The essentials in 30 seconds: the Eternals are immortal beings created millions of years ago by the Celestials to protect humanity from the Deviants. Secretly present on Earth for more than 7,000 years, they never joined the Avengers during the major battles against Thanos or Ultron, preferring to remain in the shadows until their mission caught up with them. With the expansion of the multiverse and Phase 6 of the MCU, their return and a possible crossover with the future Avengers team are being considered more than ever.
Of all the superhero groups Marvel has brought to the screen, the Eternals remain one of the most mysterious. Unlike Iron Man, Captain America, or Thor, whose origins are known to all fans, the Eternals belong to a much older, more cosmic mythology. They were not born from a laboratory accident or a curse: they were literally shaped by planet-sized deities. In this article, we revisit their creation and their millennia-long history on Earth, and explore why they could well become key players in the next chapters of the Marvel universe, alongside or complementing the original Avengers.
If you're a fan of the story of the Infinity Stones or have ever wondered how the Marvel multiverse really works, the Eternals will fascinate you: their existence is directly linked to the most powerful cosmic forces in the Marvel universe.
Who Are the Eternals?
The Eternals are a race of superhuman, quasi-immortal beings endowed with a variety of cosmic powers: energy manipulation, super strength, flight, teleportation, illusion projection, and accelerated healing. They do not age in the conventional biological sense and can regenerate after injuries that would kill any human. On Earth, they have lived for millennia, sometimes changing identities to avoid arousing suspicion, much like how Thor or the Asgardians were long perceived as deities by ancient civilizations.
Unlike the X-Men, whose powers stem from a random genetic mutation, the Eternals' abilities are the result of deliberate biological engineering. Each member of the group was designed for a specific role, making them almost a purpose-built army rather than a traditional superhero family.
Creation by the Celestials
The Eternals' origins can be traced back to the Celestials, titanic cosmic entities, literally as large as mountains or planets, who have shaped life in the universe for entire eons. They created the Eternals on the planet Titan, the same home planet as Thanos, to protect inhabited worlds from the Deviants, a race of monstrous and chaotic beings also created by the Celestials during earlier failed experiments.
Arishem's role
Arishem the Judge is the Celestial directly responsible for sending the Eternals to Earth. His mission: to assess whether our planet is worthy of surviving by harboring enough intelligent life to allow a new Celestial to be born from its core. This twist, at the crossroads of cosmic mythology and existential thriller, clearly distinguishes the Eternals from the other origins already known in the universe, whether Wakanda or Asgard.
In other words, in this mythology, the entire Earth is nothing more than a vast incubation ground. This revelation changes the perspective on absolutely every war, crisis, and invasion the planet has experienced, including those faced by the Avengers.
A history spanning more than 7,000 years on Earth
The Eternals arrived on Earth more than 7,000 years ago, long before the emergence of the first organized civilizations. They directly influenced the development of humanity: agriculture, architecture, engineering... and inspired numerous ancient mythologies, a striking similarity to the way the Asgardians were perceived as Norse gods.
Here is an overview of some iconic members of the group and their specialties:
| Eternal | Main power | Role in the group |
|---|---|---|
| Ajak | Healing, communication with the Celestials | Spiritual leader of the group |
| Sersi | Matter transmutation | Deep connection with humanity |
| Ikaris | Flight, cosmic rays, super-strength | Main combatant |
| Thena | Creation of energy weapons | Strategist warrior |
| Phastos | Invention, technology | Craftsperson and inventor |
| Makkari | Super-speed | Scout |
| Gilgamesh | Brute strength, energy armor | Protector |
Despite their collective power, the Eternals were given strict orders never to intervene in conflicts that did not directly involve the Deviants, even when humanity faced threats as devastating as those fought by the Avengers. This rule explains their total absence during Thanos's Snap, an event documented in detail in our article on the Snap and its consequences.
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View the productThe Eternals and the Marvel multiverse
Since the multiverse officially opened up in the MCU, the door has been wide open to new connections between the Eternals and the rest of Marvel's franchises. As explained in our in-depth feature on how the multiverse works, each reality can contain its own versions of the Celestials, the Deviants, and therefore the Eternals. This means the group could literally exist in multiple forms across different timelines, a concept already explored with characters such as Loki or in storylines involving Doctor Strange and the mystic arts.
