Eternals #18, December 1977

"To Kill a Space God"
Edited, written & drawn by Jack Kirby
Letterer & Inker- Mike Royer
Consulting Editor- Archie Goodwin

SUMMARY

Sigmar activates an image projector for Druig. Before them, they see a golden Celestial blasted by some force that converts it into pure energy. Sigmar says that this recording is all that the Eternals know of the "weapon". Druig smashes the tape beneath his heel. He knows there is more. There were Eternals there to witness the event- further, Sigmar was one of them!

Druig:"There were Polar Eternals present! And among them-- YOU, Sigmar-- YOU WERE THERE!"
Sigmar:"You dream of PLAYING with a force which only the Space Gods can control! Think, Druig, THINK!!"
Druig:"YOU KNOW OF THE WEAPON!"
Sigmar:"It is a CELESTIAL weapon! I COULD NOT DUPLICATE IT!"
Druig:"BUT, YOU TRIED, DIDN'T YOU? IT WAS IN YOUR POSSESSION! YOU STILL HAVE IT!! SO, DOG! Thus, the truth unfolds and lays BARE what I seek! WHERE IS IT, SIGMAR? WHERE IS THE WEAPON!?"

Sigmar says Valkin hid the weapon. Druig sets Sigmar on fire to torture him. Finally, Sigmar confesses that Ikaris knows the weapon's whereabouts, so Druig plans to contact his cousin...

Ikaris is flying over the Gulf Coast with a camera, recording images of one of the Celestials (don't ask me which one- he's never given a name here, or in the OHOTMU). From Washington DC, a crew of technicians watch Ikaris' feed, joined by Zuras.

Mr. Bradford:"What are they up to, Zuras? WHO or WHAT are the Celestials??"
Zuras:"I THINK that they will tell us all-- when they are READY."
Mr. Bradford:"Your statement carries OMINOUS echoes. It smacks of something OMNIPOTENT and UNAPPROACHABLE!"
Zuras:"The Space Gods are NOT omnipotent! Merely-- OLDER!!"

They are joined by Sersi, Margo, Sam & Makkari. As usual, Sersi finds the proceedings boring, and turns the office into a barn complete with a fiddler.

Sersi:"Great Zuras has spoken! Shall we DANCE, Makkari?"
Makkari:"At this moment, it would be ridiculous NOT to!"

Meantime, as Ikaris finishes his exploring and begins to head back, he spies a fiery cloud, and investigates- only to discover that it's a trap! Sigmar has prepared a "dimension cloud" which teleports Ikaris straight into Druig's lair! As Sigmar prepares Ikaris, Druig heads to the top of the Polar Eternals' castle to watch a far off Celestial (Ziran the Tester) with his telescope. Ziran is his target.

Druig:"Welcome, Celestial! Druig is anxious to strip you of INVINCIBILITY and put an END to your silent arrogance! My deed shall raise echoes around the earth! The name of Druig will surpass even that of my father Valkin! Come, Celestial-- and be CONQUERED!"

Ikaris is ready to be interrogated, and Druig returns to the lab. In order to probe his mind, Sigmar releases a "Neural Beast", a pink, tentacled creature that taps into his brain! Ikaris howls in pain, until Sigmar ties the beast up and returns it to his cage.

Druig:"You've had a BAD time of it, Ikaris! If you have anything to say-- SAY IT NOW!"
Ikaris:"BURN with your demons, FOUL one!
Druig:"The Neural Beast is NEARBY! I can still have him RETURNED to your side!"
Ikaris:"BURN, DRUIG!! BURN IN THE PITS!!"

But it's no use. Druig already has what he needs. The Neural Beast left behind a brand on Ikaris' forehead- a triangle with two wavy lines running through it. The symbol of the Pyramid of the Winds. Druig has won!

COMMENTS

Here's an oddity- instead of the usual Ikaris picture in the corner box, for this issue, and this issue alone, we get head shots of Ikaris, Makkari & Sersi. Don't ask me why.

Say g'bye to Sersi, Margo, Sam & Makkari.

This is the first time we see the home of the Polar Eternals, and there are a few background Eternals present.

You know, you have to admire Druig. He actually thinks he can slay a Celestial. Of course, he's an idiot too. But comparable to Loki in his own way. It's interesting to see an Eternal gone bad.

The Golden Celestial in the flashback will become better known to us as the "Dreaming Celestial" or "Black Celestial".

This issue includes an editorial by Jack Kirby which you can read here.

Next: The frantic finale! Ikaris vs. Druig for the life of a Celestial! Bum-bum-bummmmm!