Marvel Immersion Project: Silver Surfer #5-11

via Marvel Database

The Silver Surfer was conceived as a different kind of superhero, or at least quite different from the sort who usually appeared in Marvel comic books.  He was out to save the world, and not merely one supervillain at a time.  He saw humankind as a threat to itself: war, prejudice, crime, etc.  He was trapped on Earth but rather than lashing out in resentment, he took the opportunity to learn more and appointed himself world protector, albeit a misunderstood and under-appreciated one.

The character's creators never intended him as a Christ figure per se.  However, there is no mistaking the more spiritual aspects of the Surfer saga, including some Biblical parallels whether intentional or otherwise.  According to the origin story, the Silver Surfer attained his powers through an act of self-sacrifice in protecting his own home world.  The Surfer battles Mephisto, clearly a Satan character, to defend the world and also his own soul.  Twice in this week's stretch, an "enemy" is not merely defeated but redeemed.

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Silver Surfer #5
Originally Published April 1, 1969
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Howard Purcell

via Marvel Database

• Villain: The Stranger, who first appeared in X-Men #11.
• Ill-fated new friend, only appearance: Al B. Harper

Silver Surfer #6
June 1, 1966
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Syd Shores

• A time travel narrative.  The Surfer goes to the future where Earth, Zenn-La, indeed the known universe stands in ruins, all having fallen to a monstrous tyrant known as The Overlord.

Silver Surfer #7
August 1, 1969
Lee/Purcell

• A descendant of Frankenstein is up to the family's usual tricks, trying to generate life.
• He creates a double of the Surfer, then commands him to battle the original.
• Important recurring theme: drawing strength from compassion.  Frankenstein's assistant, Borgo, turns against the mad scientist and kills him.

Silver Surfer #8
September 1, 1969 (note the switch to monthly issues)
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: John Buscema

Flying Dutchman via Marvel Database

• Mephisto enlists the ghost of the Flying Dutchman to help him capture the Surfer's soul
• Part 1 of 2.  There's a note at the end of the issue indicating the switch to monthly release came rather abruptly.  As such, the transition from the first half to the second isn't the smoothest.

Silver Surfer #9
October 1, 1969
Lee/Buscema

• Part 2 of 2.
• Not surprisingly, the Surfer's soul remains his own by story's end.  More surprising is the fact that the Dutchman gets a measure of redemption, too, courtesy of a "tear of forgiveness" shed by the Surfer.

Silver Surfer #10
November 1, 1969
Lee/Buscema

• Yarro Gort, a powerful man on Zenn-La, attempts to win over Shalla-Bal by taking her to Earth and showing her the Surfer has taken up with someone else.
• Seeking to learn more about humankind, the Surfer goes to a war-torn, unnamed South American country where he quickly gets caught up in the drama on the streets.
• He is helped by a woman named Donna Maria Perez.  He later saves her life and she kisses him in gratitude, giving Shalla-Bal the wrong idea.

Silver Surfer #11
December 1, 1969
Lee/Buscema

• The Yarro Gort/Donna Maria Perez story concludes.
• Gort dies and Shalla-Bal is wounded.  The Surfer must send her back to Zenn-La, alone, in order to save her.