Jack Kirby’s Eternals, for better or for worse, now lives in a “before the adaptation” and “after the adaptation” in terms of what the average person knows about the immortals. Luckily, this comic stays well away from evoking any of the imagery from a certain cinematic universe. Admittedly, I’m mostly familiar with the Eternals via their appearances in other books and events, not their own solo titles.
Longevity of characters is rare, especially if they aren’t longstanding members of particular beloved teams or ‘super-families.’ Which is why it is such a treat when characters that exist outside of those elements get a moment to shine in their own book. While the anniversary issue is Ikaris-heavy, he is, in many ways, the face of the Eternals. He has a well-beloved sense of duty that serves his archetype of character well, always choosing duty over anything else.
Marvel
The first story in the anniversary issue sandwiches a World War II-era Captain America saving Ikaris from Hydra with present-day Steve and Ikaris meeting up at a hot dog stand from a charming homage to Jack Kirby.
Steve narrates the 18-page story, giving an outside perspective to the golden-haired Eternal. He too admits he doesn’t know Ikaris as well as he would like, even has he reminisces about the second World War. With a quick cameo of the original Howling Commandos, Steve is off to stop Hydra from harnessing an ultra-powerful weapon (we can only imagine who the ultra-powerful weapon in question can be!) and ultimately ends with him telling Ikaris he can always call on him when he’s feeling distant from humanity.
I really liked the contrast between Phil Noto’s modern style to Dale Eaglesham’s invoking of a Golden Age style comic for Captain America and Ikaris. The page layouts and lettering style by VC’s Travis Lanham specifically in the flashback called back to older comics with colorful pops of words and action right out of a Lee and Kirby.
The second story features the writing of Ralph Macchio and art by Michael Cho, with Thena and Ransak the Reject, with a lovely editorial note to inform us it takes place during the original run of The Eternals. Cho does a brilliant job of dropping the reader right into a Kirby-eque sparring match between Thena and Ransak, the latter feeling unworthy of his new found place among the Eternals in Olympus.
Marvel
Ransak’s question of nature versus nurture is a longtime theme in Kirby’s writing, the Reject’s own personal perils asking the question can one really be more than what they were raised to be? Can Ransak be more than the self-titled Killing Machine the gladiator rings forged in him? The story ends in ambiguity, with Ransak unconvinced but Thena not discouraged. This middle story served as a good elaboration on the Reject’s dispossession of his own agency.
And finally, a short and to the point introductory to a possible new Eternal, named Rexel or Telegon, depending on who you’re inclined to believe in the story. Written by Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump, drawn by Domenico Carbone, and colored by Java Tartaglia, it starts simple enough with a man returning a dog to his owner, the mystery man is ambushed by Ikaris, who refers to him as Telegon the Killswitch.
Marvel
In an Eternal versus Eternal fight, Ikaris is outmatched by Telegon, who pulls items and possibly even people from across space and time, it’s clear he could be incredibly dangerous if left to his own devices. Time and sales will only tell if we see a continuation of the newest Lost Eternal.
All in all, a fun romp in the history of the Eternals. I do wish that Sersei, my personal favorite of the bunch, had shown up in some way, realistically in a flashback. While I understand 4 years is short in terms of a character dying at the hands of a comic event, I do miss her.
If you’re a longtime fan or just curious enough to try an anniversary issue, I’d say go for it. The stories are fun, the art pops, and it serves as a grand salute to the King.
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