"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.
Browse the best books of summer including blockbusters, beach reads, and editors' picks in our Summer Reading Store. |
Book Description
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format: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.
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.
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful
By Art
Format: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.
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.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By G. YEO
Format: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!
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!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent sequential art and writing for most of it's run
Jack Kirby's greatest stories deal with the battle between good and evil he is always looking at shades of grey - no one is purely good or pure evil. Read more
Published on July 30, 2008 by Andromeda
4.0 out of 5 stars
Shows real promise, then falters
THE ETERNALS OMNIBUS collects issues #1-19 and Annual #1 of Jack Kirby's 1977 Marvel series - one of his last great hurrahs. Read more
Published on April 7, 2008 by Babytoxie
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great artwork, promising storyline, shame about the dialogue
After many years with Marvel, Kirby eventually grew dissatisfied with having to play second fiddle to Stan Lee. Read more
Published on July 12, 2007 by Singslinger
5.0 out of 5 stars
There is no more comics like this anymore.
Wow, I discovered Kirby for the first time a couple of years ago,
but one can feel his Impact in all media, he practically defined
the qualities of a Hero in... Read more
but one can feel his Impact in all media, he practically defined
the qualities of a Hero in... Read more
Published on March 8, 2007 by Ronald Carhuas
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good cosmic read
While the last third seems to lose some focus, the bulk of the book is exciting, cosmic fun from comic great Jack Kirby. The art is fantastic, I enjoyed the scope of the series.
Published on July 14, 2006 by G. Smith
2.0 out of 5 stars
Don't Buy
This book is not worth the time or effort to read it.
And I do mean effort.
Marvel decided to be cheapskates this time out and had the binding glued. Read more
And I do mean effort.
Marvel decided to be cheapskates this time out and had the binding glued. Read more
Published on July 6, 2006 by S. Schmelzle
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Listmania!
|
|
