The Times Australia
Mirvac Harbourside
The Times World News

.

Eternals is something entirely new for Marvel – and entirely ancient in its origins

  • Written by Louise Pryke, Honorary Research Associate, University of Sydney
Eternals is something entirely new for Marvel – and entirely ancient in its origins

Marvel’s Eternals will likely divide audiences into two groups: those who wish to tease out the mythical and comic book influences in Chloé Zhao’s modern epic, and those who prefer to enjoy the spectacle. This review takes the first approach, yet the film offers much to entertain both types of viewer.

Eternals explores new horizons in the Marvel Universe, both in its god-like protagonists, and in the inclusivity of its casting[1] and plot-lines.

Shifting the franchise’s focus from mortals with extraordinary abilities and/or superpowers (such as Iron Man[2] or Black Panther[3], the Eternals are new breed of Earth-defenders: a group of immortal (or at least, impressively enduring) superheroes often mistaken for deities.

But while they are new to the Marvel universe, they could more accurately be described as the (very) old guard.

An early origin story

Classical myths play a shaping role[4] in many modern superhero stories, a trend that continues in Eternals.

The Eternals Sersi aligns with the Ancient Greek Circe. J W Waterhouse/Art Gallery of South Australia

Thena (Angelina Jolie) is associated with the Greek goddess of warfare, Athena. Sersi (Gemma Chan) aligns with the enchantress from Homer’s Odyssey[5], Circe[6]. Ikaris (Richard Madden) parallels the flying (and falling) Icarus from Cretan myth[7].

The first Eternals comic book[8] was released in 1976. There, the Eternals and their enemies, the war-mongering Deviants, arrived from distant galaxies in ancient times and were viewed with awe by their puny Earthling relatives.

As the comic goes, the battles between Eternals and Deviants (continued in the film) were translated into the legends of numerous ancient cultures.

As per the self-mythology of the Eternals, it is not that these characters are inspired by Ancient Greek legends, but that Ancient Greek legends were inspired by them.

Read more: Guide to the Classics: Homer's Odyssey[9]

The first ancient Near Eastern Marvel superhero

The film opens with ten Eternals, clad in colourful cosmic activewear[10], establishing their role as planetary protectors in Mesopotamia around 7000 BCE.

Ancient Mesopotamia (roughly located in modern-day Iraq) was home to many early developments in civilisation, such as writing, agriculture, and even some of the earliest known literary “superheroes”[11]: the legendary king Lugalbanda, for example, was divinely gifted with superspeed.

The character of Gilgamesh in Eternals is the first ancient Near Eastern hero with a leading role in a Marvel film.

The 11th Tablet of the Epic of Gilgamesh and tells how the gods determined to send a flood to destroy the earth, dated to the 7th Century BCE. © The Trustees of the British Museum, CC BY-NC-SA[12]

In myth, Gilgamesh is the heroic protagonist of the world’s oldest known epic[13]. The ancient story follows the journey of the heroic young king as he adventures to the edges of the world in search of fame and immortality.

Eternals gives further nods to Mesopotamian myth. There is speculation from fans that Kingo (Kumail Nanjiani) could represent the deity Kingu[14], from the Babylonian myth, Enuma Elish[15]. In this myth, the primary deity Marduk battles the primordial ocean goddess, Tiamat.

Indeed, even Tiamat herself – or Tiamut in the film – counts among the heroes’ adversaries in Eternals.

A scene where the Eternals battle Deviants before the famous Ishtar Gate[16] in ancient Babylon beautifully captures the largely untapped cinematic potential of the Mesopotamian world.

A lion mosaic The Ishtar Gate dates to the 6th century BCE. These lions lined the road of the Processional Way. The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Don Lee’s Gilgamesh is a delight, well reflecting the brawny charm of the ancient hero as he smashes his way through crowds of Deviants with the same strength used to defeat the Stone Ones and the Bull of Heaven in the original epic.

Read more: Guide to the classics: the Epic of Gilgamesh[17]

A journey worth taking

The presence of a Mesopotamian legend and Korean superhero are just two of the “firsts” seen in Eternals. Others include the first openly gay superhero in the franchise (Phastos, played by Brian Tyree Henry), and a superhero who is hearing impaired (Lauren Ridloff’s Makkari).

The presence of same-sex relationships[18] and characters with disabilities are common to many ancient myths[19] and modern comics[20] (Hawkeye[21] of Avengers fame is portrayed with a hearing impairment in many comics). Here, Eternals’ Phastos is identified through his technical skills with Hephaestos, the Greek god of metalwork[22]. In Classical myth, Hephaestos is depicted with a physical diability, walking with a limp.

Interestingly, metal work may have been a common occupation for people with physical disabilities[23] in ancient Near Eastern culture — reflecting the interplay between history, myth, and popular culture common to the superhero genre.

