The Eternals, a group of immortal beings with extraordinary abilities, have captivated the imagination of comic book readers since their introduction in 1976. Created by the legendary Jack Kirby, these cosmic heroes have played an essential role in the Marvel Universe. With the release of the movie adaptation being set to dominate the box office, it is only natural that teachers may want to include The Eternals in their lesson plans. This article explores ways to teach students about The Eternals, discussing their history and significance in an educational context.

The Origin of The Eternals

To understand The Eternals’ place within comic book history, students should first learn about their creator, Jack Kirby. Often dubbed “The King of Comics,” Kirby co-created several iconic characters such as Captain America, X-Men, and Fantastic Four alongside writer Stan Lee at Marvel Comics. After a brief time at DC Comics, where he created the New Gods, Kirby returned to Marvel and introduced The Eternals in 1976.

The cosmic heroes first appeared in “The Eternals” #1 and stemmed from Kirby’s fascination with ancient mythology, celestial beings, and evolution. These immortal beings possess overwhelming power due to genetic experiments conducted by god-like beings known as Celestials – who guided Earth’s species towards intelligence. It’s important for students to understand that while The Eternals are part of the Marvel Universe, they were meant to stand on their own as a unique exploration of human nature and celestial beings.

Key Characters and Storylines

An ideal starting point when discussing The Eternals is examining significant characters within the group – emphasizing their individual traits and unique powers. This can include characters such as:

1. Ikaris – A noble warrior and one of the most recognizable members of The Eternals, Ikaris is capable of flight, super strength, and energy manipulation.

2. Sersi – A charismatic socialite blessed with the power of molecular manipulation, Sersi has grown close to humans and often interacts with their society.

3. Thena – As the fierce and strategic daughter of Zuras, the Eternals’ leader, Thena possesses incredible strength, agility and is skilled in hand-to-hand combat.

It’s also essential to introduce students to critical storylines like “The Fourth Host” and “Uni-Mind,” which shed light on the Celestials’ involvement in Earth’s evolution, the Eternals’ connection with humans, and their constant battle against their rival race – the shape-shifting Deviants.

Integrating the Eternals into Lesson Plans

There are numerous ways teachers can integrate The Eternals into a lesson plan. For instance, educators teaching mythology can draw parallels between The Eternals and Greek gods – comparing characters like Ikaris (Icarus) and Zuras (Zeus). This pairing encourages thought-provoking discussions about how ancient mythological figures morph into present-day superheroes.