The Eternals are a group of immortal beings that first appeared in Marvel comics in 1976. Created by legendary artist and writer Jack Kirby, the Eternals have a long and complex history within the Marvel universe. With the recent release of the Eternals movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, these cosmic characters have gained a new level of mainstream popularity. One of the most intriguing aspects of the Eternals is the diversity of powers and abilities they possess. This begs the question – with such an eclectic group of super beings, is any one of the Eternals deaf?
Overview of the Eternals
To determine if any of the Eternals are deaf, it is helpful to first understand who they are. The Eternals are an evolutionary offshoot of humanity – they look like humans but possess greater powers. The Eternals were created over a million years ago when the cosmic beings known as Celestials came to Earth and performed genetic experiments on early humans. This led to two new races – the super-powered Eternals and the monstrous Deviants. The Eternals have a wide range of superhuman abilities including super-strength, flight, telepathy, energy manipulation, and more. There are many different Eternals, each with their own distinct powers and personalities. Some of the most notable Eternals include:
- Ikaris – The tactical leader of the Eternals with abilities like flight, strength, and energy beams.
- Sersi – A powerful Eternal with the ability to manipulate matter and energy.
- Thena – A warrior Eternal with strength, speed, stamina and skill in combat.
- Makkari – The fastest Eternal capable of running at supersonic speeds.
- Druig – An Eternal with powerful psychic and telepathic abilities.
- Gilgamesh – An Eternal with superhuman strength and durability.
- Sprite – A trickster Eternal with the ability to project illusions.
- Phastos – An inventive Eternal that can design advanced weapons and technology.
- Kingo – An Eternal with skill in samurai swordsmanship and projecting cosmic energy.
- Ajak – The spiritual leader of the Eternals with healing powers.
This core group of Eternals has been featured in multiple comic storylines over the years, protecting humanity from threats like the Deviants. The diversity of their powers makes the Eternals a formidable superhero team. But could any of them potentially be deaf?
Examining the Senses of the Eternals
To determine if any Eternal has impaired hearing, we must analyze their senses compared to an average human. All Eternals possess enhanced senses – vision, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. Their senses are many times greater than that of humans. For example, Eternals like Ikaris can hear and see clearly across vast distances. Their senses are attuned to energies around them. Makkari’s enhanced senses allow him to run safely at super speeds. Eternals like Sersi can detect minute molecular changes in matter. Sprite’s illusion powers are connected to her senses. Overall, the Eternals have incredibly powerful sensory abilities surpassing normal human ranges. So it is highly unlikely that any have hearing loss or deafness.
No Cases of Deafness
In over 40 years of comic stories, there are no definitive instances of a deaf Eternal being depicted. Their superhuman senses are core to their characters. In some alternate universe stories, various Eternals may have different impairments. But in the core Marvel universe continuity, no prominent Eternals have been shown to be deaf or hearing impaired. Even Eternals that have suffered severe injuries or dismemberment fully regenerate without any lasting sensory disabilities. Their healing factors are too advanced for permanent hearing loss.
Advanced Senses in All Eternals
Looking deeper at each core Eternal reveals no evidence of auditory deficiencies. Ikaris can perceive threats to Earth from space via his senses. Sersi manipulates matter at an atomic level, requiring advanced senses. Thena has microscopic vision and hearing to aid her combat skills. Makkari would be unable to run safely at high speeds without heightened senses compensating. Druig uses telepathic senses beyond normal hearing ranges. Gilgamesh and Kingo project energy based on their sensory perceptions. Sprite uses illusions that connect to the senses. Phastos builds devices relying on his senses. Lastly, Ajak communicates across cosmic and atomic levels, indicating powerful senses. In summary, the core abilities of every major Eternal necessitate extraordinary sensory capabilities well beyond any real world human, including perfect hearing.
Could a Future Eternal Become Deaf?
While no current major Eternal has impaired hearing, could one become deaf in potential future storylines? It is unlikely for a few key reasons:
Rapid Healing Factors
All Eternals have accelerated healing capabilities that allow them to rapidly recover from almost any injury, including those affecting hearing. Their healing powers are strong enough to regenerate entire limbs or organs. So partial or full hearing loss tends to be temporary. Over time, their healing will restore their original senses. For example, if an explosion caused temporary deafness, the Eternal’s healing would swiftly restore hearing. It would take massive levels of trauma or cosmic/molecular manipulation to make an Eternal’s deafness permanent.
Advanced Prosthetics
In the unlikely scenario where an Eternal sustains permanent hearing damage, they have the option of advanced prosthetics. The technology wielding Phastos can construct state-of-the-art bionic ears or hearing aids using nano materials and cosmic energy. Such prosthetics would grant full auditory range and likely additional sensory capabilities. So permanent deafness could be circumvented via enhancements.
Focus on Ability, Not Disability
The Eternals were created to be seen as powerful protectors of Earth, so the focus is on their impressive abilities rather than potential disabilities. Showing them as deaf would go against how they were originally envisioned. While positive disability representation is welcome today, the 1960s comic standards shaped these characters around extraordinary skills, strength, and senses.
However, a future storyline could potentially depict a deaf human gaining Eternal powers. Or exploring an Eternal temporarily losing hearing to gain new perspectives. But the core heroic Eternals will likely remain fully able, with all senses enhanced, including hearing.
How a Deaf Eternal Could Be Depicted
If Marvel did want to introduce a deaf Eternal character, here are some possibilities on how they could do it:
New Eternal Character
Marvel could create an entirely new Eternal who is deaf from birth. Their abilities and role could showcase how they use alternate senses like sight, touch, and Eternal telepathy to operate successfully.
Celestial Experimentation
A story could involve Celestial experiments causing a known Eternal to lose hearing. This Eternal must then adapt to deafness and use other senses more dominantly.
Technology Amplifying Other Senses
A deaf Eternal could use advanced technology created by Phastos to amplify their other senses and powers. This would enable them to function easily without hearing.
Mind Communication
Eternals could develop telepathic group communication allowing a deaf member to stay in psychic contact at all times.
These are just a few examples of how Marvel could potentially introduce a deaf Eternal persona while keeping with established lore.
Conclusion
After closely examining the history, powers, and senses of the core Eternals, there is no conclusive evidence of any of them being fully deaf in the Marvel comics universe. Their superhuman senses, healing abilities, and advanced prosthetics make deafness highly unlikely. However, Marvel could certainly introduce an interesting deaf character to the Eternals lore in the future, via a new persona, experiments, or adaptive technologies. While disability representation is improving, the able-bodied norms of the 1960s shaped the Eternals as figures of extraordinary ability. Overall, while no current major Eternal has impaired hearing, the potential exists to depict one, handled sensitively via the cosmic richness of their characters. Their diversity could certainly include sensory experiences like deafness. But for now, all prominent Eternals have incredibly powerful hearing surpassing any living being on Earth.