The Eternals - ComicsXF

Before the dawn of history, Earth was visited by mighty Space Gods. These Celestials germinated the seed of humanity and created their evolutionary cousins of homo sapiens – Eternals and Deviants. The Deviants are monstrous in appearance and prone to volatility while the Eternals are immortal demi-gods tasked with being mankind’s guardian angels.

Ikaris, Sersi, Thena, Makkari, Phastos, Zuras, Kingo, Ajak, and Sprite are among the 100 Eternals who have lived adjacent to human society for centuries, mistaken for mythic figures. They finally reveal their true nature to humanity in the modern day when the Celestials return!

Now living among Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, the Eternals carry on their mission to protect a world that has been changing since they first set foot on it.

Jack Kirby returned to Marvel in 1975 and created The Eternals, a new mythology inspired by ideas of extraterrestrial beings influencing human history. After the series came to a premature end a year later, creators like Roy Thomas, Mark Gruenwald, and Ralph Macchio shepherded the characters and concepts into becoming integral components of the Marvel Universe.

Marvel have relaunched and reinvented the Eternals a few times over the decades with short-lived success. Aside from breakout characters like Sersi, who joined the Avengers in the 90s, the Eternals have remained largely cult favorites until now. Thanks to their entry into the MCU and a new ongoing series, the Eternals are enjoying a renewed interest and a level of prominence like never before.

The Eternals cosmology is “go big or go home.” Loud colors, bold glyphs, big hats, all the superpowers. There are equal parts wonder and camp to these characters and their world which is so much deeper than one might expect. The hierarchy of Celestial, Eternal, Human, and Deviant produces so many fascinating relationships as they interact with each other. Sersi’s lighthearted love of humanity, Kro and Thena’s forbidden romance, Deviant politics, or Ajak and Makkari’s special connection to the Space Gods – these all speak to the power of this material.

Though the Eternals can be as unsubtle as rock on the surface, their veins are lined with precious gold.

Gold

The Day of the Gods

July - December 1976

The Plot

The Celestials return to pass final judgement on their Earthly experiments. Fearing retribution, the Deviants disguise themselves as intergalactic devils in a false flag operation to turn mankind’s weapons against the Space Gods.

The Eternals spring into action to save the day, knowing what kind of world-ending destruction will come from inciting the Celestials’ wrath.

Why We Love It

This story arc contains the complete DNA sequence for what makes the Eternals so much fun. There are so many artistic highlights here – the architectural ruins we see first, the sheer sense of scale when the Celestials touch down on Earth, the fascinatingly odd Deviant court of Lord Tode, Sersi’s apartment. To be honest, it was love at first sight the minute Kro appeared on panel in his funky sunglasses.

The Deviants’ attack on New York never slows down for a second even as it takes unexpected turns. The end result – human, Eternal, and Deviant all meeting face to face – is such a charming way to wrap up and begin the series proper.

Don't have a local comic shop?

Consider supporting ComicsXF by using these links:

Silver

Only Death is Eternal

January - July 2021

The Plot

The Eternals, reeling by a loss of purpose and their sisyphean existence, must confront an impossible prospect – change. They may not have a choice, as someone, one of their own, has broken the Earth and is helping Thanos murder Eternals.

Why We Love It

Gillen and Ribić bust the mold wide open with this confident reimagining. The team pulls in aspects from every corner of Eternals past and combines them into a grand unified mythos that really works to widen the scope. The art (very much including Wilson’s colors) is top tier, the characters are more fully realized than any other interpretation before, and the murder mystery is intricately plotted to keep you guessing every step of the way.

In just the first few issues, so much is set up or teased that it’s clear Gillen has stories to tell for years to come. It’s a genuinely funny comic, and every angle seems to have been considered. Top notch.

Don't have a local comic shop?

Consider supporting ComicsXF by using these links:

The City of Toads

February - May 1977

The Plot

Former lovers Thena and Kro have been reunited, and visit the Deviants’ home in sunken Lemuria. Their timing couldn’t be worse because it’s “Purity Time,” when the ugliest aspects of their society are fully exposed. Kro hopes Thena’s disgust will abate when she sees the Reject, a Deviant with the face of an Eternal.

Why We Love It

This is where Kirby shows his range. With the fundamental lore established, the second story arc is free to explore the more interesting dimensions of the book. Kro and Thena’s illicit affair takes center stage here in this showcase of why they’re the best pairing, butting heads wonderfully. We’re also introduced to The Reject and Karkas who force us to rethink the assumptions we’ve been led to make about the Deviants in general.

Kirby and co. have really settled into the look of comic at this point as well, and this arc contains some of the best pages in the series overall – particularly one splash page showing Lemuria at the bottom of the ocean. Above ground, the Celestials drift across the planet like massive bumble bees, completely incomprehensible to the gawking humans. It is completely delightful.

Don't have a local comic shop?

Consider supporting ComicsXF by using these links:

The Dreaming Celestial Saga

October 1985 - September 1986

Peter B. Gillis & Walt Simonson
Sal Buscema, Keith Pollard, & Paul Ryan
Al Gordon, Keith Williams, Danny Bulanadi, Sam de la Rosa, Al Williamson, Tom Morgan, & Geof Isherwood

George Roussos & Bob Sharen
Joe Rosen, John Morelli & Rick Parker

The Plot

Thena’s leadership is threatened by her connection to Kro and the distrust of her fellow Eternals. Meanwhile, the Deviant priest Ghaur has taken control of Lemuria amidst a power vacuum. It’s just the first move in his carefully-orchestrated plan to harness the power of the Dreaming Celestial.

Why We Love It

This is essentially The Eternals: The Graphic Novel. It builds on the foundations established in Volume 1 and moves them forward in a natural evolution, particularly the unresolved plot elements of “To Kill A Space God” (Eternals v1 #18-19 – see the Bronze section below). This series adds several great new characters to the playing field – like Phastos, Ghaur, and Yrdisis – while still giving everyone’s arcs plenty of legroom.

This series is light-hearted and fun, taking itself just seriously enough to fit amongst other mid-80s Marvel comics and maintain some of the campiness of the original series. You should read this for Sersi’s big party, if nothing else.

Don't have a local comic shop?

Consider supporting ComicsXF by using these links:

Bronze

To Kill A Space God

December 1977 - January 1978

The Plot

Druig uncovers proof that a Celestial can be killed, and that the murder weapon is still hidden somewhere on Earth. Hellbent on finding the weapon for himself, Druig must first obtain the secret key from his cousin Ikaris who’s sworn to protect it with his life.

Why We Love It

A fitting platform for Druig to represent an interesting new antagonist for the Eternals, as the threat from within. Kirby continues to expand the scope of his mythology even in the face of cancellation. This is our first hint of Celestial fallibility with the introduction of one who rebelled. The Dreaming Celestial is a concept that nearly every subsequent writer will play with, and it starts here! Despite the abrupt ending, this story remains an early highlight.

Don't have a local comic shop?

Consider supporting ComicsXF by using these links:

Astronauts!

July 1977

The Plot

The Eternals have left the planet as a Uni-Mind, clearing the way for the Deviants to launch another assault against the Celestials. Thankfully, Sprite has stayed behind in Olympia and still remembers the exiled Eternal hero known only as The Forgotten One.

Why We Love It

It’s great to watch a joke character like Sprite rise to the occasion and help save the day – Kirby is clearly in on the gag with the way he writes such performatively self-pitying dialogue. This issue shows what happens when the main cast of the series is unavailable in the event of a catastrophe, and the resulting adventure is thrilling and surreal. A very satisfying one-shot adventure.

Don't have a local comic shop?

Consider supporting ComicsXF by using these links:

To Slay A God

August 2008 - February 2009

The Plot

The Dreaming Celestial warns Makkari of the Horde, a cosmic plague of locusts that’s on its way to consume and destroy Earth. Meanwhile, Thena and Ikaris race against time to awaken the remaining Eternals before Druig who wants to conscript them into his personal, enthralled army.

Why We Love It

Daniel Acuña’s art! Honestly, the artwork is so grandiose and well-staged that it sells even the corniest jokes. The emotional connection between Sersi and Makkari is well-expressed and moving, even if Sersi is underserved by her role in the plot. The in-fighting between Eternals is riveting as it builds to its nail-biting climax of a brainwashed Gilgamesh fighting the other Eternals.

Don't have a local comic shop?

Consider supporting ComicsXF by using these links:

Intelligent Design

August 2006 - March 2007

The Plot

The Eternals have forgotten who they are and live ordinary, human lives unaware of their true power. Ikaris remembers, and he needs Makkari to join him before the Deviants can wake the Celestial who sleeps beneath San Francisco.

Why We Love It

The most prestigious relaunch of the series to date. Gaiman and Romita Jr.’s take starts off with a bang and establishes a bold new direction for the mythos. John Romita Jr.’s art is gorgeous throughout, especially when he’s drawing big, blocky, awe-inspiring things like the Dreaming Celestial waking. This series also elevates Makkari to prominence, an inspired move. Whether or not it carries its momentum through all the way to the end is up for debate, but clearly this is the best place for most new readers to start.

Don't have a local comic shop?

Consider supporting ComicsXF by using these links:

Apocalypse Now

February 2000

The Plot

Apocalypse manipulates tensions between humans, Eternals, and Deviants so as to make way for Homo Superior as the one race left standing.

Why We Love It

A continuity oddity, this one-shot is still a lot of fun. Very solid art with very over-the-top new costumes for the Eternals, as it should be. It’s interesting to see Ikaris chafe under his father’s return while poor Thena doesn’t get her own dad back. The best part, of course, is how they honor Apocalypse’s original power set, which included turning his arms into hammers and airplane wings. The cliffhanger is ambitious if ultimately doomed, but you have to hand it to them for trying something.

Don't have a local comic shop?

Consider supporting ComicsXF by using these links: