View source for Silver Surfer (TV series)

{{Short description|American animated television series from 1998}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox television
| image              = Silver Surfer (1998 TV series) title card.jpg
| caption            =
| camera             = 
| genre              = [[Superhero fiction|Superhero]]<ref>[https://collider.com/best-superhero-cartoons/ "The 10 Best Superhero Cartoons You May Have Forgot Existed"]</ref>
| creator            = 
| based_on           = {{based on|[[Silver Surfer]]||[[Stan Lee]]|[[Jack Kirby]]}}
| developer          = Larry Brody
| director           = [[Roy Allen Smith]]
| voices             = {{plainlist |
*Paul Essiembre
*[[Camilla Scott]]
*[[Colin Fox (actor)|Colin Fox]]
}}
| composer           = {{Plainlist|
* [[Shuki Levy]]
* [[Kussa Mahchi]]
}}
| country            = {{plainlist |
*[[United States]]
*[[Canada]]
}}
| num_episodes       = 13
| executive_producer = {{plainlist |
*[[Avi Arad]]
*Stan Lee
*Eric S. Rollman
}}
| producer           = Roy Allen Smith
| runtime              = 20 minutes
| company            = {{plainlist |
*[[Marvel Entertainment Group]]
*[[Marvel Studios]]
*[[Saban Entertainment]]<ref name="awn">{{cite web|last=Goldman |first=Michael |title=Stan Lee: Comic Guru |url=http://www.awn.com/mag/issue2.4/awm2.4pages/2.4goldmanlee.html |work=Animation World Magazine|publisher=[[Animation World Network]]|access-date=May 5, 2011| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140425031112/http://www.awn.com/mag/issue2.4/awm2.4pages/2.4goldmanlee.html | archive-date = April 25, 2014| url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[AKOM]]
}}
| network            = [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] <small>([[Fox Kids]])</small>
| first_aired        = {{Start date|1998|02|07}}
| last_aired         = {{End date|1998|05|29}}
| list_episodes      =  
}}
'''''Silver Surfer''''', also known as '''''Silver Surfer: The Animated Series''''', is a 13-episode animated television series based on the [[Marvel Comics]] [[superhero]] [[Silver Surfer]], created by [[Stan Lee]] and [[Jack Kirby]]. The series aired for one season on the [[Fox Kids|Fox Kids Network]] in 1998.<ref name=Perlmutter>{{cite book |last1=Perlmutter |first1=David |title=The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows |date=2018 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1538103739 |pages=551–552}}</ref>

==Overview==
Blending [[cel-shaded animation|cel-shaded]] and [[computer animation]], the series is rendered in the style of Silver Surfer creator Jack Kirby.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Erickson |first1=Hal |title=Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 |date=2005 |edition=2nd |publisher=McFarland & Co |isbn=978-1476665993 |pages=740–741}}</ref>

Inspired by various Silver Surfer comic book stories, the series alters the original mythos in some key ways. It removes the [[Fantastic Four]] from [[The Galactus Trilogy]], the foundation for the first three episodes. In this version, the Silver Surfer, who has had the memories of Norrin Radd partially restored to him by [[Thanos]], protects Earth from the hunger of [[Galactus]] because it reminds him of [[Zenn-La]].

Many other characters from Marvel's cosmic stable appear in the series, including [[The Watcher (comics)|The Watcher]], [[Ego the Living Planet]], [[Pip the Troll]], [[Drax the Destroyer]], and [[Adam Warlock]]. Most of the characters featured in the series differ from their printed-page incarnations. For instance, Adam Warlock is an alien supersoldier designed to fight the [[Kree]] and, due to [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] broadcast standards, Thanos serves Lady Chaos rather than [[Death (Marvel Comics)|Death]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://marvelite.prohosting.com/surfer/toon/lbrody.html |title=Interview with Larry Brody |work=Marvelite.prohosting.com |access-date=2011-03-15}}</ref>

The series utilizes a [[Serial (radio and television)|serialized]] storytelling approach. As with many Silver Surfer comic book stories, episodes tackle a range of social and political issues, including [[imperialism]], [[slavery]], [[non-violence]], and [[environmental degradation]].  The series frequently alludes to the [[Golden Age of Science Fiction]], with two episode titles from novels by [[Isaac Asimov]] (''[[Second Foundation]]'' and ''[[The End of Eternity]]''), one from [[Joe Haldeman]] (''[[The Forever War]]''), and character names from Asimov ([[First Speaker]]) and [[Doc Smith]] ([[Mentor of Arisia|Mentor]]). The story for one episode was by [[Harlan Ellison]].

The series was canceled after one season. Eight episodes were written for the second season before production was shut down. According to series creator Larry Brody, the cancellation was the result of a legal dispute between Marvel and [[Saban Entertainment]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvwriter.net/?page_id=47 |title=The Silver Surfer |website=TVWriter.Com |date=May 24, 2012 |access-date=2016-08-02}}</ref>

==Voice cast==
{| class="wikitable" style="width:40%;"
|+Titular character
! style="width:50%;"| Voice actor !! style="width:50%;"| Character
|-
| Paul Essiembre || [[Silver Surfer|Norrin Radd /<br /> Silver Surfer]]
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:40%;"
|+Main recurring cast
! style="width:50%;"| Voice actor !! style="width:50%;"| Character
|-
| [[James Blendick]] || [[Galactus]]
|-
| [[Colin Fox (actor)|Colin Fox]] || [[Uatu]]
|-
| Gary Krawford || [[Thanos]]
|-
| [[Camilla Scott]] || [[Shalla-Bal]]
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:40%;"
|+Guest cast
! style="width:50%;"| Voice actor !! style="width:50%;"| Character
|-
| [[Denis Akiyama]] || Watcher Prime
|-
| Lawrence Bayne || Zedaro
|-
| Oliver Becker || [[Adam Warlock]], Magus
|-
| Bernard Behrens || Nietr
|-
| Rick Bennent || Votrick
|-
| [[Robert Bockstael (actor)|Robert Bockstael]] || [[Pip the Troll]]
|-
| [[Christopher Britton (actor)|Christopher Britton]] || Zarek
|-
| [[Valerie Buhagiar]] || Shellaine
|-
| [[Lally Cadeau]] || [[Death (Marvel Comics)|Lady Chaos]]
|-
| [[David Calderisi]] || Kiar
|-
| Michael Copeman || MacLag
|-
| [[Alyson Court]] || Amber
|-
| [[Jennifer Dale]] || [[Nebula (comics)|Nebula]]
|-
| Len Doncheff || Raze
|-
| [[Shirley Douglas]] || The Universal Sourge
|-
| [[Don Francks]] || Kalek
|-
| [[Elizabeth Hanna]] || Kili the Troll
|-
| [[David Hemblen]] || [[Supreme Intelligence]], Husseri
|-
| Howard Jerome || [[Geatar]]
|-
| Lorne Kennedy || Planetary Essence
|-
| Roy Lewis || [[Ego the Living Planet]]
|-
| Mary Long || [[Gamora]] (first time)
|-
| [[Tracey Moore (actress)|Tracey Moore]] || Tor-Kay
|-
| [[John Neville (actor)|John Neville]] || [[Eternity (Marvel Comics)|Eternity]]
|-
| [[Nicole Oliver]] || Gamma Jen Beth
|-
| [[Karl Pruner]] || [[Beta Ray Bill]]
|-
| Tara Rosling || [[Nova (Frankie Raye)|Frankie Raye / Nova]]
|-
| Elizabeth Sheperd || Infinity
|-
| [[Alison Sealy-Smith]] || [[Gamora]] (second time)
|-
| [[Cedric Smith (actor)|Cedric Smith]] || [[Mentor (A'lars)|Mentor]]
|-
| [[Norm Spencer]] || [[Drax the Destroyer]]
|-
| [[John Stocker (voice actor)|John Stocker]] || Ivar
|-
| [[Marc Strange]] || Lord Glenn
|-
| [[Aron Tager]] || The Master of Zenn-La
|-
| [[Robert Tinkler]] || Borad
|}

