WARNING! Spoilers for What If…? Galactus Transformed Gambit? #1Galactus' reputation as an evil god precedes him in Marvel lore, due in large part to his consumption of planets without any consideration for the mortal lives they contain. Now, Galactus has revealed that there’s one planet he would never eat, calling his presumed heartlessness into question. Galactus' attachment to a certain world defies his standard characterization, hinting that there’s more to him than meets the eye.
What If…? Galactus Transformed Gambit?#1 by Josh Trujillo, Manuel García, Ceci de la Cruz, and Travis Lanham takes place in an alternate version of reality whereGalactus appoints Gambitto be his new herald. While most heralds of Galactus are given the task of scouting planets for him to devour, Galactus has a different mission in mind for this X-Men hero.
Rather than searching for a planet to eat, Galactus enlists Gambit with stealing a planet he intends to keep.This planet turns out to be the home of Galactus from before hisWorld-Eater transformation, and his affection for it unveils the humanity beneath his surface.
Galactus' Home Planet Is the One World He Would Never Consume
Even After Becoming a God, Galactus Still Cherishes His Former Home
Gambit’s cosmic heist on Galactus' behalf leads him tothe Collector, who explains the backstory of the planet in his possession. This world is known as Planet Taa, the former home of Galactus - or, as he was then called, Galan. The Collector describes Taa as"the only world the devourer of worlds ever cared for", a fascinating subversion of Galactus' disregard for planetary life. Now, Taa is long gone, so the Collector claims to own a replica of it that he hides from the god out of spite. Galactus hasdestroyed countless planets, yet he makes a major exception for Taa by trying to salvage it.
Galactus Has a Big Problem With His Heralds And Honestly? It Cannot Be Fixed.
Galactus has appointed many heralds throughout Marvel’s history, but there’s a glaring issue with them that he may have no hope of fixing.
Gambit succeeds in procuring Taa from theCollector’s waresand brings the miniature planet to his master. However, all is not as it seems, and Gambit soon reveals that the Collector has conned Galactus. According to him, the version of Taa that the Collector owns is a fake rather than a true recreation of the lost world. He’d tricked Galactus into thinking it was genuine as an elaborate ruse, though the cosmic entity is far from amused.Galactus subjects the Collector to a life sentence on the false Taa, then is left to mourn the one planet he truly cares for.
Galactus' Memories of His Home Haunt Him, Despite How Much He’s Changed
Deep Down, Galactus Retains Certain Aspects of His Mortality
Galactus may be a tyrant whose power transcends most ofMarvel’s heroesby a horrifyingly wide margin, but at his core, there is a soul within him. Prior to becoming the destroyer he’s known as today, he was an ordinary man on Taa. Galan’s upgrade to become Galactus changes him in irrevocable ways as he dedicates himself to procuring energy by dooming worlds. Still, the fact that he continues to cherish the planet he once called home proves thatGalactusisn’t as cold as his exterior suggests, despite the lack of humanity he displays in his universal conquests.
