It is often difficult to come up with a reasonable conflict for this silvered being compared to other known world’s superheroes. Thus, his most interesting stories often involve him encountering different cultures and forces over the universe, at least within Milky Way right? British storyteller Simon Spurrier, takes this tack in In Thy Name, with Norrin Radd cruising around deep and contemplating life, trying to fulfill his quota for philosophical pondering. To a certain extend, I guess he should be submitted to the nearest medical centre for a crash mental check-up. Any medical centre in the universe would be appropriate for him!
Of all of Marvel’s superheroes, the Silver Surfer might be the one who enjoyed the most solitary, adventurous lifestyle. Since his dismission as heir to Galactus, he’s aimlessly wandered the galaxy. Unsure of his ultimate goal, he’s frequently stumbled into stories involving the other characters in Marvel’s 616 universe, but never seemed to have a single, defining purpose.
As utopia as Ama Collective?
Norrin Radd will meet up neither Galactus, flare bloke, “Monkey D. Luffy” doctor, that Thing as well as the hollow hottie! Instead, the Silver Surfer encounters the Ama Collective, a “utopian” society, having eliminated any conflict or crime. On his holiday tour there, he lends a help to the Ama’s sub-ethnic called Brekknis that is having a problem with a rampaging monster on this downtrodden industrial planet, the less prosperous one within Ama alliance.
The final chapter opens in a way that echoes the opening of the first part, as the Surfer ponders life, violence, terror, and survival deeper. These observations are reflections of his actions during his In Thy Name journey, where he apparently summoned his ex-master, Galactus and declared that he would set the Devourer of Planets loose on whichever planet instigated hostilities against the other. And thus, peace would be achieved. Or so the Surfer hopes.
It’s certainly a powerful threat, and it’s fascinating to see the highbrow Ama and oppressed Brekknis react to a common foe. Just as it looks like Surfer may have saved the day too easily, everything goes to hell again ultimately which raise a concern whether his actions were just and whether the Power Cosmic is enough to allow him to truly save any lifeform.
Other worlds are just as conflicted as ours
The best feature of this mini-series might be the collective coverage of all points of view. On one hand, we have the religious Brekk, completely devoted to their beliefs without doubt. We get to witness some atrocities that are committed with respect to their Apex god. On the other hand, we have the atheistic, socialist, utopian, whatever charismatic features we can think of Ama. Through the Ama, we see equal atrocities committed in the name of utopia, believing that their way is the most superior and claimed to brings the most happiness. Externally, we have Norrin Radd who sees both sides, and he does not understand how they cannot see the ironic similarities between their actions while being different but self-proclaiming they are always right.
We’ll get to witness the reuniting of the mother and child astral squid beast, the one good thing that Norrin was able to accomplish. Even if he was not able to regain prosperity of two races, he was at least able to restore the happiness of two strongly related individuals - a potential kid and a fierce mom, however insignificant they may seem. As Norrin leaves his concluded failure behind him, he turns back once more to gaze upon that which he has done - the beauty of disharmony!
In Thy Name is a nice series, and it is a shame that it has not received more attention than it should. Simon Spurrier had tremendously dropped the Surfer into a rich alien culture, alienate me enough with addition of political upheaval. Eisner-winning Tan Eng Huat’s artwork certainly adds a lot to the proceedings, with lots of lush definition of the crazy aliens and their worlds, ships, and architecture. He’s aided immensely by Jose Villarubia’s color art, which really gives an alien sheen to the art. This may be the reason for both penciller and colorist to team up again in next issues of on-going Ghost Rider!