==Episodes==
{{Episode table |background=#C0C0C0 |overall=6 |title=30 |writer=25 |airdate=20 |episodes=

{{Episode list
 |NumParts= 3
 |EpisodeNumber_1=1
 |EpisodeNumber_2=2
 |EpisodeNumber_3=3
 |Title=The Origin of the Silver Surfer 
 |WrittenBy=Larry Brody
 |OriginalAirDate_1={{Start date|1998|02|07}}
 |OriginalAirDate_2={{Start date|1998|02|14}}
 |OriginalAirDate_3={{Start date|1998|02|21}}
 |ShortSummary= Just as the Watcher has warned, [[Galactus]] has arrived at [[Zenn-La]] to consume its energy. [[Norrin Radd]] sacrifices himself by offering to serve as Galactus' [[Heralds of Galactus|herald]], whose job it will be to scout out planets without intelligent life so that Galactus will not destroy any civilizations. On the upside, Galactus gives Norrin a portion of his powers, turning him into the Silver Surfer. On the downside, the transference of powers remove Norrin's memories and his moral convictions. With no memories, the Silver Surfer finds world after world for Galactus to devour, but the herald is troubled by the destruction. The evil [[Thanos]] uses [[Ego the Living Planet]] to invade the Surfer's mind, intent on finding the secrets of Galactus within. The resulting mental battle unleashes the Surfer's memories and he goes to confront Galactus. When Galactus decides to attack Earth, the Surfer rebels, attacking the world-eater. Despite not being able to harm Galactus, the Surfer is allowed to return to Zenn-La. However, he eventually discovers that the planet has been moved, and he is now alone in space. The Surfer vows to find Zenn-La, and his beloved [[Shalla Bal]].
 |LineColor = C0C0C0
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=4
 |Title=The Planet of Dr. Moreau 
 |WrittenBy= Larry Brody,<br /> Chris Kane
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1998|02|28}}
 |ShortSummary=The Surfer searches to find a [[Kree]] colony, where a Zenn-La scholar is rumored to be living. Surfer is enslaved by the Kree, and forced to work alongside genetically-engineered creatures known as "Trolls." Teaming up with [[Pip the Troll]], and Pip's girlfriend, Kili, the Surfer leads a revolt against the Kree slavers.
 |LineColor = C0C0C0
}}
{{Episode list
 |NumParts= 2
 |EpisodeNumber_1=5
 |EpisodeNumber_2=6
 |Title=Learning Curve
 |WrittenBy_1=Larry Brody & Andrea Lawrence
 |WrittenBy_2=Larry Brody 
 |OriginalAirDate_1={{Start date|1998|03|07}}
 |OriginalAirDate_2={{Start date|1998|03|14}}
 |ShortSummary= The Surfer and Pip join [[Mentor (A'lars)|Mentor]] and his servant, [[Drax the Destroyer]], as they search for the mythical Universal Library of the [[Watcher (comics)|Watcher]]s. Mentor hopes to stop his mad brother, Thanos, from taking over the universe. The Surfer wants only to find Zenn-La.  Plus, [[Eternity (Marvel Comics)|Eternity]] and Infinity have a grave warning for the [[Uatu|Watcher]]. The Universal Library is overrun with large viral globs, and when Mentor interfaces with the "Index" they discover how Uatu came to be the last of the Watchers. The Silver Surfer, Drax, and Pip leave the planet; but Mentor is left behind.
 |LineColor = C0C0C0
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=7
 |Title=Innervisions
 |WrittenBy=Larry Brody,<br /> Alan Swayze
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1998|04|04}}
 |ShortSummary=The Surfer finds a series of planets that have been devastated by Thanos, and Surfer rushes to warn the next planet in Thanos' target. It is a planet known as Harmony, and Surfer was on his way there to learn of Zenn-La by use of a gift his people gave to the planet; but the people of Harmony used the gift to live in a perpetual dream. Unaware of their impending doom at the hands of Thanos. Surfer enters the dream and convinces one of their heroes, [[Beta Ray Bill]], to help defeat Thanos. But how can they do that when all Thanos really wants is the love and approval of Lady Chaos?
 |LineColor = C0C0C0
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=8
 |Title=Antibody
 |WrittenBy=Larry Brody,<br /> Michael Steven Gregory<br />story by [[Harlan Ellison]]
