Broken Frontier

Some of Jack Kirby’s greatest creations are given a new lease on life by the deft hands of Gaiman and Romita Jr. In this issue, things only get better.

Ike Harris is dead. He’s been atomized. Mark Curry seeks out a child star who he heard was an Eternal and Iron Man confronts a confused and oddly likeable Sersi. What is going on? All of the Eternals have forgotten who they are, where they came from, and what their purpose on Earth is. Ike was seeking them out. But Ike is dead. Mark moves so fast he can stop hundreds of bullets. And there is no evidence that Sersi was ever a member of the Avengers. But we all know she was, right? The Celestials are up to something, and the Deviants are religious. Things can only get worse for our erstwhile hero, Mark Curry…Markcurry…Mercury…! Oh yeah!

Neil Gaiman is like the wizened vizier of the comic book industry. He stands aloft, above it all, but is well respected and well liked by professionals and fans alike. And well he should be. Touching a Kirby creation like the Eternals is a risky venture, but Gaiman was definitely the guy for the job. His knowledge of world religions, his storytelling prowess, and his ability to mix high and low humor, drama and comedy, terror and fun together in one pretty package is a talent to be admired, envied, and emulated. The Eternals have always been intriguing. The concept behind them is both cosmic and awe inspiring. It is appropriate that Gaiman writes the series because as a writer, he too is cosmic and awe inspiring.

As are John Romita Jr’s pencils. Another member of comic book royalty—apparently all it takes is second generation status—Romita Jr. has a style that has never been imitated with any success. His bold lines and lose scenes, drawn as if there is little effort or concern put into them, are nevertheless amazing to behold and would make even the best copycat cringe and turn away. With an art team made up of other legends in their own time like Danny Miki and Matt Hollingsworth, this comic couldn’t look bad if it tried. Incidentally it is trying with great success to do the exact opposite, that is, look good. In short, this selection of creators is clearly a dream team in the truest sense of the words.

The Eternals are, without a doubt, one of the most amazing creations that sprung from the mind of one of comic book’s most well respected legends. With their re-visioning through the minds and hands of Gaiman and Romita Jr, they are reaching a new generation of fans with intelligent, thought provoking adventures. Read it!!!