Eternals
From Free net encyclopedia
Template:Superteambox The Eternals are a fictional race of superhumans in the Marvel Comics universe. They are an offshoot of humanity created on Earth by the alien Celestials, and wage war against their counterparts, the Deviants. The Eternals were created by Jack Kirby and made their first appearance in The Eternals #1 (July 1976).
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History
In Earth's ancient past, the Eternals were worshipped as gods by unsuspecting humans. This worship led to a short-lived war between the Eternals and the various pantheons of gods. These gods included the Marvel version of the Norse Gods, Roman Gods, and Greek Gods. The war ended with the Eternals terminating their relations with mortals completely.
Eternals are ageless and virtually immortal, and possess numerous superhuman physical and mental abilities, including the powers of flight and energy projection and manipulation. Many have specialized in one particular area, far beyond the average. They possess numerous superhuman physical and mental abilities, including the powers of flight and energy projection and manipulation. Sersi, for example, developed to an extraordinary degree the ability to manipulate molecules and atoms; Makkari can attain superhuman speeds; Zuras focused on energy manipulation; and the Forgotten One on strength and durability. Eternals have the ability to merge, physically and mentally, into a collective entity called the Uni-Mind.
After a civil war millennia ago, a small faction of the Eternals were exiled from Earth to the planet Uranus. Many of these Uranian Eternals, after constructing a spaceship using alien Kree technology found in an abandoned supply depot, tried to return to Earth to renew the civil war. They were attacked by the Kree for stealing their technology before they made it to Earth. Survivors built a civilization on Saturn's moon Titan. The rest of the Uranian Eternals were later wiped out.
All but a handful of the Earth-based Eternals have departed to explore deep space, in the form of the Uni-Mind. The few who remain reside in their capital city, Olympia, which is alternately located in another dimension and on the top of Mount Olympus in Greece.
Originally, Kirby's Eternals were not explicitly a part of the Marvel Universe. A robot modelled after the Hulk appeared in one issue, and agents appearing to be affiliated with SHIELD appeared in another. However, there were originally no direct links to the rest of the Marvel Universe. The idea that the gods and demons of mythology were actually the Eternals and Deviants was incompatible with rest of the Marvel Universe, where superheroes like Hercules and Thor were still the original heroes of myth and legend.
Roy Thomas, beginning in Thor #280, attempted to introduce the Eternals into other parts of the Marvel Universe. Their attempts culminated with a massive battle which teamed the Asgardians and Eternals against the Celestials in Thor #300. The clumsy attempts were never very successful. They were simply incompatibe with the rest of the Marvel Universe. This was probably why, in Thor #300, that the majority of the Eternals (in the form of the Uni-Mind) left Earth to explore the universe.
The Titans of Titan have been retconned into the Kirby's later-created Eternals mythos. Starlin's Thanos was revealed as a mutant Titanian Eternal. He is, by far, the most powerful of the Titan race. Template:Endspoiler
In 2005, it was announced[[1]] that Neil Gaiman would be writing an Eternals limited series for Marvel with art by John Romita, Jr, to begin in June 2006.
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Antecedents
- Erich von Däniken's book Chariots of the Gods, a now-debunked 1972 non-fiction best-seller, postulated that ancient aliens gave knowledge to early humans, and were worshipped as gods.
- The Hurricane and Mercury, two characters of Timely Comics, the 1940s predecessor of Marvel, were retconned as being guises of the Eternal Makkari.
