The Eternals Omnibus [Hardcover]

Jack Kirby (Author)

Book Description

Grade Level: 4 and up

"The Gods Are Coming Back!" Jack Kirby reveals a secret history of heroes and horrors as humanity's cousins, the Eternals and the Deviants, vie to inherit the Earth! It's a time of Titans, Terror and Time Travel - as only the King could conceive! Guest-starring the Incredible Hulk (or at least an unreasoning facsimile thereof)! Collects Eternals #1-19 & Annual #1 This is sold on a non-returnable basis.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 392 pages
• Publisher: Marvel (July 12, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785122052
• ISBN-13: 978-0785122050
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 7.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,234,882 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Eternals are back..., July 18, 2006

By 

Christopher J. Schillig (Alliance, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Eternals Omnibus (Hardcover)

Yes, Marvel is only releasing this now to tie in with the new mini-series by Neil Gaiman and John Romita Jr. Yes, Marvel's shoddy treatment of Jack Kirby - especially around the time of this series - has been well documented. Yes, Marvel dictated editorial changes including Marvel Universe guest stars and Kirby was forced to capitulate, albeit in his own unique way.

Still, having all 19 issues (plus the annual) between two covers is an awesome thing. Kirby was always a creator ahead of his time; his initial plan for the Fourth World saga at DC was to eventually have the series collected into bound volumes, something that didn't happen during his lifetime but which has come to pass since his death.

Some fans consider The Eternals to be Kirby Lite, a watering down of his creative powers after the commercial disappointment of the New Gods. But in some ways, I prefer The Eternals - the art is even more cosmic, and the storyline stretching to the dawn of time induces as much awe.

For those bellyaching about this book, I don't see the cause for complaints. It's beautiful, with vibrant colors, all the original covers, a wonderful introduction by Kirby collaborator Mike Royer, and Jack's original text pages reprinted at the end. While I agree the binding makes it difficult (but not impossible) to read dialogue or narration near the spine, that is a minor complaint. (It also cost the book one star in my rating, but only because I couldn't take away half a star, instead.)

It may have taken decades, but Kirby's belief in the after-market worth of comic books - i.e., the bound collection, sold in bookstores - has come to pass. This collection and others like it are his vindication from short-sighted editors and fans of the 1970s who turned up their noses at Kirby's work. Even though editorial mandates forced changes the artist was not happy with, the talent and sheer Kirby moxxy shine through on each and every page.

Read the new Gaiman series - it is a wonderful homage to the King's talent. Then go back and see how it came to pass originally. This is cosmic stuff, and it jumps right off the page, just like it did when originally published.

If you are a casual Kirby fan, I recommend this book. If you are a hardcore fan, you already have it.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Some of Kirby's best artwork, poorly packaged by Marvel, February 7, 2007

By 

Art - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Eternals Omnibus (Hardcover)

I'd like to reiterate the earlier comment that the cheap, glued binding on this hardcover does a real disservice to Kirby's artwork. Most issues of The Eternals feature fantastic 2-page splashes towards the beginning of each story, but with this lame binding, it's impossible to open the book wide enough to see the entire picture. You lose the bit right at the spine. Sometimes this includes dialogue balloons, too.

All too typical of Marvel's "grab the cash" philosophy, unfortunately. If this were a $30 paperback, such a binding would be excuseable, but not for an expensive "deluxe" hardcover like this. If you really love Jack Kirby's artwork, you're probably better off scouring Ebay for copies of the original comic books.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars King Kirby's Last Great Work, July 15, 2006

By 

G. YEO "gyeo" (Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Eternals Omnibus (Hardcover)

Back at Marvel in the 70s, Jack Kirby created THE ETERNALS. The series continued Kirby's sole obsession with themes of Gods, mythology, big technology and monsters wrapped into a sci-fi warp.

For whatever its flaws, THE ETERNALS was perhaps King Kirby's last great series work which I enjoyed. Familiar readers will pick up character similarities from previous successes the New Gods and Forever People but reinvented in a different form. In fact, elements of the Eternals had popped up in earlier Fantastic Four plotlines nearly a decade earlier, with Jack's curiousity about the big out there.

Jack got the blend of Greek mythology meets sci-fi just right in this series. Always best when he could create his own worlds, this is arguably Kirby's best mid seventies work and last near-great creative achievement. Other subsequent works like Captain Victory would feel derivative.

I'm happy that the Eternals is getting a hardcover treatment, but it is expensive and if it isn't well bound...well buyer beware!