Eternals #2

Eternals #2

Marvel Comics 2021

Written by Kieron Gillen

Illustrated by Esad Ribić

Coloured by Matthew Wilson

Lettered by VC’s Clayton Cowles

THANOS VS. IKARIS!

In the heart of a city driven mad by time! Eternals live eternally. One is dead. They handle it well. No, they don’t. They handle it badly. Eternal revenge is a dish best served forever.

While we are only two issues in this is exactly the kind of book that I want to read from Marvel. There is a depth and complexity to the storytelling that makes me feel like we’re watching Dynasty but with super-heroes. The drama, the intrigue and the unexpected twists and turns that just take the reader by surprise hit you one after the other in ways that make you feel like you’re at the carnival. Also I greatly appreciate the fact that this isn’t a King in Black tie-in because I’m not really interested in reading any of that at all. With Thanos taking centre stage as the villain, well the obvious villain anyway, we are really going to get to see just how powerful these Eternals really are and I for one am stoked for this. I’ve never read anything that featured them before this and while I enjoyed Sersi in the Avengers this is a whole nother thing entirely.

I am wholeheartedly enjoying the way that this is being told. The story & plot development that we see through how the sequence of events unfold and how the reader learns information is presented perfectly. I think it is beyond interesting to have the narration while we’re seeing everything happen as well and to learn who, or what, is doing the narration well that just made this much more intriguing. The character development is phenomenal and for now it is interesting to see how these characters will react when the reality of the situation finally sets in. In the meanwhile I am going to enjoy the verbal exchanges that can only come from a family who know each other all too well. The pacing is superb and as it takes us through the pages revealing more and more of the story you just don’t want it to end.

I am impressed with how we see this being structured and the layers within the story continuing alongside those that are still emerging. With how we see everything working together to create the story’s ebb & flow we get this undeniable treat. Plus this issue actually fleshes out their past as well and that for me is just an added bonus.

Esad has a very unique style that is all his own and to see it play out through these pages like we do is marvellous. The linework has this amazing ability to show strength through softness in ways that you never think about until you see it before your eyes. Plus with the way that the attention to detail is seen throughout just has this weird effect on me and I absolutely adore that. The way backgrounds are utilised could be better but in all honesty it’s how we see the composition within the panels that makes everything sing. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show such an amazing eye for storytelling. The colour work is exquisite as well. How the various techniques are utilised to really bring the hues and tones within the colours out for the maximum effect is subtle yet bold. The shading, highlights and shadow work really showcase a true understanding of how colour works.

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This is the kind of treatment I wish we’d seen for the Inhumans. This has that mixture of action/adventure, intrigue, mystery and everything that makes for compelling reading. After reading this issue I had to go get the first one and read them back to back as I couldn’t believe that this is this good.