Created by Jack Kirby for Marvel Comics in The Eternals #1 in 1976 after returning from DC Comics, where he had created the New Gods, the superhuman beings known as the Eternals are an offshoot of humanity created by the Celestials, an ancient race of cosmic entities who visited Earth roughly one million years ago and conducted genetic experiments on early humans. These experiments produced three distinct evolutionary branches: the near-immortal Eternals, the genetically unstable Deviants, and ordinary humanity.
In ancient times, human civilizations often mistook the Eternals for gods, and many of their members were associated with mythological figures from Greek and other pantheons. The Eternals traditionally see themselves as guardians of Earth and humanity, frequently opposing the Deviants, whose society and genetic instability have historically led them into conflict with both humans and Eternals.
Although generally protective of humanity, the Eternals have not always been unified in purpose. Internal disagreements and rivalries have occasionally led some members to advocate domination rather than guardianship. Over time, the characters have been reintroduced and reinterpreted by later writers and artists within the broader Marvel Universe.
The group was adapted to film in Eternals, directed by Chloé Zhao, bringing the characters into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Marvel’s Eternals Reading Order
The history of the Eternals has been revised several times, and many of their early minor appearances are no longer considered consistent with current continuity. The following list reflects the version of their history that is generally treated as canonical within Marvel lore.
The Original Eternal Sagas: Jack Kirby, Thor, and the Dreaming Celestial
The early history of the Eternals is defined by two major pillars: the Jack Kirby series and the effort by later writers to integrate his cosmic gods into the broader Marvel Universe alongside the Avengers and Thor. All of the books from this first era of the Eternals are also available in one big volume:
- The Eternals: The Complete Saga Omnibus
Collects Eternals (1976) #1-19, Eternals Annual (1977) #1; Eternals (1985) #1-12; Eternals: The Herod Factor (1991) #1; New Eternals: Apocalypse Now (2000) #1; Iron Man Annual (1971) #6; Avengers (1963) #246-248; Material From What If? (1977) #23-30.
And now, let’s take a more detailed look at this era. This is where it all began. Jack Kirby introduces the eternal struggle between the Eternals, the Deviants, and their silent creators, the Celestials.
- Eternals by Jack Kirby: The Complete Collection
Collects Eternals #1-19 & Annual #1. - In What If? (1977) #23 to #30, Marvel published the “Untold tales of the Marvel Universe” in the back of the comics, a story that explored the Eternals mythology. This has been collected in Eternals: The Dreaming Celestial Saga (see below).
After Kirby’s solo run ended, writer Roy Thomas brought the Eternals into the mainstream Marvel fold. This legendary arc sees Thor caught in the middle of a war between the Celestials and the gods of Earth, providing a bridge between the Eternals and the rest of the Marvel heroes.
- Thor Epic Collection: The Eternals Saga
Collects Thor (1966) #283-301, Thor Annual (1966) #7.
The 1985 series explores the fallout of the Celestials’ departure and introduces the looming threat of the Dreaming Celestial, a rogue entity that becomes a pivotal plot point in modern Marvel comics.
- Eternals: The Dreaming Celestial Saga
Collect Eternals (1985) #1-12, Iron Man Annual (1971) #6; Avengers (1963) #246-248; material from What If? (1977) 23-30.
Avengers: The Sersi Years
For a brief period, from Avengers #304 to #310, Gilgamesh served on the Avengers. After he left the team, the Eternal Sersi joined the roster, beginning with Avengers #314. She remained a regular member of the team until Avengers #375. This is a substantial era we already covered in detail in our Avengers reading order, check it out for more information.
One-Shots, Experiments, and the Modern Rebirth of the Eternals (1991-2018)
From the early 90s to the late 2000s, Marvel experimented with the Eternals’ tone, going from gritty “Max” titles to high-concept reinventions that redefined their place in the world.
The 90s One-Shots & Guest Appearances
It started with one-shots and crossovers. In The Herod Factor, Ikaris and the team investigate a genetic threat to their future; then, the Eternals team up with Iron Fist and Luke Cage; and in Apocalypse Now, the Eternals go against one of the X-Men’s greatest foes: Apocalypse.
- Eternals: The Herod Factor
Collects Eternals: The Herod Factor (1991) #1 one-shot. - Heroes for Hire (Vol. 2) #4-7 (November 1997, January 1998) collected in Luke Cage, Iron Fist, & The Heroes For Hire Vol. 1.
- The New Eternals: Apocalypse Now
Collects New Eternals: Apocalypse Now (2000) #1 one-shot.
Published under Marvel’s adult-themed MAX imprint, considered outside of the main Earth-616 continuity, this is a “reimagining” by Chuck Austen. It focuses on the primal, violent early days of the Eternals and Deviants.
- Marvel Max: The Eternal
A 6-issue Marvel Max series written by Chuck Austen about the early days of the Eternals and the Deviants.
The Return of the Eternals
After a few years of absence, Marvel Comics brought back the Eternals with a miniseries written by Neil Gaiman with art by John Romita Jr. It resets the status quo by having the Eternals wake up in modern-day Earth with no memory of who they are. It was followed with series by Charles Knauf that deals with the consequences of the return of a terrifyingly powerful Celestial.
- Eternals by Neil Gaiman
Collects Eternals (vol. 3) #1–7. - Eternals: To Defy the Apocalypse
Collects Eternals (vol. 4) #1-9 and Eternals Annual (vol. 4) #1.
In 2013, Marvel offered a spiritual successor to the original “Eternals Saga” in Thor. This story focuses on the Deviants’ city of Lemuria and a quest that forces the God of Thunder to intervene in their ancient civil war.
- Thor: The Deviants Saga
Collects Thor: The Deviants Saga #1-5.
During the Marvel Now era, members of the Eternals appeared as guest stars in Avengers Assemble (2012) #17, All-New Invaders (2014) #3-5, 13 and 15, New Warriors (2014) #2-3, 10-12. Little of them was seen for a while, except for Gilgamesh, who appeared next to Hercules in Hercules: Still Going Strong and Civil War II: Gods of War.
On the Road to Judgment Day (2018-Present)
When Jason Aaron took over the Avengers in 2018, he seemingly killed most of the Eternals and set the stage for the modern Kieron Gillen era and Judgment Day.
- Avengers by Jason Aaron Vol. 1: The Final Host
Collects Avengers (2018) #1-6 and Material From Free Comic Book Day 2018.
Kieron Gillen and Valerio Schiti reinvent the Eternals mythology for the 21st century. They discover the horrific “Great Machine” price for their immortality, and Thanos returns to claim his birthright as an Eternal, leading to a brutal conflict. And then came Judgment Day, a massive crossover event where the Eternals declare war on the X-Men (whom they view as “Excessive Deviants”). As the Avengers try to broker peace, a new Celestial is awakened to pass judgment on the entire planet. For more information about the crossover, go to our A.X.E.: Judgment Day Reading Order.
- Eternals by Kieron Gillen
Collects Eternals (2021) #1-12, Eternals: Thanos Rises, Eternals: Celestia, Eternals: The Heretic. - A.X.E.: Judgment Day
Collects A.X.E.: Judgment Day #1-6, A.X.E.: Avengers #1, A.X.E.: X-Men #1, A.X.E.: Eternals #1, Free Comic Book Day 2022: Avengers/X-Men #1 (A.X.E. story).
In 2026, The Eternals return in an oversized anniversary special to celebrate their 50th anniversary.