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Membership
| Character | First Appearance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ikaris | The Eternals vol. 1 #1 | A Polar Eternal, son of Virako and Tulayn, father of Icarus. Ikaris is a 2nd-Level adept at matter control, and a 4th-Level adept at Cosmic Energy. Ikaris' mother died when he was only 300 years old, and his father, when he was 1010, which resulted in his uncle Valkin adopting him. It is not known what Ikaris' birth-name was; he adopted the name "Ikaris" after his son Icarus was killed. Ikaris and Thena have long had a strong dislike for each other, and found themselves coming to conflict when she was appointed Prime Eternal. Questioning her worth as Prime Eternal, Ikaris faced her in the Hall of Eternal Judgement and defeated her, becoming the new Prime Eternal. Ikaris retains the title of Prime Eternal today, and under the alias of "Sovereign" has introduced the Eternals to the world as a team of super-heroes called the "New Breed", and has had to deal with the return of his father Virako to life. |
| Ajak | The Eternals vol. 1 #2 | Polar Eternal born to Rakar and Amaa, and brother of Arex. With Arex, they were known in Greece as Ajax the Greater and Ajax the Lesser. Disintegrated himself after he discovered he had killed many sets of human twins in Eternals: The Herod Factor. |
| Sersi | The Eternals vol. 1 #3 | Can manipulate molecules and atoms. Daughter of Helios and Perse. Sersi is fond of dancing, and is the only Eternal who is a fifth-level adept at matter manipulation. As Became famous in Greek Mythology through her encounter with Odysseus, when he landed upon her island, Aeaea, and she turned his men into pigs. She had to be forced to attend a Ritual of the Uni-Mind, and initially refused taking part in Ikaris' battle with the Deviants. Of the remaining Eternals, Pyskos, Ikaris and Thena have all experienced some friction working with Sersi, though she herself has few prejudices. After Captain America requested Sersi's aid in going undercover as a teenager, she became involved the Avengers' affairs, and ended up joining the team. Sersi temporarily put herself into exile, but has since returned to her home dimension. |
| Domo | The Eternals vol. 1 #5 | Former Head Technologist at the Temple of Command in Olympia. Domo was extremely dedicated to his work, which involved monitoring all of Olympia's advanced systems. He was also responsible for contacting Earth's Eternals when it was time to form the Uni-Mind. Domo was among the Eternals who left Earth in the form of a Uni-Mind. |
| Makkari | The Eternals vol. 1 #5 | Can attain superhuman speeds; Son of Verona and Mara. Like his parents, Makkari is a member of Olympia's Technologists' Guild. Despite being taught his philosophy by Plato, he is not a great genius, and lacks patience. His love of speed and motion, though having led to some of the swiftest vehicles the Eternals have, has also made Makkari overly impulsive, and many Eternals do not take him seriously. He sometimes wears a protective crash helmet, though he does not truly need it. In the 1940s, Zuras assigned him to Earth, and under the alias "Hurricane", "Mac Carry", "Jake Curtiss" and many others, he fought Kro, often alongside the Monster Hunters, a team he formed using his identity as National Security Agent Jake Curtiss. Following the dis-banding of the Monster Hunters, he was convinced by Pixie to join the First Line as "Major Mercury". Was among the Eternals who introduced themselves to the students at City College during the 4th Host. When Maelstrom briefly returned to life, he attempted to seize more power by draining the kinetic energy from Makkari, even though he was light-years away, but the Eternals on Earth defeated him. Recently, Makkari has returned to earth. |
| Thena | The Eternals vol. 1 #5 | Daughter of Zuras and Cybele. Was originally born under the name Azura, but Zuras had her name officially changed to resemble that of Zeus' daughter Athena, to seal the bond between their two peoples. Thena was often mistaken for Athena, and the city of Athens was built for her, although she later allowed it to be conquered by the Spartans in 404 B.C. 2,500 years ago, Had twin children and placed them inside of Ms. Ritter, an infertile woman, who raised them as Donald and Deborah. Recently, Thena became involved with the development of her children, after Dr. Daniel Damian attempted to have them killed. Thena has sought sanctuary with Heroes For Hire and the High Evolutionary, with whom she presently resides. |
| Zuras | The Eternals vol. 1 #5 | Can manipulate energy; Son of Kronos and Daina, brother of A'Lars, father of Thena, husband of Cybele. Zuras was the first Eternal to form a Uni-Mind, and was chosen by the Eternals to lead them following Kronos' death. He was mistaken for the Greek god Zeus many times in the past, and ultimately forged a pact with Zeus to keep their people at peace. In recent times, authorized Thena to resume her battles against the Deviants, and ordered her to battle against Zakka in New York. When the Celestials blew the Uni-Mind apart, the backlash killed him. Even then, Zuras' spirit continued to exist within his body, until the last of his energy was used to free Thena from a Brain-Mine, destroying his body. Zuras' spirit still seems to exist, as it has appeared at times within Olympia, such as when Ikaris challenged Thena for the title of Prime Eternal |
