Review: Eternals: Thanos Rises #1

Eternals Thanos Rises is a unique look at the threat of Thanos through the eyes of the Eternals that birthed him. The art on this book is so beautiful your eyeballs will melt off. The story is filled with interesting characters and concepts although it’s a lot to digest all at once. This is perhaps the perfect title for Kieron Gillan’s head for high concepts and epic world-building. Dustin Weaver is clearly channeling Kirby as he illustrates one of his greatest creations.

The story opens with the massive Last Battle. Matthew Wilson’s colors here and throughout perfectly compliment the art panel-for-panel creating a truly glorious visual feast. A’Lars is the center of the story on his mission to inspire his fellow Eternals to expand the Great Machine by having kids. Zuras and his followers the Zurasians fight against this as breeding by Eternals is not meant to happen.

Thena, Ikaris and Phastos support Alars while Sprite sneaks into their camp to tell them Daina wishes to talk. Daina tries to broker a deal, where the Eternals will have their memories wiped to end the war and A’Lars will go in exile and be allowed to propagate.

A’Lars travels to Titan where he meets another exile Sui-san. Kronos allows their union with grave warning. Sui-san gives birth to the monstrosity that is Thanos and is eventually killed by him. Thanos also kills A’Lars. Both are resurrected but Sui-san wants nothing to do with A’Lars in her renewed life. A’Lars is imprisoned and tortured by his offspring’s evil even as we learn Thanos plans to destroy his world to permanently destroy his parents.

What’s unique about this issue is that it presents the origin of Thanos while barely showing Thanos. It’s an artistic achievement and a beginning filled with promise for the battle to come. Thanos is presented as a monstrous force of hate out to destroy any he should love. It’s a great take on a villain we love and it will be interesting seeing him face off against his forebears.

Writing: 4.4 of 5 stars
Art: 4.8 of 5 stars
Colors: 4.9 of 5 stars

Overall: 4.7 of 5 stars

Writer: Kieron Gillen
Art: Dustin Weaver
Colors: Matthew Wilson
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Author Profile

M.R. Jafri

M.R. Jafri was born and raised in Niagara Falls New York and now lives with his family in Detroit Michigan. He's a talkative introvert and argumentative geek. His loves include Star Wars, Star Trek, Superheroes, Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Transformers, GI Joe, Films, Comics, TV Shows, Action Figures and Twizzlers.