Silver Surfer Vol. 3 Annual 1997

The god-like Scrier makes their first appearance! This vastly powerful being has leveled a deal with the Silver Surfer, one that will challenge the Power Cosmic to its core!

The Silver Surfer has lost his emotions and memories and is on Earth in the hopes of regaining them as he once had on the planet. Over the Himalayas, he is drawn to a strange power. He finds a temple and enters it, finding himself in front of a massive presence, the energy he had sensed. Somehow, the being awakens.

The being is known as Scrier, and it talks with the Surfer for a bit before grabbing hold of him and adding some of the Surfer’s life energy into his own. He encases the Surfer in the temple and leaves to view how the Earth has changed while he slept. The Surfer manages to free himself and engages Scrier in battle, believing him to be a threat to Earth.

Scrier stops the battle and reveals that he is responsible for the past and future of Earth. He claims to be able to restore the Surfer’s memories and emotions. He also claims that he can return Zenn-La. He will do these things if the Surfer agrees to serve him. The Surfer agrees, but first he is put to a test.

The Surfer flies to Chicago to obtain a baby named Edward Cross. His mother, Emily, has two other children and her husband has left her. She is also addicted to heroin. The Surfer comes and takes the baby from her, but she leaps out the window in an attempt to stop him. She pleads with the Surfer to not take her baby and that she may not be the best mother, but she loves her children. The Surfer returns her baby and uses his power to help her with her addiction. This action causes Scrier to appear.

Scrier has already been betrayed by the Surfer. He cannot serve him and Zenn-La is to remain dead. The Surfer reveals that it was envy that caused him to return her child. As he leaves, Scrier wonders if the Surfer really failed his test at all.