The Eternals are about to experience a rise to prominence, thanks to a feature film from Marvel Studios as well as an upcoming comic book series. Writer Kieron Gillen has stated one of his goals with The Eternals is to show how the cosmic gods fit into the larger tapestry of the Marvel Universe.
"At least part of what I’m trying to do is to tie all these strands together, into a coherent, epic history of the Eternal’s own," Gillen told ComicBook.com. "When you’ve finished the first issue, you’ll know what the Eternals are for, and why they’re not really like anything else. From that point on, I’m just adding more to it – details, angles, worlds to lose and find yourself in."
Gillen also referred to the Eternals as the Marvel Universe's "angels," citing Paradise Lost as an example. He intends for them to serve as the oldest protectors of the universe. "They’re the professionals. They’re the oldest hand on the block. They’ve been protecting the planet since before humans had prehensile thumbs. Imagine the Eternals, watching the Avengers of 1,000,000 BC turning up, while tapping their watch and going 'Hey, what kept you?'"
Created by Jack Kirby, the Eternals are a race of ancient aliens with powers beyond measure who have been behind the creation of several races in the Marvel Universe, including mutants. One of their number, A'lars, is also the father of the Mad Titan Thanos.
ETERNALS #1
- KIERON GILLEN (W) • ESAD Ribić (A/C)
- VARIANT COVER BY ALEX ROSS
- VARIANT COVER BY PEACH MOMOKO
- VARIANT COVER BY ALAN DAVIS
- VARIANT COVER BY ART ADAMS
- VARIANT COVER BY MAHMUD ASRAR
- VARIANT COVER BY JEN BARTEL
- VARIANT COVER BY BOSSLOGIC
- VARIANT COVER BY RUSSELL DAUTERMAN
- VARIANT COVER BY DAVE JOHNSON
- VARIANT COVER BY JEFF JOHNSON
- VARIANT COVER BY MIKE DEL MUNDO
- VARIANT COVER BY JENNY FRISON
- VARIANT COVER BY RIAN GONZALES
- VARIANT COVER BY INHYUK LEE
- VARIANT COVER BY J. SCOTT CAMPBELL
- VIRGIN VARIANT COVER BY J. SCOTT CAMPBELL
- HIDDEN GEM VARIANT COVER BY JOHN ROMITA, JR.
- HIDDEN GEM VARIANT COVER BY JACK KIRBY
- HIDDEN GEM VARIANT COVER BY BRIAN PELLETIER
- VARIANT COVER BY JOE QUESADA
- VARIANT COVER BY KHARY RANDOLPH
- DESIGN VARIANT COVER BY ESAD RIBIC
- LAUNCH VARIANT COVER BY HUMBERTO RAMOS
- PREMIERE VARIANT COVER BY ESAD RIBIC
- VARIANT COVER BY WALT SIMONSON
- VARIANT COVER BY RON LIM
- VARIANT COVER BY OTTO SCHMIDT
- VARIANT COVER BY SUPERLOG
- HEADSHOT VARIANT COVER BY TODD NAUCK
- VARIANT COVER BY GREG LAND
- VARIANT COVER BY TAKASHI OKAZAKI
- VARIANT COVER BY DAN PANOSIAN
- VARIANT COVER BY SKOTTIE YOUNG
- VARIANT COVER BY LEINIL FRANCIS YU
- VARIANT COVER BY FRANK CHO
- BLANK VARIANT COVER AND KIRBY CRACKLE VARIANT COVER ALSO AVAILABLE
- NEVER DIE. NEVER WIN. ETERNALS.
- What’s the point of an eternal battle?
- For millions of years, one hundred Eternals have roamed the Earth, secret protectors of humanity. Without them, we’d be smears between the teeth of the demon-like Deviants. Their war has waged for all time, echoing in our myths and nightmares.
- But today, Eternals face something new: change. Can they – or anyone on Earth – survive their discovery?
- From the thought provoking minds of Kieron Gillen (The Wicked + The Divine, Uncanny X-Men, Thor) and Esad Ribić (Secret Wars, King Thor) comes a new vision of the classic Marvel mythology!
- 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
The Eternals #1, by Kieron Gillen and Esad Ribic, goes on sale in November from Marvel Comics.