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{{Superherobox| <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
{{Superherobox| <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
image=[[Image:Celestials.jpg|280px]]
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.]]
|caption=Three of the Celestials - Arishem the Judge, Hargen the Measurer and Eson the Searcher. Art by Giorgio Comolo.|character_name= The Celestials
|character_name= The Celestials
|real_name= Name designated according to function
|real_name= Name designated according to function
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|publisher=[[Marvel Comics]]
|debut=''[[Eternals]]'' vol. 1, #1 (1976)
|debut=''[[Eternals]]'' vol. 1, #1 (1976)
|creators= [[Jack Kirby]]
|creators= [[Jack Kirby]]
|alliances=
|alliances= [[Eternity (comics)|Eternity]], [[Forgotten One (comics)|The Forgotten One]]
|aliases=
|aliases=
|powers= Advanced technology enabling interstellar travel and nearly unlimited cosmic power for use in any application.
|powers= Apparently unlimited cosmic power. Can use for virtually anything.

|}}
|}}


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The Celestials are a total enigma, and appear as completely silent, armoured humanoids with an average height of 2,000 feet. As nothing is known regarding their appearance underneath the armour, it is possible that this may be their true form. <ref>''The Eternals'' vol. 3, #5 (2006) </ref>
The Celestials are a total enigma, and appear as completely silent, armoured humanoids with an average height of 2,000 feet. As nothing is known regarding their appearance underneath the armour, it is possible that this may be their true form. <ref>''The Eternals'' vol. 3, #5 (2006) </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'' 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 conduct similar experiments on other races (such as the [[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 Exterminator, a 20,000 foot tall Celestial who carries out Arishem's sentence. 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'' vol. 1, #387 - 389</ref> More recent depictions, however, show races that fail the genetic test are destroyed 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'' 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 conduct similar experiments on other races (such as the [[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 Exterminator, a 20,000 foot tall Celestial who carries out Arishem's sentence. On the first occasion that this act was witnessed, Exitar terraforms 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 - 389</ref> More recent depictions, however, show races that fail the genetic test are destroyed with their planet. <ref>''Quasar'' #24</ref>


Very few beings on Earth are even aware of the Celestials' existance. The Eternals and Deviants call the Celestials "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 + ''Thor'' vol. 1, #283 - 300</ref>
Very few beings on Earth are even aware of the Celestials' existance. The Eternals and Deviants call the Celestials "Space Gods" and know that they visit Earth in "Hosts" at 1,000 year intervals to monitor mankind's progress. Resenting the presence of the Celestials, the Skyfather figures of Earth's pantheons (eg. [[Odin (comics)|Odin]], Zeus, Vishnu) attempt to stop the Third Host, but are humbled very quickly. The Skyfathers then develop a plan to stop the Fourth Host from judging Earth again. Unfortunately this plan fails, but as a result of the offering of the Skymothers (eg. Frigga, Hera) Earth is left in peace until the time of the Fifth Host. <ref>''Thor'' Annual #7 + ''Thor'' vol. 1, #283 - 300</ref>


==Members==
==Members==
⚫
[[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]].]]

''Main article: [[List of Celestials members]]''
''Main article: [[List of Celestials members]]''

⚫
[[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]]]].


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

* '''Tefral the Surveyor'''
* '''Tefral the Surveyor'''

* '''Eson the Searcher'''
* '''Eson the Searcher'''

* '''Jemiah the Analyzer'''
* '''Jemiah the Analyzer'''

* '''Gammenon the Gatherer'''
* '''Gammenon the Gatherer'''

* '''Hargen the Measurer'''
* '''Hargen the Measurer'''

* '''Oneg the Prober'''
* '''Oneg the Prober'''

* '''Nezarr the Calculator'''
* '''Nezarr the Calculator'''

* '''Ziran the Tester'''
* '''Ziran the Tester'''