In various Ancient Greek myths, Hephaestus was disabled from birth, or after being thrown from the heavens by Zeus. He was known for his metal working, as painted here by Anthony van Dyck. Kunsthistorisches Museum

Indeed, the film’s increased inclusivity[24] brings it into closer alignment with both its ancient and modern sources.

For myth and comic book buffs, there is plenty to explore in Eternals. The film’s use of on-location shooting[25] helps create a universe that feels broader and deeper than many before. The journey of Madden’s Ikaris reflects the typically creative recycling of ancient legends found in the comics.

Like speedy Makkari (whose character aligns with the messenger deity, Mercury known for his winged shoes), Ikaris’ power of flight is shared by his mythical counterpart Icarus - but it’s a power that must be used wisely.

Fans of the Gilgamesh epic will note his tendencies to take power naps and fight celestial bulls are adapted from ancient legend.

For those seeking pure entertainment, Eternals offers an inviting – at times spectacular – step into a world that is at once both old and new.

Eternals is in cinemas from today.

References

  1. ^ inclusivity of its casting (variety.com)
  2. ^ Iron Man (screenrant.com)
  3. ^ Black Panther (www.theguardian.com)
  4. ^ Classical myths play a shaping role (www.bbc.com)
  5. ^ Homer’s Odyssey (theconversation.com)
  6. ^ Circe (www.nytimes.com)
  7. ^ Icarus from Cretan myth (www.theguardian.com)
  8. ^ first Eternals comic book (www.marvel.com)
  9. ^ Guide to the Classics: Homer's Odyssey (theconversation.com)
  10. ^ clad in colourful cosmic activewear (screenrant.com)
  11. ^ earliest known literary “superheroes” (theconversation.com)
  12. ^ CC BY-NC-SA (creativecommons.org)
  13. ^ world’s oldest known epic (www.abc.net.au)
  14. ^ could represent the deity Kingu (nerdist.com)
  15. ^ Enuma Elish (www.worldhistory.org)
  16. ^ Ishtar Gate (brooklynrail.org)
  17. ^ Guide to the classics: the Epic of Gilgamesh (theconversation.com)
  18. ^ presence of same-sex relationships (www.buzzfeed.com)
  19. ^ many ancient myths (news.artnet.com)
  20. ^ modern comics (www.bbc.com)
  21. ^ Hawkeye (screenrant.com)
  22. ^ Hephaestos, the Greek god of metalwork (www.worldhistory.org)
  23. ^ metal work may have been a common occupation for people with physical disabilities (dergipark.org.tr)
  24. ^ increased inclusivity (screenrant.com)
  25. ^ use of on-location shooting (www.cbr.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/eternals-is-something-entirely-new-for-marvel-and-entirely-ancient-in-its-origins-170953

Mirvac Harbourside

Times Magazine

YepAI Joins Victoria's AI Trade Mission to Singapore for Big Data & AI World Asia 2025

YepAI, a Melbourne-based leader in enterprise artificial intelligence solutions, announced today...

Building a Strong Online Presence with Katoomba Web Design

Katoomba web design is more than just creating a website that looks good—it’s about building an onli...

September Sunset Polo

International Polo Tour To Bridge Historic Sport, Life-Changing Philanthropy, and Breath-Taking Beau...

5 Ways Microsoft Fabric Simplifies Your Data Analytics Workflow

In today's data-driven world, businesses are constantly seeking ways to streamline their data anal...

7 Questions to Ask Before You Sign IT Support Companies in Sydney

Choosing an IT partner can feel like buying an insurance policy you hope you never need. The right c...

Choosing the Right Legal Aid Lawyer in Sutherland Shire: Key Considerations

Legal aid services play an essential role in ensuring access to justice for all. For people in t...

The Times Features

Macquarie Bank Democratises Agentic AI, Scaling Customer Innovation with Gemini Enterprise

Macquarie’s Banking and Financial Services group (Macquarie Bank), in collaboration with Google ...

Do kids really need vitamin supplements?

Walk down the health aisle of any supermarket and you’ll see shelves lined with brightly packa...

Why is it so shameful to have missing or damaged teeth?

When your teeth and gums are in good condition, you might not even notice their impact on your...

Australian travellers at risk of ATM fee rip-offs according to new data from Wise

Wise, the global technology company building the smartest way to spend and manage money internat...

Does ‘fasted’ cardio help you lose weight? Here’s the science

Every few years, the concept of fasted exercise training pops up all over social media. Faste...

How Music and Culture Are Shaping Family Road Trips in Australia

School holiday season is here, and Aussies aren’t just hitting the road - they’re following the musi...

The Role of Spinal Physiotherapy in Recovery and Long-Term Wellbeing

Back pain and spinal conditions are among the most common reasons people seek medical support, oft...

Italian Lamb Ragu Recipe: The Best Ragù di Agnello for Pasta

Ciao! It’s Friday night, and the weekend is calling for a little Italian magic. What’s better than t...

It’s OK to use paracetamol in pregnancy. Here’s what the science says about the link with autism

United States President Donald Trump has urged pregnant women[1] to avoid paracetamol except in ...