One of the most formidable and long-lasting villains in Marvel lore is none other than Galactus. Few characters – let alone villains – in the Marvel Universe could ever hope to reach the same level of power or stature as Galactus, a true feast for the eyes if there ever was one.
When Galactus was first introduced in Marvel, he was presented as a final boss-type of character who was virtually unbeatable. Even in the decades since debuting on-panel, his losses are still few and far between. With that said, Galactus has still suffered enough defeats to make it clear that he is not as unbeatable as when he was originally conceived. This list exists to showcase Galactus’ most infamous defeats, who laid the smackdown on Galactus, and how they were able to bring the beast down.
15
The Ultimate Nullifier Was Originally The Only Known Weapon that Could Kill Galactus
Fantastic Four #50 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
While the Marvel Universe has since uncovered multiple ways to defeat Galactus, there was once a time when it appeared as if only one weapon in the universe could be powerful enough to devour the Devourer of Worlds. Johnny Storm is able to retrieve the weapon directly from Galactus’ home planet when the Earth’s fate hangs in the balance. Reed Richards proceeds to merely threaten Galactus with it, showing readers the first time that fear is visibly struck in the face of the planet eater.
The weapon was originally created by the Watcher Emnu and proved powerful enough to destroy not just an entire race, but a portion of the universe. At the sheer insinuation that Mister Fantastic would use the Nullifier on Galactus, the latter agrees that he will leave the planet Earth alone as long as Reed gives him back his weapon. Both men keep to their word.
14
King Thor Uses Galactus’ Power Cosmic Against Him
Thor #6 by Donny Cates, Nic Klein, and Matt Wilson
Few things in the universe are more powerful or a bigger threat to the universe itself than Galactus is. One of those rare beings is known as Black Winter, a being whose power is so great that it forces an uneasy alliance between King Thor and Galactus to stop him. In fact, Galactus appoints Thor as his Herald for the occasion. In doing so, Galactus gifts the Asgardian king with the Power Cosmic to make his transformation into a Herald of Galactus complete.
However, in what would prove to be Thor’s biggest failure as a king, the God of Thunder decides to kill Galactus before they can defeat Black Winter, using all the Power Cosmic that Galactus has gifted him to blast Galactus away. The Power Cosmic is one of the strongest sources of strength in the Marvel Universe, and so for Galactus to be defeated by his own power is quite a cruel fate.
13
Galactus is Tricked Into Eating A Deadly Species
Fantastic Four #175 by Roy Thomas, John Buscema, Jan Cohen
It isn’t every day that Galactus is well and truly tricked, deceived, and duped at the cost of his life (or at least his existence as we know it). But when the Fantastic Four witnessed yet another planet of humanoids consumed by Galactus before their eyes, The Impossible Man revealed himself, and his masterful deception.
The specifics are zany even for the Fantastic Four, but The Impossible Man explains his homeworld of Poppup evolved to one-mindedness, out of sheer boredom. So when Galactus ate and absorbed the world and its life… he actually ‘consumed’ nothing unique at all. The result? “Terminal Indigestion.”
12
Galactus is Tamed by Someone More Powerful and Becomes His Herald
Fantastic Four #604 by Jonathan Hickman, Steve Epting, Paul Mounts, and Clayton Cowles
When the Fantastic Four face off against the Mad Celestials, they are assisted with help from future versions of their children, Franklin and Valeria, as the fate of the universe hangs in the balance. In the end, it’s Franklin Richards who proves to be the deciding factor in a victory for the Fantastic Four and the Future Foundation. However, he doesn’t do it alone. The battle reaches its zenith and dramatic turning point when the adult Franklin uses energy that he’s taken from his younger self to beckon the phrase, “To me, my Galactus!”
In his future, Franklin is able to tame Galactus and force Galactus to become a Herald of Franklin Richards, doing his bidding whenever called. The way timelines and potential timelines work in the Marvel Universe (and even DC) can be tricky to decipher, but if the future of the official Earth-616 canon goes anywhere near what’s implied here, then Franklin could end up being Marvel’s most powerful hero.
11
The Beyonder Swats Galactus Out of the Sky
Secret Wars #1 by Jim Shooter, Michael Zeck, John Beatty, Christie Scheele, and Joe Rosen
In some cases, Galactus has no one to blame but himself for his defeat. Sometimes, it’s his own hubris and cockiness that leads to his downfall. This is one such case, as he is among the heroes and villains forced into the original Secret War by The Beyonder. Not one to remain idle, Galactus conspires with Doctor Doom to make a run for The Beyonder headfirst. Both villains are cocky enough to think they can dispose of this mysterious threat with ease.