* '''Exitar the Exterminator''' -
* '''Exitar the Exterminator''' -

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


⚫
[[Image:DreamingCelestial.png‎|thumb|125px|right|Tiamut The Dreaming Celestial.]]
<br />
⚫
There is an additional Celestial referred to as '''Tiamut, The Dreaming Celestial.''' This being is referred to as the Great Renegade, as Tiamut apparently rebels against the rest of the Second Host when they visit Earth. Tiamut is then imprisioned under a mountain range by the other Celestials, and condenmed to sleep for eternity. In the modern age the Deviant [[Ghaur]] siphons off the Dreaming Celestial's power, but soon falls under Tiamut's control. Ghaur is then defeated by the combined Eternals and [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]]. <ref>''Eternals'' vol. 2, #1 - 12 (1985 - 1986)</ref>

⚫
[[Image:DreamingCelestial.png‎|thumb|125px|left|Tiamut The Dreaming Celestial.]]


⚫
There is an additional Celestial named '''Tiamut''' usually referred to as '''The Dreaming Celestial''' or the "Great Renegade." 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 was defeated soon afterwards by the Eternals and [[Avengers (comics)|Avengers]]. <ref>''Eternals'' vol. 2, #1 - 12 (1985 - 1986)</ref>

⚫
There are also a number of Celestials that have only appeared in one story. 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'' vol. 1, #424</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'' vol. 1, #424</ref>


==Powers and abilities==
==Powers and abilities==
Based on all encounters to date, the Celestials appear to be omnipotent. The [[Cosmic Cube|cosmic cube]] beings [[Beyonder (comics)|Kosmos]] and [[Kubik]], who possess unlimited energy, matter and reality manipulation powers, stated that a single Celestial has "power many orders of magnitude beyond our own." <ref>''Fantastic Four'' vol. 1, Annual #23</ref> This was demonstrated when the Celestials defeated a 2,000 foot tall [[Destroyer (Thor)|Destroyer]] with ease - despite the fact that it was controlled by Odin and imbued with the life force of every god in Asgard (with the exception of [[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]]) and wielding the Odin Sword. <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.
The Celestials are among the most powerful physical entities in the [[Marvel Universe]]. They have shown the ability to permanently seal off entire dimensions, create super-powered beings such as the Godstalkers, reduce the Asgardian construct known as the [[Destroyer (Thor)|Destroyer]] to slag even while it was imbued with the life force of all the gods of Asgard (with the exception of Thor), and move multiple planets across galactic distances at will. The highly evolved [[cosmic cube]] beings [[Beyonder (comics)|Kosmos]] and [[Kubik]] &mdash; beings who wield nearly incalculable energy, matter and reality manipulation powers &mdash; stated that a single Celestial possesses "power many orders of magnitude beyond our own." <ref> ''Fantastic Four'' Annual #23 </ref>

The Celestial's armor can withstand planet-pulverizing forces and, in most instances, even when they have been injured they can repair the damage in seconds. The Celestial armor has been damaged with varying degrees of success by the [[Invisible Woman]], <ref> ''Fantastic Four'' vol. 1 #400</ref> [[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]], <ref> ''Thor'' vol. 1 #387</ref> and the Odinsword-wielding Destroyer construct. <ref> ''Thor'' vol. 1 #300 </ref>.

It has been suggested by Reed Richards that the Celestial's source of power is Hyperspace itself &mdash; the source of energy in the Marvel Universe &mdash; a suggestion confirmed by the Invisible Woman's ability to completely disrupt Exitar's physical form with her hyperspace-derived force fields. <ref> ''Fantastic Four'' vol. 1 #400 </ref>


== Alternate versions ==
== Alternate versions ==

Revision as of 00:17, 14 January 2007

The Celestials
Three of the Celestials - Arishem the Judge, Hargen the Measurer and Eson the Searcher. Art by Giorgio Comolo.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceEternals vol. 1, #1 (1976)
Created byJack Kirby
In-story information
Alter egoName designated according to function
AbilitiesApparently unlimited cosmic power. Can use for virtually anything.

