Eternity (comics)

Superherobox|

caption= "Eternity" as depicted in the pages of "JLA/Avengers" #1 (September 2003). Art by George Perez.
comic_color=background:#8080ff
character_name=Eternity
real_name=
publisher=Marvel Comics
debut="Strange Tales" #138 (Nov. 1965)
creators=Stan Lee
Steve Ditko
alliance_color=background:#ffc0c0
alliances=
aliases=Adam Qadmon
powers= Unlimited cosmic power
Omnipresence|

Eternity is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by scripter-editor Stan Lee and artist-plotter Steve Ditko, the character is first mentioned in "Strange Tales" #134 (July 1965) and first appears in issue #138 (Nov. 1965).

Fictional character biography

Eternity is an abstract entity representing the totality of life while his sister Infinity represents existence, together they represent the space-time continuum and the living force of the universe. [Revealed in "Quasar" #19-25 (1991)] The entity is also part of a small cosmic pantheon that represents the trinity of essential forces in the Marvel Universe, being Equity, Necessity, and Vengeance. These forces are represented by Galactus, Eternity and Death, respectively, in the primary 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. ["Silver Surfer" #31 (vol. 3, Dec. 1989)] Eternity is surpassed in power and authority only by the Living Tribunal.

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. ["Quasar" #23 (June 1991)]

Eternity typically only manifests when there is an imminent threat to the universe, such as the mystical, otherdimensional dictator Dormammu, ["Strange Tales"#130-146 (March 1965 - July 1966)] or the Titan Thanos. ["The Infinity Gauntlet" #1-6 (July-Dec. 1991)] ["Thanos" #1-6 (Dec. 2003 - April 2004)] 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. ["Doctor Strange" #180 - 182 (vol. 1, May - Jul (bi-monthly) 1969) and "Doctor Strange" #10 - 13 (vol. 2, Oct - Apr (bi-monthly) 1974 - 1975)]

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. ["Fantastic Four" #262 (Jan. 1984)]

During JLA/Avengers he met Kismet and the two fell in love. They were then kidnapped by Kronas who used their connections to their universes to destroy both. After the Crisis was averted the two sadly parted ways.

Powers and abilities

Eternity is a cosmic concept, as such he has no physical body, but can warp surrounding space and matter into a manifestation that can be perceived by lesser beings, and possesses the ability to manipulate the universe and that within it to achieve virtually any effect he desires, he also exists everywhere within the universe simultaneously. Eternity can also form bodies from living fractuals from another plane of existence known as the Dimension of Manifestations. ["Quasar" #37 (Aug. 1992)]

In other media

Television

*Eternity makes a cameo appearance in an episode of ".

*Eternity appears semi-regularly in the "Silver Surfer" animated series.

Footnotes

References

* [http://www.marvel.com/universe/Eternity Marvel.com: Eternity]
* [http://www.comics.org Grand Comics Database]
* [http://www.maelmill-insi.de/UHBMCC/ The Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators]