TheMCUdid its most powerful character so dirty it is actually hard to believe, and no: it is not theSentry. Both the Marvel Universe and the MCU are full of extremely powerful beings who operate scales humanity cannot perceive.The Sentry, who made his MCU debut inThunderbolts*, is far from Marvel’s most powerful character, and as it turns out, the MCU bungled them in a major way.
In 2021’sThor: Love and Thunder, Eternity was introduced to the MCU. In the film, Gorr, the God Butcher was seeking Eternity, who was imprisoned outside of reality. Anyone who found Eternity would be granted their greatest desire. The movie received mixed reviews from critics and fans. The latter group in particular criticized the film for how it handled Eternity in relation to how it was depicted in the comics.They argued that Eternity, being the Marvel Universe’s most powerful being, should not have been imprisoned “outside of reality,” and these criticisms are valid.
Eternity, the Most Powerful Being in the Marvel Universe, Explained
Eternity Was Unlike Any Other Comic Book Character When It Debuted in the Mid-1960s
Eternity’s arrival in the MCU should have been much grander than it was, given the character’s standing in the comics. In the hierarchy of cosmic beings in the Marvel Universe, Eternity stands as one of the most powerful: the only two who outrank him in terms of power are the Living Tribunal and the One-Above-All. Eternity is our universe given form, a personification of all that is. Eternity is usually drawn in the comics as massive, easily outclassing the heroes. Artists have used other cool visual effects to convey just how expansive and big Eternity is.
The story, written by Stan Lee and drawn by Steve Ditko at the height of their powers, is not only a classic Doctor Strange story, but also the beginning point for a new type of character in comics, one that was essentially a god.
Eternity made its comic debut in 1965’sStrange Tales#138, after being name-checked a few issues prior. In the now-classic “Eternity Saga,” Doctor Strange sought the entity’s help in defeating the combined forces of Dormammuand Baron Mordo. The story, written by Stan Lee and drawn by Steve Ditko at the height of their powers, is not only a classic Doctor Strange story, but also the beginning point for a new type of character in comics, one that was essentially a god. From there flowed a steady progression of cosmic beings, including Galactus and the aforementioned Living Tribunal.
The first known person to wear the Eternity Mask was the Golden Age Masked Raider, who appeared in the very first Marvel Comic ever: 1939’sMarvel Comics#1. 80 years later, inMarvel Comics#1000, it was retconned he wore the Eternity Mask.
Yet even as Marvel continued to unveil new cosmic, god-like characters, the publisher made it clear Eternity was the strongest of them all. The enormous, imposing being could seemingly do anything it wished, including manipulating time and space. Even portions of Eternity are extremely powerful: for instance, the Eternity Mask, created by a group of sorcerers from a sliver of Eternity’s essence, levels the playing field for whoever wears it, by making them equal in power to any foe. Eternity has also birthed other cosmic entities, and has a sister named Infinity.
Eternity is Very Powerful, But Villains Have Still Come For Him
Characters Like Thanos and Doctor Doom Are Capable of Beating Eternity
Eternity may be one of Marvel’s most powerful entities, but it has not stopped others from trying to defeat him. In some instances, they come close to taking Eternity off the table, but he always prevails, either through his own power or thanks to the intervention of Earth’s heroes. In an early appearance, the Fear Lord Nightmare whisked Eternity off to his realm, as detailed in 1969’sDoctor Strange#180-182. Doctor Strange was forced to fight for Eternity’s life, and the Sorcerer Supreme, aided by Clea and, oddly enough, the Juggernaut, were able to save Eternity and the universe.
The Infinity Gauntletspawned two sequels, both involving Eternity:The Infinity WarandThe Infinity Crusade.
Perhaps Eternity’s most crushing defeat cameat the hands of Thanos.In 1991’s classicInfinity Gauntletcrossover event, Thanos assembled the six Infinity Stones, turning them into an unbelievably powerful weapon. Adam Warlock led a group of Earth’s heroes against Thanos, and when they were easily dispatched, he called in the “gods” of the Marvel Universe to fight. Among the assembled throng was Galactus, the Stranger as well as two Celestials. Thanos tore through the cosmic beings as effortlessly as he did the heroes. Finally, Eternity revealed itself, only to also fall before Thanos.
Eternity has tasted defeat several more times throughout its history. In 2015’sTime Runs Outstory, the Beyonders killed Eternity. The story was part of the buildup to that year’sSecret Warsevent. During that story, the Marvel Universe was destroyed, replaced by Battleworld, a composite planetmade by Doctor Doom.This had the effect of bringing Eternity back, but this time he resembled Doom. Eternity returned afterSecret Wars, only to be attacked again, this time by the First Firmament. This entity was the first to arise in the Marvel Universe, and it sought revenge on the upstart Eternity.
The MCU Severely Mishandled Eternity inThor: Love and Thunder
The MCU’s Eternity Went Against What the Character Was About
While Eternity’s defeats indicate there are limits to even his power, the MCU severely nerfed the character.Thor: Love and Thundershowed Eternity as just another cosmic being, instead of one of the strongest.Love and Thunder’swriters also changed Eternity’s gimmick: in the comics, he never grants wishes to those seeking him out. In fact, he usually does the opposite. He refused to help Doctor Strange fight Mordo and Dormammu, instead imploring Stephen to beat them on his own. Eternity tends to only get involved when the threat is truly dire, such as Thanos inThe Infinity Gauntlet.
Yet what truly made no sense about Eternity’s MCU depiction is that it violates the very essence of the character. Eternity is the embodiment of the entire universe, and if it is indeed imprisoned somewhere else, then the universe would fall apart. Without Eternity, there would be no Marvel Universe. If Eternity’s MCU appearance was comics’ accurate, then Thor, Gorr and the rest should not have even existed. While these changes were made for dramatic effect, they have significantly cut Eternity’s power levels.
The MCU Can Still Bring Eternity In, and This Time Do It Right
A Comic Accurate Eternity Could Be A Sight to Behold on the Big Screen
However, Eternity can return to the MCU, this time in a more proper fashion. Eternity’s lore in the comics has established that sometimes other characters encounter an “aspect” of the being. This concept can easily be applied to the MCU. Future filmmakers could reveal thatLove and Thunder’stake on Eternity is just another aspect of the being, only this one that fell outside the universe and needed to be rescued. This would then allow the MCU to introduce a more comic accurate Eternity, one fully conveying the entity’s sheer power.
Future filmmakers could reveal thatLove and Thunder’stake on Eternity is just another aspect of the being, only this one that fell outside the universe and needed to be rescued.
As the MCU continues to develop, more powerful characters will continue to be introduced, such as theSentryor Doctor Doom. They show the scope of Marvel’s stable of characters, which ranges fromstreet-level heroes like Daredevilto the Fantastic Four. Eternity, however, is in a class by itself. The personification of the Marvel Universe, Eternity is an impressive character, butThor: Love and Thunderfailed him badly. If theMCUwishes to showcase Eternity in a future film, they must rethink their approach to this Marvel god.
