Drum Roll...Silver Surfer is # 1
If this were tennis Silver Surfer would be in the # 1 rank and would hold it uncontested. He is not my fav. but he meets the necessity of the #1 and in honesty, he is the holder of that slot.
The gods had to leave this Universe because they were no longer respected by the people. They couldn't live up to mans greatness. Surfer is one who arose to the challenge of the new man, whereas Thor is cool Surfer is abundantlly a match for any legand or myth.