Eternals!!!

Unfortunately, superhero icons saturate our society. I can read the better comics and say, "that's a good line of dialogue," or "interesting plot twist," but that's about it and so I generally prefer the more complex graphic novels.

The problem is that I'll come across this lovely dilemma of a small group of mutants that has to keep the peace between their more violent associates and the fearful humans and, yeah, that's the X-men. So? I'll read about Spidey's crazy villains and, you know, that's Doc Ock. That's how he operates. I'm used to these things.

But The Eternals had a 20-odd issue run 40 years ago. Without any modern reissues, restarts or continuations. I've never seen an Eternals film or played an Eternals game or worn an Eternals Halloween costume. Most people our age know practically nothing about them. And finally I understand what it means to come into contact, for the first time, with ideas so far beyond what I experience in real life that it takes my breath away. I understand why, when people who got into comics as kids describe them, they always talk about that sense of wonder.

I know several people who are in love with the classic superhero comics. And if you can find X-men amazing despite the fact that you already know what everyone's powers are, The Eternals aren't really any better. But for those of you who feel a little cold after reading about Genosha because, hey, it's not like we were surprised- read Gaiman's 7-issue starting point, and hope Marvel gives it to an author worthy of the material.