The Eternal

(Marvel, 2003-2004)
™ and ©2003 Marvel Characters, Inc.

One problem with comic-book aliens is they’re almost never alien enough — they’re invariably revealed to be just humans in bad rubber masks. But you don’t have to worry about that or running into Jack Kirby’s cast in this extreme Eternals revamp which takes place at the literal dawn of man.

These Eternals are chillingly inhuman but soon they’re all distracted from their mission for The Celestials, when, instead of Deviants, they turn protohumanoids into … girls. As with the Inhumans revival, Austen has taken the core concept and produced something wholly original using two of his favorite themes: religion and sex. Sometimes, you have to wonder why Marvel places one of its comics in the Max line but there’s no confusion in this case.

Along with the copious amounts of nudity and fairly discreet group sexual activity, there’s a casual comment concerning extreme sexual mutilation (thankfully taking place off panel) that may make readers shudder. But there’s nothing gratuitous here, just strong storytelling.

— S.A. Bennett

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