| Sui-San | Captain Marvel vol. 1 #29 (1976) | Follower of Uranos who was the only survivor of the war on the surface of Titan. She was found by A'lars, who with her, founded the new Eternals of Titan. Sui-San's children included Eros and Thanos. She was slain by Thanos during his attack on Titan, when he dissected her with a medical kit, hoping to learn why he was different from other children |
| Uranos | Captain Marvel vol. 1 #29 (1976) | Brutal Eternal who brought war to Titanos, until he was defeated Oceanus and Kronos, his brother. Uranos was exiled to space with 24 of his followers, who ultimately arrived upon Uranus, establishing an outpost there. They next moved to Titan, after their craft was damaged by the Kree. Uranos died on Titan when his own people went to war incited by the Dragon of the Moon, but his cruelty lives through Thanos, son of his follower Sui-San |
| Sprite | The Eternals vol. 1 #9 | Eternal who has the appearance of a young boy. Sprite is terrificly adept at manipulating matter. He was often mistaken for Robin Goodfellow, and inspired the character of Puck in William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. When Zuras called for the Uni-Mind to examine the Celestials' Mothership, Sprite remained behind with Domo's Central Processor. While trying to improve Olympia's systems, Sprite accidentally sent Olympia into the Negative Zone once, but they were able to restore it to its proper place. Sprite advocated the appointment of the Black Knight as Sersi's Gann Josin as a settlement to Ikaris, who wanted her killed |
| Aginar | The Eternals vol. 1 #11 | A Polar Eternal who disguised himself as an aide to Valkin in the guise of General Vulcanin of the Soviet Military. Doesn't care much for his Olympian Eternal "cousins". Chosen to form the Uni-Mind which has left Earth to seek out a higher meaning for their race |
| Delphan Brothers | The Eternals vol. 1 #11 | Team of boxers from Olympia who enjoy getting into fights. They have little love for Polar Eternals, and once started a fight with them prior to the Ritual of the Uni-Mind. When Sersi refused to answer summons to Olympia, Domo sent the Delphan Brothers to New York and force her back. She temporarily turned them into armadillos for that. |
| Druig | The Eternals vol. 1 #11 | Son of Valkin, cousin of Ikaris. In modern times, Druig served as an agent of the K.G.B. in Russia, and found that he enjoyed torturing people. When Ziran the Tester came through the area of Polaria, Druig planned to slay him using the "Weapon", which he learnt of by torturing Ikaris, but Ikaris disintegrated Druig before he could fire the Weapon. His body was then recovered by the Celestials, and put into everlasting containment at the Desecration Annex |
| Kingo Sunen | The Eternals vol. 1 #11 | |
| Valkin | The Eternals vol. 1 #11 | Polar Eternal, father of Druig, brother of Virako, uncle of Ikaris. Valkin is known by some as the "All-Father", and served as the leader of the Polar Eternals. When Virako was slain, Valkin adopted Ikaris as his son. In the 20th Century, Valkin assumed the alias of "Colonel Vulcanin" in the Soviet Military. Following the death of Zuras, many Eternals turned to Valkin as their leader, even though Thena was next in line. This leadership problem was resolved when Valkin chose to lead most of Earth's Eternals into space as a Uni-Mind. |
| Zarin | The Eternals vol. 1 #11 | Polar Eternal who served as an aide to Valkin in his "Colonel Vulcanin" guise. Zarin also served as Valkin's pilot. He was among the Eternals who left for space in the Uni-Mind |
| Uni-Mind | The Eternals vol. 1 #12 | The collective energy of the Eternals, born of the Ritual of the Uni-Mind. Eternals, Humans, Deviants and Brethren have been a part of Uni-Minds. It is not known how long a Uni-Mind can be held together, but there is one which left earth following Zuras' death, and apparently still exists. It comprises most of the Eternals' population, though Ajak, and possibly others, have left its joining. Zuras was the first Eternal to form a Uni-Mind, after they attained cosmic powers, and used it to determine if he or A'Lars should become Prime Eternal. Since then, the Prime Eternal alone has the power to summon the Ritual, and produce the Blue Flame through which the Eternals fly, their forms physically becoming the Uni-Mind. Varua of the Young Gods is also able to create a joining with her fellow Young Gods which is similar to the Uni-Mind |
| The Forgotten One | The Eternals vol. 1 #13 | Has superhuman strength and durability. Later joined the superheroic Avengers. Eternal whose true name is not known. Over the centuries he has been mistaken for Samson, Beowulf, Gilgamesh, Hercules and Atlas. He also learnt to rope from Buffalo Bill Cody, fought alongside Achilles in the Trojan War, fought with King David in Judah, and helped Aeneas in his travels following the Trojan War. He was also responsible for cleaning the Augean Stables, rather than Hercules. Befriended the Interloper, but otherwise, has lived mainly in solitude from the Eternals. Was captured by a being claiming to be Kang and forced to train his Anachronauts, aged rapidly after he escaped. "Kang"/Immortus then sent an Anachronaut named Neut to slay him at the Avengers' Mansion. It remains to be seen if the Forgotten One is truly dead, with the revelation of Immortus' involvement |
