One of the most formidable and long-lasting villains in Marvel lore is none other than Galactus. Few characters - let alone villains - in the Marvel Universe could ever hope to reach the same level of power or stature as Galactus, a true feast for the eyes if there ever was one.

When Galactus was first introduced in Marvel, he was presented as a final boss-type of character who was virtually unbeatable. Even in the decades since debuting on-, his losses are still few and far between. With that said, Galactus has still suffered enough defeats to make it clear that he is not as unbeatable as when he was originally conceived. This list exists to showcase Galactus' most infamous defeats, who laid the smackdown on Galactus, and how they were able to bring the beast down.

10 The Ultimate Nullifier was Originally the Only Known Weapon that Could Kill Galactus

Fantastic Four #50 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

While the Marvel Universe has since uncovered multiple ways to defeat Galactus, there was once a time when it appeared as if only one weapon in the universe could be powerful enough to devour the Devourer of Worlds. Johnny Storm is able to retrieve the weapon directly from Galactus' home planet when the Earth's fate hangs in the balance. Reed Richards proceeds to merely threaten Galactus with it, showing readers the first time that fear is visibly struck in the face of the planet eater.

The weapon was originally created by the Watcher Emnu and proved powerful enough to destroy not just an entire race, but a portion of the universe. At the sheer insinuation that Mister Fantastic would use the Nullifier on Galactus, the latter agrees that he will leave the planet Earth alone as long as Reed gives him back his weapon. Both men keep to their word.

9 King Thor Uses Galactus' Power Cosmic Against Him

Thor #6 by Donny Cates, Nic Klein, and Matt Wilson

Few things in the universe are more powerful or a bigger threat to the universe itself than Galactus is. One of those rare beings is known as Black Winter, a being whose power is so great that it forces an uneasy alliance between King Thor and Galactus to stop him. In fact, Galactus appoints Thor as his Herald for the occasion. In doing so, Galactus gifts the Asgardian king with the Power Cosmic to make his transformation into a Herald of Galactus complete.

However, in what would prove to be decides to kill Galactus before they can defeat Black Winter, using all the Power Cosmic that Galactus has gifted him to blast Galactus away. The Power Cosmic is one of the strongest sources of strength in the Marvel Universe, and so for Galactus to be defeated by his own power is quite a cruel fate.

8 Galactus is Tamed by Someone More Powerful and Becomes His Herald

Fantastic Four #604 by Jonathan Hickman, Steve Epting, Paul Mounts, and Clayton Cowles

When the Fantastic Four face off against the Mad Celestials, they are assisted with help from future versions of their children, Franklin and Valeria, as the fate of the universe hangs in the balance. In the end, it's Franklin Richards who proves to be the deciding factor in a victory for the Fantastic Four and the Future Foundation. However, he doesn't do it alone. The battle reaches its zenith and dramatic turning point when the adult Franklin uses energy that he's taken from his younger self to beckon the phrase, "To me, my Galactus!"

In his future, Franklin is able to tame Galactus and force Galactus to become a Herald of Franklin Richards, doing his bidding whenever called. The way timelines and potential timelines work in Marvel's most powerful hero.

7 The Beyonder Swats Galactus Out of the Sky

Secret Wars #1 by Jim Shooter, Michael Zeck, John Beatty, Christie Scheele, and Joe Rosen

In some cases, Galactus has no one to blame but himself for his defeat. Sometimes, it's his own hubris and cockiness that leads to his downfall. This is one such case, as he is among the heroes and villains forced into the original Secret War by The Beyonder. Not one to remain idle, Galactus conspires with Doctor Doom to make a run for The Beyonder headfirst. Both villains are cocky enough to think they can dispose of this mysterious threat with ease.

That's when the heroes are shocked to see Galactus and Doctor Doom "swatted back like flies," in the words of Captain America. This serves as a way to immediately establish just how powerful this Beyonder being is, as the interaction makes it obvious that not even the Devourer of Worlds stands a chance against him.

6 The Thing Gets Slingshotted into Galactus' Face

Fantastic Four #243 by John Byrne, Glynis Wein, and Jim Novak

Keep in mind, it takes more than a slingshot to the face to bring down the mighty Galactus. While this is essentially the killing blow, in his defense, it takes a long road to get there. When Galactus and his Herald, Terrax, target the planet Earth, it takes the combined forces of the Fantastic Four, The Avengers, and pretty much every single superhero in the New York area to deliver an utter onslaught against them.

It's also worth noting that Galactus has grown incredibly weak at this point, having been deprived of sustenance. Having to fight through his hunger only weakens him further. His own Herald, Terrax, attacks him in a bid to be free from the Devourer's control. While Galactus fights off his treacherous servant, it allows the heroes time to organize another attack. The final blow comes from Reed Richards acting as a slingshot to propel the Thing right into Galactus' face, taking down the mighty being.

5 Franklin Richards uses a Psionic Headband to Destroy Galactus' Brain

Fantastic Four: Life Story #5 by Mark Russell, Sean Izaakse, Carlos Magno, Nolan Woodward, and VC's Joe Caramagna

Similar to the more popular Spider-Man: Life Story miniseries, Fantastic Four: Life Story spans several decades and sees the team aging in real-time in an attempt to contextualize the entire history of the Fantastic Four into an actual lifespan. In this world, it is in the 2000s that the team meets Galactus for the first time after first earning the Devourer's attention back in the '60s. Reed's obsession with Galactus' inevitable arrival ends up costing him his marriage, but thankfully, it's his son who proves to be a Godsend in dire times.

An adult Franklin Richards is able to defeat Galactus in epic fashion with help from his father. Reed coaxes Galactus with the prospect of becoming his Herald, but it's all a part of the plan. When Reed is officially connected to Galactus, Franklin uses his psionic headband to destroy Galactus from within, destroying his brain in the process.

4 Thanos Smashes Galactus Between Two Planets

Thanos #6 by Jim Starlin, Al Milgram, Christie Scheele, and Dave Sharpe

It should come as no surprise that two of the most powerful supervillains in Marvel history have, traditionally, not been the biggest fans of each other. In this 2003 series, Thanos makes an agreement with the Rigellian people to dispose of Galactus and keep his destruction far away from their planets. More than anything, it appears Thanos just wants an excuse to clobber Galactus, but at the same time, both become unwilling puppets in a plot by Hunger, who enters the Marvel Universe hoping to feed off the power of the Infinity Gems, literally. As Hunger attempts to devour the Marvel Universe, Galactus and Thanos try to finish their business together.

Thanos is crafty enough to use his own technology to teleport Galactus between two planets, which doesn't kill Galactus, but severely injures him. Understandably, Galactus is humbled enough to retreat, just before Thanos can finish off Hunger and, believe it or not, save the universe.

3 Kitty Pryde Punches Galactus Into the Negative Zone

Cataclysm: The Ultimates' Last Stand #5 by Brian Michael Bendis, Mark Bagley, Andrew Hennessy, Jason Keith, and Cory Petit

The Cataclysm event sees the Galactus of Earth-616 displaced in the world of the Ultimate Universe (the original Ultimate Universe, not to be mistaken with the new, rebooted Ultimate Universe that's recently been introduced). The series serves as a sequel to the Age of Ultron storyline, where the title character tears a hole through time and space and into the Ultimate Universe. Galactus then walks through that hole and, naturally, anarchy ensues.

The Reed Richards of this world - who would later become better known by the name Maker - decides that the best solution is to send Galactus to the Negative Zone in order to starve him. To get him there, though, he uses the Giant-Man serum on Kitty Pryde, the one hero who doesn't need to worry about being hurt by Galactus thanks to her phasing abilities. Sized up to Galactus' level, she takes advantage by absolutely walloping the brute until he can be knocked into the Negative Zone.

2 Galileo, Michelangelo and Others Build a Machine to Beat Galactus in Ancient Rome

S.H.I.E.L.D. #1 by Jonathan Hickman, Dustin Weaver, and Sonia Oback

In a surprising bit of secret history for the Marvel Universe, Galactus was once brought down by a bevy of classic scientists, artists, and polymaths of the Renaissance era. The opening pages are set in Rome 1502, when the organization that would later become S.H.I.E.L.D. is simply known as the High Council of Shield. This society was ed down from generation to generation, from Imhotep, to Leonardo Da Vinci, to Galileo, to Leonid. The immortal Sir Isaac Newton rules over Shield while mentoring Leonid.

In addition to their significant historical contributions to the science field, these men are cited as the first to ever defeat Galactus when he first came to Earth. They also defeat the Brood and manage to turn the Celestials away. It looks like these men were more important to history than some would conceivably imagine.

1 Squirrel Girl Beats Galactus with Kindness and Communication

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #4 by Ryan North and Erica Henderson

One of the most surprising defeats of Galactus comes at the hands of Squirrel Girl, but it's also one of the few instances where neither party needs to come to blows. This one boils down to a hero and a villain using their words for once. In his latest endeavor to feed off the Earth's life energy, he's interrupted by Squirrel Girl, who attempts to extend an olive branch of sorts. To Galactus' own surprise, he finds himself liking Squirrel Girl, not just because she doesn't fear him, but because she recalls previously, legitimately beating up his former enemy, Thanos.

Squirrel Girl understands that Galactus - in her mind at least - isn't so much a villain as he is someone doing what's in his nature to survive and gain sustenance. She finds him a planet empty of inhabitants, but filled with nuts for Galactus to snack on, allowing him to feed while sparing the Earth for once.