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1998|04|11}}
 |ShortSummary=Galactus is dying, and his new herald, [[Nova (Frankie Raye)|Nova]], enlists the Surfer's aid to help save his life. Surfer and Galactus strike a deal. He would help Galactus if in return, Galactus gives him information about Zenn-La. Galactus agrees and allows the Surfer to enter his body in order to destroy the scourge that is killing him, while Nova remains on the outside, defending Galactus from attacking Wanderer ships. Surfer learns that Galactus knows nothing about Zenn-La's location because, in his anger, he hurled the planet so far away, even he knows not where it came to rest.
 |LineColor = C0C0C0 
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=9
 |Title=Second Foundation
 |WrittenBy=Larry Brody,<br /> Michael Steven Gregory
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1998|04|25}}
 |ShortSummary=Nova is torn between her duties for Galactus and her loyalty to the Silver Surfer. After finding a young planet filled with the energy Galactus needs to survive, she helps the Surfer try to find Zenn-La. They end up on the ancient [[Skrull]] homeworld, where they become fighters in a Skrull revolution that is tearing apart the world of the shape-changers. Their duty is to protect the royal egg which is to become the next hive mother of the Skrull.
 |LineColor = C0C0C0
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=10
 |Title=Radical Justice
 |WrittenBy=Larry Brody,<br /> Brooks Wachtel
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1998|05|02}}
 |ShortSummary=The Surfer is captured by Lord Glenn and the Wanderers and put on trial for the crimes of Galactus. The Surfer is stripped of his powers and turns back into Norrin Radd. As he fights for his survival on a planetoid filled with robotic traps, the twin stars near the planetoid begin to collapse and form a black hole. Norrin Radd must regain his powers as the Silver Surfer in order to save those that have condemned him to death.
 |LineColor = C0C0C0
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=11
 |Title=The Forever War
 |WrittenBy=Larry Brody,<br /> Mark Hoffmeier
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1998|05|29}}
 |ShortSummary=The Surfer asks the Kree's [[Supreme Intelligence]] to help him find Zenn-La, but before they give him an audience with the Supremor, he must do something for them. While on his task, he is swallowed by a spatial anomaly where [[Adam Warlock]] is in a never-ending battle with the Kree. The Surfer frees Warlock from the battle, and both of them return to the Kree Home World. There they discover that the Supremor has evil plans for Warlock. The two heroes escape, and Warlock learns about the destruction of his people. Though the Surfer asks Warlock to join him, Adam Warlock chooses to return to the anomaly where he can fight his "forever war", forget, and live on in honor.
 |LineColor = C0C0C0
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=12
 |Title=Return to Zenn-La
 |WrittenBy=Larry Brody
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1998|05|09}}
 |ShortSummary=The Surfer finally finds Zenn-La, and is reunited with his beloved Shalla Bal. But things seem different, and the behavior of Shalla Bal gets increasingly strange and dangerous. The Surfer soon discovers that he has not found his home at all; instead he has once again found Ego, the Living Planet, who intends to repay his debt to the Surfer.
 |LineColor = C0C0C0
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber=13
 |Title=The End of Eternity
 |WrittenBy=Larry Brody,<br /> Dallas Barnes
 |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1998|05|16}}
 |ShortSummary=The Surfer is summoned by Eternity and Infinity, and is warned that Thanos has found a way to make time flow backwards, thus bringing about the end of the universe. As the Surfer rushes to stop Thanos, the universe begins to contract around him. When it appears as if the Surfer dies in his battle with Thanos, Eternity and Infinity wonder if all has been lost.
| LineColor = C0C0C0
}}
}}