That’s when the heroes are shocked to see Galactus and Doctor Doom “swatted back like flies,” in the words of Captain America. This serves as a way to immediately establish just how powerful this Beyonder being is, as the interaction makes it obvious that not even the Devourer of Worlds stands a chance against him.
10
The Thing Gets Slingshotted into Galactus’ Face
Fantastic Four #243 by John Byrne, Glynis Wein, and Jim Novak
Keep in mind, it takes more than a slingshot to the face to bring down the mighty Galactus. While this is essentially the killing blow, in his defense, it takes a long road to get there. When Galactus and his Herald, Terrax, target the planet Earth, it takes the combined forces of the Fantastic Four, The Avengers, and pretty much every single superhero in the New York area to deliver an utter onslaught against them.
It’s also worth noting that Galactus has grown incredibly weak at this point, having been deprived of sustenance. Having to fight through his hunger only weakens him further. His own Herald, Terrax, attacks him in a bid to be free from the Devourer’s control. While Galactus fights off his treacherous servant, it allows the heroes time to organize another attack. The final blow comes from Reed Richards acting as a slingshot to propel the Thing right into Galactus’ face, taking down the mighty being.
9
Galactus is Outnumbered By Equally-Powerful Proemial Gods
Annihilation #1 by Keith Giffen, Andrea Di Vito, Laura Villari
Galactus might seem to exist on his own level in the cosmic scheme, as one of the most ancient and powerful ‘sapient beings’ in Marvel canon. But that is no accident. As the Annihilation event revealed, Galactus was simply the only such being allowed to walk free.
The first issue of the event saw the other ‘Proemial Gods’ like Galactus freed from their imprisonment in The Kyln. And when two such titans, Tenebrous and Aegis, ganged up on Galactus for revenge, their combined powers proved more cosmic. Galactus is no match for two gods on his level, and fueled by hatred.
8
Franklin Richards Uses A Psionic Headband to Destroy Galactus’ Brain
Fantastic Four: Life Story #5 by Mark Russell, Sean Izaakse, Carlos Magno, Nolan Woodward, and VC’s Joe Caramagna
Similar to the more popular Spider-Man: Life Story miniseries, Fantastic Four: Life Story spans several decades and sees the team aging in real-time in an attempt to contextualize the entire history of the Fantastic Four into an actual lifespan. In this world, it is in the 2000s that the team meets Galactus for the first time after first earning the Devourer’s attention back in the ’60s. Reed’s obsession with Galactus’ inevitable arrival ends up costing him his marriage, but thankfully, it’s his son who proves to be a Godsend in dire times.
An adult Franklin Richards is able to defeat Galactus in epic fashion with help from his father. Reed coaxes Galactus with the prospect of becoming his Herald, but it’s all a part of the plan. When Reed is officially connected to Galactus, Franklin uses his psionic headband to destroy Galactus from within, destroying his brain in the process.
7
Galactus is No Match Against DC’s Own Cosmic Madman
JLA / Avengers by Kurt Busiek and George Pérez
There is no shortage of battles for comic fans seeking Marvel vs. DC Comics showdowns, and since he was technically awake at the creation of the Marvel Universe, Galactus has seen them all. Which is the very reason he found himself in the middle of one such clash during the crossover JLA/Avengers series in 2003.
DC fans will know that the oldest Green Lantern villain is named Krona, a fallen member of the Guardians of the Universe driven mad by one desire: to see the beginning of time and reality. When faced with a Marvel being who possessed that very knowledge, his obsession proved strong enough to crush Galactus in combat.
6
Thanos Smashes Galactus Between Two Planets
Thanos #6 by Jim Starlin, Al Milgram, Christie Scheele, and Dave Sharpe
It should come as no surprise that two of the most powerful supervillains in Marvel history have, traditionally, not been the biggest fans of each other. In this 2003 series, Thanos makes an agreement with the Rigellian people to dispose of Galactus and keep his destruction far away from their planets. More than anything, it appears Thanos just wants an excuse to clobber Galactus, but at the same time, both become unwilling puppets in a plot by Hunger, who enters the Marvel Universe hoping to feed off the power of the Infinity Gems, literally. As Hunger attempts to devour the Marvel Universe, Galactus and Thanos try to finish their business together.
Thanos is crafty enough to use his own technology to teleport Galactus between two planets, which doesn’t kill Galactus, but severely injures him. Understandably, Galactus is humbled enough to retreat, just before Thanos can finish off Hunger and, believe it or not, save the universe.
