The Eternals are a fictional race of humanoid beings appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by legendary artist and writer Jack Kirby, they made their first appearance in The Eternals #1 in July 1976. Kirby conceived the Eternals after returning to Marvel from DC Comics, where he had been working on his New Gods saga. The Eternals allowed him to continue exploring grand mythological and science fiction themes, blending ancient astronaut theories with superhero action.
In the Marvel Universe, the Eternals are an evolutionary offshoot of humanity, created over a million years ago by the colossal cosmic beings known as the Celestials. Endowed with a vast array of superhuman powers including super strength, flight, energy manipulation, and virtual immortality, they were designed to be the protectors of Earth. Their eternal adversaries are the Deviants, a genetically unstable and monstrous race also created by the Celestials, who frequently threaten humanity and the planet.
Over the decades, the Eternals have largely lived in secret among humans, their long lifespans and incredible abilities leading to them being mistaken for gods and inspiring various mythological figures across different cultures. The comic series has explored their complex internal dynamics, their relationship with their creators the Celestials, and their interactions with other Marvel heroes like Thor and the X-Men. Though not as continuously published as some Marvel titles, the Eternals have maintained a dedicated following and have been revived in several limited series, cementing their place as a unique and cosmically significant corner of the Marvel Universe.