| Sigmar | The Eternals vol. 1 #17 | Polar Eternal with an elderly appearance. Had at least two laboratories on Earth, one in Polaria, and one deep below New York City. Created the Molecular Reassembler, Dimension Cloud, and the Nerve Beast. Was one of the Eternals who left Earth in the form of a Uni-Mind, with Phastos watching over his laboratories |
| Kronos (Chronos) | Iron Man vol. 1 #55 | First Generation Eternal who led the rebellion against his brother Uranos. Shattered his sword to mark the new era of peace for the Eternals. With his wife Daina, had two sons, Zuras and A'Lars, but while experimenting in his lab one day, he was atomized by a blast of cosmic energy. Continues to exist as a cosmic being, one of the embodiments of time. |
| Mentor (A'lars) | Iron Man vol. 1 #55 | Assumed as head of the Eternals of Titan. |
| Thanos | Iron Man vol. 1 #55 | Son of Mentor and Sui-San, brother of Eros. Is a Mutant Eternal, with purple skin and a ridged chin, plus more power than a typical Eternal of Titan, including energy blasts, psionic abilities, and teleportation. Raised the child Gamora, and trained her to become the ultimate assassin. |
| Starfox (Eros) | Iron Man vol. 1 #55 | One of the last children of Mentor and Sui-San, and younger brother of Thanos. Was born under the name "Eron", but his parents changed his name when he was five. Became known on Earth as a hero. Former member of the Avengers, and they gave him the alias "Starfox" to control the public's perception of him. Has the power to control the emotions of others, mainly women. Although his powers are not as fully developed as Earth Eternals, he does possess a long lifespan, the ability to fly, superhuman strength, and can breathe in outer space. |
| Khoryphos | Eternals vol. 2 #1 (1985) | Eternal who has been mistaken for Orpheus and Horus. He is a musician, whose current composition was started during the reign of Emperor Tiberius. Met a Deviant woman, Yrdisis, who he fell in love with. He is able to use his mandolin to subtely control the thoughts of other people. |
| Cybele | Eternals vol. 2 #1 (1985) | Mother of Thena and the wife of Zuras. Cybele usually lives in a secluded forest in Colorado, and does not usually take part in the affairs of her people, even though she was technically their queen while Zuras was alive. Has been mistaken for Gaea, Dyndymae, Rhea, and Agdistis. Aided the Eternals in battle against Ghaur, when he gained the power of the Dreaming Celestial. |
| Phastos | Eternals vol. 2 #1 (1985) | Eternal who was often mistaken for the Greek god Hephaestus. Built most of the Eternals' devices, including the sword of Kingo Sunen, and the flight harness used by Icarus. Normally, he lives and works in the Ruhr Valley of Germany. Recently helped revive Virako, and serves as a member of the "New Breed" as "Ceasefire". The hammer Phastos carries has the power to manipulate machinery in ways the Eternals' own matter control powers do. |
| El Vampiro | The Mighty Thor vol. 1 #290 | Eternal with Mexican features who masquerades as a vampire in his role as a wrestler in Los Angeles. He has a human wife named Maria. Was prevented from answering the call to the Uni-Mind during the 4th Host when El Toro Rojo assaulted him, and injured him badly. |
| Interloper | Defenders vol. 1 #147 (January 1986) | Polar Eternal who normally lives in seclusion in a cabin in Siberia. The only fellow Eternal that the Interloper has truly befriended is the Forgotten One, who has also lived a life consisting mainly of solitude. Died in battle against the Dragons of the Moon and transferred his life energies with the other Defenders, he was later resurrected by possessing the body of student Will Fanshaw, and transforming it into a replica of his own form |
| Virako | Thor Annual #7 | Father of Ikaris, brother of Valkin, husband of Tulayn. Virako is a Polar Eternal who participated in his people's missionary work to lesser cultures. He was mistaken by the Aztecs as Quetzalcoatl. |
| Arlok | What If vol. 1 #27 | |
| Astron | What If vol. 1 #27 | One of Uranus' followers, and leader of the Eternals of Uranus. Killed when Deathurge destroyed the dome protecting them in What If? vol. 1 #27 |
| Pixie | Marvel: The Lost Generation #12 | Member of the First Line. Can turn people to stone with "pixie dust." |
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Eternals Titles
- Eternals #1-19 (July 1976 - Jan. 1978) Written and penciled by Jack Kirby
- Eternals Annual #1 ((1977) — Written and penciled by Jack Kirby; occurs after The Eternals #12
- Eternals #1-12 (limited series; Oct. 1985 - Sept. 1986)
- Eternals: The Herod Factor (March 1991)
- The New Eternals: Apocalypse Now (also known as Eternals: The New Breed) #1 (Feb. 2000)
- The Eternal #1-6 (limited series; Aug. 2003 - Jan. 2004)
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