This cosmic dimension naturally brings the Eternals closer to other titanic forces in the Marvel universe, starting with Thanos himself, a native of Titan just like them, as well as the mysterious Infinity Stones, whose origin could well be linked to the Celestials.
A potential connection to the future Avengers
With the announcement of Avengers: Doomsday and the scheduled arrival of new faces on the team, fans keep asking the same question: what if the Eternals officially joined the Avengers? Long forced to remain in the shadows, several of them have begun breaking free from the rules imposed by Arishem, paving the way for more direct involvement in Earth's affairs.
From a narrative standpoint, this would make a lot of sense: much like the X-Men gradually joining the MCU or the Fantastic Four joining the Avengers, Marvel Studios has made a habit of expanding its core team with groups from previously separate fictional universes. With their cosmic power and direct connection to the Celestials, the Eternals would be formidable allies against threats on the scale of those announced for MCU Phase 6.
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View the productWhy the Eternals Fascinate Fans of Cosmic Collectibles So Much
From a collector's perspective, the Eternals fit perfectly into the cosmic aesthetic so highly sought after by Marvel fans: golden colors, celestial motifs, ancient symbols, and a futuristic design all at once. This style can be found throughout many items in our store, from posters to wall tapestries and luminous figures inspired by the universe's most powerful artifacts.
If you love the aesthetic of Loki and his time portals, you should fall for our wall tapestry collection, which features visuals inspired by major cosmic events such as the Nexus. To liven up your decor with illuminated objects that evoke the power of the Celestials, head to our Avengers LED lamp collection.
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View the productTo complete your collection, our Avengers poster collection features numerous hero designs in a variety of graphic styles, while our Avengers decorations collection brings together everything you need to transform your bedroom into a true cosmic temple. We also love the Avengers keychain collection for taking a little of that celestial energy with you wherever you go, or the Avengers sticker collection for personalizing your belongings. Two complementary products not to be missed: the Loki Tapestry - Alioth Comic Cover (€25.90) and the Avengers Iron Man Mark IV LED Figure (€142.90), two pieces that perfectly showcase the visual extravagance unique to the Marvel cosmic universe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Eternals really 7,000 years old?
Yes. According to the mythology established by Marvel, the Eternals arrived on Earth more than 7,000 years ago, long before the rise of the great ancient civilizations, and have lived incognito among humans ever since.
Why didn't the Eternals help the Avengers against Thanos?
They were given strict orders by Arishem never to intervene in conflicts that did not directly involve the Deviants, even in the face of a threat as serious as the Snap.
Are the Eternals more powerful than the Avengers?
Individually, several Eternals possess cosmic powers far greater than those of most classic Avengers, particularly Ikaris and Thena, but their collective strength is rarely mobilized.
What is the connection between the Eternals and Thanos?
Thanos was born on Titan, the same planet of origin as the Eternals, which explains certain biological similarities between him and the group, although he is not technically an Eternal himself.
Will the Eternals join the Avengers in the future?
Nothing has been officially confirmed, but with the expansion of the multiverse and the arrival of new groups such as the X-Men and the Fantastic Four on the team, fans and studio observers widely expect the Eternals to be integrated into future MCU Phases.
Explore the Avengers Universe Further
- Infinity Stones: Origins and Powers
- The MCU Phases Explained
- Asgard and the Nine Realms: The Complete Guide
- Avengers: Doomsday: Everything We Know
- The Complete Guide to the Infinity Gauntlet
Key takeaways
The Eternals represent one of the vastest and oldest mythologies in the entire Marvel universe. Created by the Celestials to watch over humanity, they operated in the shadows for a long time, far from the spotlight that has always surrounded the Avengers. But with the expansion of the multiverse, the announced return of major cosmic threats, and Marvel Studios' stated intention to bring all its heroes together for Phase 6, their destiny seems increasingly convergent with that of the original team. While we await their grand return to the screen, you can already celebrate this cosmic universe at home with our Avengers decorations collection, our poster collection, or our wall tapestry collection—three perfect ways to bring a little of the Celestials' power into your everyday life.