You are thousands of years old. You have amazing powers. You have watched civilizations rise and fall. So why does no one remember any of this? Bes...
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May 22, 2008
Qt
rated it: 
This was an interesting comic book; I was not familiar with the Eternals, and discovering who they were, what they're doing, and how they got here was fun. I liked the colorful art--the characters were expressive, and it was easy to see what was happening. The dialogue is good, too, and I especially enjoyed the normal, "everyday," non-superhero-action sequences. I think my favorite parts of the book were the first few "chapters," where the characters are in normal surrounding
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Dec 16, 2009
Seth
rated it: 
My experience of Neil Gaiman and his estimable oeuvre is, in large part, a recent acquirement, having come into being over the last year and a bit. If you don’t count an earlier, regrettable experience with Sandman—an experience than by no means offered justice either to Gaiman or his grainy little fellow. Or indeed to myself as a reader. I feel fortunate that Anansi Boys came along and changed everything.
Because otherwise, I might not have given Eternals its due shot. And that would More...
Because otherwise, I might not have given Eternals its due shot. And that would More...
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Jun 02, 2011
Amanda
rated it:
Until I read Neil Gaiman's rewrite, I had never heard of Jack Kirby's Eternals series. And I think I'm rather glad about that. The conceit is an intriguing one--the gods of the ancient world still exist among us today. The problem with this is Kirby's explanation for their existence. They are the products of alien life forms known as the Celestials who came to our planet (in ginormous robot suit, apparently) and created three species of life: the humans, the Eternals, and the Deviants. The
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Jan 22, 2011
Miriam
rated it:
Do you just love backstory?! Then this graphic novel may be for you! Cuz, there's really nothing else besides the backstory. The characters not even wooden so much as paper dolls marching around scenery, barely distinguishable. Except for the Deviants, our Bad Gays; it is obvious who they are because they are ugly! They have gross deformities like tentacles and fangs and mouths in their stomachs. Everyone knows that ugly/deformed/otherwise differing-looking people are Teh Ebuls. And also, Bad Gu
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(7 people liked it)
Feb 11, 2011
Klytia
rated it:
Non finirò mai di ringraziare Yoshitaka Amano per avermi fatto scoprire la letteratura di Gaiman; e non finirò di ringraziare Gaiman per avermi fatto conoscere, sotto una luce tutta sia, i supereroi Marvel, molto utile visto il gran numero di film a loro dedicati.</p>
Com'era già accaduto per 1602 Gaiman mette il suo talento a disposizione dell'universo Marvel rinfrescando gli Eterni creati nel '70 da Jack Kirby.
La sceneggiatura è priva di quel simbolismo che è tipico dello stile di Gaiman,
Dec 08, 2011
Steve
rated it:
I have to be honest and say that while I am a big fan of the late Jack Kirby, I never really cared for THE ETERNALS. While not exactly similar in concept, the book always struck me as Kirby attempting to recapture the magic of his "Fourth World" titles for DC. I did not care for the original series, nor the various attempts by Marvel to re-introduce them to the Marvel Universe.
Neil Gaiman, not surprisingly I suppose, actually makes me enjoy the characters and concept. An More...
Neil Gaiman, not surprisingly I suppose, actually makes me enjoy the characters and concept. An More...
Jan 25, 2011
Dara
rated it: 
Wow, I didn't think the day would come that I'd be so horribly disappointed in a Gaiman project. Granted, he's hamstrung here with Kirby characters and concepts that I personally don't find interesting, not to mention burdened with Marvel continuity, but he's proven in the past that he can put a fresh polish on the oddest concepts. Alas, this effort is just poor on all writing fronts. The pacing is frustrating and inconsistent, with the opening chapters being painfully glacial, then kicking into
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Dec 30, 2010
Karissa
rated it:
Okay I will start by saying I am a huge Gaiman fan. So, I really like his stuff. When I saw that this had been released I stuck on my wish list and finally got it for Christmas!
Supposedly this is a revamp of The Eternals as done by Kirby back in the day. I never read any of the originals but this still looked pretty cool.
The drawing is fantastic; the super heroes and Eternals have undergone a revamp and are now sleek and updated. I thought it was fun that some classic super h More...
Supposedly this is a revamp of The Eternals as done by Kirby back in the day. I never read any of the originals but this still looked pretty cool.
