Marvel’s Eternals is now in theaters! But what are the differences between Marvel’s Eternals movie and comic books? Details here!
Marvels Eternals introduces ten new heroes to the MCU, and a few other characters as well. As with most movies, Eternals takes influences from the comics books, but changes a few things. So what are the differences between Marvel’s Eternals movie and comic books? Here are the biggest ones, explained.
WARNING: SPOILERS FOR ETERNALS AHEAD
Differences between Marvel’s Eternals Movie and Comic Books
The most notable change from the comic books to the movie is that there are several gender swaps in heroes. The majority of the Eternals are male in the comic books, including Sprite, Makarri, and Ajak.
Their powers change a little here and there, but that feels more like a practical thing more than anything else. It is the best way to move the story along in the film as well. For the most part, they remain the same or “close enough”.
One of the biggest differences is the fact that in the comic books the Eternals are truly immortal. In the film they do not age at all over thousands of years, but in the comic books if they die they are reborn in the reactivation chamber. However, if the machine is down, or broken, they are unable to be resurrected until the machine is up and running again.
In the film, it appears that once they are gone, they are gone. However, Arishem created multiple versions of the Eternals for different planets, so it stands to reason they could eventually come back, but with different memories.
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In the Neil Gaiman story line, Sprite tricks all of the Eternals with his illusions because he is sick of being the one that cannot grow up. He will always be looked at as a child to humans and he wants nothing more than to finally hit puberty and grow up. It is even mentioned that he is the real Peter Pan, and in the films since Sprite is a female it is mentioned that she is like Tinkerbell.
After he tricks them into forgetting who they are, he turns himself human. In the movie, Ajak uses the leftover power from the Celestial to do this.
Sersi has a physical relationship with many of the Eternals, and many humans, in the comic books, however her heart belongs to Makarri, not Ikarus. Over thousands of years they have an on again off again relationship, much like hers and Ikarus’ in the movie.
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In the comics, Thena has an affinity for Deviants. In fact, she falls in love with one. She keeps her relationship with Kro a secret from the other Eternals for a while, but it eventually comes out. They actually have two children together.
In the movie, this is far from true. This is probably the biggest disappointment to fans when it comes to the differences between Marvel’s Eternals movie and comic books. While Kro and Thena have a moment together, it is not romantic at all. When he tries to drain her of her powers, she kills him.
The Deviants in the comic books are the lower forms on intelligence on Earth, humans are the middle ground, and Eternals are Gods. This is similar in Marvel’s Eternals, except that the Deviants are more like animals. That is, until Kro learns he can drain powers from the Eternals.
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Of course there are many other differences between Marvel’s Eternals movie and comic books, but these are the main ones that are sure to stand out for longtime fans.
About Eternals
Marvel Studios’ “Eternals” welcomes an exciting new team of Super Heroes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The epic story, spanning thousands of years, features a group of immortal heroes forced out of the shadows to reunite against mankind’s oldest enemy, The Deviants.
The outstanding ensemble cast includes Richard Madden as the all-powerful Ikaris, Gemma Chan as humankind-loving Sersi, Kumail Nanjiani as cosmic-powered Kingo, Lauren Ridloff as the super-fast Makkari, Brian Tyree Henry as the intelligent inventor Phastos, Salma Hayek as the wise and spiritual leader Ajak, Lia McHugh as the eternally young, old-soul Sprite, Don Lee as the powerful Gilgamesh, Barry Keoghan as aloof loner Druig, and Angelina Jolie as the fierce warrior Thena.
Kit Harington plays Dane Whitman.
