The Eternals is a Marvel Comics series created by writer-artist Jack Kirby, first published in July 1976 as part of Marvel's push into new cosmic concepts following his stint at DC Comics. The story revolves around the Eternals, a race of immortal superhuman beings genetically engineered by the god-like Celestials eons ago, who possess powers like super strength, flight, energy projection, and immortality. Their ancient adversaries, the monstrous Deviants, represent a failed experiment with unstable genetics, leading to ongoing conflicts that shape human history from the shadows.
Kirby's narrative explores grand mythological themes, blending science fiction with ancient astronaut theories, portraying the Eternals as forgotten gods who influenced early human civilizations like the Greeks and Babylonians. Key characters include Ikaris, Sersi, Thena, Makkari, and the wise leader Zuras, with the series delving into their internal politics, memory loss, and a cosmic war against the Deviants. Though the initial 19-issue run ended in 1978, the Eternals became enduring figures in Marvel lore, integrated into larger events like crossovers with the Avengers and X-Men.
The concept's cultural impact lies in its epic scope and visual spectacle, influencing superhero comics' embrace of mythology and space opera. Kirby's bold artwork and imaginative world-building cemented the Eternals as a cornerstone of Marvel's cosmic universe, inspiring later expansions and explorations of humanity's extraterrestrial origins.
