| The Celestials | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | Eternals vol. 1, #1 (1976) |
| Created by | Jack Kirby |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Name designated according to function |
| Abilities | Apparently unlimited cosmic power. Can use for virtually anything. |
The Celestials are a group of fictional characters and extra-terrestrial beings that appear in the Marvel Universe. The Celestials were created by Jack Kirby and first appeared in The Eternals vol. 1, #1 (July 1976).
Fictional character biography
The Celestials are a total enigma, and appear as completely silent, armoured humanoids with an average height of 2,000 feet. As nothing is known regarding their appearance underneath the armour, it is possible that this may be their true form. [1]
The Celestials have only appeared on Earth on a few occasions. What is known is that the Celestials are apparently responsible for the creation of two offshoots of humanity — the Eternals and the Deviants — on Earth over a million years ago. [2] The exact reason for the Celestials' genetic manipulation of proto-humans is unknown, although it is known that the Celestials conduct similar experiments on other races (such as the Skrulls ). Each race that the Celestials has experimented on is periodically assessed by Arishem the Judge, and if a race "fails" by Celestials standards, Arishem will send an execution code to Exitar the Exterminator, a 20,000 foot tall Celestial who carries out Arishem's sentence. On the first occasion that this act was witnessed, Exitar terraforms a planet into a garden paradise, with only the "evil" inhabitants being destroyed, and the survivors being given a second chance. [3] More recent depictions, however, show races that fail the genetic test are destroyed with their planet. [4]
Very few beings on Earth are even aware of the Celestials' existance. The Eternals and Deviants call the Celestials "Space Gods" and know that they visit Earth in "Hosts" at 1,000 year intervals to monitor mankind's progress. Resenting the presence of the Celestials, the Skyfather figures of Earth's pantheons (eg. Odin, Zeus, Vishnu) attempt to stop the Third Host, but are humbled very quickly. The Skyfathers then develop a plan to stop the Fourth Host from judging Earth again. Unfortunately this plan fails, but as a result of the offering of the Skymothers (eg. Frigga, Hera) Earth is left in peace until the time of the Fifth Host. [5]
Members
Main article: List of Celestials members
.
- Arishem the Judge - field leader for ground teams.
- Tefral the Surveyor
- Eson the Searcher
- Jemiah the Analyzer
- Gammenon the Gatherer
- Hargen the Measurer
- Oneg the Prober
- Nezarr the Calculator
- Ziran the Tester
- Exitar the Exterminator -
- The One Above All - leader of the Celestials.
There is an additional Celestial referred to as Tiamut, The Dreaming Celestial. This being is referred to as the Great Renegade, as Tiamut apparently rebels against the rest of the Second Host when they visit Earth. Tiamut is then imprisioned under a mountain range by the other Celestials, and condenmed to sleep for eternity. In the modern age the Deviant Ghaur siphons off the Dreaming Celestial's power, but soon falls under Tiamut's control. Ghaur is then defeated by the combined Eternals and Avengers. [6]
There are also a number of Celestials that have only appeared in one story, and as such it is doubftul as to whether these appearances are regarded as canon. These Celestials were Ashema the Listener; [7] Devron the Experimenter and Gamiel the Manipulator; [8] Scathan the Approver; [9] the Monolith Gatherer [10] and the Red and Blue Celestials. [11]
Powers and abilities
Based on all encounters to date, the Celestials appear to be omnipotent. The cosmic cube beings Kosmos and Kubik, who possess unlimited energy, matter and reality manipulation powers, stated that a single Celestial has "power many orders of magnitude beyond our own." [12] This was demonstrated when the Celestials defeated a 2,000 foot tall Destroyer with ease - despite the fact that it was controlled by Odin and imbued with the life force of every god in Asgard (with the exception of Thor) and wielding the Odin Sword. [13]
The Celestials do not appear to be totally invulnerable, as the Destroyer, Thor and the Invisible Woman have managed to damage their armour. [14] The damage, however, is repaired almost immediately and it is possible the Celestials have allowed this in order to further their learning about Earth's metahumans.
Alternate versions
In the series Earth X the Celestials are beings of energy encased in life-preserving vibranium (it prevents their total dissipation). They reproduce by planting a fragment of their essence in a planet, which eventually matures into a new Celestial, who in turn absorbs the planet. This brings the Celestials into conflict with Galactus. [15]
References
- ^ The Eternals vol. 3, #5 (2006)
- ^ The Eternals vol. 1, #1 - 12 (1976 - 1977)
- ^ Thor vol. 1, #387 - 389
- ^ Quasar #24
- ^ Thor Annual #7 + Thor vol. 1, #283 - 300
- ^ Eternals vol. 2, #1 - 12 (1985 - 1986)
- ^ Heroes Reborn: The Return #1 - 4 (1997)
- ^ Marvel Monsters: Devil Dinosaur #1 (2005)
- ^ Guardians of the Galaxy #48 - 50
- ^ X-51 #1 - 12 (1999 - 2000)
- ^ Thor vol. 1, #424
- ^ Fantastic Four vol. 1, Annual #23
- ^ Thor vol. 1, #300
- ^ Thor vol. 1, #300 + Fantastic Four vol. 1, #400
- ^ Earth X vol. 1, #1 - 12