The Celestials are a group of fictional characters and extra-terrestrial beings that appear in the Marvel Universe. The Celestials were created by Jack Kirby and first appeared in The Eternals vol. 1, #1 (July 1976).

Fictional character biography

The Celestials are a total enigma, and appear as completely silent, armoured humanoids with an average height of 2,000 feet. As nothing is known regarding their appearance underneath the armour, it is possible that this may be their true form. [1]

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. [2] The exact reason for the Celestials' genetic manipulation of proto-humans is unknown, although it is known that the Celestials conduct similar experiments on other races (such as the 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 Exterminator, a 20,000 foot tall Celestial who carries out Arishem's sentence. On the first occasion that this act was witnessed, Exitar terraforms a planet into a garden paradise, with only the "evil" inhabitants being destroyed, and the survivors being given a second chance. [3] More recent depictions, however, show races that fail the genetic test are destroyed with their planet. [4]

Very few beings on Earth are even aware of the Celestials' existance. The Eternals and Deviants call the Celestials "Space Gods" and know that they visit Earth in "Hosts" at 1,000 year intervals to monitor mankind's progress. Resenting the presence of the Celestials, the Skyfather figures of Earth's pantheons (eg. Odin, Zeus, Vishnu) attempt to stop the Third Host, but are humbled very quickly. The Skyfathers then develop a plan to stop the Fourth Host from judging Earth again. Unfortunately this plan fails, but as a result of the offering of the Skymothers (eg. Frigga, Hera) Earth is left in peace until the time of the Fifth Host. [5]

Members

Main article: List of Celestials members

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

.

  • 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.
File:DreamingCelestial.png
Tiamut The Dreaming Celestial.

There is an additional Celestial referred to as Tiamut, The Dreaming Celestial. This being is referred to as the Great Renegade, as Tiamut apparently rebels against the rest of the Second Host when they visit Earth. Tiamut is then imprisioned under a mountain range by the other Celestials, and condenmed to sleep for eternity. In the modern age the Deviant Ghaur siphons off the Dreaming Celestial's power, but soon falls under Tiamut's control. Ghaur is then defeated by the combined Eternals and Avengers. [6]

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; [7] Devron the Experimenter and Gamiel the Manipulator; [8] Scathan the Approver; [9] the Monolith Gatherer [10] and the Red and Blue Celestials. [11]

Powers and abilities

Based on all encounters to date, the Celestials appear to be omnipotent. The cosmic cube beings Kosmos and Kubik, who possess unlimited energy, matter and reality manipulation powers, stated that a single Celestial has "power many orders of magnitude beyond our own." [12] This was demonstrated when the Celestials defeated a 2,000 foot tall Destroyer with ease - despite the fact that it was controlled by Odin and imbued with the life force of every god in Asgard (with the exception of Thor) and wielding the Odin Sword. [13]

The Celestials do not appear to be totally invulnerable, as the Destroyer, Thor and the Invisible Woman have managed to damage their armour. [14] 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. [15]


References

  1. ^ The Eternals vol. 3, #5 (2006)
  2. ^ The Eternals vol. 1, #1 - 12 (1976 - 1977)
  3. ^ Thor vol. 1, #387 - 389
  4. ^ Quasar #24
  5. ^ Thor Annual #7 + Thor vol. 1, #283 - 300
  6. ^ Eternals vol. 2, #1 - 12 (1985 - 1986)
  7. ^ Heroes Reborn: The Return #1 - 4 (1997)
  8. ^ Marvel Monsters: Devil Dinosaur #1 (2005)
  9. ^ Guardians of the Galaxy #48 - 50
  10. ^ X-51 #1 - 12 (1999 - 2000)
  11. ^ Thor vol. 1, #424
  12. ^ Fantastic Four vol. 1, Annual #23
  13. ^ Thor vol. 1, #300
  14. ^ Thor vol. 1, #300 + Fantastic Four vol. 1, #400
  15. ^ Earth X vol. 1, #1 - 12

External links

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