The drawing is fantastic; the super heroes and Eternals have undergone a revamp and are now sleek and updated. I thought it was fun that some classic super h More...
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Aug 06, 2009
Nicholas
rated it:
There's an old chestnut of wisdom that goes, "You can't polish a turd." Gaiman has adapted some nifty things, but this is not one of them.
I'm usually excited when I hear Gaiman has put out a new comic. I was excited for this one right up until I heard it was a reimagining of a late-era Jack Kirby story.
I have to confess something here: I think Jack Kirby is lame as hell, and his later works are doubly cheesy.
In his later years Kirby drifted away from More...
I'm usually excited when I hear Gaiman has put out a new comic. I was excited for this one right up until I heard it was a reimagining of a late-era Jack Kirby story.
I have to confess something here: I think Jack Kirby is lame as hell, and his later works are doubly cheesy.
In his later years Kirby drifted away from More...
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Apr 19, 2010
Ryan
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This collection is Neil Gaiman's attempt to do a soft reboot on Kirby's Eternals concept from the 1970s, and for the most part it works. Kirby was great at putting forward these grand, madcap sorts of ideas, like alien gods who created not only human civilization*, but who also genetically engineered a race of super-powered humans who would protect the Earth (but from what?! FROM WHAT?!) and inspire many of our myths about the gods. Gaiman, on the other hand, is an absolute master of taking gr
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Aug 20, 2010
Megan
rated it:
Chariots of the Gods is one of those types of books that I loved as a kid (crazy stuff like the Loch Ness Monster, Bigfoot, aliens, crop circles, ghosts, and everything else in 001) but that I avoid now. So reading Eternals - which is a remake of comic series inspired by Chariots - is kind of childlike fun. It's not childish, not written for kids, but the general themes, and the storytelling style, make it just that kind of story. An adventure.
Despite taking place in an established More...
Despite taking place in an established More...
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Mar 03, 2010
Spencer
rated it:
Very well written, and a good riff on a cool idea from the comic god Jack Kirby. The idea, that gods are ageless and still exist amongst humans, is one from Gaimann's American Gods, but a little different here. They, apparently, are from outer space and Earth is an ant-farm that is given a shake from from time to time by superior outer-space beings. Far out? Yeah, pretty much. But a good pondering on the heady, "why are we here?" question. Or perhaps the "who the hell are we
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Dec 03, 2008
Jen
rated it:
Why I hadn't read this one before, I have no idea. I was at the library last night to pick up some fun reading and this one was sitting on the new book shelf at the front.
I've only lately become a fan of graphic novels. Had we lived in towns with comic book/gaming stores when I was growing up, this might have been different. I'm not so much "making up for lost time" now as I am "tell me it's a good story and I'll read it with or without pictures".
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I've only lately become a fan of graphic novels. Had we lived in towns with comic book/gaming stores when I was growing up, this might have been different. I'm not so much "making up for lost time" now as I am "tell me it's a good story and I'll read it with or without pictures".
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Jan 24, 2010
Kristopher
rated it:
I've always loved the Jack Kirby's Eternals. The ancient beings, tangled politics, and dramas acting out way above the human scale, I think Kirby explored the "superheroes as modern mythology" theme better than anybody else. (This goes for the Fourth World books he created for DC too.) I'm also a big fan Neil Gaiman, so I'm surprised how little I liked this book.
For one thing, John Romita's art is horrible--flat, chunky, and rushed. He's one of my least favorite artists. I More...
For one thing, John Romita's art is horrible--flat, chunky, and rushed. He's one of my least favorite artists. I More...
Feb 21, 2009
Rhiannon
rated it:
This all starts very well - regular people begin to have dreams and encounters that clue them in to the fact that they are actually Eternals (one of Marvel's Kirby-created races). The first couple of issues introduce the characters and bring them together well, and I really enjoyed them. But it all kind of falls apart after that; I'm not sure what they were trying to accomplish in terms of a lot of the characters. Also, it's hard not to notice that Gaiman has a definite bag of tricks he pulls
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Jul 29, 2011
Roger
rated it: 
Author Neil Gaiman and artist John Romita Jr. team up to resuscitate Jack Kirby's 1970's Marvel classic.
The Eternals are an offshoot of the human race, created and imbued with extraordinary powers by the god-like Celestials. Their job is to stand watch over humanity until the Celestials return. But something has gone wrong and the Eternals have somehow forgotten who they are.
We watch as they struggle with their new roles as ordinary human beings -- a doctor, a street bum, a p More...
The Eternals are an offshoot of the human race, created and imbued with extraordinary powers by the god-like Celestials. Their job is to stand watch over humanity until the Celestials return. But something has gone wrong and the Eternals have somehow forgotten who they are.
We watch as they struggle with their new roles as ordinary human beings -- a doctor, a street bum, a p More...
Jan 03, 2009
Julia
rated it:
I prefer Gaiman on his own, but he's done an excellent job of honoring the original author, Jack Kirby. In my youth, we called them "comic books" and I was (still am) a great fan of Wonder Woman. However, this book shows the movement into the world of graphic novels, although still under the aegis of MARVEL. (In fact, Iron Man has a cameo.) The storyline is intricate, with the most powerful scene for me being when Zuras (Zeus?) is with Sprite on the train and must end the life of this
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Dec 30, 2008
Ako
rated it:
People said that when Jack Kirby wrote The Eternals in the 70s, it was considered too weird at the time. But people said that's Jack Kirby. So when Neil Gaiman wrote a new take, people said it's going to be interesting. And it is.
A group of people cannot remember that they really are immortal and have lived a thousand years. And as their Gods about to be awaken up from their dream to judge the life on earth, they also need to get conscious and unite. It's so Gaiman, mythical, fun, an More...
A group of people cannot remember that they really are immortal and have lived a thousand years. And as their Gods about to be awaken up from their dream to judge the life on earth, they also need to get conscious and unite. It's so Gaiman, mythical, fun, an More...
Jan 20, 2011
Hans
rated it:
I liked the ideas that Neil toyed around with, but having read Sandman I doubt such a short series can ever compare to the depth and scope of such a masterfully told story. It was like a short-story version of some of the themes from Sandman. Playing around with the old mythologies and creation myths and ultimately creating a newer and updated version. This is what I believe story telling is all about. These types of stories are attempts to create a larger narrative that enables a gro More...
Dec 26, 2009
Arcadia
rated it:
You don't have to be a fan of graphic novels (I wouldn't call myself one) to be able to enjoy the wonder of Neil Gaiman's words.
"Eternals" doesn't compare to Gaiman's Endless family (Sandman comics) for me, but it was a very captivating read. Occasionally I caught myself stopping to re-read several lines just to let the words and their beauty sink in. The illustrations by John Romita Jr. are amazing as well.
Gaiman's take on Gods, celestial beings and demons has More...
"Eternals" doesn't compare to Gaiman's Endless family (Sandman comics) for me, but it was a very captivating read. Occasionally I caught myself stopping to re-read several lines just to let the words and their beauty sink in. The illustrations by John Romita Jr. are amazing as well.
Gaiman's take on Gods, celestial beings and demons has More...
Jan 18, 2009
Jesse
rated it:
This is a reboot of a Marvel series from the '70s. It's pretty standard Gaiman, which means a very good mixture of strong characters, humor, and imagination. Unfortunately this suffers a bit from the constraints of its purpose; it's a limited-run, but is meant to be an introduction to a new series, meaning that the ending feels very "TO BE CONTINUED . . ." Additionally, this was written to be in the Marvel universe, meaning that there's the requisite cameos by the Avengers (although
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Dec 12, 2010
Eric
rated it:
Despite the excellent graphics and quality dialogue, I just didn't care about the story at all. I feel like the basic plot has been around for a while (which of course it has), and Gaiman's retelling didn't seem to add much.
I think it's probably more thrilling for someone who's more steeped in the lore and history of comics than I. (Which is probably why M. Crowell recommended it.) A good effort, but a really lackluster reading experience for me. I wanted to quit reading halfway throu More...
I think it's probably more thrilling for someone who's more steeped in the lore and history of comics than I. (Which is probably why M. Crowell recommended it.) A good effort, but a really lackluster reading experience for me. I wanted to quit reading halfway throu More...
Dec 12, 2011
Ronald
rated it:
Saw this at the library and grabbed it on a whim. I was actually suprised at how well written it was. But then again Neil Gaiman can spin or re-spin a tale very well. I was a little confused by all the referances to actual Marvel Comic history. But a quick look at the origional character sketches from Kirby helped me put names to faces. The story really would have been much better without the constant reminder of the Marvel Civil War event. Oh well.
