Eternals #9, March 1977

"The Killing Machine"
Edited, written & drawn by Jack Kirby
Inker & Letterer- Mike Royer
Consulting Editor- Archie Goodwin

SUMMARY

Ikaris and Makkari lead Margo to Olympia, hidden in the mountains by a mental illusion. Just as they arrive, a giant flying serpent attacks Ikaris! Ikaris shoots eye-beams at it, but the creature becomes even more powerful!

Makkari:"This has become a game NOT to my liking!!"
Margo:"A GAME? Is this what you Olympians call a GAME?"
Makkari:"There are some among us-- and ONE in particular-- with weird ideas concerning the state of humor! To rid ourselves of THIS monster, we must seek out a SMALLER one!"

Makkari finds an Eternal nearby with his head glowing brilliantly and shoots him in the butt with a thin laser! The young Eternal is shocked, and the creature vanishes. Ikaris, furious, chases Sprite down to punish him.

Zuras is drawn from observing this by Domo, who has located the Celestials.

Nazarr walks about in Russia, as the Soviets plan their actions. Oneg is spotted in Australia. Hargen, in the Swiss Alps. And at Miami Beach, Eson appears, striding through the waters! He dives below the waves, heading towards Deviant Lemuria!

Speaking of which...

Ransak and Karkas begin their combat, with Ransak firing his lance at Karkas' chest!

Karkas:"YOU'RE LIKE THEM-- YOU HURT KARKAS! WHY!?"
Deviants:"Wonder of wonders! That monstrous mutate can THINK!! A-and TALK!!"

Ransak fires again at Karkas' face, and again, at his foot, knocking him over! Seeing his opportunity, Ransak leaps upon him, and blasts him in the chest, using the last energy in the lance! Karkas has fallen- but still, Ransak goes on! He begins beating Karkas with the lance, even as the Deviants order him to stop! They try to make him stand down, but he throws the lance at them, then leaps into battle, killing several of them! More soldiers enter the fray- and Ransak kills them as well! [as many as 4 in a single panel!] Two guards try to hold back his arms, but he breaks free and smashes them right through their helmets!

Now, Ransak turns to the audience- but finds that he cannot pass through the protective screen.

Kro:"There's you poor little SACRIFICAL LAMB, Thena! What do you think of him NOW!?"
Thena:"H-he's a DESTROYER!"
Ransak:"I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU!! I'LL KILL YOU ALL!! YOU'LL SEE! YOU'LL SEE!!"
Thena:"Poor creature! The lot of an OUTCAST has robbed him of any WORTHY emotions!! I-I pity him."
Kro:"Be that as it may, he is living evidence that Deviant genes have somehow reached an IMPROVED level of CHANGE!!"

Brother Tode orders the Reject's death, but Kro is unable to carry it out- the entire room shakes as Eson nears the city, and the guards open fire- but Eson drains the weapons of all their power- including the barrier that held Ransak back! Slowly, Ransak rises, ready to kill again...

COMMENTS

More good stuff. We meet Sprite, get some awesome battle scenes between Ransak & Karkas, and a great one-page shot of Eson at Miami Beach. No complaints.

Next: More of Ransak, natch!