Common Sense Media Review
By Jenny Nixon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Intergalactic antihero battles space foes in search of home.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Silver Surfer
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
SILVER SURFER is an animated show about an astronomer named Norrin Radd, who hails from the utopian planet Zenn-La. When Radd's home world is threatened by a villainous cosmic entity called Galactus, whose claim to fame is eating planets (just go with it), he strikes a bargain with the evildoer in hopes of saving those he loves. In return for leaving Zenn-La alone, he lets Galactus turn him into Silver Surfer, a bald, shiny envoy with the power to "surf" through the universe, finding delicious new planets to devour that aren't inhabited by millions of intelligent lifeforms. In the process of making this sacrifice, Silver Surfer loses his memory and struggles to rationalize helping the beastly Galactus when his interplanetary travels lead him to new understanding and affection for other worlds and ways of life.
Is It Any Good?
It sounds odd to claim that a cartoon about a gleaming silver space dude riding intergalactic waves is actually a poignant treatise on concepts like free will, sacrifice, and humanity—but it is! Silver Surfer is packed with classic Jack Kirby-style psychedelic space visuals, and the dialogue is overly theatrical and old-school in the best way. These stories and characters have retained a following for decades for very good reason. It's fun storytelling, and newer fans of the Marvel universe will enjoy seeing the 1990s-era depictions of characters like Drax the Destroyer and Nebula from Guardians of the Galaxy.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Norrin Radd's decision to save his home planet. Was becoming the Silver Surfer the only way to defeat Galactus? Do you think he ever regrets the choice he made?
Exploring the universe opens the Silver Surfer's eyes to different ways of life and the value inherent in each. Do you think this concept holds merit in the real world? Why is it important to look beyond our own personal experiences?
TV Details
- Premiere date : February 7, 1998
- Cast : Paul Essiembre , Tara Rosling , Marc Strange
- Network : Disney+
- Genre : Kids' Animation
- TV rating :
- Last updated : May 30, 2025
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