The character first appeared in 1966, drawn by Jack Kirby as an afterthought for a story that was already plotted; writer Stan Lee immediately fell in love with The Silver Surfer, and for years would allow nobody else to create his inimitably high-minded dialogue. Eventually Lee and artist John Buscema invented a background for "The Sentinel of the Spaceways," and revealed that he was originally Norrin Radd, a restless inhabitant of a utopian planet, Zenn-La. When his race was threatened by the all-consuming Galactus , Norrin Radd saved the day by offering to aid the menace in his endless quest for the worlds to devour. In sacrificing himself twice, once for his own people, and again for humanity, The Silver Surfer took on Christ-like qualities. The selflessness that made him so admired has finally been rewarded, and today he is free to soar among the stars.