This comic compliation was a v More...
This comic compliation was a v More...
Aug 02, 2010
David
rated it:
I really enjoyed this graphic novel. Neil Gaiman did a really admirable job of updating the history of the Eternals, but still remaining faithful to the already existing mythology that Marvel built around them. If you are a new reader to the Eternals, you wouldn't feel lost, and if you are an old fan, you won't feel that the story has been changed all that much. John Romita Jr's art is spot on, as always, and his dynamic style fits the tone of the story perfectly.
Recommended. (More so More...
Recommended. (More so More...
Feb 01, 2009
Peter
rated it:
Neil Gaiman takes on one of Jack Kirby's creations for Marvel.
Despite the fact that these are two very big names, the biggest reaction I can muster is "meh". It was okay, but there was nothing that really grabbed me about it. Gaiman and the artist managed to squeeze the Kirbyishness out of it, without imparting anything particularly great or new.
It was okay, but that's about it. Nothing about it was particularly memorable; it didn't stay in my mind. In a fractio More...
Despite the fact that these are two very big names, the biggest reaction I can muster is "meh". It was okay, but there was nothing that really grabbed me about it. Gaiman and the artist managed to squeeze the Kirbyishness out of it, without imparting anything particularly great or new.
It was okay, but that's about it. Nothing about it was particularly memorable; it didn't stay in my mind. In a fractio More...
Oct 31, 2011
Julie
rated it:
Having not grown up with superhero comics, but having voraciously consumed anything bearing Neil Gaiman's name, I have to say I was a bit underwhelmed by The Eternals. But then again, I tend to judge comics rather harshly, especially if they are coming from one of my favorite authors. I expect V for Vendetta, Watchmen, Batman's Long Halloween caliber out of each of my graphic novels. But I understand those are the exceptions not the rule. This felt more like the rule, maybe in the upper echelons
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Nov 27, 2011
Nicole
rated it:
I am neither a huge comic book nerd nor a novice. I can recognize that the Avengers and Iron Man are in this book, the significance of the crossover and... not care. I'm not into superhero comics - and this is one.
I am a Gaiman fan, and his writing can *usually* at least make the universe interesting (as he did with Black Orchid.) The mythology presented was rich enough that "the dream king" should have done more with the history.
So yeah, it's superhero pap.
A re More...
I am a Gaiman fan, and his writing can *usually* at least make the universe interesting (as he did with Black Orchid.) The mythology presented was rich enough that "the dream king" should have done more with the history.
So yeah, it's superhero pap.
A re More...
Apr 29, 2010
Nick
rated it:
A flowing, original story that could only be told in the form of a comic, Neil Gaiman's relaunch of Jack Kirby's Eternals is a thought-provoking, styilized look at that which has come before us, and that which is hidden within ourselves. While some may be put-off by the wordy, expository explanation necessary for a story like this, I welcomed it, being unfamiliar with Kirby's original take on these characters and their history. Gaiman wisely (and probably thanks to a demanding from Marvel) incor
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Sep 13, 2009
Brenton
rated it:
I generally stay away from the Marvel/DC realms of superhero comics, with a few notable exceptions. One of those exceptions is anything written by Neil Gaiman. Here he has done, again, what he does so well in taking an old property of one of those two comics giants and rebooting it with incredibly good fun, beauty, and depth.
The Eternals was an old title from Marvel in the 1970s that apparently never quite fit in with the rest of their universe; thus it languished a bit and, in the o More...
The Eternals was an old title from Marvel in the 1970s that apparently never quite fit in with the rest of their universe; thus it languished a bit and, in the o More...
Sep 15, 2009
Kylin
rated it:
Celestials, giant candy-colored robots creatures from outer space, came to the earth a long, long time ago to seed the planet with life. Plants, dinosaurs, humanoid types, the works. They created the Eternals, a hundred of them; they look like humans but they have super powers and used to be worshiped as gods. They also created Deviants, millions of them, which are monsters that come in ton of shades of evil.
Something happens (I won't say what, precisely) and the Eternals lose their More...
Something happens (I won't say what, precisely) and the Eternals lose their More...