==Home media==
In the UK the complete series on two discs were to be released by Liberation Entertainment on July 28, 2008;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?ctx=280;-1;-1;-1;-1&sku=806839 |title=HMV &#124; Music, Films, & Games |website=Hmv.com |access-date=2016-08-02}}</ref> however, because of the closure of the UK division of Liberation Entertainment, the release was cancelled. The rights were then acquired by Clear Vision LTD who released the set on May 11, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?ctx=280;-1;-1;-1;-1&sku=960331 |title=HMV &#124; Music, Films, & Games |website=Hmv.com |access-date=2016-08-02}}</ref>

As with most of the Marvel Films Animation and New World Animation libraries, the rights to this show are currently owned by [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney Enterprises]], through [[BVS Entertainment]] and [[Jetix]] who acquired the [[Fox Kids Worldwide]] franchise and the kids’ entertainment programming properties of Saban Entertainment and Fox Children's Productions in 2001 and also, [[Marvel Animation]], which Disney acquired Marvel Entertainment in 2009. However, there are no plans to release the series on Region 1 DVD in its entirety.

In September 2019, it was announced that the complete series would be streaming on [[Disney+]].

== Intro theme ==
The intro theme was produced and credited by [[BVS Entertainment|Saban Entertainment]] and [[Shuki Levy]]. The music and Lyrics were made by Deddy Tzur and cowritten by Phil Steele.  The Lyrics were made in Latin adding to the depth portrayed by the characters in his original presentation in comics.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Television|United States|Speculative fiction|1990s}}
* [http://www.tv.com/the-silver-surfer/show/1858/episode_listings.html?season=1&tag=nav_bar;1 Original Airdates and Episode Order]
* {{IMDb title|0203268|title=Silver Surfer (1998)}}
* [http://www.silver-surfer.us/Animation/Scripts/Scripts.html Silver Surfer Episode and Scripts] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312104441/http://www.silver-surfer.us/Animation/Scripts/Scripts.html |date=March 12, 2007 }} - Contains scripts for all 13 aired episodes and 8 unproduced episodes.
* [http://www.drg4.dancemania-ex.com/surferx.html DRG4's ''Silver Surfer: The Animated Series'' page]
* [http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/s/surfcart.htm International Catalogue of Superheroes]
* [http://marvelite.prohosting.com/surfer/toon/ Silver Surfer Cartoon Central]
* [http://marvelite.prohosting.com/surfer/toon/guide.html Episode Guide]
* [http://marvel.toonzone.net/silversurfer/ Marvel Animation Age Presents: The Silver Surfer]

{{Silver Surfer}}
{{Marvel animation}}
{{Fox Kids}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Silver Surfer}}
[[Category:Silver Surfer]]
[[Category:1998 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:1998 animated television series debuts]]
[[Category:1998 Canadian television series debuts]]
[[Category:1998 American television series endings]]
[[Category:1998 Canadian television series endings]]
[[Category:1990s American animated television series]]
[[Category:1990s Canadian animated television series]]
[[Category:American children's animated action television series]]
[[Category:American children's animated science fantasy television series]]
[[Category:American children's animated science fiction television series]]
[[Category:American children's animated space adventure television series]]
[[Category:American children's animated superhero television series]]
[[Category:Animated series produced by Marvel Studios]]
[[Category:Animated television series about extraterrestrial life]]
[[Category:Animated television series based on Marvel Comics]]
[[Category:Animated television series set on fictional planets]]
[[Category:Canadian children's animated action television series]]
[[Category:Canadian children's animated science fantasy television series]]
[[Category:Canadian children's animated science fiction television series]]
[[Category:Canadian children's animated space adventure television series]]
[[Category:Canadian children's animated superhero television series]]
[[Category:American English-language television shows]]
[[Category:Fox Kids]]
[[Category:Television series about alien visitations]]
[[Category:Television series by Saban Entertainment]]
[[Category:Television shows based on Marvel Comics]]
[[Category:Fox Broadcasting Company animated television series]]