Celestial (comics): Difference between revisions

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{{Superherobox| <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->

image=[[Image:Celestials.jpg|280px|thumb|right|Three of the Celestials - Arishem the Judge, Hargen the Measurer and Eson the Searcher. Art by Giorgio Comolo.]]

|comic_color=background:#ff8180

|caption=Three of the Celestials - Arishem the Judge, Hargen the Measurer and Eson the Searcher. Art by [[Giorgio Comolo]].

|character_name= The Celestials

|real_name= Name designated according to function

|alter_ego=

|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]

|debut=''[[Eternals]]'' volVol. 1, #1 (1976)

|death=

|creators= [[Jack Kirby]]

|alliance_color=background:#c0c0ff

|status=Active

|alliances=

|previous_alliances=

|aliases=

|relatives= Inapplicable

|supports=

|powers= Apparently capable of anything and more powerful than any force on Earth

|powers= Nearly unlimited cosmic power

|}}

The '''Celestials''' are a group of [[fictionalMarvel Comics]] group of [[extra-terrestrial]] beings, inand thewere {{Marvel Universe}}. Createdcreated by [[Jack Kirby]],. theThe Celestials first appeared in ''[[The Eternals]]'' volVol. 1, #1 (July 1976).

==Fictional character biography==

The Celestials are almost a total enigma., Appearingappearing as acompletely group of massivesilent, armoured humanoids with an average height of 2,000 feet, these normally silent beings have only appeared on Earth on a few occasions. ItNothing is unknownknown whatregarding theytheir looktrue likeappearance, underalthough their armour. Itit is equally possible that they may not have physical forms as such and may, in fact, '''be''' their very armour. <ref>''The Eternals'' Vol. 3, #5 (2006) #5</ref> What is known is that the Celestials are apparently responsible for the

creation of two offshoots of humanity — the [[Eternals]] and the [[Deviants]] — on Earth over a million years ago. <ref>''The Eternals'' vol. 1, #1 - 12 (1976 - 1977)</ref> The exact reason for the Celestials' genetic manipulation of proto-humans is unknown, although it is known that the Celestials conducted similar experiments on other races, such as the [[Skrull|Skrulls]]. Each race that the Celestials has experimented on is periodically assessed by Arishem the Judge, and if a race "fails" by Celestials standards, Arishem will send an execution code to Exitar the Executioner, a 20,000 foot tall Celestial who will pass final judgement on the planet in question. On the first occasion this act was witnessed, Exitar terraformed a planet into a garden paradise, with only the "evil" inhabitants being destroyed, and the survivors being given a second chance. <ref>''Thor'' vol. 1, #387 - 388</ref> More recent depictions, however, show races that fail the genetic test are destroyed along with their planet. <ref>''Quasar'' #24</ref>

The Celestials have only appeared on Earth on a few occasions. What is known is that the Celestials are apparently responsible for the creation of two offshoots of humanity — the [[Eternals]] and the [[Deviants]] — on Earth over a million years ago. <ref>''The Eternals'' volVol. 1, #1 - 12 (1976 - 1977)</ref> The exact reason for the Celestials' genetic manipulation of proto-humans is unknown, although it is known that the Celestials conductedconduct similar experiments on other races, (such as the [[Skrull|Skrulls]] ). Each race that the Celestials has experimented on is periodically assessed by Arishem the Judge, and if a race "fails" by Celestials standards, Arishem will send an execution code to Exitar the Executioner, a 2010,000 foot tall Celestial who will pass final judgement on the planet in question. On the first occasion that this act was witnessed, Exitar terraformed a planet into a garden paradise, with only the "evil" inhabitants being destroyed, and the survivors being given a second chance. <ref>''Thor'' volVol. 1, #387 - 388</ref> More recent depictions, however, show races that fail the genetic test are destroyed along with their planet. <ref>''Quasar'' #24</ref>

Very few beings on Earth are even aware of the Celestials' existance. The Eternals and Deviants refer to the Celestials as "Space Gods" and know that they visit Earth in "Hosts" on 1,000 year intervals to monitor mankind's progress. It was revealed that [[Odin (comics)|Odin]] and the other Skyfather figures of Earth's pantheons (eg. Zeus, Vishnu) had been humbled by the Celestial Third Host, and developed a plan to stop the Fourth Host from judging Earth again. Unfortunately this plan failed, but as a result of the offering of the Skymothers (eg. Frigga, Hera) Earth was left in peace until the time of the Fifth Host. <ref>''Thor'' Annual #7 and ''Thor'' vol. 1, #283 - 300</ref>

Very few beings on Earth are even aware of the Celestials' existance. The Eternals and Deviants refer tocall the Celestials as "Space Gods" and know that they visit Earth in "Hosts" on 1,000 year intervals to monitor mankind's progress. It was revealed that [[Odin (comics)|Odin]] and the other Skyfather figures of Earth's pantheons (eg. Zeus, Vishnu) had been humbled by the Celestial Third Host, and developed a plan to stop the Fourth Host from judging Earth again. Unfortunately this plan failed, but as a result of the offering of the Skymothers (eg. Frigga, Hera) Earth was left in peace until the time of the Fifth Host. <ref>''Thor'' Annual #7 and+ ''Thor'' volVol. 1, #283 - 300</ref>

==Members==

* '''Arishem the Judge''' - field leader for ground teams.

