultimate Universe. Before the “Ultimatum” event, Rick receives empowerment from the Watcher to save the world. Unfortunately, an energy surge sends him into a coma for six months. Following a rescue by superheroes, Rick embraces his powers and evolves into Nova.

In the subsequent events, Galactus, the World Devourer, arrives at Earth-1610 where he crosses paths with Nova in outer space. Nova tries to save a group of Chitauri from Galactus but fails and is saved by none other than the Silver Surfer. Simultaneously, Galactus overpowers the Gah Lak Tus swarm and recruits them as his new heralds, busying himself with his usual activities. In “Hunger” #4, Rick finds an opportunity to confront Galactus and the Gah Lak Tus swarm following a boost of Captain Marvel’s powers.

With his recently acquired powers, Rick creates a passage linking two different universes, causing a significant wound on Galactus. Simultaneously, he frees the swarm from its previous overseer and annihilates it. However, this act lands Rick in a limbo-like space between universes, making it impossible for him to return home alone. Eventually, he is saved when the Future Foundation accidentally discovers his spatial pocket. While Galactus recovers from Rick’s assault, he makes his way to Earth, paving the way for the “Cataclysm” incident.

Squirrel Girl

In a lighter vein, Squirrel Girl is an unconventional character within the Marvel Universe, seemingly incapable or unwilling to confront or conquer cosmic beings like Galactus. However, against all odds and often against superior opponents such as Thanos, she’s proven her mettle in combat. This underdog of Marvel heroes has the potential for a captivating screen debut in the MCU, but until then, fans can immerse themselves in her unique adventures, including her encounter with the Devourer of Worlds.

In a direct confrontation, it’s impossible for Squirrel Girl to inflict harm on Galactus. Instead, when she tries to engage him in physical combat, he perceives her attacks as an attempt to polish his shoes, as depicted in “The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl” #4. Rather than crushing her, Galactus lifts Squirrel Girl off the ground, and they have a lengthy discussion about his intention to devour the world while they stand on the Moon, admiring the Earth together.

Their chat spans multiple pages, eventually turning them into friends. They journey to another realm, indulge excessively, which is why the comic begins with them lounging on the Moon. In the end, Squirrel Girl vanquishes Galactus not through brute strength or power, but with wisdom and comprehension. Essentially, she talks him out of devouring the Earth, and he gifts her a charming trinket before departing. Despite its playful nature, Squirrel Girl’s time with Galactus is recognized as official lore — making her the sole one responsible for saving the world.

2025-02-06 03:32