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yeoldemandan's review against another edition
5.0
Not peak Neil Gaiman, but very good all the same. I like stories that have a very broad reach and pay up the more epic elements of comic universes, and Eternals definitely delivers on that front.
jennykeery's review
4.0
Having read Gaiman's short stories quite recently, many of which are steeped in the Cthulhu mythos, the idea of H.P. Lovecraft's Old Ones were fresh in my mind. It's not surprising, then, that when reading 'Eternals' I found Lovecraftian influences everywhere! However, although the slumbering Celestial that promises 'whoever freed me would perish first, and that would be my only gift' (eep) is a direct reference to the Cthulhu myth, the story and characters are by no means just copied. This is one of the things I love about Gaiman's writing, he draws on mythology (of all origins) but comes up with something new and interesting with each world, especially with characters he is reinventing such as the Eternals.
I found the story involving and exciting, although the characters lost a lot of their appeal as they discovered more about their true selves. I realise that remembering you are an immortal being would change your worldview somewhat, but I don't think this is a good enough reason for them to become less conflicted and interesting. This is a minor gripe though, as the plot and artwork (I especially loved the typography, something that I usually don't pay much attention to) made up for the later woodenness of the characters.
The extras at the back of the book were also excellent, and included early sketches, and interviews with Gaiman himself and Tori Amos. I have also just ordered a CD recommended in the extras called 'Where's Neil When You Need Him?' (a compilation of songs about Gaiman's writing by various artists) that I previously had no idea was a thing. Yay!
I found the story involving and exciting, although the characters lost a lot of their appeal as they discovered more about their true selves. I realise that remembering you are an immortal being would change your worldview somewhat, but I don't think this is a good enough reason for them to become less conflicted and interesting. This is a minor gripe though, as the plot and artwork (I especially loved the typography, something that I usually don't pay much attention to) made up for the later woodenness of the characters.
The extras at the back of the book were also excellent, and included early sketches, and interviews with Gaiman himself and Tori Amos. I have also just ordered a CD recommended in the extras called 'Where's Neil When You Need Him?' (a compilation of songs about Gaiman's writing by various artists) that I previously had no idea was a thing. Yay!
jennykeery's review against another edition
3.0
I read and enjoyed this years and years ago and had basically forgotten everything about it. Gaiman was my 'in' to comics and, instead of following a series, character or team, I jumped around to every title he wrote - chaotic but fun! I basically adored anything with his name on it. Since I last read Eternals my expectations and taste in comics has changed but I did still like it. It's not really a mystery, not really an action/adventure, and not really a drama either. It has quite a distant, detached tone which I suppose is spot on for depicting immortal custodians but was just a bit joyless. I liked the Deviants best.
ashtheaudiomancer's review against another edition
3.0
DNF at a little more than halfway through. I just can't make myself care about this one. Not sure why. Maybe I'm on comic burnout or something.
djinnetta's review against another edition
2.0
Kinda boring. Didn't do much to make me invested in these characters and the designs are pretty dull. Shane because the art is good and I generally enjoy Gaiman's writing.
justabookholic's review against another edition
3.0
It was both a lot to unpack and not enough to really wrap one's head around... everything.
Moral of the story: immortal being are essentially train wrecks with mythic drama and even omnipotent, all-powerful beings are amused by the concept of Iron Man.
Moral of the story: immortal being are essentially train wrecks with mythic drama and even omnipotent, all-powerful beings are amused by the concept of Iron Man.
trike's review against another edition
2.0
Regular readers of my reviews (:: waves to all both of you ::) know how much I dislike the whole “woke up without a memory” trope. It’s so lazy. Here we have an entire cadre of superpowered immortal beings in just that condition, so we get the fun tedious banality of hitting that same goddamn note over and over and over and over again. This came out in 2006 and even then there was nothing new or original to this story.
I borrowed this because at San Diego Comic Con (2019 edition) Marvel introduced their new slate of movies and among them was The Eternals, starring Angelina Jolie. I had a glancing familiarity with them, as I had read a few of the Kirby stories back in the 70s. Like everything Kirby, I kinda bounced off of it. I’ve always liked his weirdo trippy designs but didn’t think much of his storytelling. I find his work is best enjoyed when being channeled by others, such as in the films Doctor Strange, Thor: Ragnarok and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. I appreciate the fact that we don’t get the amazing MCU without him, but his work was never my cup of tea.
I feel the same way about Neil Gaiman’s work. I know, shriek, heresy. I like the idea better than the execution of it. So this combo platter was definitely not for me. If Marvel is going to use this as the basis for their movie, I’m not on board with it. It’s going to feel like that terrible Gods of Egypt movie from a few years back. It *looked* like it would be kind of cool but it so wasn’t, despite having a few interesting scenes. (Trailer: https://youtu.be/IJBnK2wNQSo) This book is exactly like that movie.
It doesn’t help that nothing really happens. Everything just returns to status quo and you’re left thinking, “Ho-hum.” As in you will actually finish the story and then say that out loud. Ho-hum.
I borrowed this because at San Diego Comic Con (2019 edition) Marvel introduced their new slate of movies and among them was The Eternals, starring Angelina Jolie. I had a glancing familiarity with them, as I had read a few of the Kirby stories back in the 70s. Like everything Kirby, I kinda bounced off of it. I’ve always liked his weirdo trippy designs but didn’t think much of his storytelling. I find his work is best enjoyed when being channeled by others, such as in the films Doctor Strange, Thor: Ragnarok and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. I appreciate the fact that we don’t get the amazing MCU without him, but his work was never my cup of tea.
I feel the same way about Neil Gaiman’s work. I know, shriek, heresy. I like the idea better than the execution of it. So this combo platter was definitely not for me. If Marvel is going to use this as the basis for their movie, I’m not on board with it. It’s going to feel like that terrible Gods of Egypt movie from a few years back. It *looked* like it would be kind of cool but it so wasn’t, despite having a few interesting scenes. (Trailer: https://youtu.be/IJBnK2wNQSo) This book is exactly like that movie.
It doesn’t help that nothing really happens. Everything just returns to status quo and you’re left thinking, “Ho-hum.” As in you will actually finish the story and then say that out loud. Ho-hum.
arensb's review against another edition
2.0
Not bad or anything. Just not particularly original or noteworthy. Just a fairly run of the mill powerful superhero story. It feels like Gaiman is phoning it in a bit in this one.