In these entries, we look back at the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Deluxe Edition #16-20 from 1987 to 1988 – the ‘Book of the Dead’ issues. This used to be a regular feature on our Instagram page, but we’ll go into much more detail here and cover all the characters we missed. So expect to see all-new material as we venture into the Marvel Universe to find out if anyone has had the courtesy to stay dead since those OHOTMU issues were released!
We begin with the Xandarian Nova Corps member Gabriel Lan who become the Herald of Galactus and actually died before he even made his debut!
See our BOOK OF THE DEAD: WHERE ARE THEY NOW? INDEX for more.
YEARS DEAD: 11
After stranding the Silver Surfer on Earth for his betrayal, the world-devouring Galactus sought a new Herald to seek out suitable planets for him to consume. Much later, a being calling himself Gabriel arrived on Earth exhibiting incredible powers, easily defeating the Fantastic Four and announcing the end of the world. Revealing himself to be the new Herald of Galactus, the Air-Walker attracted the attention of the Silver Surfer who is still trapped on Earth. The Surfer defeats Gabriel, also known as the Air-Walker, who he smashed to pieces when he fell to the ground, revealing himself to be a robot (Fantastic Four #120-121, 1972). Galactus then returned, intent on consuming Earth and reclaiming the Silver Surfer.
The Air-Walker robot was revealed to have fallen into the hands of Machinesmith, though it appears to be the only robot that doesn’t activate when Captain America enters the lab (Captain America #249, 1980). Air-Walker later reactivated (possibly due to Machinesmith’s tinkering), befriended a child and sought Galactus on Earth. Unable to find him and questioning his own sense of identity, the Air-Walker took his anger out on New York City. Thor put a stop to Air-Walker, sending his hammer through his chest (Thor #305, 1981). This attracted the attention of Galactus’ most-recent abandoned Herald, Firelord, who was looking revenge for his friend Gabriel’s apparent death. Eventually, Firelord revealed the real Gabriel Lan was a Xandarian, and a member of the Nova Corps. Galactus selected Gabriel as an appropriate Herald, transforming him into the Air-Walker and found himself actually bonding with Lan. The alien Ovoids tried to end the cosmic threat of Galactus, but only succeeded in killing Air-Walker. The uncharacteristically distraught devourer of worlds transferred Gabriel Lan’s consciousness into a new body, creating the Air-Walker automaton. Firelord took the Air-Walker’s robot body and buried it on an asteroid in the Xandarian system (Thor #306, 1981)…
Years later, Galactus recruited a far more ruthless Herald called Morg to replace the disobedient Nova (Frankie Raye), prompting her, Firelord and the Silver Surfer to seek out Air-Walker as the only one capable of overcoming the world-devourer’s cloaking capabilities. The duo used their combined Power Cosmic to recharge and reactivate the robot. Initially, he raged against them and Firelord burned off Air-Walker’s human appearance and attire. Recognising Firelord as his ‘old friend’ Pyreus Kril restored his sanity. Air-Walker joined his fellow Heralds in battle against Morg, though he was almost destroyed in the final battle (Silver Surfer #73-75, 1992). Firelord and Galactus repaired the Air-Walker and, alongside Firelord, reclaimed his role as a Herald of Galactus (Silver Surfer #76, 1993).
Most-recently, the Air-Walker automaton was among those recruited by Mister Fantastic of the Fantastic Four to oppose the Sentry and his allies from the Cancerverse (ANNIHILATION: SCOURGE – Annihilation: Scourge – Omega #1, 2020).
Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition #16 – Air-Walker
Art: Jerry Ordway & Josef Rubinstein
Thor #305 (interiors)
Story: Mark Gruenwald & Ralph Macchio
Art: Keith Pollard, Chic Stone & George Roussos
Silver Surfer #73 (interiors)
Story: Ron Marz
Art: Ron Lim, Tom Christopher & Tom Vincent
Reading Order © Omniverse Comics Guide 2025
Leave a Reply