Since his debut in 1966, Marvel Comics, and has demonstrated a vast array of powers and abilities - and one time he even brought the recently deceased back to life! In 2009’s Beta Ray Bill: Godhunter #3 by Kieron Gillen (The Wicked and the Divine) and Kano (Action Comics, Immortal Iron Fist) he does just that, as repayment to Beta Ray Bill for saving his life earlier.
The three-issue miniseries saw Bill track Galactus across space, seeking vengeance on the planet eater for consuming his home world of Korbian. Bill’s plan to starve Galactus by destroying worlds he marked for consumption worked perfectly. The once powerful cosmic entity was significantly depowered. Bill planned to strike then and rid the universe of Galactus once and for all.
Bill’s plan had two unforeseen consequences, though: he lost the ability to lift Stormbreaker, an enchanted axe forged on Asgard and given to Bill so that he might channel the power of Thor. Bill also failed to for certain species fighting back against him, and he encountered one such race in the I’Than. When the I’Than push back against Bill, deciding they will face Galactus on their own, he infects them with a virus, and only gives the cure once they surrender. Bill destroys their world, and the survivors swear revenge on Bill as he presses on with his plan for revenge.
Yet Galactus was not going to go gently. He asked The Silver Surfer to convince Bill that when Galactus did die, it would take out all life within 42 light years. Furthermore, Bill’s actions were bringing disgrace to not only himself (hence the reason he could no longer use Stormbreaker) but the memory of his people as well. Bill then went to Galactus’ aid, channeling his formidable power into the planet killer, rejuvenating him and giving him the power to defeat the approaching I’Than fleet. As the dust settles, Bill laments to Galactus that he is all alone, and that Galactus would not understand. Galactus tells him he is wrong and then informs Bill that some Korbian souls have not yet moved on to their final rest, and to demonstrate, pulls a soul out and gives it a new body. Bill is no longer the last of his people.
Galactus draws his power from the Power Cosmic, a force of unknown energy in the Marvel Universe. This force gives Galactus his god-like powers, including omniscience (here called “cosmic awareness”), teleportation and matter manipulation abilities. The ability to create life, as seen by Bill, is one Galactus has not shown on a regular basis, and yet given his already impressive set of powers, this one isn’t too much of a stretch. It is interesting that few other creative teams have showcased this aspect of the character, as if potentially limiting the planet-eater’s power. Yet it’s use here made for a joyous occasion for Bill, and a satisfying end to the series.
