The Silver Surfer (Comic Book)

The Silver Surfer is a long-running comic book series created by Jack Kirby and published by Marvel Comics. The titular character, a space-traveling superhero from the planet Zenn-La, first appeared in the pages of Fantastic Four #48 and received his own series in 1968.

The Universe According to Thanos (Volume 3, Issues 55-56)
Adam Warlock and the Silver Surfer arrive to battle Thanos only to discover that Thanos has already won, and that their allies (most of Marvel's star superheroes) have all been killed. Thanos kills Warlock and makes Silver Surfer his reluctant minion, tasked with writing a "Bible" chronicling the glory of Thanos.

The Surfer learns that Thanos has also turned Lady Death into a mindless, adoring love slave. To 'honor' her, Thanos creates a planet with a billion inhabitants, all of whom exist solely to be executed. An appalled Surfer sneaks away and jumps to his death. Thanos revives him, along with his powers, allowing him to fight back. In the middle of the fight, Warlock reveals that the entire thing was an illusion; a representation of what the Surfer fears might happen.

This begins a story arc in which the Silver Surfer is forced to confront his past, his fears, and his regrets.