As Marvel Studios and the Marvel Cinematic Universe moves beyond Phase 3 and the Infinity Saga that defined the first decade of the MCU, one of the next major additions to the ever-growing seems set to be The Eternals. Created by Jack Kirby in 1976, the ensemble is a group of developed by the omnipotent Celestials to defend the Earth from all-powerful cosmic threats.
While they haven't appeared in as many stories as most of Marvel's other cinematic superstars, the Eternals have quietly remained a consistent part of the Marvel Universe for decades. Now, CBR is breaking down some of the Eternals' biggest and best stories for new readers who want to get familiar with these cosmic powerhouses before their cinematic debut.
The Eternals by Jack Kirby
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The Eternals was one of the most noteworthy Marvel Comics properties that Jack Kirby created during his return to Marvel after working for DC Comics and developing characters like the New Gods and Etrigan the Demon. Serving as writer and artist, Kirby conceived the title as one that went back to the primordial history of the Marvel Universe. As an evolutionary offshoot of humanity created by Celestials, the Eternals designed specifically to fight powerful cosmic entities known as the Deviants.
The 19-issue series as been collected in two volumes that still serve as one of the better introductions to the concept. The first volume collecting Kirby's iconic run includes the first eleven issues of the series, depicting the characters' classic introduction and secret history in the Marvel Universe. A second volume is also available showcasing the Eternals first encounters with several familiar Marvel characters including the Incredible Hulk.
Thor: The Eternals Saga
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The ongoing conflict between the Eternals and Deviants for the fate of the Marvel Universe hasn't been isolated to the Eternals' various comic book series over the year. At times, it's also bled into other titles, including the previous Kirby co-creation. the Mighty Thor.
Thor: The Eternals Saga by Roy Thomas and legendary Thor storyteller Walt Simonson found the Odinson caught right in the middle of the Eternals and Deviants' war, with humanity hanging in the balance. The collection compiles the entire ten-issue, epic storyline that pit the God of Thunder against Kirby's cosmic entities. A second volume has Thor deal with the immediate aftermath as the Thunder God faced the Eternals' creator, the Celestials.
The Eternals by Neil Gaiman
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In 2006, acclaimed author Neil Gaiman and popular artist John Romita, Jr. teamed up to relaunch the Eternals into the Marvel Universe. The creative team explored the implications behind the Eternals' premise of being individuals surviving for millennia that watched human history progress in the blink of an eye without being remembered by the general populace.
The Eternals by Neil Gaiman collects the entire seven-issue miniseries as Ike Harris begins to have memories of being an Eternal, but nobody seems to remember who the ensemble are. Meanwhile, a mysterious force While a covert effort to kill Ike and keep the history of the Eternals a secret is launched by an unlikely force. More than any other story, this is arguably the Eternals' definitive modern tale.
Eternals: To Slay a God
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Following Gaiman and Romita's relaunch, Charles and Daniel Knauf with Daniel Acuna continued with a new series that followed the Eternals legacy through human history, revered in prehistory by early humanity as living gods to present day.
Eternals: How to Slay God puts the title literally as a Celestial arrives in San Francisco, threatening to wipe out all life on Earth pitting the the Eternals against their the Celestial in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area. This series concludes in a second volume that includes a guest-star appearance from the X-Men, who were also based in San Francisco at the time.
Avengers: Fear the Reaper
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In addition to working together as an ensemble against the Deviants, the Eternals have saved the day alongside the Avengers, and a few Eternals have even severed as members of the team. The powerful, matter-manipulating Sersi was a core member of the Avengers throughout the early '90s. During her tenure with the team, she also served alongside Marvel's Hercules, who is rumored to make his MCU debut in the prospective Eternals film.
While Sersi wasn't a member of the Avengers during its most celebrate era, a good portion of her tenure is collected in Avengers: Fear the Reaper, which features work from a host of of superstar writers and artist, including Bob Harras, Mark Gruenwald, Steve Epting and Len Kaminski. This volume sees Thor clash with Hercules, Sersi get caught up in a love triangle with the Black Knight and the Inhumans' Crystal and the Avengers assemble to take on their time-traveling Kang in the "Citizen Kang" crossover.
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