* '''Tefral the Surveyor'''

* '''Eson the Searcher'''

* '''Jemiah the Analyzer'''

* '''Gammenon the Gatherer'''

* '''Hargen the Measurer'''

* '''Oneg the Prober'''

* '''Nezarr the Calculator'''

* '''Ziran the Tester'''

* '''Exitar the Exterminator''' -

* '''The One Above All''' - leader of the Celestials.

'''Note:'''

There is an additional Celestial named '''Tiamut''' usually referred to as '''Tiamut, The Dreaming Celestial.''' orThis being is referred to as the "Great Renegade.", as Tiamut apparently rebelled against the rest of the Second Host when they were visiting Earth. Tiamut was then imprisioned under a mountain range by the other Celestials, and condenmed to sleep for eternity. In the modern age the Deviant [[Ghaur]] siphoned off the Dreaming Celestial's power, but soon fell under Tiamut's control. Ghaur wasis then defeated soon afterwards by the combined Eternals and [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]]. <ref>''Eternals'' volVol. 2, #1 - 12 (1985 - 1986)</ref>

There are also a number of Celestials that have only appeared in one story, and as such it is doubftul as to whether these appearances are regarded as canon. These Celestials were Ashema the Listener; <ref>''Heroes Reborn: The Return'' #1 - 4 (1997)</ref> Devron the Experimenter and Gamiel the Manipulator; <ref>''Marvel Monsters: Devil Dinosaur'' #1 (2005)</ref> Scathan the Approver; <ref>''Guardians of the Galaxy'' #48 - 50</ref> the Monolith Gatherer <ref>''X-51'' #1 - 12 (1999 - 2000)</ref> and the Red and Blue Celestials. <ref>''Thor'' volVol. 1, #424</ref>

[[Image:FourthHost.jpg|right|thumb|The Celestial Fourth Host - (left to right) Hargen, Tefral, Nezzar, Gammenon, Arishem, Jemiah, Eson, Oneg and Ziran.
Art by [[Keith Pollard]].]]

==Powers and abilities==

TheBased Celestialson areall among the most powerful physical entities in the [[Marvel Universe]]. They have shown the abilityencounters to permanently seal off other dimensionsdate, create powerful beings such as the Godstalkers,Celestials reduce the Asgardian construct known as the [[Destroyer (Thor)|Destroyer]]appear to slagbe evenomnipotent while it was imbued with the life force ofand all the gods of Asgard (with the exception of Thor), and move multiple planets across galactic distances at will. Their armor can withstand planet-pulverizing forces and even when damaged, they can repair severed limbs in secondspowerful. The highly evolved [[Cosmic Cube|cosmic cube]] beings [[Beyonder (comics)|Kosmos]] and [[Kubik]] &mdash; beings, who wieldpossess nearly incalculableunlimited energy, matter and reality manipulation powers &mdash;, stated that a single Celestial possesseshas "power many orders of magnitude beyond our own." It hasThis suggestedwas thatdemonstrated nowhen beingthe canCelestials crack or shatterdefeated a Celestials armor2,000 thoughfoot thetall [[Invisible Woman]], [[CyclopsDestroyer (comicsThor)|CyclopsDestroyer]], [[Thorwith (Marvelease Comics)|Thor]]- anddespite the Odinswordfact wielding-Destroyerthat constructit havewas managedcontrolled toby doOdin so.and Itimbued haswith beenthe suggestedlife thatforce theof Celestialsevery drawgod theirin powerAsgard from Hyperspace,(with the sourceexception of energy[[Thor in(Marvel Comics)|Thor]]) and wielding the MarvelOdin UniverseSword. <ref>''Thor'' Vol. 1, #300</ref>

The Celestials do not appear to be totally invulnerable, as the [[Destroyer (Thor)|Destroyer]], [[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]] and the [[Invisible Woman]] have managed to damage their armour. <ref>''Thor'' Vol. 1, #300 + ''Fantastic Four'' Vol. 1, #400</ref> The damage, however, is repaired almost immediately and it is possible the Celestials have allowed this in order to further their learning about Earth's metahumans.

== Alternate versions ==

* In the series ''[[Earth X]]'' the Celestials are beings of energy encased in life-preserving vibranium (it prevents their total dissipation). They reproduce by planting a fragment of their essence in a planet, which eventually matures into a new Celestial, who in turn absorbs the planet. This brings the Celestials into conflict with [[Galactus]]. <ref>''Earth X'' Vol. 1, #1 - 12</ref>

[[Image:Eternals1.jpg|180|right|thumb|''The Eternals'' Vol. 1, #1. Art by [[Jack Kirby]]]].

* In Warren Ellis and Stuart Immonnen's comedy series [[Nextwave]], it is revealed that the Celestials, after taking [[Machine Man]] into their presence, threw him back to Earth for being a "total ☠☠☠☠." The canonicity of this cameo appearance is uncertain.

==References==

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==External links==

* [http://www.immortalthor.net/ Immortal Thor.net]

*[http://www.geocities.com/brenni_au/Celestials.html Sersi's Loft: Home of the Eternals: Celestials]

*[http://www.knightmare6.com/faq/cosmic_entities_marvel Knightmare6.com,: Marvel Cosmic Entities]

[[Category:Marvel Comics cosmic entities]]