Celestial (comics)

The Celestials are a fictional race of powerful, humanoid cosmic entities appearing in Marvel Comics. Created by Jack Kirby, they first appeared in The Eternals #2 (1976).

Concept and History:

The Celestials are ancient beings of immense size and power, responsible for shaping the evolution of life on countless planets throughout the universe. They arrive on planets in massive "Host" formations, conducting genetic experiments on the native populations. These experiments often result in the creation of three distinct evolutionary paths: Eternals, Deviants, and baseline humans (or their equivalent on other planets).

The Celestials' motives are largely inscrutable to lesser beings. They operate on cosmic timescales and their actions, while seemingly random, are ultimately part of a grand, unknown plan. They are often depicted as judges, evaluating the worthiness of entire planets for continued existence.

Powers and Abilities:

Celestials possess virtually limitless cosmic power. Their abilities include:

• Cosmic Energy Manipulation: The ability to manipulate and control vast amounts of cosmic energy for a variety of purposes, including energy projection, force fields, and matter manipulation.
• Reality Warping: To a limited extent, they can alter reality itself.
• Immortality: They are virtually immortal and immune to disease and aging.
• Immense Size and Strength: Celestials are typically hundreds or thousands of feet tall and possess superhuman strength, durability, and stamina.
• Teleportation: They can traverse vast distances instantaneously.
• Biological Manipulation: They are capable of manipulating the genetic structure of living beings.

Notable Celestials:

• Arishem the Judge: The leader of the Celestials, responsible for evaluating the worthiness of planets.
• Tiamut the Dreaming Celestial: A Celestial who dissented from the group and was imprisoned on Earth. He played a significant role in the AXE: Judgement Day event.
• Eson the Searcher: A Celestial responsible for testing and analyzing the environments of planets.
• Hargen the Measurer: A Celestial who measures and evaluates the potential of planets.
• Nezarr the Calculator: A Celestial who analyzes data and calculates the potential outcomes of various scenarios.
• One Above All: Distinct from the abstract entity of the same name, this Celestial is a powerful and enigmatic figure within the Celestial hierarchy.
• Progenitor: The first Celestial, from whose corpse the Earth formed, as revealed in more recent storylines.

Significance:

The Celestials are a cornerstone of Marvel's cosmic mythology. They represent a force beyond human comprehension, shaping the destiny of entire galaxies. Their actions have had a profound impact on numerous characters and storylines throughout the Marvel Universe, and their influence continues to be felt in modern comics.