Norrin Radd lives on the peaceful world of Zenn-La and is engaged to a woman named Shalla-Bal. One day, however, his peaceful and happy life is shattered when Galactus, the Planet Eater, arrives. Desperate to save his planet, Norrin Radd approaches Galactus and offers his eternal service as his herald, which involves locating new worlds for Galactus to consume, in return for the sparing of his planet. Galactus then bestows upon him the Power Cosmic and transforms him into the Silver Surfer.