The silver surfer was originally a young astronomer on the planet Zenn-La, as revealed in the silver surfer comic book. His name was Norrin Radd, but in order to save his planet from the giant planet eating entity known as Galactus, Radd became the entity's herald. As chronicled in the silver surfer comic book, the silver surfer, now imbued with Galactus' Power Cosmic, would seek out planets for Galactus to feed on.

Though there was a silver surfer comic book later on, the silver surfer's first appearance was in Fantastic Four #48 when his travels to find planets for Galactus to feed on brought him to earth. While there he encountered the Fantastic Four, much like was shown in the second Fantastic Four film, and discovered through them that earth and its inhabitants were worth saving. So he betrayed Galactus and helped the Fantastic Four save the earth.

The first silver surfer comic book was published in 1968 after a successful stint of guest appearances in Fantastic Four. The silver surfer comic book was larger than the typical comic book, each issue being 72 pages long and featuring backup stories with the Watcher Uatu. This silver surfer comic book dealt with the silver surfer's exile to earth and how he felt fallen from grace. This first silver surfer comic book was short lived, but ten years later Stan Lee and the silver surfer's creator Jack Kirby collaborated on a graphic novel featuring the character.

1982 saw the next silver surfer comic book debut by famed artist/writer John Byrne, but was only a one-shot. But five years later in 1987 a new silver surfer comic book series was conceived in which the silver surfer was able to escape his exile on earth and once again explore the cosmos. During this silver surfer comic book, the surfer battled new heralds of Galactus as well as his most notable rival Thanos in the Infinity Gauntlet saga. After 146 issues, though, the series was cancelled.

Through the years since there have been various other silver surfer comic book series, but they have all been short lived. While the character is a popular character and has a long storied history, for some reason the right formula for success has eluded the character to date. The recent crossover Annihilation, and the surfer's involvement in Planet Hulk, as well as his appearance in film have bolstered some interest in the character again, though, so only time will tell if the silver surfer will ever get his due.