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A review by trike
Eternals by Neil Gaiman
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.