Eternity (comics)
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| Eternity | |
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| Publication information | |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Strange Tales #138 (Nov. 1965) |
| Created by | Stan Lee Steve Ditko |
| In story information | |
| Notable aliases | Adam Qadmon |
| Abilities | Indeterminable cosmic power Omnipresence |
Eternity is a fictional character, a cosmic entity in the Marvel Comics universe. Created by scripter-editor Stan Lee and artist-plotter Steve Ditko, Eternity is first mentioned in Strange Tales #134 (July 1965) and first appears in #138 (Nov. 1965). Eternity is the living embodiment of the universe.
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[edit] Fictional character biography
[edit] Origin
Eternity is an abstract entity representing the totality of life while his sister Infinity represents existence, as both embody the living force of the universe itself. The entity is part of a small cosmic pantheon that represents three essential forces in the Marvel Universe, being equity, necessity, and vengeance. These are represented by Galactus, Eternity and Death, respectively, in the main Marvel universe. In turn, equity, necessity, and vengeance comprise the three faces of the Living Tribunal, a singular being that governs the entire Marvel multiverse.[1] Eternity and the other cosmic beings are surpassed in power and authority only by the Living Tribunal.
Eternity also has a "sibling" in the cosmic entity Infinity.[2] Together the pair represent all life and existence in the universe - while their counterparts Death and Oblivion represent death and non-existence.
Eternity has also spawned several "children", or concepts that became separate, independent entities. These are Empathy, Eulogy, Expediency, Entropy, Epiphany, Enmity and Eon - although the last was eventually killed and replaced in turn by the concept Epoch.[3]
Eternity typically only manifests when there is an imminent threat to the universe, such as the mystical, otherdimensional dictator Dormammu,[4] or the Titan Thanos.[5][6] Eternity has been threatened by the entity Nightmare on two occasions, but in both instances was aided by Dr. Strange and his mentor, the Ancient One. [7]
During the cosmic trial of Reed Richards (also known as Mr. Fantastic of the superhero team the Fantastic Four ), Eternity allows a vast number of extraterrestrial onlookers to momentarily become one with the universe, thus allowing them to understand that Reed Richards was right to save Galactus as the Devourer of Worlds is a vital part of the grand scheme.[8]
[edit] Powers and abilities
As a cosmic concept, Eternity possesses the ability to manipulate the universe, and also exists everywhere simultaneously. Being an abstract entity with indeterminable power, Eternity has no physical body, but can warp surrounding space and matter into a manifestation that can be perceived by lesser beings. He is the life force and embodiments of the universe while Death signifies death. Eternity can also form bodies from living fractuals from another plane of existence known as the Dimension of Manifestations.[9]
[edit] In other media
Eternity makes a cameo appearance while observing Dark Phoenix in the X-Men animated TV series. Eternity appears semi-regularly in the Silver Surfer animated TV series.
[edit] See also
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ Silver Surfer #31 (vol. 3, Dec. 1989)
- ^ Revealed in Quasar #19-25 (1991)
- ^ Quasar #23 (June 1991)
- ^ Strange Tales#130-146 (March 1965 - July 1966)
- ^ The Infinity Gauntlet #1-6 (July-Dec. 1991)
- ^ Thanos #1-6 (Dec. 2003 - April 2004)
- ^ Doctor Strange #180 - 182 (vol. 1, May - Jul (bi-monthly) 1969) and Doctor Strange #10 - 13 (vol. 2, Oct - Apr (bi-monthly) 1974 - 1975)
- ^ Fantastic Four #262 (Jan. 1984)
- ^ Quasar #37 (Aug. 1992)
