@ fodigg. Actually it happened later! Again the energy drain plot device is an example of lazy writing and research. Yes you could drain the surfers immediate store of power, but what's to stop him simply absorbing it back again either from the device or from the cosmos? The surfer can also channel cosmic and other types of energy from outside himself. He should be able to do this even if he is drained of his own power stores. Since the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe was published , detailing how the Surfer's powers work, this type of writing no longer cuts it!
Galactus removed his 'space time' powers when he exiled him, although that didn't seem to stop the surfer travelling in time and to other dimensions. Presumably it was just to stop him warping past the barrier. What is often forgotten is that the Surfer had his powers reduced to' a fraction ' by the sonic shark weapon that SHIELD used on him. In the first run of his own comic the Surfer was worried by falling comparatively small heights and remarked to a foe 'Once I might have felled you with a shrug, but though I am less than before, I am still the Silver Surfer' He did seem to vary in power in various stories with some writers seeming to forget that he had been de-powered. Most online guides to the character state that he slowly returned to his full power.
The first Marvel Universe Handbook, stated that the Surfer always passively absorbs cosmic energy even though this is slower on a planet than in deep space and that he can increase the rate of absorbtion. He can also channel cosmic energy, so it's not like he is just some recharging battery That makes any story involving the draining of his power a bit suspect to me. To truly steal his power as Doom did you would have to not only drain his existing store of energy, but also duplicate his ability to channel energy from outside and stop the Surfer from doing the same. The early writers didn't have to worry about this as no-one gave much thought to how powers worked until the Marvel Universe Handbook was first published. However, there are still recent stories where the Surfer's power is stolen, such as when the Bllack Panther did it. Given how the Surfers powers work, he should be able to rapidly recharge (particularly in space) and in any case could still channel outside energy. It's just lazy writing or lack of knowledge about how the Surfer's powers work in my opinion!
Brendis and Del'Otto did a pretty good good job here. They have actually remembered that Atlas (like Wondy) is meant to be very fast. On the downside they seem to believe that ionic characters bleed. I blame Brendis for starting that with Nefaria vs Wolverine! I agree with a lot of people that Simon's behaviour is out of character. Even if there is some weird reason for this, then what about the other Revengers? Have they all reasoned 'The Avengers are a bad thing, so let's beat them up and they will retire' ? It doesn't work for the villains, so why should it work for them? Still, if you can suspend disbelief it is a good read with some great scenes.
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