Origin
Terrax was originally a Birjan named Tyros, the ruler of the city-state of Lanlak on the planetoid Birj. The cosmic entity Galactus selects Tyros as his next Herald, but first wishes for the Fantastic Four to humble him. In return, Galactus agrees to travel to Earth to aid the heroes against a new threat, the villain Sphinx. Tyros is defeated and brought before Galactus, who transforms him into Terrax. This gives him enhanced control over the earth and the ability to survive in space, as well as a Cosmic Axe. Terrax travels with Galactus to Earth and, while his new master battles the Sphinx, attacks the Fantastic Four—still resenting the heroes for their role in his transformation. Terrax, however, is tricked and defeated by the Human Torch, and leaves with a victorious Galactus.
Rebellion
When Galactus discovers what he has done, Terrax flees to Earth and levitates the entire island of Manhattan into orbit. He bargains with the Fantastic Four, stating that he will spare Manhattan if they kill Galactus. Galactus strips Terrax of his powers and throws him from the top of the World Trade Center down to the street below. Terrax survives the fall and is taken to hospital, where he remains in a semi-comatose state, and looses his powers and forgets his identity as Terrax.
Doctor Doom learns that Terrax has survived and kidnaps him, intending to use him against the Fantastic Four. Doom gives Tyros limited cosmic powers using a device that he created and sends him to attack the Fantastic Four. Unknown to Tyros, the power Doom gave him would consume his body within hours. Tyros is confronted by the Silver Surfer and is forced to push his powers to their limits in the ensuing battle. During the battle, Tyros is consumed by his power and dies.
In an Avengers annual, Terrax is temporarily resurrected to become a member of the second Legion of the Unliving by the Elder of the Universe the Grandmaster.
Tyros reforms his physical form as Terrax in the title New Warriors, and battles the fledgling superhero team. Terrax is defeated when the heroes, deducing that his form is unstable and that constant contact with earth is required, separate him and thereby his form. Terrax reappears when reformed once again by a rogue scientist attempting to steal his power. He uses the scientist as a host body and again battles the New Warriors and Fantastic Four. The Silver Surfer intervenes and maroons Terrax on the deserted planet Pluraris IV.
Terrax appears in the Annihilation storyline, being initially captured by the forces of Annihilus before escaping with the Skrull Paibok. Terrax later finds a world ruled by the Space Parasite, whom he eventually kills. On discovering that the inhabitants are content to live in subservience, he flies into a rage and destroys the planet.
In the title Hulk, Terrax is plucked from continuity by the Grandmaster to be part of a team called the Offenders in a bid to thwart the Hulk.
